บท 3: Chapter II — Unheeded Prophetess

Standing in the morning rays of the rising sun, was a woman with smooth, snow-white skin, piercing violet eyes and soft red lips. With the hood of the cloak pulled down, it revealed pure silver-white hair that was pulled up into a high ponytail with several loose strands framing her slightly heart-shaped face.

The dark clothes she wore did nothing to hide her slender physique and accentuated the curves she had perfectly. A belt hung on her hips.

Her head was held high and she carried herself with an air of regal elegance. She stood perfectly still, exuding a confidence and grace that was rare. However, the hauntingly beautiful face wore an emotionless, blank mask.

A tangible silence enveloped the space between them as all three werewolves simply stared at her, entranced by her beauty — a beauty that was bewitching.

Jayden felt his breath hitch as he took her in. He was inexplicably drawn to her. He wanted desperately to confirm it.

Lucas snapped out of it the second he saw movement to his right. He saw his best friend take a step towards her only to be sent flying back as if thrown back by some kind of force field the moment her violet eyes flashed red and a large purple magic circle activated.

"Jayden!" Lucas shouted as he rushed to his best friend's aide while Dylan snapped out of his own trance and swore in several different languages, levelling a hard glare at her.

She, however, had remained unfazed as she watched them with cold, calculating eyes.

As Jayden recovered and seeing that he was fine, both Beta and Gamma was about to shift to attack when the former's voice cut through.

"Stand down."

Confusion swept over them as their wolves receded to obey their leader's command. Ignoring their baffled looks, Jayden continued speaking through the mink-link.

"Lucas, did you bring the clothes?"

Lucas nodded in response.

"Pass them over. Can you ask her to wait while I shift? And watch her. Though I doubt she'll run."

Both of them nodded their affirmations this time.

She waited patiently as they communicated through the mind-link. She had long since deduced the ranks of the wolves before her.

The one with swept chestnut brown hair and green eyes — the Beta — cleared his throat to get her attention while the dark brown cocoa coloured wolf trotted off behind the trees to shift as she would presume.

"Our Alpha wants to speak with you. He hopes that you will wait for him to shift back."

There was a pause before she responded with a curt nod that surprised the two of them.

Re-emerging from the trees within seconds, was a tall male with tousled dark brown hair and electric blue eyes. He was built but not overly so. He had a sharp jaw and angular cheekbones. He radiated authority and was highly attractive she would give him that.

Walking towards her and stopping a few feet away — just an inch shy of where he was blasted back, he wore a friendly, lopsided smile as he held up his hands in surrender and he spoke.

"Thanks for waiting. Alright, we got the message — we'll keep our distance. We're not going to capture you. You're a witch, yes? It's safe to assume that you didn't know you were trespassing on pack territory, right? You were simply chasing the rogues — they must have something you wanted or needed, right? If you did like, you can return to the pack house with us, we have captured two of them that were part of the group you were chasing."

With every sentence that came out of their leader's mouth, Dylan's and Lucas's eyebrows rose higher and higher. And by the time he was finished, their mouths were hanging open. Jayden was babbling, his rushed speech was as if he was trying to reassure the woman before them that they meant no harm. On top of that, inviting her back to the pack house as a guest.

"Work with me. I need her to come back with us so that I can confirm something. Her guard's put up too high right now. She won't let me anywhere near her as you have seen."

If they didn't know any better, the both of them would have believed that she had their best friend placed under a spell.

"Jayden..." Dylan's uncertain voice rang through the mind-link, as he hazard a guess. "Is she your mate?"

There was a pause as they waited with baited breath for the answer to the nagging suspicion that they both had since they had arrived here.

"Maybe." was all they got from their best friend who threw them a tiny smile.

While on the exterior, she revealed nothing of her thoughts, she pondered over the offer. She was also minutely aware that they were having their own mental conversation by the exchange of their looks and facial expressions. Internally, she sniffed at their blatant rudeness.

While she could not grasp on what their objective was, the Alpha's eyes and tone had been earnest and she supposed she might as well see what the two rogues had to offer although they had not been her prime target. It would also not hurt to greet a fellow coven sister whom she felt she owed an apology to. She had recognised the spell barrier that was put up around the inner territory. She had an inkling of who its caster might be and as a result, what pack she had trespassed into.

She looked at them and gave them another curt nod in response.

............

The walk to the pack house was one filled with a tense silence.

But she would have it no other way, as this left her to her own brooding.

She had made them walk ahead of her — not moving till the three of them led the way together. Therefore, every now and then, they were glancing and tilting their head back to ensure she was following them; as if she was not just a figment of their imagination or anything.

Internally, she rolled her eyes once again at their ignorance. How had they not realised by now that she would not flee? She would not have agreed to go with them otherwise.

She ignored them as they carried out they mental conversation, she could not care less.

"So does that mean she's possibly our Luna?" Dylan wondered aloud in the mind-link, more to himself than the rest.

"That would depend on Jade but we can definitely conclude that she was the one pursuing the rogues. And suppose like what Jade said, she wanted — needed something from them. The question is what." Lucas mused, voicing his thoughts.

"Who knows," Dylan shrugged. "We'll find out soon enough after we interrogate the two we captured — they are twins, mid teens. But you know I think they are terrified of her — since they were running from her. Which also begs the questions, what would they be so afraid of that she would do?" Dylan added.

"Well, they have got good reason to be. You can't deny that she is formidable. Not only was she able to keep up with the rogues, I strongly believe she would have caught up to them too if not for our...interference. None of us were able to detect her too if Jayden didn't point it out."

"No I suppose I can't."

"And from what I can gather earlier, she had probably cast the invisibility cloak and apparition spells simultaneously. There's also masking her presence. I bet she was using magic to jump from tree to tree too, though I'm not sure. Most witches are either dual-casters or triple-casters. Anything more than that, it's multi-casting. And there are not many witches out there who are multi-casters. Rose once told me that those who are, are to be reckoned with."

"She's not going to make this easy, is she?"

"Jeez what gave that away. But yea, Jayden is definitely not going to have it easy."

Jayden had tuned most of the ongoing conversation between his best friends, preoccupied his own thoughts.

The dream had always ended before she could turn around to face him.

But it was the same feeling that currently stirring in him, the same pull he felt in the dream — the mate bond.

............

When the four of them arrived at the pack house which has its pack members bustling with its usual morning activities,

they drew the eyes of everyone around. All in the vicinity tipped their heads down respectfully in greeting their leaders who have returned before returning to their respective tasks.

But there were whispers and murmurs erupting everywhere, many were sneaking glances at the group and the minute they got a full view of the figure at the back of the group, a stunned silence befell them, obviously blown away by her ethereal beauty.

The white witch of the pack, who was in mid conversation with the Head Warrior Eli about the events of the night before, noticed the shift in the air immediately and looked up, searching for its source.

In the tension filled atmosphere, all three leaders of the pack were trapped in a heated mental discussion on how to best deal with and explain the situation though on the exterior they did not show it and merely walked with confidence to the pack house as they escorted the figure behind.

They were brought out of their mental conversations when they heard one of their names being yelled and turned to see a female with flaming red hair hurrying down the porch steps the moment she spotted them.

She had abandoned her conversation with the Head Warrior Eli and was hurrying towards the group.

Lucas smiled at the sight of his mate and enveloped her in an embrace, when she reached them.

From the back of the group, she watched the couple, a brief forlorn expression flashed across her face but just as fast as it appeared, it was gone, leaving Jayden who was standing next to her to wonder if it had even been there.

A clearing of the throat had the couple pulling back. Dylan chuckled as he watched his best friend rub his neck sheepishly and Rosalieé whose cheeks were slightly flushed.

Eli who was close behind her reached them and reported, "Alpha, Beta, Gamma, everything is back in order. The two rogues are locked up in the cells. There were no casualties. The pack members have heard about the events of last night but they are not worried-"

He was cut short by a gasp from Rosalieé and when his leaders moved to the side to reveal who they had brought back, he could only watch in stunned silence just like all the others.

It was evident she was recognised the moment she saw Rosalieé's eyes widen.

"Oh my goodness Hi-" Rosalieé greeted as she courtesied.

"Just Cassandra is enough. Priestess Rosalieé, it's good to see you."

It was the first time she had spoken and it was to greet a fellow coven sister, a small smile had graced her lips.

It took Jayden's breath away, it was not only her voice that sounded like a melody but her smile that had his heart stopping.

Ignoring the stunned silence once again, she merely continued, only addressing her fellow coven sister.

"I apologise for breaking your protective barrier. I had been in a rush last night."

Rosalieé whom had recovered from her shock, smiled and spoke, "Hig- Cassandra, I, Rosalieé Carson-Grey, third daughter of the Carson Family, greet you. Please do not worry about the protective barrier. I have already cast the spell to reconstruct it, it will be finished and up in hours."

"As expected of the House of Carson." Cassandra's head bobbed up and down slightly, the small smile still gracing her lips. Rosalieé blushed at the unexpected compliment, and returned the smile.

A cough got the two's attention. The members in the whole area outside the pack house spectated their exchange.

Lucas suggested, "How about we continue with this inside? I am sure it would be better to sit down and discuss this over breakfast."

............

The main dining hall had been cleared out and the ones remaining were the five of them.

Eli had left, as per Dylan's instructions to oversee the change in the training regiment after last night's events.

Not one of them spoke as they waited for the brunch to be served.

Rosalieé took her time to analyse the situation before her and her mouth fell into a o-shape when she realised it. Then, her brows furrowed in confusion. There was something she did not understand as she believed that she did not have all the necessary pieces but alas, she will get to the bottom of it.

When all the food was served, the three boys remained oblivious as they continued having their debate through the mind-link.

"Please forgive my mate and his friends' impoliteness. They seem to have forgotten that they have a guest present. Please, I hope you enjoy the meal."

All three boys snapped out of it at once and freezing as they realised their mistake and stumbled out apologies.

"It is fine. I am grateful for your hospitality." Cassandra returned politely.

"We are sorry for our rudeness before. Please do enjoy the meal." Dylan apologised on their behalf, earning him a nod.

They dug in and another silence fell on the group. It was obvious none of the boys knew where to start. Rosalieé sighed internally.

"Cassandra, have you been well?"

"Yes. And yourself, Rosalieé?"

"Yes, I have been as well. Though I do miss my family and Coven sisters, I have a loving mate and a happy life here. I am still practicing my magic. I am able to use it to help the pack."

Cassandra smiled slightly at the sight of Rosalieé gazing lovingly at the guy beside her.

Rosalieé continued.

"Have you boys introduced yourselves?"

The three mentioned who had been content in simply watching their conversation froze mid-chew, as if caught with guilty expressions written on their faces.

Rosalieé sighed shook her head disapprovingly as Cassandra sips her tea.

It was then Jayden decided to take over, clearing his throat before speaking.

"I'm Jayden Blake. This is the Lilium Pack. Dylan Fernandes is my Beta and Lucas Grey, my Gamma. From what I have gathered you are already aware that Lucas and Rosalieé are mates."

Cassandra gave a nod and addressed him directly, getting straight to the point. "Alpha Jayden, I would like to see the two rogues you have in captivity if it is possible, may I request you make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible?"

His heart jumped at the sound of hearing his name from her. He agreed immediately.

"Yes, it is what we have promised when you returned with us, we will keep our word. Dylan will see to it that the arrangements are made. Meanwhile, would you like to have a tour of the our pack grounds?"

A nod from her.

"I do wish to rest and freshen up first if that is also possible and Rosalieé, may I have the pleasure? I would like to catch up with you."

Cassandra said, the last part facing to address Rosalieé. She had missed the brief look of disappointment that flashed across the Alpha's face before he quickly masked it up with a smile and agreeing to this request of hers as well. She had also missed the looks of amused pity on the Beta's and Gamma's face that were directed at the said Alpha.

They stood up.

"I will show you to a guest room."

............

It was just the two of them now. They stood at the doorway of the guest room.

"Rosalieé and Lucas's room are two rooms down from yours. She will be returning back with some fresh clothes for you. Mine is directly across from theirs if you need anything."

Jayden was nervous. He had so many things he had wanted to say, to ask but held himself back.

The room he had given her was the closest one to him, in the upper floors of the pack house, that was usually reserved for Alpha, Beta, Gamma and their families. He wanted her as close to him as possible. Therefore, breaking the tradition that guests resided only on the second floor.

As she glided past him, her arm briefly brushing against him and causing tingles. His breath hitched and without thinking, his hand shot out grabbing her wrist. He felt the sparks erupt once again, now a blazing trail. Jayden watched her violet eyes widen a fraction before her expression was schooled into a questioning look where she quirked a delicate brow at him.

"Ah...Um..."