2. Introductions

‘We meet the people we’re supposed to when the time is right.’ -Alyson Noel

Ember

   Watching my soulmate shift so he could talk with me was eye-opening. It had been a really long time since I had watched a wolf shift up close. It sounded like it hurt to have all those bones break just to let a being out or put it back inside. Why would they go through that every time in order to fight?

   His body was very muscular and he looked like he took care of himself even though he had scars all over his body from battles. This told me that he had been a warrior for a while. I did get a good view of him before he pulled his pants back on. I’m not sure if he was always that modest or if he was just trying to be modest in front of me and the others. From what I know of wolves, they didn’t care much about clothing because they would come off when they shifted anyway.   

   He turned towards me when he was dressed in his loose white long-sleeve shirt and black pants. He had a sword tied around his waist that I didn’t notice when I first saw him. 

   As I looked at him, I noticed a guy with him. He must be my soulmate's friend. Then I remembered that my mate had a large black and gray wolf, making him an Alpha, so the guy that was with him must be his Beta. 

   I stepped up to him and held his gaze before offering him my hand to shake. He smiled and took my hand. I felt this warm tingling sensation when we touched and it made me smile softly. Soulmate bonds were amazing from what I had heard and I was going to get that experience. Not many of us did anymore because of the war that was raging.   

   "I'm Ember," I told him. 

   "It's amazing to finally meet you, Ember. I'm Alpha Killian of the Nightshade Pack," he said in a strong, deep voice.  

   "Killian," I said softly, and I saw his smile brighten. 

   He had an amazing smile that made me happier to see in a time of war. But that's really all we knew, was war. 

   We released each other's hands and I looked at the man beside Killian. 

   "This is my Beta, Reginald," Killian told me.  

   I held my hand out to him and he shook it. He was shorter than Killian, darker and bald. It wasn’t a bad look on him though.  

   "It's good to meet you," I said.  

   He bowed his head slightly and said, "The pleasure is mine. That display of power saved us, so thank you." 

   I smiled softly and nodded my head. I turned back to Killian, who was watching me intently. I motioned for my friends to join me and introduced him to each of them, then Bastet as he sat close to my feet. 

   "How on earth is this going to work with me and a pack of wolves?" Bastet asked. 

   "I don't know yet. We will figure it out." 

   "They better not try to eat me!"

   "No one is going to be eating you, Bast," I told him while shaking my head. 

   I looked up to see Killian and Reginald looking at me like I was crazy. That was a look I got way too often. I had a special bond with Bastet that I had a hard time explaining to others. Not all witches or elementals talked with their familiars. 

   "Bastet and I talk. It's a little similar to your pack link I suppose," I explained. 

   They nodded their heads in understanding. Maybe they would understand it better than the others did. 

   Melody, River and Sandy went back to the fortress while I still stood there in the field with Killian, Reginald and Bast. 

   "Would you want to come with me and be part of my pack? Be the Luna that serves my people at my side?" Killian asked. 

   The way he asked it gave me goosebumps and I found that to be a strange reaction. I wasn’t used to reacting to anyone. 

   "Who am I to fight destiny?" I asked with a smile. 

   He smiled at that answer. 

   "The only thing is, I will have to postpone it for a little while," I said, making his smile fade quickly. 

   "Why is that?" he asked in concern. 

   "I need to find someone to take my place. I was training to take Amarantha's place as High Priestess," I explained to him.  

   "Oh," he said with a nod, then continued with, "I will let you find the next person to take her place. Would it be acceptable to come to see you in the meantime?" 

   "Yes, of course."

   "Good. I now need to go have a conversation with Amarantha about that offer of an alliance," he told me.  

   I nodded my head and said, "I should probably put clothes on too." 

   "Yeah. That might be a good idea," he said while looking me over.  

   I snickered before we turned towards the coven fortress. Bast ran ahead of me while I walked beside Killian. We entered the fortress and Amarantha was there waiting for us with her owl, Marsh, on her shoulder. She was like a grandmother to me. She had raised my mother here at the coven years ago after my mother was found abandoned in the forest. She then helped raise me after my father was killed and then my mother years later.  

   "That was dangerous, Ember," she said with a disciplinary look.

   "I had it under control," I reassured her. 

   "It's not your control I'm worried about, it’s them knowing your strength," she told me.  

   That statement made me realize that she was trying to hide me from the enemy based on my power ability. But why? I would never turn sides. Or was it me being this powerful that would make me a target?  

   I took a deep breath and nodded my head, then looked at Killian. He was looking at me softly before he turned to Amarantha. 

   "Thank you for allowing me to help here today," Killian told her. 

   She nodded her head and said, "thank you for lending a hand. I would like to see you tomorrow afternoon for another meeting about a possible alliance." 

   He smiled and said, "I'll be here." He turned to me and said, "I'll see you tomorrow then." 

   I smiled and nodded my head, "I'll see you then." 

   He turned to leave and I watched him. His Beta Reginald walked at his side as they left the fortress and headed back to their pack. I hope they don’t encounter any trouble on their way back home.  

   I turned back to Amarantha and said, "I'm going to change."

   "Meet me in my office once you're done." 

   “Yes ma’am.” 

   I walked back through the corridors and into my room to find everyone there waiting for me. Bast jumped up on my bed and started cleaning himself again as I went to grab my clothes out. I went back into the bathroom and shed Rivers’ shirt, then pulled on a thin-strapped black dovetail lace dress. I went back into our room and handed River his shirt back. 

   "Do you want to tell me why that wolf growled at me?" he asked. 

   "He's my soulmate and showing signs of possessiveness," I told him.  

   "Oh, wow!" Sandy said with big eyes and a happy smile.

   "That's great that you found him," Melody told me in her calm demeanor. 

   "It is but he's an Alpha, meaning you will have to leave," Sandy said.  

   "I know," I huffed. 

   "It's curious that you would end up with a wolf as your mother did," River said. 

   "That I can agree with. Now, I have a meeting to get to with Amarantha. I will see the three of you later," I told them. 

   I turned to leave and Bast jumped off my bed to follow me. We left the room and headed straight for the high priestess’s office. The door was closed so I knocked on it and waited. 

   "Come in," I heard Amarantha on the other side. 

   I opened the large wooden door and stepped inside. Bast came in with me and sat down on one of the chairs. I sat in the one beside him after closing the door. 

   "What was that about with Alpha Killian?" Amarantha asked me. 

   "He's my soulmate," I told her.

   "So you are to be with a wolf too," she said, referring to my parent’s bond.  

   I nodded my head and waited for her to speak further.

   "Is there anything that you're not telling me about Ember?" she asked in suspicion.

   Shit!

   "No ma'am. What would I be hiding?" I asked in a calm and even voice. 

   "Possibly having a wolf yourself. You are a half-breed after all, so it might happen," she suggested.  

   "No. I can assure you that I'm just an elemental. Having both powers is unheard of"

   It was unheard of for a half-breed to be able to possess a wolf and magic. If that happened, that person would be considered an abomination and killed in fear by others. Even though we live in a supernatural world, some were closed-minded.   

   "Alright. Anyway, we have other matters to discuss," Amarantha said.  

   "Yes. Like how those forces got through our defensive spells again. How did they know they were there and how to undo them?" I asked.  

   "I don't know and that's what we need to find out." 

   I sat there and nodded my head, then said, "We might have a traitor amongst us." 

   "That's what I fear. See what you can find out." 

   "I will," I said with a nod.  

   We sat there in silence for a moment before she said, "I'm guessing you will be leaving with Killian soon also." 

   I nodded my head and said, "I wanted to find someone to take my place first." 

   She nodded and said, "You've always been responsible. That's what makes you a good leader and it will serve you well as the Luna of the Nightshade Pack." 

   I smiled and told her, "I'm going to take my time leaving if I can help it. Since I don't know him yet, I want to learn about him while I'm still here." 

   "Make him court you a little?" she asked. 

   "Yes." 

   "Smart, but you know you always have a place here, no matter what." 

   "I know. I'm going to go make my rounds and talk with everyone." 

   "Alright. Let me know if you find anything or have a suspicious feeling about someone."

   "Always." 

   I got up from my seat and started to leave. Bast got up from his chair and hurried after me. We walked down the halls and soon walked out into the courtyard once more. I watched as everyone cleaned up from the battle and got back to their day.

   It was now time for me to visit each group of the coven members, to see what they knew and what they didn’t know. Even possibly talk to them about who should take my place as the next in line for the job of High Priestess. This was going to be a busy day.  

   The first group I went to visit was the green witches in the garden space of the coven fortress. They took care of our crops and produced all of our vegetables and fruits. Sandy would spend her time with them most days. I’ve helped them a few times by burning crops that they needed to go so they would come back better the next year. It was a good test of my control and manipulation abilities. I successfully burned just what they needed. 

   I walked into the garden and said, “Hello everyone. How are things going here?” 

   “Things are thriving. What can we do for you, Ember?” Halina asked in her always calm voice.

   “Well, I will be leaving the coven soon. I found my soulmate and I need a replacement for myself as the next in line. Who would you put in that place?” I asked. 

   She stood there and thought about it before saying, “possibly Sandy. I think an elemental should keep the position.”

   I nodded my head and looked around at the others. They were all nodding their heads in agreement. I felt Bastet lean against my leg as I stood there. He had his moments when he was super loving and then moments where he was super annoying.  

   “I will put your selection under advisement,” I told her.  

   “Thank you Ember and may your journey keep you safe.” 

   I nodded my head before I waved goodbye to everyone and turned to leave the garden. Bastet almost fell over as I stepped away from him. He quickly recovered and chased after me. 

   Next, I walked to the kitchen to find none other than the kitchen witches. These witches made our meals and made all the potions we needed. They were great at what they did, but don’t piss them off because they might just poison your ass. 

   I walked into the kitchen to see it bustling as usual. I spotted Einri and walked over to him. He was the leader of the kitchen witches. He was tall and slender with pale skin and long white hair even though he was only thirty-five. If I didn’t know any better, you would think that he was part Elf or fairy from the way he looked. 

   “Hi, Einri. How are things?” I asked in an upbeat tone. 

   He turned to look at me with a smile and said, “It’s busy as usual, doll. What can I do for you?” 

   “Well, I will be leaving soon to be with my soulmate. Who would you nominate as my replacement as next in line?” 

   The whole kitchen went quiet and everyone stopped to listen to us. I felt like I had just put us on the spot as Einri thought about my question. Bastet jumped up on the counter and sat down to watch me. He knew he wasn’t supposed to be up there. He was testing me now after I walked away from him a few moments ago. 

   “I don’t know. Melody is sweet and tender, but she’s too sweet. River is just…River and the crazy Sandy is…well, crazy. You were the best option by far.”

   “So you would stick with an elemental as our High Priest or High Priestess?” I asked. 

   “Yes,” he said with a nod and everyone else nodded their heads along with him. 

   “Alright. Thank you for the advice. I’m sure I will come up with the best solution before I leave.” 

   I left the kitchen while listening to all of them. They were upset that I was leaving, but I didn’t hear any ill will towards me or the next to take my place. I would keep moving to the next witch’s group in the coven.

   “Would you slow down? You’re moving too fast,” Bastet whined.

   “I’m not moving any faster than usual. Maybe you’re getting fat.” 

   “I am not!” he hissed.  

   I laughed at him as I slowed down a little and walked through the halls of the fortress. My next stop was with the chaos witches in the sitting room. They loved it there. Things to remember about the chaos witches is that they have no rules, nothing is true but everything is permanent and belief is a tool for achieving effects. They even made me feel like I was walking on eggshells most days. If there was anyone here that could be a traitor and not feel remorse, it would be one of them. I didn’t want to believe we had a traitor among us though.  

   I walked into the sitting room and looked around. All of them were in a good mood today, so I stepped further into the room. This grabbed the attention of everyone and I met the eyes of their board member, Libitina. She spoke for the group on every matter. 

   “Hello, Ember. What brings you to us?” Libitina asked.  

   “Hi, Libitina. I’m doing my rounds to get an idea of who should be taking my place as the next in line to lead the coven. I will be leaving soon and need a replacement.” 

   “Oh,” she said in shock, and sat there in thought.

   I stayed quiet as I listened to the others in the room. Their whispers ranged from naming my three friends and them asking where I was going. I could hear Bastet breathing as he lay on the floor next to my feet and thought he was breathing hard after walking around.   

   “Maybe River. Though you were by far our best option. You resonated with all of us here at the coven. You will be impossible to replace, Ember,” Libitina said in a calm manner. 

   “I appreciate you saying that, but I won’t be far.”

   She nodded her head and said, “we will vote for River.”

   The rest of them nodded their heads and no one said anything against it. I nodded my head in agreement. 

   “I will put your vote in. Have a chaotic rest of your day everyone,” I said as I turned to leave. 

   I listened as I left and only heard one person whispering, saying that if I left it would mess everything up. I didn’t know how to take that, but I didn’t think it was malicious in any way. I would still share it with Amarantha.  

   I walked down the hall towards the library next, Bastet chased after me as he panted. I was headed to see the divination witches. I wonder if they would have anything to tell me today about the future and the questions I had.        

   I stepped into the library and it was very quiet as the divination witches did their work. I saw Wislawa sitting on a pillow on the floor and we made eye contact. I approached her and her eyes went white as she was given some type of wisdom to share. 

   I waited for her to come out of it before I stepped closer to her. When her eyes came back to normal, I stepped forward and sat down on the pillow close to her. Bastet crawled into my lap and lay down while panting. I placed my hand on him and petted his soft fur before turning my attention back to Wislawa. 

   “You are leaving because the Alpha next door is your soulmate,” she said.  

   “Yes. I wanted to get your nomination for the next one to take my place.” 

   “There won't be one,” she said.

   “What do you mean?” I asked in concern.      

   “There won't be just one to take your place. You will figure it out.” 

   ‘Maybe all three of them should take my place? It might just work.’ 

   “I have another question for you,” I said. 

   “About a possible traitor amongst us?” Wislawa asked. 

   “Yes,” I said, nodding my head.  

   “It is possible and it would explain how our barriers keep being breached. If I were you, I would keep an eye on the chaos witches or even the green witches. Whoever is in charge of putting the boundaries up could be taking them down.”

   “You didn’t see who?”

   “No. I’m sorry,” she told me while shaking her head.  

   I nodded my head and said, “Thank you for the advice and guidance as always.”

   “You’re welcome,” she told me with a soft smile.   

   I got up from the pillow I was sitting on with Bastet in my arms this time. I put him over my shoulder and held him like a baby as I left the library.

  “Yes, carry me and love me,” Bastet said.  

   “I do love you. Even when you irritate me.”

   “I do nothing of the sort.”

   “Oh, so it’s just my imagination when you knock my things off of places and throw up on my stuff.”

  “Yes, that sounds about right,” he said in a smartass tone. 

   I shook my head and kept walking. My next stop was at the planetarium on the backside of the fortress grounds. This is where the cosmic witches did all of their magic and studies. I actually enjoyed this place a lot. The cosmic witches dealt in zodiacs, horoscopes, astrology and celestial energy. It was pretty cool. I learned from spending time here that my zodiac was an Aries, which explains why I have such a strong connection with my fire element.   

   I walked inside and caught Oberon’s attention right away. We shared a smile and he stopped his work to talk with me. He was tall with black hair and gray eyes that almost looked silver. He was handsome and only ten years older than me, but there was nothing ever there between us. 

   “What can I do for you, Ember?” Oberon asked. 

   “I need a nomination for someone to take my place as the next in line for high priestess.”

   “Why is that?” he asked with frowned eyebrows. 

   “I found my soulmate and will be leaving soon.”

   He took in a breath and nodded his head before speaking, “well, you will be impossible to replace. I think the closest replacement would be Libitina.”

   “So the leader of the chaos witches is your vote?” I asked.  

   “Yes,” he said with a nod.

   I looked around the room and all the others seemed to be oblivious to what was going on. I started to suspect that the person I was looking for was Oberon, but why would he betray us? There was no reason for him to. Though I do recall that he and Libitina did have something going on for a while. I didn’t think it was still a thing.  

   “Alright,” I said and told everyone goodbye before I left the planetarium. 

   That was my last stop here at the coven. We don’t have any sea witches here. They made up their own coven to the south of us but we had dealings with them during solstices.

   While still holding Bastet, I headed for the great hall so I could eat lunch with Sandy, River and Melody. I found them at our usual table and sat on the bench next to Sandy. Legs tried crawling on me and I scooted further away from her. Bastet moved out of my hands to sit on the bench between us and waited for his food. He always sat and looked at the table like a little person. It was actually really cute.  

   We were all served our food moments later. For us elementals, we got chicken, brown bread and some fresh steamed carrots. Bastet got a meal of fresh liver and heart, Pepper got oats, Freya was given liver, fresh carrots and a bone, while Legs was given two crickets. 

   Lunch was always interesting when it came to feeding all of us plus our familiars. The kitchen managed to always take care of us though.  

   We ate and talked together. I would need to go see Amarantha after this to tell her what the groups of the coven said. I also needed to tell her the things that I noticed. I hope things calm down here at the coven after I leave. Though I won’t be far, I can always come to help them.