A Cottage Deep In The Forest.

“You mean, Deborah could have mistaken you for another person?’’ Asked Ammon as he walks closer to me. He seized my hand and grabbed my hair just like Drek had done earlier. “Listen bitch, Deborah can never lie and will never deceive us. Your name is Louis. The daughter of Mahandra the great mistress of the witches. Margarita is your only mother’s extant sister. She betrayed your mother and let the vampires kill her in one of their bloody clashes, years ago.” He spread one of his palms across my face, totally insensitive to the torment he is putting me through.

I responded only when he eased his grip on me, “Margarita also told you that? How can I believe all you have said?’’

“Yes witch, she did. That was how we found you. It’s either you do as we say and come with us to prepare the ritual that will break the spell or you perish right here in the middle of the forest. The choice is yours, Louis.”

We arrived at a small cottage deep in the forest and far from any human contact. I was helpless because no matter how loud I scream no one will hear me. Any attempt to flee either, behind their back will be suicidal. The ultimate reality had set in for me. Inside the small cottage was a lamp that seem to have been burning for many hours now. There was also, a fireplace and a small library which indicate the alpha and his friends were not illiterates, but bookworms. The small library was stacked with different books of various sizes and volume. I wondered if I could be allowed to make use of their library while in their custody. As I continue to look around at what possibly could be my home for some time to come, I discovered the cottage was made of two bedrooms and a parlor located at the center.

“Sit down witch,’’ the alpha stared at me before walking to the next room.

 Eric was standing at the fireplace trying to make a fire, while Derek brought out a whisky from his pocket and took some sips. Soon alpha Ammon was back. Surprisingly, he pulled out his long coat and place them on my shoulders. His first act of kindness which I never expected anyway. “Put it on or you are going to freeze to death,’’ he said. Ammon was right, the night was cold and certainly, my torn little blouse will not sustain me through the night. 

I stared at him briefly before accepting his coat. “What are you going to wear in the absence of your coat?’’

“Let that be my worry and not yours.’’ He watched as I struggled to fit my hands into his cloth. “Hold on let me do it myself for you,’’ he dragged the coat until it covered my whole body. 

He sat on the opposite wooden chair. I was yet to sit down even though he had commanded me to do so earlier. We sat down facing each other as Eric returned to take a sit too after making the fire. Derek was already seated a few meters away from us. Our sitting positioning means we could hear what any of us is saying. 

“Louis!’’ began the alpha, “you will break my curse this night so, relax and enjoy the whole moment you have right now because in the next few hours you will be removing this burden from me.’’

Alarmed, I wondered if the alpha had forgotten, I had no magic tools with me. He doesn’t believe I’m an amateur witch, who is not capable of carrying out the task he had placed on me. How do I convince him without provocation that I’m not ready for what he's asking for? The wolves had made it clear that my life is in danger if I don’t cooperate with them.

“Once this is over, Milan is going to fight for his life. He will suffer and pay for all the atrocities he had committed against us. The wolves will rise to glory once again. There will be no more traitors to sabotage our progress again,’’ Derek said as he takes the last swallow of his whisky.

Eric eased a smile. Perhaps, they were all impressed with what they had found; I, of course, was the one person they have searching for for years. “That’s right Derek. We can finally go home and regain our place in our wolf clan.’’

“You two are my brothers for life. I wouldn’t have come this far without the help both of you have rendered to me all these years,’’ Ammon looked at them both, as he spoke. “You have been with me through thick and thorn and for that, I owe you my gratitude for life.’’

The two wolves nodded to the words of appreciation the alpha had rendered on them. I remained silent and pretended all will go as they had anticipated but then, I thought about their possible reaction when they eventually find out I can’t fulfill their demand. Will they kill me instantly on the spot? Or will they torture me and slowly let me die. Either way of death is not good. I am well aware that, I was living on a borrowed time. They had let me stay alive simply because I had an important role in their quest. 

“What do you say if we proceed with the ritual right the way?’’ Asked Eric.

“Let’s give her some time to rest. Now that we have found her, she is all ours. Nothing is obstructing us now,’’ Ammon turned to me, “Louis, do you think we should do as my brothers here have said and have my curse broken as soon as possible?’’

My heart pounded as his eyes were still fixed on me while waiting for my response. “Your wish is my command,’’ I spoke with fear.

“I guess that means we should go ahead without wasting time?’’

“You know what you wanted and only you can get it at your right time,’’ I replied.

Ammon glanced at his brothers and continued, “well then, brothers the witch thinks we should proceed with the ritual just like you have recommended,’’ he stood up.

‘Is this going to happen? Or was he kidding?’ I asked myself as he walked closer to me. I could smell his breath and feel the beat of his heart. He was not putting on any coat, just a shirt that barely covered his upper body. Just how he was able to stay for long without any thick coat, remained astonishing to me. Well, what can I say, he is an alpha wolf. I have heard so many incredible stories about werewolves. It is said, they are super strong and can do many supernatural fits that mere humans wouldn’t dare to try. ‘Now, this alpha has been limited by the curse which was placed on him a long time ago but still, he is exceptionally strong. I imagined what will happen when his curse is lifted. Perhaps, I will see more supernatural wonders to be displayed by him.

“It’s time witch!’’ said a harsh voice from my back. It was no other person of course, but Derek who has not been kind to me in any way, since the start of an adventurous journey with them. He pulled me up from my chair. 

The alpha got up and stepped forward, “you have heard it, Louis. There is no time to waste again and I’m quite sure you had enough rest.’’

Are you kidding me?’ I asked myself in a very low voice. I have barely sat for an hour and now I’m being told that I have had enough rest? I let Derek drag me with no resistance. “Where are you taking me to, outside?’’

Eric steps in, “you should perhaps treat her with more kindness. She is about to perform a once-in-a-lifetime task. Let’s just go soft on her so she can be in the right state of mind and health to execute her task. After that, we can do with her as we please.’’

“You have a point, Eric!’’ Derek made me sit down again, forcefully.

As if he cared less about what was going on, Ammon began, “how do we start? I want this to be done as soon as possible.’’

I had to make a quick decision and buy myself some time. But how will I do that when they are watching every action I take? I continuously gazed at the woods burning at the fireplace while thinking about what to do. Only the alpha’s loud voice brought my mind back.

“Witch! I’m talking to you,’’ said the alpha. “We have a deal. Do it now or you will face the consequences? Don’t even think about something stupid or you will end up horribly.’’

I knew the alpha’s threat was serious. I will have to come up with a quick plan before the wolves misunderstands my delay tactics as a deliberate unwillingness to cooperate with them. That will lead to a whole turnaround of events.

Suddenly, a thought came to me. I was not sure about it but then, I had no choice but to obey my instinctive reasoning. “Step forward!’’ I told the alpha before taking a glance at the other two wolves, “I want them out of the house tonight! The ritual I’m about to perform needs no one to be present but you and I only.’’