3.

My father was immensely stressed and that essentially stressed out the pack. Whatever was going on in his office was deadly, nothing could be heard but the vibrations through the pack link were somber.

Why was he getting so worked up? He knew it would work up the pack so why let it happen? It's the following day and our parents had left the pack lands a few hours ago. The clock was ticking and the evening was looming, they shouldn't have been gone as long as they have but it is what it is.

I decided to take a walk before my shift began, the trees rustled in the wind as the sun beat down. There was a sudden shift in the wind when I stopped at the river, my eyes narrowed as I searched around. Right across the river was the pack my parents were currently at.

I tilted my head as I stared at the grass on the other side as if it would let me peak into the room they were in. I wanted so badly for them to return so that they could explain the fuss, goodness I almost hated being back here.

Nothing this stressful ever happened when I was away, my life away from all this 'supernatural' as the humans call it stuff is so much more peaceful.

"I've been waiting for you to return." Startled by the sudden intrusion my body involuntarily jumps, a light airy chuckle fills the air, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

My head immediately turns to meet the intruders but I can't seem to locate him, I completely spin around and I still don't see him.

"Well, where are you?"

The voice takes a moment to reappear and as soon as he draws a breath so he can begin his sentence I mutter a spell. Once the words are out my mouth I smirk, turning to where the breath had been drawn only to be disappointed.

That was a statue spell, he should be frozen in place. No way he should be able to move.

"Boo," it came from behind me and the idiot obviously didn't expect me to but I let out a yelp.

Luckily, the river was raging today so I doubt anyone heard me. Another chuckle dances in the wind and my stomach suddenly has a stampede.

"This is stupid, I'm leaving. I hope you cross the river and go back to your pack."

He chooses to speak up just as I turn on my heels, "You think a wolf is fast enough to stay out of your sight?"

He's right, no one is faster than me and although he doesn't know that. It's still true even if I was as slow as everyone else they wouldn't be able to disappear so quickly.

I raise a brow, "So, you're a witch?"

"I said stay out of your sight not move without visibility." After a beat the voice is closer but I still have my back to the owner, "Why haven't you called patrol? I am trespassing, aren't I?"

I make a move to turn but he stops my movements with a single word, "Don't." And my body obeys.

My heart begins to pick up pace, "Why not?"

"It's not time yet, your father would know I was here if you found out."

I scoff, "You're making it pretty obvious... Wait, my father knows?"

A disgruntled sound escapes him, "Your father knows a lot more than he leads on. What's your name?"

My hands instinctively move to my hips, "How do you not know my name?"

Another chuckle and more stampeding, "I don't stalk you, I've never even seen you before today. I assume that was all your father's doing... keeping you away from here?"

I nod, "So how do you know I am who you think I am?"

"I always know when you're back, something inside you calls out to me."

It couldn't be my wolf, he's already made it clear that he isn't one but she's the only one who has a soulmate out there. I'm only two pieces, so many she does call out to him.

"So... it affects you differently?"

His voice a lot further when he speaks again, "That's enough for now my love, I'll see you sometime soon." And just like that he's gone.

~~~

My parents arrive just as my patrol ends, a pack meeting is set for the following day and that is it. The pair had off into their office and don't seem too keen on coming out.

As soon as I enter my room, I jump into the shower letting the water cleanse me work the assistance of my soap. After a while I step out and begin to dry my body. My braided hair safely tucked away underneath my bonnet.

When I step out of the shower still wrapped in my gown, I find my mother sitting on the bed.

"Oh, hey mom." I smile and she returns it but it does drip with happiness, "Come sit here." She gestures with her hand.

I walk up to the bed and sit beside her, she removes my bonnet before motioning that I lay my head on her lap. I comply just as she pulls out the moisturiser, my mother hasn't moisturised my hair since I was a stubborn teenager who didn't like taking care of her hair.

"You would tell me if you met another witch, right? One you've never seen in your life before." The moisturiser is cool and feels great against my heated scalp.

My body was still hotter than usual after that shower, "I suppose." I shrug a shoulder.

"Meaning?"

I sigh, "I'm twenty-two, I don't need to report to you at all times. So, if I felt it were imperative to report — I would. If not, I wouldn't."

Her motion stops for a moment, "Ayabulela, you would endanger the pack?"

My eyes roll involuntarily, "You didn't say they were on pack grounds," She makes an annoyed sound but her hands continue, "And even so, I'm capable of sussing out danger and using my magic. Magic isn't like a wolf, I can practice it at any time. Get me in my wolf form and I'm done for. In my skin? Never."

My mother laughed, "Don't your patrol in your wolf?"

A chuckle escapes me, "I can distract them long enough for others to catch up." I get a towel so that I can lay on the side that has just been done so that she can reach the other side.

"About that... you no longer need to patrol."

My eyes light up, "Oh my goodness gracious, really!?"

I feel the slight shake of her body, signalling an attempt to stifle a laugh, "Yes. Your father and I think you've proved your point. You can do it, so it's alright now. We'll continue to leave it to the warriors."

"Great," it was no secret that I despised patrolling, I had started it out because my parents thought I would hate it. Which, as I'm saying, I did but they didn't know that until I started to return on my short breaks and they'd still want me to patrol.

Now, I was free. Oh thank goddess, I was free.

"Besides, you and I need to work on an enchantment." She knew this would pique my interests, "But enough for tonight. Goodnight honey."

She rose from the bed returning the moisturiser before heading into my bathroom to wash her hands. She came out and smiled at me before exiting the room.

"Goodnight."