Prologue

Maddison P.O.V. 

I was 10 when my pack threw me out like yesterday's leftovers. The Alpha - Richard, usually was a strict but fair leader, but when it came to his Luna, he went overboard with all kinds of crazy. She fell ill, and even the magic in our doctors couldn’t help her. They couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her, and eventually she died from it and the pack mourned her deeply - or so I heard. By the time Luna Jennifer died, I was long gone and not looking back. The funny thing? I never got the stench or mark of a rogue. It was like I was a regular wolf, but without the pack. 

Sitting in front of my cave, I think back to the time where my life took one hell of a turn, knowing I dodged a bullet by being thrown out. All my life up to that point, my parents and the Alpha and Luna had it all planned out for me. I was going to marry the Alpha’s son Rick and become the Luna of the pack. But I also needed to keep covering for Jessica, the Alpha’s daughter. She was born without magic, and for that she was a shame to her parents, and I always had to cover for her. Doing her exams, doing the normal shit we did in the pack and being there by her side as her “best friend” whenever other pack leaders were there. 

Our pack, the Iron Mountain Pack, had, generations back, been blessed by a very powerful coven to receive the magic that still flows in most of our veins today. Not all have the abilities, and some only have the basics. I, however, have it in plenty. It could even be seen on the scans my mother had when she was pregnant with me. I was, as they called it, filled to the brim with magic. Not that it was uncommon for a child to be powerful, but it was unusual the child was so powerful. 

I started training from the age of 3, always finding myself in some sort of trial or other learning situation. My teacher Azlela quickly found out I have more magic in me, than we have had in any other pack member for generations. She was the last shifter to be really powerful in more than one area of the field, and then there was me. It created more resentment from others because she would focus so much on me and my education. As a result she told my parents to not start me up in school, but she would teach me everything I need to know. They were proud of me, but also concerned and most of all so fucking scared to upset the Alpha, they did everything he said. So when they discovered for real that Jessica didn’t have any magic powers they started bending over backwards to keep the Alpha happy and he wasn't unless his reputation was upheld. So, I had to spend everyday pretending to be besties with the meanest fucking bitch in the world. She was disgusting inside out, and always putting up this sweet and innocent front that no one but me and a few others could see through. 

Jessica resented me more than anyone, especially since I had to be her shadow to cover for her lack of powers. Her mother often comments on how her daughter was prettier than me, or had more grace or other shit like that. Always trying to put her on the pedestal, so she didn’t feel singled out. Instead Luna Jennifer learned her daughter to be cold and distant. She would expect me to fix everything for her - homework, magic stuff and all in between.

The only time I was free from her was when I had my lessons with Azlela, as she had specified to the Alpha and Luna that she needed my undivided attention for at least 8 hours a day. They even moved me into the packhouse so I could be there for their precious non-mage daughter. It. Was. Ridiculous.  

Then I turned 10. The Luna fell ill just after my birthday, which probably was an odd quincedent. The Alpha had all the doctors tend to her, trying to figure out what had happened, but she was declining quickly. Then one night the Alpha and Beta burst through my door in a fit of rage. I was hauled out of my bed in the middle of the night, and dragged to the Luna’s bedside. There they demanded of me to cure her, but I had no idea how or why? I was a 10 year old girl. I didn’t know what to do. Azlela arrived a few minutes later, bringing me into her arms for comfort.

“What is the meaning, Alpha?” She asked, but his crazed eyes were solely focused on me. 

“She did this to my mate. She did, and now she has to take it back! TAKE IT BACK, MADDISON!” He roared and I cried. I didn’t know how to. I told him so, but he just yanked me out of the arms of my protector and teacher and smacked me across the face. “You take it back or I will banish you!” He threatened, but I still pleaded with him. I didn’t know how. Why would he think that? Behind the Alpha I saw Jessica smirk, and that is when I knew. She had set me up. I stopped crying and told him he could throw me out of the pack all he wanted, but I knew nothing of what had happened to the Luna. He gave me 30 minutes to pack and be gone. 

“I, Alpha Richard Halsted, hereby banish the traitor Maddison Nox from the Iron Mountain Pack. If you ever return I will kill you.”

I turned with tears in my eyes, but I knew it was for no good. He had made up his mind and there was nothing I could do. With all the dignity of a 10 year old, I walked out the room and to my own. I packed my bags and ventured downstairs. There was no one about as it was night, but I wanted to say goodbye to my family. I contemplated going to them, but they actually just left me here and never visited or asked how I was doing. I felt rejected from everyone who was supposed to protect me. Well, everyone but Azlela. Outside she quickly joined me with multiple bags and other stuff. She told me to follow her and we went into the night. At the border I looked back at what was once my home, knowing I would never return again. A lump in my throat formed, but I refused to let it develop. They kicked me out, so I would not spill my tears on them. 

We walked most of the night, and in the small hours of the morning we came across a hillside with different caves. Azlela led me to one of them, and we went inside. She put down her burdens, turning to look at me. 

“We’re going to make this the best home for you, little magus.” She said, looking around. I put my bags down beside hers, exploring the cave myself. It was fairly big, with a large entrance, which Azlela sealed off magically, so rain and wind would not be a problem. It would still allow for air to enter the cave, but it would not be too cold in the winter. She then combined her and my blood, a prick in the finger, and made the seal reject anyone who wanted to enter with the purpose of hurting me or anyone else in there. The cave would also only be visible to me and Azlela as long as we hadn’t told its location to anyone. They would see it as empty, and not be able to enter.

Further inside there were two smaller rooms. One became the bedroom, where Azlela helped me enchant bigger stones to radiate heat whenever I touched me with a certain pattern. Another pattern would turn them off again. 

The other room became the kitchen area. In the middle we made a fireplace, and a seating area around it. Off to the right side we made a table for preparing food, while a little nook became an enchanted and sealed cooler. It would help me keep food and drinks fresh for longer. 

Azlela stayed with me for three weeks, promising to come back in a little while. She went to the human town almost everyday and came back with what I needed to make the cave my home. It was daunting to stay there alone, but my ability to communicate with animals of all shapes and forms made it easier. I always had company, and they knew my home was a neutral zone. Especially the cougar Paige and her offspring stayed with me all the time. Paige became my best friend fast, and when she died just before my 18th birthday, her eldest daughter Piper stayed with me instead. Life moved on, and Azlela came to visit me 3-4 days a week all through my teens. She taught me to control my emotions, and harness my powers which included communication with animals, telekinesis, knowing when someone lies to me, levitation, healing, weather manipulation and drawing a wolf spirit out even when they are in human form. Azlela kept praising me for how much my power kept evolving, telling me it would be a gift for my future mate. 

On my 18th birthday I shifted into Ember, who was as funny as she was fierce. She was auburn, as my hair, with all white paws and a dark gray tail end. And from that day, Azlela told me I was ready to be on my own. She would still visit, but only in the capacity of a friend.