☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ It's too late to catch her. Her hand evades my clasp, and she falls to the ground with a thud that sends my heart into overdrive. Not even the deadliest of battles have demanded as much blood as is currently pumped through the vessels of my body. My lungs toil as I grasp oxygen, each gulp bleached white with my mounting terror. "What happened of her?" Rikal's question bears a tone that matches that of the thoughts darting around in my head. The problem is: I have not an answer. It had gone to a mess in a second. I watched her head furrow with confusion as she stared at the blood dribbling from her hand. Just after, she'd stiffened, and I'd identified the daze in her countenance. I called for her, but before I could order an act of the guards in station around the stage, she'd wobbled backwards and collapsed to the floor. "Saskia!" I cup her face with my right hand and, with my free one, drive tendrils of hair off her forehead. Her long lashes cast a shadow on
☽☽☽ MIKAEL'S POV ☾☾☾ "Yes," I wave at Joma's still form curved over the Luna. She did not need to ask my blessings before tending to Saskia. Kite, on the other hand, must as she's a wolf. And though we're married, Saskia has not officially become my Luna before my pack. "Check if it is alright to move her. It's not too cold here, but I'd prefer if she was sheltered." "Why, aren't you caring, Alpha Mikael? Did not know your heart of steel was actually cushioned with flesh." "Keep moving." I bare my teeth at her, attempting to be threatening by revealing my canines. She grins in return, likely as she's aware I'd not strike or lay a hand on her for an indiscretion so simple, and I think of severing her pay for a week. I'm a good deal certain my pack is the only one where the wolf doctor is paid for her services. Yet, she wields every chance she gets to take a dig at me with ferocity. "I am moving, Alpha." She asserts, springing up the stairs onto the stage. The direction of her foo
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ I awaken with a start. It hurts to breathe; the dry air claws at my lungs. I gasp, wheezing violently, and the fingers gripping my hand tighten their hold just as I hear footsteps hurrying in my direction. My brain sends an unhurried reminder to take in short, quick breaths. I do so, halting the panic briskly rising. The sound of a tumbler hitting a hard surface gives me a hard jolt, and I attempt to make out the details of my surroundings. However, I don’t see anything as my vision remains fuzzy and nebulous. I shut my eyes, re-welcoming the darkness while making efforts to stay calm despite being very much tempted to give in to my frayed nerves, and jitteriness at the worst case that I might not see well anymore. A woman articulates loudly, and though I don’t hear her statement, I immediately put a name to the voice. “Is she okay? Does she need some water?” She questions at a closer range, and I realise how much I’ve missed her. Before I can utter a word i
☾☾☾SASKIA'S POV☽☽☽"You know what? I take that back." I roll my eyes as I sit up straight. After a short rest from the energy it took to pull myself up, I test my body to check if any bone is sprained or twisted. There seems to be none, and while I verify, I turn my gaze around to identify where I am.Maggie helped me with my dress here. Everything is exactly as it was then. Casting a look through the window, I take note of the beautiful arch me and Mikael had stood underneath along with Jerald. The sun's light glints and reflects off the bluish glass, burnishing it exquisitely. The resulting view is so captivating that it could be from a fairytale. Metres away from it, I catch sight of the gigantic bonfire as well. A few wolves are seated around it, no doubt waiting for the rest of the ceremony to progress after I come to.Crystal follows the direction of my focused attention before she speaks. "I'm sure everything is in place. I met the witch taking care of you, and she made sure
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ Following the trail Crystal pointed me at leads to another pathway, but one blanketed in an unhealthy covering of snow. It seems to get colder as I head South, away from the middle of the garden where the dome stands, and so does whatever inner joy I formerly owned dwindle and grow dimmer. I scowl at my feet, which are barely covered in my silver sandals attached to five-inch, strappy stiletto heels, then sigh deeply when I conceive of how cold snow customarily is. Making up my mind to carry on, I lean forward to tighten the straps of my shoes before I move. "Ow...ow. That hurts... Damn this!" are the lines along which my refined, genteel language takes form as I wade in ankle-deep shavings of snow. "What the actual effing hell?" I add eons later when I reach dry land. The relief I feel is incontrovertible and would be visible, nearly tangible if anyone were to be within range of sighting me. A grey, coarsely toned rock that has been rolled off to the side o
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ Alpha Connor must be as perplexed as I am since he replies, "That she was. But what meaning does that bear in this case?" "She was knocked unconscious by the Bloodroot plant, wasn't she?" "Yes?" "Then the only logic sensible is that your daughter is a witch." "What?" Someone yells, and it's not until the two Alphas are looming over me that I understand it was me. "Saskia. You're okay. Thank goodness." My father hugs me, and I let him have his moment before drawing away. "What do you mean by that? I am not a witch." Mikael disregards my query and poses his. "How long have you been here?" "Long enough to hear you call me a witch." "Yes. I'd have to agree with Saskia." My father cuts in. "She has no magical skills or abilities whatsoever. She's been human all her life." "Thanks a lot, Alpha. That most certainly did not sound depreciating at all." I glare at the Alpha, who looks offbeat, all formal in a black tuxedo. I'm not used to seeing him this dresse
☽☽☽ MIKAEL'S POV ☾☾☾ Connor is as cunning a man as ever. The lies he spews are never-ending. However, I have cause to believe he was genuinely confused at my accusation of his daughter being a witch. Regardless, I wouldn't put it past him to be a lying, deceitful bitch, pretending to be ignorant of an issue so vital. The Luna was certainly in the dark on her situation. I couldn't have imagined a more shocked expression creasing the planes of her face and twisting her beautiful mouth as it frowned at me. Though I'd been sure she'd wake soonest since a witch and a qualified doctor had attended to her, my tense shoulders had sagged with relief. An invisible load had been shot off my back to see her vibrant and full of life. There's no excuse enough that I could have put out to justify my Luna being taken down on the first day in my—and forthwith, her—pack. It's past dusk. She sits not far from me at the table dedicated to VIPs, which stands useless from now as it indicates nothing
☽☽☽ MIKAEL'S POV ☾☾☾ With a shake of my head, I make for the little gathering. I've been generous, permitting them to host the many conversations they want without disturbance. I need Saskia with the most resourceful person I associate with my utmost trust in the pack: Maggie. Margaret has served me for years. When no one was by me, she'd patiently stood by and believed I would come together in the end despite my spiralling down into a void. Never did she doubt my capability. As so, she's my right-hand woman. Always has been. Always will be unless she or her loyalty changes. Remarking that night is fast falling, I halt in my tracks. With a hand-flick, I beckon on Serenge, a floater guard stationed about the stage. "You called, Alpha?" She bows, and I wave her to ease. Her right hand cradles her side, and I acknowledge the presence of her arms. Though she poses no threat to me, pointing out one's weapon or somehow placing it in sight is respectful when speaking to an Alpha. It com