This chapter is dedicated to AlphaPirateWolf ❤️ Thanks for all your support !
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The trees blew softly in the wind, possessing green leaves all year round. Fruit grew on some of the trees in abundance, creating sustainable food for them that would accompany their fresh meat kills. Not a soul went hungry living in their version of paradise. Flowers of all kinds grew among the grass and the sun shone brightly, emitting a warmth amidst the pack lines.

Snake's Canyon, despite the outer appearance of a dark, mysterious cave, was actually luxurious and breathtaking to behold.

The deceiving outer appearance was to ward off enemies and to keep the pack safe from harm. The territory was tightly guarded and if anybody were to stumble into there, they would be slaughtered on the sight.

A rule to keep their survival a secret and a means to protect their young.

Laughs coursed through the air in the day times while the howls filled the otherwise silent, night air. Strategically placed houses around the pack building, giving the place a homely vibe.

For the moon goddess surely blessed the Sabor Tooth pack.

As a few weeks went by Alisa started to notice how increasingly distrusting werewolves were of a supposed 'rogue'.

She'd rather blend in as someone of their species than stand out as a witch. She felt out of place and cornered - like a prisoner in utopia.

She'd taken many rounds of the lands, to know their territory by heart in case she ever made it home.

Their defence systems were quite easy to understand, she was quick to commit them all to memory. The information would prove to be greatly valuable as she hoped to bargain with the Clan Leader for her freedom.

Nothing meant more to her than the tribe.

This place was just a stepping stone on her way back home, she was sure of it.

Suddenly finding herself thrusted into a world unknown to her - trainings every other day and an increased appetite that made her feel ill. She could hardly stomach the kinds of meats they were inhaling – particularly the rawer ones.

She wasn't used to catching her own food, but Alpha Ryker insisted if she chose the path of a rogue, hunting would come in handy to survive in such a harsh wilderness. She hoped she would never have to hunt again.

It felt almost cruel to her; unlike the annalistic instinct it was for the pack.

Things in this world were strange to her, she wasn't used to a diet full of meat but rather fruit and vegetables. Witches grew their own food and only slaughtered an animal for sacrifices. They must be first presented to the gods, dedicating their faith to them forevermore.

As a way to end a tribute to the gods, they would then eat the sacrifice as it was believed to be blessed.

"Maya told me you still can't shift on command."

The voice was quiet with a hint of concern.

"No, sorry," Alisa mumbled back, staring down at the water, feeling an ache inside of her to use the magic she'd been hiding since she got here.

An enemy hiding in plain sight.

Her fingers lightly brushed the water as she scooted across the dirt. She could see her reflection in the clear, blue water.

The cut along her right eyebrow had healed nicely, leaving no trace at all. Her blue eyes were strained, bloodshot due to exhaustion and helplessness.

Alisa felt trapped in a world she didn't understand or feel particularly welcome in.

Ryder sighed, walking over to the lake. Licking his dry lips, he spoke up once more.

"I told my dad keeping you around would be a good idea. Don't make me regret those words," he said as he swallowed thickly.

He took a seat down beside of Alisa, running his fingers across the water as well.

"It's beautiful out here, isn't it? The woods don't have to seem like such a scary place, you know - especially when you're at the top of the food chain," he joked after a moment, nudging her shoulder.

Alisa shrugged, "What good is that when you feel like a stranger in your own body?"

With a frown, Ryder looked down. He would never understand but he empathised with her. She had bigger problems than learning to shift or hunt.

"I'm sorry becoming one of us felt like you lost who you are inside," he said quietly.

He leaned back as the sun began setting in the distance.

"I don't know how you came to be one of us but now that you are, I think you should consider joining us - becoming a part of the pack. You'll have more of a chance at surviving."

"And why is that?"

Her reply was quick and snappy.

"When the snow comes and the frost sets in, the lone wolf suffers while the pack survives," the future Alpha commented.

"Are you saying I wouldn't be able to survive on my own?"

Ryder raised an eyebrow as a smirk slowly began forming along his face while dread began swimming inside of Alisa.

"A rogue doesn't stand a chance against the Sabor Tooth pack, much less one who can't shift..."

"And yet here I am; alive," she skilfully retorted, with one perfectly shaped eyebrow raised.

"Due to my mercy," he commented back.

"That was my first transformation that night. We were all a little shaken up. That's how it goes."

Alisa shrugged back, "I could've handled it."

"Then show me," the reply came back smooth. "Shift - meet your wolf inside of you."

She was yet to shift on command, with high hopes nobody would push. She wasn't thrilled to be a shapeshifter.

Ryder stood up swiftly, took a couple steps back and began undressing.

"Wait, what in the gods' names are you doing?" She shouted, covering her eyes and quickly turning away.

"What? Are you afraid of us still?"

Alisa shook her head quickly, "N-No, you guys are growing on me," she squeaked, growing red with embarrassment.

"But uhm, why are you stripping in front of me?"

"Oh," Ryder said, turning away and scratching his ear nervously.

"We don't really notice the nudity in our pack."

"But Maya didn't..."

"Yeah, girls are generally better at this kind of tactical stuff," he replied sheepishly, feeling a tad guilty before quickly shifting to avoid further embarrassment.

The moment a growling noise reached Alisa's ears she froze.

She uncovered her eyes, feeling her heart pump in her chest. Maya kept her distance from Alisa which eased her but knowing Ryder was only a few steps away, terrified her.

Knowing to keep a distance from the werewolves was a common rule in the tribe. Alisa had studied them for months, in hopes of being able to outsmart them.

Only to realise with each new piece of information, the werewolves were advanced in ways the witches never would be.

They had blended with the times, advancing alongside the humans in hopes of never growing stagnant.

With a knowledge of being able to bring a weapon as equally as advanced as any other to the battle if such a day ever arrived.

The feeling of fur alongside her fingers startled her out of her bizarre train of thought. Ryder's wolf fur was soft and warm, pleasant to the touch.

With another growl, the wolf was standing in front of Alisa, blinking its bright eyes up at her.

The wolf was big, bigger than Maya's one. This one was rounder too, seeming fuller than the rest. It was a pitch-black colour, radiating power.

Alisa could feel a tingle in her bones, something that connected them. The moment Ryder howled, the itch got stronger, demanding to be let out.

Something inside of her wanted to be released.

Quickly shifting back, he turned around away from her.

"It's really simple and easy to shift. Just go behind that bush over there, and uhm...undress," he choked over it a little.

"Then close your eyes and think about your happy place."

"Happy place?"

If the Clan Leader knew such a place existed, he would execute her.

"Yeah, the place you go to when bad things happen," Ryder said, staring at the grass.

The truth was Alisa's happy place was the first time eleven-year-old Ace hugged little six-year-old Alisa.

He'd made her feel as if butterflies were flying inside of her stomach. That was the only other time Ace ever broke Aryan code.

That was her happiest place of all.