noun ~ a person thought to have magical powers

PHOENIX

After the meeting yesterday, we took turns searching in different parts of the mountains. The land was vast and would take us a long time, but we split into pairs ran different courses and paths that the witch could've taken.

It was day three of searching. Nova had been gone for six days now and my wolf was on the verge of losing it once more. I had been out searching most of the time, Charlie monitoring things with the Lycans since he still couldn't shift. He claims he could communicate with his wolf, which meant he was on the mend.

I had been out searching today. The sun setting in the distance created an odd sense of home deep within me. I sighed with the thought of Nova, my wolf whining as we fell onto our haunches. I had been up north of the mountains today, only just making my way down about an hour ago. It had started to snow a few hours ago, the dark clouds drifting across the mountain range.

My paws trudged through the hard earth, leaves crunching with frost. The air was damp, my every exhale marked with wisps of white clouds. The fog had settled, waiting for the impending snow that was to fall.

I came to a stop at the bottom of a dirt path. Looking ahead, I saw the familiar edge of the plaza. The fog covered it well, only the lit-up windows shone through the darkening sky. I could smell the burning of wood as the small packs that lived here settled in for the upcoming weather.

Passing the first building, a sudden feeling of being watched ran across my spine. I growled low, raising my head and my hackles to make myself look larger. Baring my teeth, I waited for the feminine scent to step forward.

An old woman came into my view. She was frail-looking, tendrils of hair falling from a bandana around her head. Her hands shook with the cold, pulling the shawl on her shoulders tighter around her torso. What startled me was the oddness of her eye, or should I say eye; she was blind.

"Alpha." She bowed her head.

I grumbled, waiting for her to explain her presence. She didn't seem the least bit frightened of the close-to-the-edge wolf, her body in tune with my every step as I crept near. I sniffed slightly, smelling the electrifying floral scent that came with most witches.

"I am Angela." She whispered.

I recognised the name.

Despite Ares' growl, I pushed him to the side to shift back. My bones cracking filled the plaza and my exhausted body stumbled on two feet for the first time today. The freezing air made my hair stand on end, my skin prickling with the cold.

"Please come inside. I would love to talk to you." She murmured.

I surveyed the area surrounding me, finding most curtains closed and doors shut. It was quiet, except for my heavy breaths and her voice. I looked at her again, my eyes narrowed with curiosity. I nodded; although she could not see me. She seemed to recognise the motion, somehow, as she grinned and gestured for me to follow her.

My footsteps were soft as I entered the store behind her. It was full of clothes, with rails lining two green walls and more dotted around the middle of the room. The roof was low, making me careful of every step, and the closed curtains cast dark shadows through the open space.

"Just through here, then you can have a seat, Alpha." Her voice called to me.

I snapped out of my observations and followed her around the counter and into the back room. A tapestry hung from the far wall, a small wooden door beside it. There was a single light hanging from the ceiling, illuminating two deep green armchairs. A coffee table sat in front of them, all of it facing a deep open fire.

Humming at the comforting warmth, I stepped further into the room. The witch had disappeared into the next room, leaving me to study the oddities she collected in her space.

"Here, I hope these will fit."

I turned to see her huddling through a curtained opening on my left. Taking what she gave me, I found some sweatpants and a thick knitted jumper. I pulled the trousers on with a thank you, a rather perfect fit.

"They are Aldren's. That boy used to always go running without clothes and get caught in the storm." She chuckled.

I hummed, sitting down next to her by the fire. She sighed as she leaned into the chair, her head falling back against the fabric. I watched her quietly, taking in the essence that she leaked. She smelt... different to Gaia.

"Any luck trying to find her?" She asked.

I snapped my attention from her hands to her face. She had tilted her head in my direction, and although she could not see, I felt her mind drilling into my own.

"None."

She inhaled deeply. "I was afraid you'd say that."

"What makes you say that?"

She paused, licking her dry lips. "What do you know about witches, Alpha?"

I frowned. "Little."

"You have one right under your nose and you're telling me you only know a little?" She mused.

I growled slightly at her. "Gaia has never indulged me in her tricks."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Gaia... is a naïve witch."

I frowned. "Naïve, how?"

She shrugged. "She and I are much alike. We both have visions gifted from the Moon Goddess, paths we can choose to take, and powers that are beyond our reach."

I stayed silent as she turned her head to face the fire.

"I have known Gaia for her entire life. Being her teacher gives me that benefit."

My eyes widened with curiosity, and she sighed heavily. If Gaia was Angela's student, then just how old was Angela?

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked.

She smirked. "Are you sure it is me that wants to ask questions?"

I frowned at her answer. My mother used to always tell me to be careful of what you ask of a witch. If you are too vague, they can do more than you ask.

"That depends if you would answer what I'd ask."

She beamed. "Smart boy."

I ignored the degrading name, regardless of Ares wanting to growl at her. If we stayed on this witch's good side, she may be of help to us. They loved a game, only working in situations that benefited them. Gaia had kept to herself, choosing to live in a cabin on my land. I would only see her if she came to work in the kitchen to pass her time.

"Go ahead. Let me know what is in your mind. Your questions will help me with my visions."

I clenched my jaw, thinking about what I wanted to say. Leaning forwards, I glanced down at my hands that lay clutched between my knees.

"Raven took her. Is she corrupted by the vampires?"

Her eyes snapped to mine, a look of confusion overtaking her features. "Vampires?"

"Yes. Vampires have her."

"How do you know?"

"It is what I have worked out."

"Well, tell me. If the evidence is strong enough, I can try to find out what is happening."

I paused, scanning her frail form once more. "How old are you?"

"Didn't your mother ever tell you to never question a lady's age?" She hummed.

I shook my head. "She did. But I feel like I need to know just how much power I am dealing with her."

She laughed lightly. "I am five hundred and seventy-three. Rather a good number, if you ask me."

I inhaled deeply, letting the absurdity of her age wash over my shoulders. She was the oldest person I have met. I knew witches could hold spells to age slower, but to be nearly six hundred had me wondering. Just how close was she to the original wolves?

"How do I know I can trust you?" I asked.

She shrugged. "You do, or you don't. Your little mate seemed to not like me."

I grimaced, knowing that wasn't true. Nova had often spoken of Angela on the phone whilst she was here. She told me stories about her parents, that Angela had been so kind as to tell her. She confided in her stories, trusted the witch that guided her grandmother.

"Why do you lie?"

She grinned again. "So, you do not think I am bad?"

I paused before shaking my head. "I do not. You are just absurdly old."

She laughed, her hand coming to pat my arm. "My, when I have seen visions of you in the past, you were never this carefree. I am glad you levelled out, that Beta of yours is a good friend to confide in."

"What do you mean?"

"I am an oracle. Means I can see the future." She explained nonchalantly. "Many years ago, I saw your parent's extinction and your transformation into Alpha. As you hunted down those that killed your family, there were two main paths you could go down. One was losing control of the wolf; the other was a... slightly less dramatic approach. That day you met your Beta, a broken wolf much like your own, you sealed your fate."

'This sounds like a love story.' Ares snorts.

"Meeting Nova was a perk of taming you."

I rolled my eyes. "You make it sound like I was a rabid animal."

She shrugged, a wide smile on her face. "Hunting down those that killed your parents to seek revenge is a rather tame past?"

She snickered again as I hesitated to reply. I tried to block those times from my memory, trying to live in the present. My parent's death will forever haunt me. My mother's pain after my father's loss was enough to have me not want a mate. The pain and control another person could have over how I live my life did not sound appealing. But of course, then came Nova.

The small, fragile-looking non-shifter that burnt me with my drink. Her wide, beautiful green eyes were so full of fear, but I saw nothing but her. The instinct to protect her, to whisk her away, was so strong. But nothing was ever so easy in my life. I either had to mess it up, or it never worked out.

Nova is the main constant I had, and I clung to it with my every breath. I now understood my parents, despite everything, how much losing each other would feel.

Humming met my ears, and I blinked back to the present at the sound.

"Something on your mind?" She asked.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging with defeat. "I just need answers. The vampires have been teaming up with the rogues. They have a witch, perhaps more than one... Over the past few months, wolves have disappeared without a trace. The only alert was as they left the border. And then my Beta, my mate's brother, and their cousin get attacked by mystical fog and wolves with red eyes? It all links up too closely."

She hummed again, studying me. I couldn't help but feel weak and tried the shake the feeling off. But the longer I thought about the danger Nova may be in, the worse the sinking feel grew.

I could see Angela watching me from the corner of my eye, and I repressed the urge to growl at her disrespect. Despite my human emotions, Ares was on edge. I didn't want her to get too comfortable with the fine line between myself and Ares.

"I will see what I can." She muttered.

I turned to look at her. "Thank you."

She breathed deeply before closing her eyes. I waited as her body softened, shoulders dropping and head falling backwards. Time passed quietly as she did whatever she had to whilst I sat observing. I took my time to look around the room once more, noticing a few photos on the fireplace. I narrowed my eyes on one, in particular, familiar green eyes blinking back at me.

Casting a glance at Angela, I found her still in the same position. I stood from the chair and made my way to the photograph. Taking it from the shelf, I pulled it closer. Beside Angela was a woman of similarity to Nova. The woman in the photo had a wide apple-cheeked smile, her green eyes wide with wonder.

I wondered how old this photo was, being colour. From what Nova told me, her grandparents died the day after her birth. For a woman of nearly five hundred, she barely looked older than sixty. I wondered if Nova would live that long...

A large gasp came from behind me, and I darted around to find Angela shaking and murmuring. I took a hesitant step forward, putting the frame back as her head dropped forward, her white eye shooting open and glowing.

I frowned, wondering what was going on. But when she paused, I hesitated, my body tense and prepared for action. She exhaled, body sagging with energy as she stared down at her lap. There were tears in her eyes as her arms shook, but she wiped them away with a frail finger.

Blinking, she turned to me with a frown. "I know how to get her."

***
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Question of the Day:
Do you own anything you consider "lucky"?

wc: 2268