Wolf's P.O.V

Conflict is something I am all too familiar with. It's something that one has to take in their stride if they're to survive in this forsaken world. You don't go around seeing shit people doing shit things without being conflicted about whether to join them by slitting their throats or by turning a blind eye and becoming worse off.

But I've never felt conflicted like this before. I can barely comprehend the situation that awaits before me. A pissed-off witch turning her back and stomping away with curled fists and probably pouting like a petulant child.

The accusations she spewed left me reeling for a split second, wondering if the crazed witch had fallen too far off her rocker. Anyone with half a brain can tell she's not all there.

The far-off gleam in her eyes, the nonchalant manner in which she speaks of killing her mother multiple times. I guess having a mother that wants to equally kill you can't be all that good for one's mental health.

'You're my mate.'

The ferocity with which she speaks drums through my ears and reverberates into my brain, a splicing headache emerging from my left temple at the tenacity of it all.

There's no way in hell I'm mated to a witch.

She must really be screwed in the head to come up with absurdities such as that.

Watching the witch storm away, I grab my cloak once more, donning the comforting material and hiding myself in the confines of it once more.

That woman must be using her witchy ways on me. That's the only way I can settle the confusion as to why the hell I removed it in the first place.

I need to get a grip. I'm losing myself in more ways than one.

Clenching my left hand into a tight fist, I want nothing more than to quell the pounding in my head but I have more important things to attend to.

Pulling the hood higher up over my head, I make my way from the other end of the garden, not wanting to take the risk of bumping into a crazed woman who's probably out for revenge, or whatever the hell it is women do when they get rejected.

The passageway is damp and murky, unused for hundreds of years except for the stray wanderer such as myself and the King. The latter who currently sits in his office waiting for me. The trek doesn't take long, especially with the gigantic castle engraved in my brain like the back of my hand. Centuries of strolling around the castle as a child and then an adult burns the image of every divot and crease in the large building, the beauty of it all not getting lost on me regardless of all this time.

Reaching the main floor of the office, I make my way toward it, only pausing to knock on the large oak door. I don't wait for an answer, letting myself in after a few beats of silence.

A single eyebrow raises at the sight before me but no one other than myself knows it. The facial expression is hidden underneath my hood as I watch the King sitting comfortably with his Queen in his arms.

A brief image of the unhinged witch flashes through my mind and I have to stop myself from letting out a snort.

"You asked for me?" I ask in a flat tone but still try to be polite.

Queen Fie glances up at me and waves me over quickly, speaking for her mate who's too consumed in looking at her like he's never seen her before.

"Yes. There is a reason as to why we called you."

The sharp laugh emitting from the Queen lets me know she's nervous about something and it sets me on edge. That can never mean good.

My gaze drifts from Queen Fie and over to King Malleus, the man sensing my gaze as he props himself up further, positioning his mate more comfortably.

"How do you feel about the witch?"

My reaction is instantaneous, eyes narrowing and suspicion furthering.

Did that witch get to them? Did she spill words of poison into their ears? There's no way the King and Queen were fools enough to believe what she said. They reign for a reason.

My voice comes out calculated but not enough to raise brows as I keep my tone normal.

"The same manner I feel about every witch. They are deceitful and should be dealt with through caution."

The two mates give each other a look and a hesitant feeling pools through me. I've always had a sixth sense regarding situations. Me and my sister both which is why she's such a good War General to the Kingdom. She can plan strategies effectively even if they are based on hunches, the sense working to our advantage and letting us know when to back out and when not to.

Unfortunately, I don't think I have much choice in this situation.

"I see. It is rather unfortunate," King Malleus speaks up, his deep voice echoing around the room, "You have more information on the witches than any of us. It goes without saying that we will be needing your help. Only if you are comfortable with it of course."

"The reason we ask is not only that you have more insight into the witches but you also knew of them when this whole black magic thing spread across the forest. The Head Mage has reason to believe that it is spreading faster than ever."

King Malleus nods at the Queen's words, the entire room turning tense with the prospect of the calamity that can arise.

"We need to act fast so Fie and I will be giving the witch a visit after this meeting. Just to see if she'll be amicable in joining our side rather than her covens."

Something tells me she'll probably jump at the prospect. That on its own raises alarms. If you can't be loyal to your own family, surely it is easy to betray anyone then.

"With all due respect; how does that relate to me?"

"We'll be going on a hunt to find the witch behind this all. Currently, we have reason to believe, thanks to Althea, that her mother was behind all of this but now that she's dead. If that were the case the magic should have worn off by now."

I nod in agreement, something not sitting right with me at the prospect. Sure a head of a coven is strong but hardly ever strong enough for their magic to linger on after their death.

"If what she says is true then we have to be extra careful. Althea is most likely as strong as her mother and if she's playing us then we need to be careful," Malleus muses before pinning me with his stare once more.

"That is why you will be heading the investigation. Watch Althea, and engage with her. Get as much information as you can."

The command is clear but something I have struggled dealing with. Never before have I had a problem following a simple command until today.

This witch is causing more problems than I would have thought.

"It should be automatically presumed that the witch is not to be trusted," I try to enforce, hoping the King sees sense and executes the witch on the spot.

Malleus shakes his head, eyes inquisitive but staying silent.

"She could be a great ally."

"The witch? A great ally?" The scorn in my voice doesn't help matters and Queen Fie makes it clear.

"Maybe don't start off by calling her a witch. Please call her by her name when you interact with her."

The thought is almost rancid and if she weren't my queen, I would probably be foaming at my mouth. Instead, I bow my head, waiting to be excused while biting my tongue.

"We'll give you more information after our little chat," the King speaks and I nod, taking that as my cue to leave.

With a swift nod that conveys my curtesy of respect, I leave the confines of the study before the King and Queen demand I kiss the witch's feet and adhere to her every beck and call.

The two are annoying like that. Wanting to play nice rather than use what they have at their disposal such as brute force and pointy weapons.

Shaking my head of any treasonous thoughts, I make my way to the one person I know who will give me better insight than anyone else.

It doesn't take me long to find my sister, her sharp eyes watching over young wolves. Their bodies are lithe but gangly since they haven't gotten used to the inner beast within them. The young teens pause, listening to Rui's instructions as she guides the boys and girls in the best ways possible.

My sister is a powerhouse and not one to be trifled with. She's not only smart but also sensible and fierce which makes her a great War General. Rui was also the one to teach me how to fight, being the older out of the two of us, she made sure I knew how to defend myself. Now I can beat her on good days so her conscience is settled and she let me go out into the world the first time I bested her.

The memories almost make me smile.

"Take a break, everyone," Rui calls out as she claps her hand, the break causing everyone to look at me which makes them scatter quickly without another word.

Rui already senses me and waits for me to approach her, back turned but always on high alert.

"What brings you here?"

Silence lingers after she speaks as I glance up at the sky, raindrops falling onto my face in a mesmerising splatter as shivers run down my spine.

It feels like someone is watching me.

Ignoring the weird sensation because I know there is no threat, I focus back on my waiting sister.

"The witch. I do not trust her, anego."

Rui arches a strong brow at me, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Just accept it as it is, brother. Do not go against what has been destined."

"You have heard what she is claiming is not possible?" My words are harsh and I cannot believe my ears. Shocked my sister could say such a thing.

Turning to me fully, a soft smile graces Rui's face as she crinkles her forehead, pulling the hood of my cloak up a bit lower so that our eyes clash.

"Maybe we were wrong. Maybe your mate is alive and living. So close to you but you refuse to accept it and are wasting precious time. Look at me. I have yearned for my mate for centuries and I have finally gotten him. I cannot think back to a time without Ezra and nor do I want to. I wish the same for you brother."

The truth behind her words weighs heavy and I have to stop myself from retorting just for the sheer sake of the weight behind what she says.

"I would have felt the connection. I can't. You know that," I say vehemently.

"You can't or you don't want to? It happened years ago. When you were just a boy. Accept it. Believe it is true and you will feel the connection. Besides, the witch has to know your name for the bond to solidify.

She is basing her faith in instinct but witches her attuned to nature and the essence we hold. The essence that oftentimes stems from our names. Knowing your name will turn the key in the lock and she will know. Maybe then you will too."

My sister always talks like she has a poet up her ass and it irks me beyond no end when she talks like this, especially when I'm frustrated and just want her to agree with me.

"No one knows my true name. The King didn't know it for years until it was forced out of me."

Rui's smile drops and a dangerous glint enters her eyes.

"Are you trying to test fate? Your name holds no importance in what is to commence. Soulmates are not child's play. Tell the damn woman your name and get it over and done with. If your mate's great. Start boning and making babies. If not, boohoo. She'll move on with her life."

Rui doesn't give me a chance to respond and instead, the woman turns away from me, clapping her hands to alert the trainees back into their fighting stances. Another clap from her caused the wolves to launch at each other.

Knowing our conversation has ended, I turn away to head down to the forest to clear my head only to come face to face with small green eyes peering through thick foliage.

The witch's familiar sits amidst the bushes, flicking its tail as it stares at me. That feeling of someone watching me increases as I lock eyes with it.

I raise a single brow as a smile almost overtakes the animal's mouth. Another flick of its tail swishes as he gets up and walks inside through a gap in the door.

That little runt was listening to everything we had just said.

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AN: So I've been trying to give justice to Wolf's point of view for a few weeks now and it just wasn't coming together. I finally started to enjoy it and I'm pleased with the outcome especially Rui's chat with Wolf/Kier. Just a little insight into their relationship.

Anego is basically a way of saying older sister informally in Japanese!

Question: What are pet names that you like and dislike?

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