First Encounter

Someone's POV:

I despise these events. I've attended every one of them for the past 6 years. Hardly anyone has seen me because I tend to lock myself in a private room and sip on free alcohol while I watch from above. I also have an agenda each time I come, of course. I wouldn't put myself through this torture for nothing. This time, I'm here to meet Ciera Clover, the greatest white witch of our time. Her healing abilities are unmatched and Devils Moon is currently without a healer, so I want her on my side.

Why would a wolf pack need a healer? For battle, of course. Purple Eclipse is working on something big and I know it. Their scouts have been frolicking around our territory for a little over a year now. My parents act oblivious but they've known since the beginning. In fact, father personally tortured and killed each Purple Eclipse scout the second they stepped foot on Devils Moon territory. We've been communicating with them, acting as their own scouts and sending useless pieces of information about our pack to Maxwell, Purple Eclipses Alpha King.

I'm currently sitting leisurely in the private room, waiting for the witch. She's late by three minutes, which pisses me off. I shouldn't have to wait on anyone... ever. And to top it off, my wolf has been pacing and howling in my head for past 15 minutes.

Just as I downed my third glass of scotch, I heard movement outside the door and smelled the strong stench of herbs and smoke. 'The witch has arrived,' I thought as the door opened and a beautiful woman stepped in.

She has caramel skin and dark hair cascading in waves almost to the floor. Her pale green eyes matched her green ball gown and the multiple emeralds adorning her body. She walks with grace and indifference, her posture perfected through her many years of life.

A witches appearance is never to be trusted. While she looks no older than 25, her eyes hold wisdom only gained through decades of experience. It's common knowledge that this white witch is at least 80 years old because she was raised and trained in seclusion by a powerful warlock for 70 years. She's quite the enigma as she disappears into seclusion whenever she feels, which is why I was surprised when she agreed to meet me so easily.

After I took my time checking her out, I stood and guided her to the chair across from me as I introduced myself. "Thank you for meeting with me Ms. Clover. I am Draven Woods, future Alpha King of Devils Moon." I said in a respectful tone.

She didn't reply immediately and just gazed into my eyes with her cold green ones. She smirked before bringing a dainty, pure jade pipe to her lips and taking a long puff of herb.

"Hello. Please, call me Ciera. 'Ms. Clover' makes me feel old. May I address you by your first name as well?" She said slowly, crossing her legs and leaning into the chair lazily.

"No. First Prince or your Highness will do." I replied with narrowed eyes. She's been on a mountain, secluded from civilization for most of her life so I don't think she meant any disrespect. Maybe she simply didn't know.

My assumption was correct as she blushed crimson at my words. Her calm demeanor broken as she stuttered, "A-apologies Your Highness, I-I was too informal."

I smiled, amused at how flustered she was. I seemed to have forgotten that all of her "wisdom" would be limited to books, ancient scrolls, and battle. Her people skills are worse than a toddlers.

She cleared her throat, attempting to gain her composure and asked, "What is it that you wanted to discuss?" Her bright eyes held anxiety and excitement as she stared at me expectantly.

"An alliance." I said, getting straight to the point. I want this meeting over with as my wolf still hasn't calmed down. 'I need some air' I thought as I gripped the arm of the couch tightly.

Ciera seemed startled at my bluntness as she stared at me in deep thought. After what felt like an eternity of waiting for her reply, she spoke up. "Who's the powerful enemy you're facing for a werewolf pack like yourselves to need a healer? Don't you have built in regeneration?"

Ah, she is indeed smart. She knew immediately that a war might break out. "I can't tell you the enemy until after you agree. Wouldn't want you causing more conflicts." I said, getting more restless by the second.

She glanced at me apprehensively before a determined look crossed her face. "With all due respect your highness, I couldn't possibly agree to a battle with an unknown enemy..." blah blah blah, I already knew what she was going to say so I just told her my offer.

"Sacred Valley." I interrupted her monologue. She stopped blabbering immediately and looked at me with wide eyes and baited breath.

"What?" She asked meekly.

"If you agree, I'll give you constant access to Sacred Valley. Hell, you can live on it so long as you don't disturb our people." I said with a smirk. Sacred Valley is the tallest mountain on the Wind Continent and it belongs to Devils Moon. Not many know what lies at the top because most die before they reach it. According to legend, it's home to rare plants and herbs along with ferocious beasts.

I'd never encountered any beasts, but they're are some odd plants and mysterious caves. It's beautiful at the top and I often spend my vacation weeks running the whole mountain. Undiscovered herbs means new potions and spells, aka, an easy way to bag a witch.

"I accept." Ciera's determined voice broke me from my thoughts.

"Great, we'll be in touch about the contr..." I didn't get to finish my thoughts because I caught the most mouthwatering scent I've ever come across. It was faint but easy to sniff out amongst the sea of different people.

It was sweet, like my favorite dessert; peach cobbler. My head snapped to the left where I heard people exiting the private room beside us. The smell was getting more faint, meaning whoever it was, was leaving. For the first time in hours, my wolf decided to stop pacing and speak to me. "Follow mate." He growled, "Don't lose mate!" He yelled at me.

I turned around to the glass window, overlooking the party. My eyes immediately zeroed in on her. Her silky dark hair, her alluring purple eyes, her milky skin, her mile-long leg popping through the slit of her gown as she descended the stairs. She seemed to glow like the moon. I was ripped out of my trance as my wolf's murderous voice boomed in my head,

"HE'S TOUCHING MATE!" He snarled, fighting me for control.

It was only then that I noticed her delicate arm and candlestick fingers were wrapped gently on a muscular, MALE, arm. I was ready to give my wolf control and rip the man to shreds until I saw his very familiar face. My dearest baby brother.

My mind started whirling possibilities that aren't very favorable due to my brothers nature.

'What we're they doing in the private room?'

'Has my mate fallen for my idiot brothers charm as well?'

'How long have they been together?'

'Will she reject me?'

I stood up and almost vamp sped out of the room, down the stairs, and to the corner of the dance floor. I saw them, gliding gracefully to the soft music, staring into each other's eyes. They were talking about something, my mates lips curled into a seductive smirk as she rolled her eyes at something my brother said.

I started eavesdropping, of course; focusing my advanced hearing on their conversation. I couldn't believe how insecure I was being. Women have thrown themselves at my feet since I can remember. I would have laughed at myself if I wasn't so focused on their conversation.

From what I heard, my mate is helping my brother make his little lover jealous. I almost breathed a sigh of relief, until I saw him tighten his hold on her tiny waist. She was telling him to go, but he was reluctant to leave her on the dance floor by herself.

My anger spiked again and before I could stop myself, I had already marched in their direction. She was a mere meter away from me now and her scent was driving me insane.

The crest on her back immediately caught my eye, but I could explore that later. Right now I just wanted to be closer to her, so I closed the distance. I wasn't touching her, but I could feel the static between our bodies. As if we were magnets, being pulled together by some invisible force.

I fixed my suit and cleared my throat before speaking. "Go after your girl, brother. I'll take care of this one." It came out far angrier than I intended and I was worried I scared her, but when she turned around, all my worries faded. And I got lost in her eyes that seemed to hold a galaxy of their own.