Chapter 2

Sophia

The silence around us is eerie. Within it, I can hear soft footfalls on the moss growing on the forest floor. And there's low growling coming from all sides.

I take a step nearer to Alex, unconsciously. What in the heck is that?

We're not that far from the campsite. Shouldn't we call the others?

I'm about to say that when Alex shakes his head, placing a finger on his lips, a gesture for me not to speak. His eyes are searching the trees. The sun is setting now, and although we can see in the lower light, we are in a very dense part of the forest.

I hear the rustling of leaves from my right, and I quickly turn toward the sound. A wolf emerges from the bushes.

It's an animal, not a shifter. Its size gives it away. I relax, but as soon as it takes a few steps in my direction, my body begins to tingle, the same way it does around magic. This is something I realized belatedly after I left Oakrest Town. Since I'm the Silver Wolf and have the ability to use magic, I'm able to sense when I'm around magic. It's a recent development, though, and I'm not sure I can trust it all that much.

"Alex," I say, a warning edge in my tone. "There's something off about these wolves. They're not normal."

I've already noticed the two wolves approaching Alex from the other side. Normal wolves aren't a problem for shifters. Unless there are too many of them, and the shifter is attacked by a pack. The smell coming from these three is horrendous, almost like something rotting.

"I can see that," Alex says in a low voice.

"What do you want to do?"

He doesn't respond to my question immediately, studying the animals. "Let's wait to see what they do first. I don't want to attack them if they don't plan on attacking us."

But they are clearly up to something, I realize as they bare their teeth at us, their hackles raised. "Well, they're not here to ask us for directions," I mutter.

We watch them warily, and I notice something that has the hair on the back of my neck rising.

"Alex! Their eyes. Look at their eyes!"

We didn't notice at first because of the falling darkness, but the wolves' eyes are pitch black.

"I see them," Alex replies grimly. "They aren't planning to leave us alone."

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, one of the wolves lunges at Alex. At the same time, the one closest to me jumps on me. I don't know what Alex is doing, but I grab the wolf attacking me by the neck and toss it to the ground, on its back.

I'm not about to be a sitting duck here.

However, the wolf is back on its feet, snarling at me. I'm pretty sure I heard a crack when it hit the ground. What is going on?

I glance over at Alex. He has shifted into his wolf form, but he's also having a hard time with these wolves. They don't seem to be going down. I don't understand. They're just wolves. They shouldn't be a problem for us. As I shove away the other wolf circling me, I sense that this has something to do with magic. My skin is still tingling, and their eyes…Are they under some sort of magic spell?

Is that how magic works?

I've never met a witch before, so I don't really have anything to base my assumptions on.

"Why won't you just stay down?" I move sideways to avoid the animal as it jumps to his feet and tries to attack me. I don't particularly enjoy hurting animals. And this situation is making me feel like a monster, constantly hurting these innocent beasts.

Another wolf bursts out of the trees, rushing toward me, and I hear Alex growl loudly. He makes a move in my direction. However, he's too far away, and I'm too tangled up with the two wolves I've been fighting this whole time.

This is it , I realize dimly as I see the wolf approach me, its jaw wide open. I have to shift!

But my body isn't accustomed to changing forms quickly. And the fear that is building up within me at the sight of the approaching wolf is not allowing me to establish the link with my beast to bring about the transformation.

I squeeze my eyes shut as it covers the distance between us, knowing death or a fatal injury is seconds from happening.

Then, out of nowhere, a clear voice suddenly begins shouting something in a strange language. The words pierce me, forcing my eyes open, my body shivering as the power coating those words reaches me.

Magic.

If I ever had any doubt, it's gone now.

This feeling, this rush of power moving within me, it can only be magic. I've never felt something so pure and alive before.

My head swivels to the side, and I see a figure standing by the edge of the trees. The person has their hand pressed against their side as if wounded, a hooded dark cloak concealing their face and body.

But it's a feminine voice.

She hobbles forward, her hand outstretched as she keeps chanting.

That's when I notice that the wolves are no longer attacking us. Instead, they are on the ground, their bodies seizing. That rotting smell I had picked up before is intensifying.

Alex doesn't spare a moment, grabbing me with his teeth and moving me behind him in an attempt to shield me from the intruder. However, the woman isn't paying any attention to us. She is solely focused on the wolves. Whatever she's doing is clearly hurting them, and I have to bite my tongue not to beg her to stop.

Alex must've sensed my tension because he shifts into his human form and glances back at me. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

I shake my head silently, unable to tear my eyes away from the horror unfolding before me. The way the wolves are contorting on the forest floor and the terrible sounds coming from their mouths have my heart tightening with nausea.

"Does she have to torture them?" I burst out.

"I don't know if she is," Alex murmurs, his voice strange.

"What do you mean?"

"They smell like—"

He doesn't get to finish the sentence because, just then, the wolves finally go still. It's almost as if a barrier has been removed from their bodies. The stench of death reaches my nose, and I place my hand over it.

"They were dead to begin with," Alex says uneasily.

He looks up at the woman standing at a distance from us. She stumbles onto her knees, groaning and gripping her side.

I try to move toward her, but Alex stops me.

"She's hurt!" I frown at him. "We have to help her."

His grip doesn't lessen. "We can't trust her."

I blink. "If she's the enemy, why would she save us? She's in a lot of pain, Alex. We have to do something."

He releases me reluctantly, and I hurry over to the woman. She has pulled back the hood of her cloak, revealing dark curls and attractive green eyes. She looks pretty young, though, and if I had to hazard a guess, I would put her in her late teens, maybe seventeen or eighteen years old.

"Are you okay?" I ask breathlessly.

She gives me a suspicious look. "I don't need your help."

"You helped us, so the least we can do is help you." I try to look at her injury. She's not very willing, but it must be hurting her pretty badly because she removes her hand. It's covered in blood. I see the purple dress she's wearing under her cloak, slashed from the side, revealing an ugly gash.

It's not a fatal injury, but it looks painful nonetheless.

"One of them got to me. I was trying to figure out a way to undo the spell, but I wasn't fast enough, and I gave one of those bastards an opening."

"Undo the spell?"

She gives me a tight-lipped smile. "Dark blood magic. Those were undead wolves. They were killed and then brought back to life."

My eyes widen in shock, and my voice lowers into a hushed whisper. "Like zombies?"

The girl gives me an amused look. "Sure. If you buy into that whole thing."

"Dark witches dabble with the undead." Alex's voice reaches my ear, and I glance over my shoulder to see him standing behind me, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Is that what you are?"

The girl shoots Alex a dirty look. "If I were a dark witch, I wouldn't have been able to break the spell. The source of magic that dark witches use is different from that of normal witches. We draw power from nature and life, and they draw power from violence and death."

I didn't even know that there were different types of witches. "But I thought witches couldn't interfere in each other's magic?"

The girl sighs impatiently. "They can't, but like I just said, the two types of magic are different. Therefore, it is possible for a witch like me to interfere in a spell cast by a dark witch. Not that doing so doesn't have its own consequences."

The words are barely out of her mouth before she turns to the side and promptly throws up. I can smell the blood in her vomit, and I wince seeing her sagging head.

"Let's get you back to the campsite."

Her pallor gives away her weakness, but she still resists. "I don't know you. Leave me alone."

I look at Alex helplessly, and I can tell that he's willing to leave the witch out here to fend for herself. But she's so young. And she helped us out. It's not right to leave her here by herself.

"Alex."

My mate eyes me with annoyance before giving in. "You'll be safe with us. Besides, you're badly injured. You're going to attract a lot of predators with how much you're bleeding. We have a few healing potions that you might be able to use."

The mention of healing potions has her perking up. "Healing potions? I just ran out. Would you be willing to sell them to me? I still have a long journey to make."

"What? Absolutely not!" Alex thunders.

I stare at Alex before turning to look at the girl. "What my mate means to say is that we kind of need them, as well. But you really should come with us. It's not safe for you out here. The healing potion will help you get back on your feet."

It's obvious that she would rather be anywhere else, but our words must have struck a chord in her because she glances down at her wound and then stands up. When she sways, I grab her arm to make sure she doesn't fall.

She flinches almost immediately. "If you try anything weird…"

I like her. "I'm just trying to make sure you don't make things worse for yourself. Alex, a little help?"

Alex's brows arch into his hairline. "You want me to touch her?"

His words don't make sense to me, but when he reaches for the girl, my wolf growls, a deep furious sound. My own temper stirs, the irrationality of my thoughts not registering on me. How dare he touch another female?

I want to snap at him and tell him to back off but the voice of reason within me reminds me that I just asked him to do this. Then, when I see his arm circling the girl's waist, I feel a ripple of possessive anger rush through me. What is wrong with me?

"I can do it!" I snap at him, pushing his arm away.

He gives me a long look before making a huge show of stepping away from the young witch. His eyes settle on me, and I see the smugness in them.

It's almost as if he anticipated my reaction to him touching the girl.

With him a few steps away from us now, my wolf calms down.

As we begin walking back toward the campsite, I ask, "Were the wolves chasing you?"

She gives me a sheepish look. "Yes. I'm sorry you got caught up in this business."

"The dark witches controlling those wolves are after you?" Alex sounds perturbed by the very thought.

The girl is silent for a moment before saying, slowly, "My mother abandoned me to a coven of dark witches. As I grew up, I was taught their ways, but it wasn't me. I never felt content with the magic I was practicing. Then I ran into another witch who was passing by, and she taught me how to use nature as a source of my magic. I tried to leave the coven, but they wouldn't let me. They killed the witch who was teaching me, and I've been running from them. I just have to cross the South Alliance border so I can seek refuge with the covens in the North."

"And what if they don't give you refuge?" Alex asks, and my brows furrow at this tone.

The girl stiffens. I don't think she's thought that far ahead. I can understand her desperation to leave though. Aren't I in the same position as her?

She mutters, "I'll find another way. If they don't take me in, I'll keep looking for a coven that will accept me. And even if no one does, it's fine. I can survive on my own. I'm never going back to those dark witches."

Her words resonate with me, and I feel a little protective of this young girl. "So, you've been making this journey all by yourself? Isn't it unsafe?"

She shrugs. "Safe or unsafe, I don't have a choice. You don't understand what it's like to shift from the ugliest, darkest sort of magic to this pure, clean magic. It's like my soul was finally able to breathe. I can't go back to them. I can't do what those witches do. Even if I have to die, I will never return to them."

The passion in her voice strikes me, and I glance at Alex, who gives me a stony look.

I turn back to the girl.

I can't just leave her here. We have to help her. Besides, we are also heading to the North border. This time when I look at Alex, he gives me a small shake of his head. He has obviously picked up on what I'm thinking and isn't on board with it.

When we reach the campsite, Alex's companions are taking a nap. Alex kicks Jared in the leg, growling, "Didn't you hear the fighting taking place?"

Jared opens one eye blearily. "What fighting?"

Patrick sits up from where he's leaning against a log. "What're you talking about, Alex? What happened?"

"We were attacked by zombie wolves," I pitch in.

"By what?" Patrick stares at me.

Nathan looks pale at the mention of zombies.

"Dark witches," Alex explains.

"There was a barrier there," the young witch besides us says. "I could feel it."

"What sort of barrier?" Alex asks sharply.

She frowns. "I'm not sure. I could feel it. But it must have blocked out sound. Otherwise, your friends would have overheard all that noise."

"But why?" I ask.

She shrugs. "I don't know. I'm just telling you what I sensed. It felt odd to me that the wolves suddenly raced off somewhere. They must have sensed magical energy."

She looks at the two of us doubtfully. "Is one of you a witch?"

"What's going on?" Saul sits up now, looking wary. "What's with the new girl? Is she bleeding?"

The scent of the girl's blood is in the air now.

"We need a healing potion." Alex jerks his chin in Nathan's direction, and he digs into the small bag by his side. He tosses a vial to Alex, who hands it over to the girl. She drinks it greedily before sighing in relief.

Alex updates Saul. "We found this witch in the forest. Some dark witches are after her." He turns to the witch next, saying, "Now that you're better, let's go our separate ways."

"Can't we let her come with us?" I ask Alex, my voice low.

"Absolutely not," Alex says disapprovingly. "We don't know a thing about her."

"She's a witch, Alex," I persist. "And think of it this way: if we can help her across the border in to North territory, maybe she can teach me how to use my powers. And we do need somebody to do that. I don't know anything about magic."

This idea has Alex pausing. He needs me to use magic to break the link that the Queen of the North Alliance has placed between the pups of Alex's pack and the nannies and soldiers she has stationed within the pack. The vicious Queen Karina, who is also responsible for the massacre of Alex's parents and other adults in his pack close to two decades ago, has managed to control the pack by putting her spies in plain view and threatening the lives of all the children. This is why Alex and his men came to my town after learning about the prophecy of the Silver Wolf, a female shifter who can use magic. They wanted to enlist her help to sever that link.

Seeing his hesitation, I press on. "We can strike a bargain with her. We offer her protection, and she teaches me the basics of magic. It's perfect."

Alex looks torn. "It is a good idea, but I don't know how I feel about it. Having a witch in our midst, especially one who knows dark magic, isn't exactly safe. On top of that, there are dark witches hunting her. We're already dealing with the soldiers from your pack. Add in dark witches, and we're going to have our hands full."

I feel disappointed. "I cannot force you to agree. But I do need somebody to teach me. Unless you already have a witch in mind."

He falls silent at my words before cursing quietly. He looks at the young witch and demands, "What's your name?"

"Lily."

"Well, Lily. We're also heading to the North border. If you want, you can travel with us." He ignores his companions' shocked sounds and continues, "In exchange, I need you to teach Sophia how to use magic."

Lily gives me a long look. "Are you a witch?"

I shake my head. "I'm a shifter."

She rolls her eyes. "Shifters can't use magic."

"This one can." Alex says, abruptly.

"It's not simply something that can be taught," she protests. But then, when Lily looks at me, I see something strange shift behind her eyes. "There's only one type of shifter who can use magic." Her words are both a question and a statement. When I'm silent, she gets in my face. "You're shitting me! Are you the Silver Wolf?"

I try to keep calm. "What do you know about the Silver Wolf?"

Lily leans back against a tree. "Every witch knows about the Silver Wolf. It's something we learn in childhood."

"What can you tell us, then?"

"Not much." Lily studies me, her eyes filled with curiosity. "The dark witches never taught me much about you. I never thought I'd actually meet you. All I know is that the Silver Wolf has the ability to practice magic. And she can draw power from anything. She's not restricted to nature; she can even draw power from living beings. That makes her very dangerous. And unlike witches, the Silver Wolf is capable of giving somebody power as well. You could've dropped those wolves in an instant. Why didn't you?"

I wet my lips. "I don't know how. I've only recently been able to shift into my animal form."

Lily lets out a whistle. "Wow, you really do need a teacher. I don't claim to know much, but I will help you as much as I can. In return, I want you to help me cross the border and find a coven. That is the only arrangement I'll agree to. No fair crossing the border and then leaving me to my own devices."

I look over at Alex, who nods. "You've got yourself a deal."

Looking around at the others, Alex says, "Let's keep moving. We've lingered here long enough. At our next stop, Lily, you're going to have to begin your lessons. We're going to reach the border in another day or so."

The idea of asking Lily to teach me magic had started as a flicker in the back of my mind. My first desire had been only to let her come with us—for our own safety as well as hers. She reminds me of myself. I want her to escape the coven of dark witches that is after her.

I can understand the desperation to escape, the feeling of not belonging.

***

Having a witch with us is quite convenient because Lily has the ability to create barriers that can protect us from prying eyes. This allows us to rest for longer periods of time. And it's the first thing she teaches me: how to create a barrier. Or at least, she tries to.

We're sitting on the ground, facing each other, our legs folded.

"You have to feel it inside you. Magic should be as natural as breathing. All that energy and power is present within you. You just have to learn to manipulate it."

I let out a deep breath. "Alright. What do I do?"

"Reach out to the power inside you. And try to bring it out."

It sounds easier said than done, but I decide to give it my best shot. I close my eyes and empty my mind, trying to search for something that is not tangible. My wolf is sitting patiently, and as I begin to probe inside my head, I hear Alex shout my name.

My eyes fly open, and I realize that my body is transforming.

I can't stop it mid-shift, so I let the transformation go through.

Lily stares at me before snickering. "Wrong magical source, idiot."

I growl at her, and then I feel Alex running his hands over me. I can see the awe in the young witch's eyes as she studies me.

"You really are the Silver Wolf," she murmurs. "Your fur is so beautiful."

"You have to shift back, Sophia," Alex says. "Think about your human self, about walking upright again, about being able to talk."

It's easier to shift back. It takes me a minute, and then I stagger, suddenly back on two feet.

Alex grips my arms to steady me before lowering me back on the ground. "You'll get used to it."

I give him a grateful smile before turning my attention back to Lily. "Sorry about that."

She shrugs. "I guess it can be called an honest mistake. You do have two powers inside you, the wolf and the magic. You have to forget about your wolf when you are looking for your magical core. Every witch has one. I'm just assuming you do, too."

"But I don't know how to look for it."

She looks a little confused for a minute, clearly not knowing how to explain it to me, either. Then she says, "I'll start by teaching you how to draw power from nature. When you close your eyes, focus on the thing closest to you. The grass, for instance. Imagine it in your head, and then ask it for power."

Nothing she says is making sense to me. How am I supposed to ask grass for power? She keeps saying the word "power," but what does that even mean?

Lily has a snarky tongue, though, and I don't want to be at the receiving end of it. So, closing my eyes, I think of the grass surrounding me. I try to imagine it, and then I try to imagine drawing its vitality from it. To my surprise, I can feel my fingers tingling. My eyes fly open, and I see tiny, golden orbs rising from the grass around me.

Lily's eyes are as wide as saucers. "What did you do?"

Panicking, I look around. "I don't know. I did what you said. I tried to look for whatever it is you said to look for! What are those balls of light?"

"I don't know!" Lily shouts hysterically. "Whatever it is you're doing, stop!"

"How? I don't even know what's happening!"

As the chaotic scene unfolds between us, I start trying to suppress this tingling sensation. As I push it down, the golden orbs begin to fade away till they're finally gone.

"What the hell was that?" Patrick asks, stunned.

Nathan stares at the air. "Pretty."

"Sophia?" Alex sounds concerned, but I shake my head.

"I'm okay." I glance at him. "I just don't know what I did."

"I've never seen something like that happen." Lily looks uncertain. "The whole clearing filled with orbs of light. Either you don't know how to control your power at all, or you just did some weird mojo."

I glare at her. "Just teach me how you were taught."

"I'm trying to," she protests. "You just don't seem to understand it."

"You can't expect to get it on the first try, Sophia," Alex reassures me. "But it's not impossible. You just have to keep trying."

Lily agrees. "That's right. Witches are taught magic from a young age. But it isn't a walk in the park for us, either. Until you are able to link to the magical core within you, you can't really do anything. You need to find that core. Maybe try meditation."

She expects me to meditate? When am I supposed to do that when we're on the run?

This is turning out to be harder than I anticipated.