Nia

"So Nia, tell me, why are you here?" The pack witch folded her hands, intently watching the girl who roamed around her small cottage.

The teenage girl laughed awkwardly, tucking a braid behind her ear as she tried to find a way to lie to her. She had come here because Hyejin's worries had scared her. Nia really did have no idea what she was up against and she wanted to get more information. The magic she had become exposed to was incomprehensible. That's why she decided to come back to the witch, even though their previous interaction had scared her.

"Uhh..." Nia drew out the sentence, tracing a finger over the ornate books delicately placed on dark wooden shelves. The aura they gave off was terrifying, almost as startling as the spellbook she had hidden under the floorboards of her room. Kane would kill her if he knew that she had tried a spell out of the book. But thank god he's busy doing superhero shit in the capital.

"If I had a certain friend who was... struggling to perform spells, what advice would you give them?"

The woman rolled her eyes and set aside her cup of chamomile tea, amused by Nia's attempt at subtlety.

"By struggling do you mean passing out because of simple spells and possibly bleeding profusely after a spell was attempted?" The woman raised an eyebrow and Nia averted her gaze, not liking how the woman's brown eyes bore into her soul.

"Perhaps... if I had a friend that was going through this, that is." She coughed and sat down, not liking the way the witch grinned at her, pleased by the answer. Her expression darkened to a more serious degree once she took a better look at Nia's worried expression.

"Magic is not something you can do with no regard for the world around you. It may look easy but that is only because practitioners like myself make it look easy. To attempt spells without realizing this makes your friend very reckless and quite frankly, stupid."

Nia snapped her head back to stare at the woman, embarrassed and disappointed in herself.

Kane was right as always, and she knew that already. She was just in denial until the witch took her denial and burned it to ash with her words.

"I-"

The woman raised a hand, indicating that she wasn't done speaking. And it didn't seem like she loved being interrupted so Nia snapped her mouth shut.

"Magic takes patience and most importantly, sacrifice. That sacrifice could be your time, your blood, or even your own life. In turn for nature itself bestowing power upon you, it needs something in return. And if you do not give it something, it will take, whether it takes your blood or your life depends on the spell and your previous choices."

Nia stood up nodding, part of her wanting to tell her about everything but another part of her didn't trust the witch. Instead, she started grabbing her things, planning to leave.

"This is exactly why I do not want you practicing magic unless it is to learn from me, or unless I authorize it." Nia froze and stopped grabbing her things to stare at the woman, who just smiled and started to drink her tea again.

"Y-You know? About my magic?" The witch laughed, letting go of the teacup only for it to stay suspended in the air as if an invisible force was holding it.

"I knew about your magic before you did. I've been waiting for you to come to me. And you finally did, you need to work on your lying skills Nia Smith."

Nia's eyes widened as she sat back on the couch, barely comprehending how much the woman knew about her and her life.

"H-How?"

The witch cackled in delight, enjoying the shocked expression on Nia's face.

"I am the protector of this pack for a reason. It is my job to protect this pack from magical threats. What makes you think I wouldn't be aware of a sudden but powerful surge in magic? I traced it back to you."

Nia sat back, curious at just how powerful the magic inside her was while also scared at how omniscient this woman is.

"Just in case you're wondering I also know that you are Thomas Navarro's soulmate. That is even more obvious than your powers. The bond between you two is surprisingly strong considering the fact you've barely interacted since your falling out earlier this year."

Nia frowned, not liking the way the woman smirked at her over the ornate teacup.

"Is it that obvious?"

The witch gave her a look of sympathy, sensing the pain reverberating through Nia the moment her soulmate was mentioned.

"To me, yes. But to everyone else no. So you don't need to worry. I can sense the bond, and it is still very strong, stronger than most bonded couples actually." The teenage girl breathed through her nose, not liking the implications of the witch's sentence.

"Doesn't that mean that-"

"It means that you both still have feelings for each other. Although even if your bond was weak, I would've sensed it eventually, it's so bright that sometimes it's hard to ignore." The witch put down her cup and reached over to put her hand over Nia's.

"I know that may not have been what you wanted to hear but it's true. Although there's something wrong with the bond  that I can't fully sense yet. But I'll leave the rest to you. Just realize that no magical bond can make you do something you don't want to do."

Nia's bottom lip quivered as she thought about Thomas. She loved him, and she thought that he loved her. She has spent the past few months ignoring everything but now she couldn't help but feel as if everything was going to blow up in her face soon. Kane had warned her, and she hadn't listened obviously. Turns out he was right about many things, she hated how wise he was sometimes.

"Is The Alpha aware?"

The witch shrugged, not entirely sure how much she should reveal. "I do not know. That is something you would have to ask Thomas."

"So the answer is a no. Thomas would never tell anyone we were together." The witch tilted her head, unsure if that was true. She interacts with the Alpha family constantly because of her role as the protector of the pack and Thomas seems to be the only good person in that family. Before she could object Nia interrupted her, not wanting to discuss Thomas anymore.

"So when do we start?" Nia asked. The witch took her hand away, sighing as Nia changed the subject.

"Now, if you want. We have a lot to go over."

Nia's eyes brightened again as she opened her bag to show the notes she had taken over the past few months.

"Perfect!"

~~~~<>~~~~

Kane

"Why won't you tell us what happened in the meeting?" Asa sighed, forced to be on the defensive as Tove took his momentary distraction as an opening, swinging her sword where his head would've been if hadn't ducked. The three of them had been training for hours up until this point, yet none of them are tired instead they were anxious and bored.

"Because," Kane notched an arrow, barely even glancing at the target, "it's classified." He sent the arrow flying, noting that it hit the target dead center. Anything less would mean that he'd need to retire.

"Everything we need to know has been told to us already. It's been three days, and we've already scouted a base." Tove dropped to the floor and swept her leg and Asa's who just vaulted to the side and rolled his eyes. "Why can't he just tell us everything? I know how to keep my mouth shut."

"Don't make things harder than it needs to be for Kane. He already has so much to deal with, he doesn't need you to constantly badger him about it." Asa scowled, his eyes narrowing as he tried to elbow her in the face only for her to grab his arm, twisting it behind him. When he slithered out of her grasp she sighed, going back on the offensive.

Kane could only watch as he zoned out, looking back on how the first base they scouted had just been full of dead bodies. It was supposed to serve as a warning but he knew that the Hunters were just bluffing. They weren't going to kill the two daughters. He was getting ready for another scouting mission, this time he gained permission for Tove and Asa to come along. He missed going on missions with them. It was comforting to not be alone, working with a team instead of being by himself.

Scouting missions needed to be covert and quick. A small team is all he needed to get the job done. And while he had good chemistry with the others, he worked best with Tove and Asa, they've known each other for so long it's expected at this point.

"Stop arguing with each other. You'll be informed before we go on the mission. Sparing with each other does nothing." Kane strapped the bow onto his back before grabbing two broadswords off the wall.

"Why not fight me instead?" Kane flourished the swords, partially enjoying how they both tensed up from excitement and apprehension. Asa grinned at the suggestion while Tove laughed, eager for a rematch. Then the door opened and Director Ansari walked through the doors, promptly spoiling the mood.

"It's time. Meet me near the northwest sector. I'll send you off from there."

~~~~<>~~~~

It was pouring, that was the first thing that came to Kane's mind as he ran through the forest with Tove and Asa by his side. Whenever it rained during his missions something interesting always happens. The rain seemed to be an omen for him, whether it was good or bad he couldn't tell.

The objective was simple enough: reconnaissance, gather intel and do nothing else. Although the Director did have to warn the others that Kane and his friends were also a part of this. It couldn't have been good for their ego, having to work with teenagers but at this point, they'd have to be used to it.

He could hear everything, the sound of the leaves as they tore through the trees, the animals, and even the thunder miles away from where they were.

The closer they got to the base the fewer animals there were and he could tell that both Asa and Tove had noticed, the former sneered while the latter set her mouth into a firm line, trying to hide her grimace. The dark magic the Hunters used usually kept any sort of life forms from being able to live, and whenever they did it was tainted beyond repair.

"Slow down." Kane held up his hands, barring them both from going further. Asa nodded, immediately focusing his eyes on the left of the forest where he heard something. "There's a guard, approximately..." he trailed off, closing his eyes to focus, "10 miles away."

Kane nodded, sensing the presence earlier but not needing to alert them just yet. "Alert the others, we need to steer clear of them for now. We can only make contact once we've reached the base. We can't alert them we're here."

"We should head west and stay in the trees. We can't afford to be caught just yet." Tove said as she adjusted her face covering and hood. Kane jumped up, landing on the thick branch of a tree without making a sound. Asa did the same while Tove whispered a message into the air. The tattoo on her neck glowed as she crushed her fist and blew on it, sending the message to their comrades in a green mist. Once it was done she somersaulted onto a nearby tree and started heading in the opposite direction of the guard, just as Kane had instructed.

"Show off," Asa muttered and took off after her, not wanting to be left behind. Kane took one last look at the trees and followed.

They traveled slower than before, now having to keep an eye out for guards but they reached the base quicker than Kane had estimated. Kane dropped down from the trees. The force field was smaller than he expected, which only strengthened his suspicions.

"It's weaker than usual. They must have recruited another witch to create this barrier. They always have much stronger defense mechanisms. It's abnormal, this type of barrier does nothing against most supernatural creatures. The only creature this would be efficient against is..." Kane trailed off, realizing that this barrier isn't actually weak, it's just designed to prevent vampires from entering. And leaving...

"It only works against vampires right?" Kane nodded at Asa's assumption, still studying the barrier.

"They're trying very hard to not draw attention to this place, aren't they?" Tove glanced at the boundary with apprehension, not liking how it shimmered in the moonlight.

As Kane got closer to the barrier Tove and Asa dropped down from the trees, refusing to come as close as he did to the magical barrier. Kane held up his left hand, sensing the magical energy as it traveled to his hand, similar to a shockwave.

"Careful now, you wouldn't want to set it off." Asa laughed as Tove shoved him, forcing him to be quiet.

Kane muttered words under his breath, feeling the tattoo on his shoulder glow as purple and black lines trailed down his shoulder to his hand.

He carefully brought his hand up to the barrier again, absorbing a small fraction of the magical energy to coat his hand with it. He reached his hand in and parted the barrier just enough for a person to walk through.

"Ladies first." Kane smiled at Tove as she laughed and walked through it, patting the top of his hood in jest.

"You too Asa, we don't have all night," Asa smirked, adjusting his weapons as he ducked through the barrier. Then Kane stepped through it, closing the barrier back up with a weaker form that could easily be tampered with so that the others on the mission would discover it and come through.  But it was strong enough to not alert any of the Hunters.

Kane held up his hands and started communicating through sign language, gesturing for them to do the same. 

"We have to split up now, Asa I want you to head East and Tove-"

"I'll head west. Don't worry, I'll send a message to the others." Kane shook his head, not wanting to expend more of her energy.

"I'll do it, don't use any more magic for now. I'll need you both at full strength later. We should meet back here once we're done. I'll send a message." They both nodded and took off in their opposite directions, disappearing into the trees. Kane whispered a message in the air sending it off in a clear mist, similar to the incantation that Tove did earlier but with an invisibility spell attached to it.

Kane headed towards the center of the base, the most populated part. He had to be careful, usually, there were around 100 guards in the East and West and 50 in the North and South. But the number of guards was half of the usual amount. He took his time and counted the guards, spying on most of them to see what type of patterns there were.

Once he got close enough he hid behind a thick tree, overhearing a guard nearby, alone about 200 yards away in the trees.

Kane whispered under his breath again and pointed at the ground. The veins in his arm started to glow a luminescent black and purple again. Then he crushed his fist and made a gesture over his ear, covering the forest around him with a barrier that prevented sound from traveling.

Once Kane heard a scream he knew that the spell had been performed correctly. When he turned back to the guard Kane saw hands appear from the earth and swallow him whole, dragging the guard into the ground.

Kane waited for a few seconds until the man appeared in front of him, being dragged out of the ground, eyes frantically darting from left to right. All the guard saw was a menacing figure, their face covered, only showing his black eyes that glowed in the moonlight. Kane stepped closer and the guard screamed in pure terror.

"Who are you?! What do you want from me?"

Kane snapped a finger and one of the black shadowy hands covered the man's mouth. Kane reached down into the struggling guard's pocket and looked at his ID. Checking to make sure it wasn't anyone who knew, it was obvious but he could never be so sure.

"Do you know what you're guarding here?" Kane watched as the man's expression changed from fear to stoicism so quickly Kane knew the Hunters had trained him properly. When the captured guard tried to speak, Kane released his face with a wave of his hand, hoping to get something interesting out of him.

"No, I don't." Kane sighed, putting the ID back in the front pocket of the guard's uniform.

"You're lying, I don't like liars." Kane squeezed his hand and the gigantic hands tightened around the guard, not enough to leave bruises but enough to scare the man. Kane knew the man would refuse to say anything but it wouldn't hurt to try.

"I... don't know!" The guard refused to elaborate, and Kane sighed, bending down so they would be at eye level. "So you're not gonna tell me anything? Anything at all?" Kane fought the urge to become annoyed as the man stayed silent, whimpering as Kane came close.

"You're more scared of them than me, right? At least you're smart. I won't kill you, but they will... eventually." Kane tapped the man's forehead before pulling out a knife. When the guard's eyes widened Kane couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Don't worry, it's not for you. It's for me." He held his palm up and lightly slashed open a wound before dripping the blood onto his index finger.

"You can't remember this conversation. In reality, I'm doing you a favor. If this didn't work then I'd have to kill you." The man continued screaming Kane thanked god that he put up that sound barrier earlier. Kane drew a symbol on the guard's forehead, whispering two words before the man passed out. Only then did he let the hands drag him back into the earth, putting him back in his original place. Then Kane started on his original path, taking down the sound barrier.

The guard won't even remember what happened; it'll be like he blinked. Now would be time to meet up with the others, The Director explicitly said that they could not enter any buildings and they've most likely scoured the whole perimeter by now.

Kane was nearly one hundred percent sure that the Councilman's daughters were here. The lack of guards plus the type of barrier used were the biggest tip-off. They're trying to ease suspicions, which explains the number of guards while specifying the magical enforcements to keep the girls from escaping.

He managed to get back to where they entered and he noticed that the others were already there, waiting for him. Tove visibly relaxed when she saw him, the relief on her face palpable. She looked tired, so he could tell that she had done her part of the mission. Setting up a magical entrapment that would disable the Hunter's reinforcements. Asa did a better job of hiding his fatigue but he knew that this excursion had tired them both out.

As they exited, Kane knew that they would have a lot to discuss with the Director. But he knew that the Councilman's daughters were there. And the next time they came to this base, he was going to rescue them, by any means necessary.

Hey! It's been almost two months... I know I know. I promised I would update more but college was kicking my ass lmao. I had a 10-page term paper due two weeks after I updated the previous chapter and then I had finals. Being a Biopsychology major is NOT fun. As an apology, I will give you another chapter for this update. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it. I recognize that my previous writing was very slow and pointless. I'm gonna try to fix that by making the book a bit more fast-paced instead of dragging everything out. This arc will be done in 2-3 chapters at most (hopefully) and then the rest (majority) of the book will try to focus on the soulmate aspect. I have a free summer so I'll try to update as much as possible before I disappear again lmao. And I'm already working on the next chapter along with outlining the rest of the book so it'll be easier to write. I do love this book and the characters, life just fucking sucks sometimes.

See ya in the next chapter,

TJ.