Noctis

I am driving in my car with Callum, Quinton and Josh. We are going back to my territory because that is where Ash was last seen. Amara decided to stay behind to secretly get tutoring on how to be the king of werewolves. Everyone will think that I am next in line until the Crowning Ceremony.

"We are here," I tell them as I pull up to my pack house. I haven't even told Quinton or Josh about this being my territory.

"Let's get searching," Josh says before getting out of the car.

I walk up to my room as the three boys follow me. Once inside I tell them, "This is where the witch tried to kill me."

"Hold up, you didn't tell us that," Quinton says.

"I am now. I killed her, but her body disappeared. She probably wanted to kill me for the same reasons as the rogues. I guess she didn't know that I am a True Alpha."

Quinton takes out a small container with a light blue powder in it. I give him a curious look and he smirks before putting a pea size of powder in his hand and blowing it into the room. The powder spreads out before making a line from one end of the room towards the window and down to the ground.

"That's the path of magic," Quinton says.

"Well, that is probably the direction that the witch came into my room," I tell him.

"Not in, out. The trail started over there," he points toward my closet, "and it went towards the window. That means she left the room....alive."

"Shit. I could have sworn that I killed her. She must have tricked me," I growl.

"Let's go follow it," Josh says as he walks out of the room.

We all follow him out the front door and I see the line of blue powder leading to the forest.

"This is the way I saw Ash running when I came back to the pack house," Callum tells me.

I nod and we follow the line out to another clearing outside of my territory. It abruptly stops and the powder falls to the ground.

"What now?" Callum asks.

"Well if the magic ends here, that means that she must have teleported to the next location," Quinton states.

"Then we just need to find a witch willing to help us," I tell them. A powerful witch will be able to recreate the teleportation.

"Where the hell do we find a powerful witch?" Josh wonders.

"I know," Callum says. "I passed by a town on my way here that had quite a few lone witches."

"We will head there tomorrow. Let's stay in the pack house tonight and head out in the morning," I suggest.

We head inside and I whip up some food for them. They eat their turkey sandwiches and everyone finds a bedroom to sleep in.

The Next Morning

We are almost to the town that Callum was talking about. To say I am worried would be an understatement. I have lost too many amazing people in my life and I can't stand to lose another even if they did reject me. All I can do right now as Callum drives is hope to the Moon Goddess that she will let me find Ash, alive.

"We're here," Callum announces as we pull up to a coffee shop parking lot.

"Let's go," I say.

We walk into the coffee shop and many eyes land on us. We take a seat in a booth to work out how to ask for help. We can't just walk up to any witch and tell them we need help. They might want something in return.

"So, anyone have a plan on how to go on from here?" Josh questions.

"Hey, don't look at me, I got it here," Callum states putting his hands up.

"Well, I figured out that witch was still alive," Quintons tells us.

"I have barely ever been out of England so don't ask me," Josh defends himself.

All their gazes are on me now, "What makes you think I have a plan? I am the youngest one here."

"But you have the most experience out of all of us," Callum states and the other two boys nod their head in agreement.

I huff and think for a moment. I did meet one witch who was with the rogues that captured me. She was always very kind to me throughout the two years I was held there. She always said that if I ever needed help from another witch that I should be honest and tell them I know her.

"I have an idea," I tell the group.

"What is it?" Josh wonders.

"Just trust me and don't lie to anyone."

They nod their head as a waitress walks up to our table. She is a human.

"What can I get you all today?"

"Black coffee," I order.

"Same here," Callum orders.

"Coffee with two milk," Quinton smiles.

"Coffee with an espresso shot for me," Josh orders and the waitress leaves to make our coffees.

Once we get our coffees in our to go cups we leave the cafe and walk down the streets. I keep an eye out for a powerful witch. They are usually pretty hard to sense, but that is why I am thankful to be a True Alpha.

After walking up and down multiple streets and two coffees later, we start to lose hope. All of the witches we have walked by have a regular amount of power, they wouldn't be strong enough for a recreating spell.

I stop walking suddenly as I sense a powerful being close by. I look to my right and there is an alleyway that appears to be empty, but I know someone is there. I turn to that direction and make my way down the alley with everyone close behind me. My vision goes black before I see a light and then I realize I am standing in a big field without my friends.

I look around and see a beautiful woman walking towards me. She is the powerful witch I sensed back at the alley.

"Where are my friends?" I ask.

"They are fine. Still back at the alleyway. I wanted to speak with you...alone," the woman explains.

"What can I do for you?" I ask cautiously, not wanting to make her mad.

"Well, I think it is you who wants something from me."

I sigh and put a hand out to her, "Noctis Kilo."

She smiles slightly before shaking my hand, "Katerina Morris."

Morris? That is the same last name as the witch I knew. Could this be her daughter that she spoke to me about?

"Does your mom happen to be Maria Morris?" I wonder.

"Yes...how do you know her?" She cautiously asks.

"She helped me while I was captured by rogues overseas."

"I heard about you. Thought you were gonna get killed over there," Katerina states.

"I managed to escape."

"What about that little one of yours?" Katerina asks with a smile.

I frown and a tear rolls down my cheek, "They killed him," my voice not rising above a whisper.

He smile immediately drops, "I am so sorry to hear that. What can I help you with?"

"My friends and I are looking for another friend of ours. We believe he was taken by another witch who tried to kill me. I thought I killed her but we got trace of her magic leaving the room. Are you able to do a recreating spell to figure out where she went?"

"If you agree to help me find my mother afterwards, we have a deal."

"I will help you, but I don't know how I will be able to find her any better than you will," I admit.

"How far away is the place?"

"It is three towns over my the old Blood Paw Pack territory."

"Ah yes, very powerful pack in it's time before they all went their separate ways."

"It really was. How do we get back to the alley?" I wonder.

"Right," Katerina snaps her fingers and we are in the alley where my friends are.

"Boys," I announce catching their attention, "This is Katerina and she has agreed to aid us in finding Ash."

"Thank you so much Katerina," Josh thanks.

"Yes, thank you," Quinton smiles.

"Thank you," Callum nods.

Katerina snaps her fingers and we are at the border of my pack. Katerina looks my way with wide shocked eyes before she grins. I guess she has figured out that this is my territory. I start leading the group to where the magic trace ended. Once we step in the clearing, I feel uneasiness coming from Katerina.

"Are you alright?" I ask her.

"No, I'm not. This witch is not one you want to mess with. She is cruel and evil. She uses Vera Magic, the dark magic of the witching world."

"Who is she?" Callum wonders.

"Keres."