A/N: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to @Serebyani for.... reasons. Lol. Thank you for your help!

Emily's POV

As soon as the wolves disappeared into the trees, I continued my trek to my car. I need to go home and think about this. I know he will come for me, after all, there is no way that he didn't feel the pull. The bond between a witch and their familiar is sacred, and we will be drawn together, always.

Before I can reach the parking area I meet up with Brandon and Brock staring toward the tree line. "Hey guys, will you please tell Ivy that I'm sorry but I can't stay? I have some things I need to take care of, but I will see you all at school on Monday." They just nod in response so I step around them.

I toss my bag onto my passenger seat once I reach my car and get in. I quickly make my way off of the pack lands and towards home. I bought my little log cabin a couple of months before classes started with some of the money that I received from the trust I was finally able to access once I turned 18. My uncle had control of it until then, so for the first several months after I ran from my coven, I struggled to get by while living out of my car. I'd had to go back to my home state to receive the inheritance and I was so scared that they would find me. Luckily my cloaking spell held up and I was able to get in and out without detection. I still have plenty of the money to get me through college and support myself for a few years after if necessary, so that is a load off of my mind. It was so hard not having a home, and the money that I made as a waitress barely gave me enough money to eat. That's in the past now, though, so there is no reason to dwell on it.

I park my car in front of my house and gather my things before heading inside. I still don't know what to make of this situation. I've never heard of a witch's familiar being a shifter before but I can't deny that Keegan's wolf is mine. What will he think about it when he finds out? I hope he isn't offended or anything. That would not be a good start to what is supposed to be a lifelong bond. Does he even like witches? I know my kind, or at least those in my coven, look down on werewolves. They consider them nothing more than savage beasts whose only beneficial characteristic is the fact that their hearts can be used to cast the strongest of destruction spells. It was lucky that there were no packs anywhere near the coven, or I can only imagine what they would have done.

My face pales when I think about what could happen if Uncle Roderick finds out not only that I found my familiar, but that he is a werewolf. I have no doubt that he would do his best to kill him so that I may turn my back on the code that he has forsaken. When my parents were still alive, our coven was good. We lived by a few basic rules. 1) Do as you will, but harm none. 2) Respect this earth for our mother has blessed us with it. 3) All that you do will be returned to you 3 fold. The coven throwing this out was a mistake, but my uncle convinced them that it was nonsense. I know otherwise, and no matter what he says or does I will stand by it.

I have to keep them away from here. I can't let any of them find out about Keegan or the others. With these thoughts in mind, I grab my bag of magical implements and step over to my casting circle in front of my fireplace. I light a fire and step back before beginning.

"May the Winds of the East guide me-

May the Fires of the South strengthen me-

May the Waters of the West cleanse me-

May the Earth Mother nourish me-

And may the Goddess protect me." I say as I bow in each direction before kneeling at the edge of my circle.

I pull out my quartz crystal and place it in the center of the circle and then sprinkle the entire area with rosewater. Retrieving a few candles, I light them and place them in specific areas around the circle before sitting back on my heels. I sit in silence for several minutes with my eyes closed as I focus my magical energy. When I feel myself become attuned, I open my eyes and begin by placing my hand above the stone and pulling images of the wolves into the forefront of my mind.

"Has filios volentibus lunam oculis noceat." (Guard these children of the moon from the eyes of those who wish them harm.) I call out. "Defendat eos: Terra mater, quod te habere suscépit me."(Protect them, Earth Mother, as you have protected me.) I raise my eyes to the skylight above me. "Voco te dea lunae. Qui destruis adjuvet tegere liberos tuae creatura tua." (I call to you Moon Goddess. Help me to conceal your children from those that would destroy your beautiful creations.) I repeat my pleas 3 times before I feel the vibrations of the crystal beneath my hand, signaling that my request has been heard and answered. "Lorem respondere matres vocatus." (Thank you, matrons, for answering my call.) I finish before breaking my circle.

Retrieving the quartz crystal, I pull a spool of thin copper wire from my pouch and carefully wind it around until it holds the crystal snugly. I then pull a copper chain out before threading the end through the loop I created at the top. When I finish, I place a soft kiss on it before putting it around my neck. Hopefully, this will be enough to keep them safe.

^^Emily's Spelled Quartz Necklace^^

I quickly clean up the area before standing to put my bag into the chest at the end of my bed. Then I pull my dress over my head and walk towards my dresser. Carefully folding my dress, I lay it neatly on top of the dresser before pulling out a pair of black leggings and a soft long sleeved green shirt that falls to mid-thigh. Once I am dressed, I walk over and sit on the bench beside the window facing the front of my house and settle in to wait.

It takes several hours before I finally see what I have been watching for. The beautiful wolf steps out from the shadows and approaches my house. I get up from my perch and go to the door. When I hear the click of his claws on my porch, I open the door with a small smile. He looks surprised but happy to see me standing here, his wolfy smile noticeable even around the small bag that he carries between his teeth.

"I've been expecting you." I tell him and almost laugh when I notice his eyes widening. "Come in. I hope that bag has clothes in it because I'm afraid that I have nothing that will fit you and I think you will need to shift if we have any hope of an actual conversation." I say as I step back and allow him inside. I gesture to the open bathroom door. "You can change in there." He nods his head and walks into the room before nudging the door closed with his head.

I try to block out the sound of his shift as I wait for him to finish up. When Keegan steps out of the bathroom a few minutes later I have to stop myself from staring. He looks gorgeous even in his simple attire of a white t-shirt and dark blue basketball shorts. He smiles when he notices me eyeing him and I quickly look away as I feel my cheeks flame. Clearing my throat, I look back to him, determinedly keeping my eyes on his face. He surprises me as he comes forward and without a word pulls me into his arms. He buries his nose in my neck and breathes deeply. Is he sniffing me? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, I mean he is a wolf after all.

"Mmmm. You smell like..." Keegan pauses as he takes in another deep breath. "magic. You smelled different earlier, but this is just as nice." He says in a low husky voice.

I try to pull away, but his arms tighten. "Um... Keegan. Do you think, maybe, that we could talk?"

He continues nuzzling my neck as he answers. "Of course, my beautiful mate. We can talk about anything you want, but please just let me hold you. I've waited for you for so long, I just need to hold you for a while. Please."

I can't think straight with him this close, but I can't make myself push him away either. He sounds almost desperate as he practically begs me to stay in his arms, and it's not like I really mind being enveloped in his warmth.  Wait a minute. What did he just call me? He can't mean what I think, right? My voice squeaks when I ask, "Mate?"

A/N: Please Vote and Comment. I love hearing from you guys! Happy Reading!