Chapter I

NATACHA

I steadily walked down the stairs moving with the most caution so that I could take my father by surprise. I swiftly took the apple he was eating from his hands, I looked at him with a sly smile on my face and put my back on the table.

"You're slowly losing your touch," I teased.

"Or maybe you are being rude," He stretched out his hand to take back his apple but I walked away leaving his hand hanging in the air.

"Are going to school in that?" He asked

"What's wrong with my outfit?" I asked looking at my body.

He gave me a pointed look "Do I have to say it, I am sure you know."

I smiled and walked to him, I kissed him on the cheeks "Don't be sure an old man,"

"I don't think your dressing will help blend in with the humans or Werewolves."

"My dressing?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"You tend to dress provocatively these days, like a Vampire." He answered casually.

"A vampire," I muttered as I gave him back his apple and walked to the refrigerator. I opened it and stared at my favorite blood Ab+, I swallowed hard before picking out a bottle of milk and closed the fridge.

I poured the milk into a glass cup and sat opposite him "Yeah,"

My Dad looked up from his laptop with curious eyes "You're not gonna feed today too?"

"You know that you can't live on this diet forever, the more you suppress it the higher the risk of getting out of control." He closed his laptop giving me his full attention.

I looked down at my milk trying to convince my mind that it was for the best. I bring the cup to my mouth and drink some of it.

"I understand your point, but I have to learn how to control my hunger I can't always be a slave to my instincts,"

He smiled "There are better ways to do that other than starving yourself, and we need to talk about relocating,"

"This is sudden," I frowned "Why are we relocating now,"

"I know how much you like this place but we've been here for quite a while we need to move and cover our track."

I wanted to argue but I knew he was right, staying in one place for too long is dangerous to us and no matter how much loved and enjoyed staying here I had to leave to protect myself and the people I care about.

"I will be traveling tomorrow to check out our new home and make all the necessary arrangements,"

***

I was silent feeling a bit down as he drove me to school. I picked out a bottle from my bag opened it and opened it. I pour the content into my mouth and swallow it.

My Dad glanced at me from the side without saying anything but I already knew what he was going to say so I braced myself for his long torturous lectures.

And he began.

I groaned restlessly after a thousand hours of lectures and I brought out my phone as my Dad continued.

“Are you even listening to me, Natacha?” He asked averting his attention from the road to me.

“You need to be extra careful when I leave. Stay away from those werewolves you know the Alpha is watching your movements and I don’t want him getting even a hint of what you are.” I nodded my head trying to act as if I was not bored, “If only you had let your wolf be and stopped suppressing it, you could live as a wolf and no one would bother you."

"Wolves need packs remember," I tried to remind him. I thought he was just being paranoid and a bit overprotective because of the Werewolves Pack here and the fact that I identify as a witch. Witches are the most hated and quite infamous among the supernatural communities.

“I will be tagged a rogue,” I added with an annoyed look.

“Natacha, I am only saying this because I love you and I want to protect you.”

“Fine, I love you too, and goodbye,” I sighed in relief and kissed his cheeks before I got out of the car without waiting for him to say another word.

I have to get my car fixed soon or just get a new one because I don’t have the strength to endure that long speech every freaking day, luckily today he didn’t make me change my outfit, maybe he forgot about it. I waited for him to drive away before I walked into the school.

“Hey Lila” I hugged my best friend who was standing in front of her locker, she turned and returned the hug before pulling back as she examined my outfit. “Nice fits Tee.”

“Thank you.” I twirled a little bit and flipped my hair back. I wore a loosely buttoned white crop top with a short skirt and a pair of black knee-length block-heel boots. I hate to admit it, but my skirt is a bit short to be worn to school, I am the kind of person who doesn't care about what others think of my dress and am very confident in flaunting their curves or maybe what my dad said is true it has something to do with my vampire nature.

I dressed anyhow I like while my best friend Delilah, Lila in short is your typical tomboy badass, I don’t need to explain you already know she is the pants and shirt kind of a girl that rarely applies makeup while I am more on the girly side.

“But the skirt is shorter than usual.” Lila pointed.

I ignored her and opened my locker which was next to hers, I picked the books I needed and closed the locker. I lean my back against it watching her as I think about how I am going to tell her about my relocation.

“You won’t believe what happened yesterday,” She said as she closed her locker. “The Alpha king is here.” She said with so much excitement in her voice.

“The Hybrid Alpha?” I asked turning to face her. I know about him because of her.

“Yes, he is staying here for a few days.”

“Why is he here, I thought he never leaves his Royal castle.” I inquired with a little bit of sarcasm.

“No,” She frowned a little but continued, “I heard from a good source that he is searching for a special kind of werewolf,”

“Interesting,” I smiled giving Lila my full attention. Because that good source means her father, the Beta of the Black-wood pack.

“Yeah, and it is said that the special werewolf possesses some kind of mystical abilities and he lives here within our land.” She added with so much glee.

“And who do you think is this wolf?” I asked as my curiosity perked up.

“I don’t know, but we can help search for the wolf,” Lila whispered the last part looking at me with her wide doe-like eyes.

“No!” I replied shaking my head.

I know we had done so many things like that before but I had promised myself never to do anything dangerous again when I almost exposed my real identity. You see, we went in search of a mythical Were-cat without knowing it was a trap set by the hunters, and I had to use my full abilities to save us, which was very dangerous but I was lucky my Dad didn’t hear about it because we could have moved again.

“Please, we have done this countless times, no one will know.” Lila plead

“This is different Lila; we are searching for a mythical wolf that may be dangerous or a trap, and Your Royal Alpha is also looking for him.”

“But there is nothing we can’t handle, you are also special Tee, and last time was my fault, I didn’t dig deeper and ended off with false information. Please this one last time.”

I kept silent contemplating whether to say yes or no. I love adventures and all kinds of mysterious stuff, that’s what makes us friends in the first place, Lila was just like me a free spirit trying to live the best of her life but after that certain incident, I promised not to do anything dangerous again. Lila kept giving me her best puppy eyes which she knew I couldn’t refuse and knowing that I wouldn't be able to do that with her anymore after we moved made my heart soften. “Fine we will go after school, but this is the last time.”

“Thank you,” she jumped and crushed me into a hug; I smiled and hugged her back.

“One more thing,” Lila said pulling away “My parents are organizing a birthday party for me this Wednesday, at the park house.”

My smile instantly widens “You know I can never say no to a party especially yours but I can’t go you know.”

“Why,” she asked with a frown on her face.

“Lila you know I am a witch I am not welcome there.”

“The Alpha let you stay in his pack land Tee; this is just a one-night thing he won’t mind,”

“He let me because he is friends with my Dad, and what about the other wolves,”

“Don’t worry they know better than to mess with my friend,”

“What if my Dad hears about it?”

“Oh, just shut up, you are coming and that is final,” Lila stated leaving no room for argument.

I rolled my eyes looking at her with an amused expression “Okay Mother, but what about His Royal Highness.”

Lila smiled looking at me “He will be gone before then,”

“Very well then, I guess have to go shopping for a dress.”

Lila froze without replying, her eyes were stuck on something behind me, I turned back to follow her gaze and that is when I saw two hot guys walking in, they were both strikingly attractive and well-built, and they carried themselves with so much confidence, like some royalty.

One of them who I think is a werewolf was looking directly at my best friend or more like they were staring at each other, while the other who I sense is a vampire kept walking without sparing a glance at anyone until they reached us, he turned and look at me before walking away but not before turning to look at me again, he whispered something into the other's ear before they continue walking. I looked at my friend who looked like she had seen a ghost. “What is it?” I asked her but she dragged my hand and started walking instead of answering.

“What is it? You are scaring me, Lila,” I asked immediately she closed the restroom door and surprisingly the restroom was empty which is very unusual, especially in the morning, as it is usually filled with girls retouching their makeup or doing other stuff.

“He is my mate,” Lila said looking in the mirror behind my back.

“Congrats you are officially screwed, is it the vampire?” I joked raising my eyebrow.

She gave me a dirty look before smiling when she saw my expression. “But shouldn’t you be rejoicing or shoving your tongue down each other’s throat now, if he is your mate?”

“I don’t know, he just walked past me without a word. What if he rejects me Tee? He didn't even turn.”

I moved closer to her and lifted her chin using my two fingers, “Listen to me Lila, you are beautiful, intelligent, and a badass werewolf. I am the luckiest person on earth to have you as my best friend and no one in his right sense will reject you.” I move my hand to her cheek and continue “And if he did, we are going to kick his ass down to hell. Don’t forget that I will always get your back no matter what.”

She chuckled and slapped my away hand from her cheeks “That’s one hell of a speech.”

“It is.” I giggled and slung my hand around her shoulder; we walked out of the restroom as the bell rang.

*****

I stood in front of my car that is parked on the outskirts of the park border, my car was brought from the mechanic today after I went back home. I changed my clothes into black skinny jeans with a black crop top, I put on a leather jacket and a black ankle boot. I tied my hair in a high ponytail. I snuck out of the house after my Dad went out to meet a friend. I had been waiting for Lila for half an hour now she didn’t show up. I heard a rustling behind a tree and Lila stepped out “Took you long enough.” I said as I opened my car to get my bag pack.

“I am sorry; I had to sneak into the Alpha’s room,” Lila replied as I walked toward her.

“Did you get it?” I asked as we walked into the forest.

“I did but it was not easy, I made my sister distract the Luna before I snuck into the room,” Lila replied “How did you skip Mrs. Elizabeth’s lesson.”

“Oh that was easy,” I laughed stopping beside a rock. “I lied that I have a ton of assignments to do.”

I lied to Mrs. Elizabeth to skip my daily Spells and Potions lesson. Mrs. Elizabeth is the only witch apart from me allowed to live in this town and she works together with the park. Witches are branded as traitors and swindlers, they always go with the highest bidder so they are neither friends of the Werewolves nor Vampires. It is really hard to find a virtuous witch like her.

“And she believed you?” Lila stopped walking looking at me with her hands folded.

“I don’t know but even if she didn’t, she did not show it.” I opened my backpack and brought out the map of the town; I spread it on the rock before turning to my best friend “Where is the Alpha’s hair?”

She reaches into her pocket and brings it out. I collected it and put it on the map, “I need a wolf’s blood,” I said looking at her.

“What is it for?”

“We are tracking a wolf so I need a wolf’s blood,” I replied giving her an annoyed look.

Lila rolled her eyes and bent down, she brought out a dagger from her boot, sliced her palm, and I immediately placed the Alpha’s hair to collect the blood. She wiped her dagger with a handkerchief and placed the dagger back in her boot. I put the hair back on the map before I started the spell.

I closed my eyes and started chanting the spell “Libreranus Le Malpe. Un keia tus le veile” I opened my eyes when I felt the effect of the spell.

I smiled when I saw the tiny white lights on the map, “Why do some shine brighter than others.” Lila asked looking at the map.

“The light glows brighter than the other depending on the wolf’s rank and power.” Let’s find the Alpha,” I said searching through the map. “Here. It looks like your Alpha is together with the Alpha King.”

“Is that the Alpha King, he glows brighter than everyone,” Lila said pointing at the Alpha King's light.

“Yeah, wait.” I creased my brows together “That means, he is stronger than me.”

“Really Tee, the Alpha King.” Lila said giving me that Are you serious look, “You are special but he is an ancient wolf, a descendant of the moon goddess, and also the only survivor of the Vampire king Venom making him the only hybrid,”

I raised my hand in surrender as I rolled my eyes “Fine, he is more powerful than me, let’s find the special wolf.”

“If you are here and Alpha King is there then who is this.” Lila pointed at a light that shone brighter than the Alpha’s but not brighter than mine.

“Maybe it is the wolf we are looking for.”

“Yes,” Lila agreed “But where is it.”

“Not far from here,” I immediately packed everything and we started walking in the direction of the wolf. As we walked I began contemplating whether I should tell Lila about my move, I don't know how she will take it but I have to tell her because knowing my dad it can be any time from now.

"Lila," I called out.

"What?" She stopped and turned to look at me.

"I am moving," I said.

"What!!" She yelled "Why? Did something happen" She asked.

"No, we've been here for a while we have to move again," I answered.

She opened her mouth to say something when a strange smell hit my nose, I turned and looked at my best friend “Rogue,” We said at the same time before we started running in the direction of the special wolf.

We reached there on time as a rogue leaped up to attack the little wolf standing in the middle of the rogues. I instantly froze the rogue and tossed it hard on a tree. The rogues turned toward us and Lila shifted tearing her clothes to pieces, being the beta's daughter she looked bigger and scarier than the rogues which was an advantage to us. I dropped my bag-pack behind me as I scrutinized the rogues, they were 11 in number and they were not that big they looked malnourished which would be to our advantage. But they said you should never underestimate your enemy and I know the rogues fight dirty. I focused on waiting for them to attack first but they stood there inspecting us.

“Sorry for that,” I said pointing at the wolf I knocked unconscious, “It’s nothing personal dogs. I just don’t like bullies,” I said trying to infuriate them. One of them growled and ran furiously toward us but I froze him halfway and twisted my hand; he fell dead on the ground. As if on cue all the rogues attacked us, I stopped three of them midway and snapped their necks, I picked Lila’s dagger and buried it into the chest of another while Lila took down three of them. I turned to see one leaped to attack me; it was a bit late for magic, instinctily my fingers turned to claws and thrust into his chest and brought it out with his heart, he fell with surprise in his eyes. I looked at my claws with the same surprise that the rogue had because this was the first time my wolf part acted out. I turned to see the remaining rogue running toward the little wolf, I swiftly picked up a broken branch and shoved it into his chest using my magic, and he fell before he could reach her. I used my vampire speed and ran to the little wolf. I removed my jacket and crouched next to the little wolf. “Shift,” I said as I placed my Jacket on the wolf. The wolf shifted into a very beautiful young girl, she looked not more than ten. I hugged her when I saw tears rolling down her cheeks “Shush. It’s okay I won’t let anyone hurt you.” I whispered patting her back.

“Your friend,” She whimpered pulling away I turned to see a big brown wolf on the floor with a large gash on her side, I immediately ran to her “Lila,” I called placing my hand on her fur. She looked at me before closing her eyes. “Don’t worry, I can heal you.” I ran and picked up my backpack, I brought out an Albina's leaf and crushed it with my hand I pressed it on the wound before I started chanting a spell “No rista meh heala albinas, No rista meh heala albinas. No rista meh heala albinas,”

The wound immediately started closing before it completely healed and she shifted back to her human form unconscious, I opened my bag and brought out an oversized tee shirt that I bought in case of emergency and put it on her.

“Is she going to be okay?” The little wolf girl asked me.

I turned and smiled reassuringly at her “Don’t worry, She will be fine, she just needs some rest.”

The girl sighed and said “Thank you, my name is Sophie,”

I wanted to reply when I heard sounds coming from a distance, I could also smell the Alpha’s scent, and few pack members, and a few new scents, but it was very faint from here. I quickly picked up my bag pack and sped out of the place using my vampire speed.