Fie Wright's P. O. V

The huff of air that leaves me is intentionally loud, garnering the attention of my mate, who is a far distance from where I am but still very much attuned to me no matter the distance. Shuffling forward, I watch as my claws dig into the soft ground of the forest beneath me, ducking my head just in time as a witch's arm is thrown curtesy of Apollo.

I did hear Althea warning the fighting wolves to rip their hands off, since that's where they're trained to let the magic flow out of them. The source of their exit from the swirls of magic internally within them.

I guess it's safe to say that Althea is on our side. I wonder if it has anything to do with the brooding wolf looming over a disgruntled me and a kooky witch. I do believe we can become good friends. Her loyalty to us a key factor even if she is in it just to get a free house. I would too if I was living in the woods with no roof over my head, especially the way Malleus makes it rain all the time.

"Duck." A deep gravelly voice speaks up from behind me, Keir's words sending confusion through me while I glance up at him through one of my big round eyes.

Duck? As in quack quack?

Wait. No.

Before my preoccupied mind can catch up to what's happening and the fact that my head should be lowered to the ground, a strike of a hand pushes the tumbling wolf away from the both of us. Keir acting as if he didn't just bat away an enormous wolf with a single hand as if he was shooing away a fly.

I guess Althea really does have her hands full.

Scrubbing my claws into the soil of the forest ground once more, I huff and puff as I try to fight the urge to just get up and attack the witches. Just one bite is all I got before my mate put me on time out like I'm some annoying child that needs to be put on the naughty chair. It's despicable.

My eyes lazily watch around the fighting that ensues, most of the witches dead since they weren't that many but more pesky in the sense of their sly fighting tactics as they dodge around and zap from afar. One woman in particular catches my attention. The mere fact that she's lingering in the trees and watching on from afar with strained grey eyes. My hackles rise and a gut feeling tells me this woman is up to no good.

It's clear as day that she's trying to blend in with the trees, her billowing cloak trying it's hardest to camouflage against type dark backdrop of the forest. No smell lingers from her and no matter how hard I strain my senses, I know I would have missed her entirely if I wasn't so focused on looking through my surroundings. Not only is it obvious considering she's a witch but the way her eyes linger on my mate has me boiling with rage like I've never felt before.

One paw goes in front of the other, my body lowering down into a crouched position as I take in the tall witch, oblivious to the fact that someone has caught on to her presence. Something tells me that even the coven doesn't know this woman is trailing here. A low growl tears it's way through my throat as I think of the threat presenting itself to my mate.

Althea's head snaps up in the same direction as where I'm looking at, a soft gasp leaving her lips as her eyes zoom in to where I was staying.

"Why is she alive? I thought she was dead." Althea mutters under her breath, that more than enough information to put two and two together to realise that's her supposedly dead mother. The monotonous tone to the witches voice lets me know she wasn't any bit happy to see her mother alive and well.

Just as I go to make a run towards her, Althea's mother turns her gaze on our small group, shock entering her eyes before they turn to something akin to revulsion once they land on her daughter. Althea stands firm in her place, hand raising and muttering under her breath ready to strike an attack at her.

Growling louder with each passing second, I take another step forwards, unsure how to approach considering the witch can attack from afar whereas I obviously can't. Kier appears to be on the same page as me as he flickers his eyes from me to the two witches who's eyes are locked in a staring contest, none of them ready to break first. It feels like hours when in reality it's only a few seconds as Althea slowly lets out a soft noise, the inhale of air confusing me for a brief moment until I realise she's chocking.

Letting out a low whine, I nudge the witch with my snout, hoping to snap her out of whatever is happening. That doesn't seem to do much as the witch drops onto her knees, her whole body spasming and convulsing with effort as she tries to get some air into her lungs. I back away a few steps, wanting to give her some space although I already know that won't do much. Not when I'm ninety percent sure the reason why she's currently chocking is because of her mother putting her into some sort of trance.

Tilting my head to the side, I try to assesses the situation as fast as possible. I certainly don't want this weird witch that I've grown to like, to simply die. But I also can't attack straight on.

Maybe she-

It's as if the very ground is shaking underneath my paws. The loud sound cutting off even my inner most thoughts as I take another weary step backwards. My first instinct is that it's my mate howling out at some danger but the lack of tugging in my heart already lets me know it most certainly isn't my mate. The next suspect has my eyes widening and one glance down to the two people beside me is more than enough confirmation.

What a weird moment for the mate bond to reveal itself? I guess I can't really question the moon goddess even though she works in mysterious ways.

Catching the conflicted stance Keir is currently. That's more than enough to help me make up my mind as I rush in the witches direction. Althea and Keir being left behind me as I fasten my pace towards the unsuspecting witch.

'Fie.' Is all Malleus growls in my head. The heavy pounding of paws behind me already hint enough that my mate is catching up to me, not letting little old me go after this woman alone. Spurring myself faster, I watch as the witch realises her predicament, turning tail at a fast speed which even takes me by surprise.

Does she have roller skates on or something? How the hell is she moving that damn fast.

Growling in frustration, I let Malleus overtake me with his own speed as even he gets annoyed at how the witch is there one moment before disappearing the next. We run together, noses to the ground as we try to find the quickly vanishing scent trail. I know for a fact magic is involved since it's not naturally possible for a scent to fade so fast without any rain or other such factor being included.

One swift look at Malleus is confirming my suspicions. Although I can't see his face- nor would I have made much sense of his wolffish features- but his overall stance is one of annoyance. His ears are pushed flat against his head and his tail moves around in the air. I can't tell how long we've been searching for. My nose covered in a thin layer of mud due to my rigorous sniffing but that didn't do much help to pick up a scent either.

'Let's turn back around. If we can't find her scent in fifteen minutes, we won't be able to find it in any time longer than that.' Malleus' grumbles in my head, turning to face me with only one eye visible. Nodding, I turn tail and run back towards the clearing while my stomach churns with nervousness, unsure what we'll find when we get there.

We get back much quicker considering we aren't hopelessly searching around for a witch who's ran away and the sight which greets us isn't all too bad. If you don't count the countless strewn and dismembered limbs of Althea's coven members. What does take me by surprise however, is the tension in the air as we finally break into the clearing.

Althea stands with a frown on her lips as she faces the rest of our rag tag little group. Keir stands in the middle, standing close to his mate as she latches onto the back of his cape while peering over his shoulder and over to stern Apollo and a frowning Thaddeus. Ezra and the Head Mage gossip to the side, taking everything in much like I am. Thaddeus quickly notices our arrival and bends down to the heap of clothes lying beside him. I back up a bit further into the trees as the old man hobbles his way over to us and deposits the clothes at our paws with a hesitant look. His face giving away everything to Malleus. A plea to hurry up and change before the situation gets uglier than it already is.

Quickly changing into my human form, I strip out of the way of the others but under Malleus' keen stare. His eyes serious but still allowing a certain gleam to slip through. I remain stoic as ever but when it's his turn to change I can't help but let my thoughts run wild.

Already having made up my mind about our current predicament and definitely not taking no for an answer. Not any more.

"Apollo." Malleus says in a low voice but that's more than enough to convey the authority he holds in his voice. Slipping my hand through his, I rest my head on my mate's arm, allowing for him to keep his calm but also because my wolf wants to snuggle up to him. I personally am quite affronted with him putting me out on time out like some petulant child and he can tell. If not for the apologetic look he sends my way but definitely through the annoyance I'm sending through the mate bond.

"The witch is a traitor. If Wolf doesn't step to the side, I'll be forced to think he's committing treason. I will kill him and then I'll kill her if need be." The aggression in the large man's voice catches me off guard considering how he's usually so quiet and relenting.

Malleus glances at Keir, head tilted to the side almost as if he can see under the dark hooded robe which conceals everything but his hands which are clenched into fists. I can see the strain the man carries over himself, hands shaking with the need to shift and attack at the threat in front of him.

"Stand down Apollo. You know I don't like repeating myself. Althea is not a threat and neither will Keir if you ease up." I can tell Apollo isn't too convinced though he shifts his stance in between his feet, not sure what to do.

"Trust me Apollo-," Malleus cuts off his words since all three of us knows what was coming but he gets cut off. I clamp down on my lip as Keir shoots his head away from Apollo and to Malleus, head raised just enough for me to see two dark eyes outlined in red peering through the darkness which emits from his cloak. This is followed by the discreet shaking of the man's head which makes Malleus hold in a sigh.

I guess Keir doesn't want anyone knowing that Althea and him are mates. That can't be a good sign but we have no right to meddle. It'll all work out soon enough. I hope.

"Althea isn't at fault. I'm sure of it and nonetheless, we'll be taking precautions and the Head Mage will be taking the test." One look at the old woman has her nodding her head in compliance but the disgruntled expression on her face let's her Magus know she's anything but happy about it.

She really doesn't like witches, huh?

Ezra shakes his head and makes a brief 'tsk' sound as he shares a conspiratorial look with his best friend, the Head Mage. "Why is Keir acting like he has a bigger stick up his than usual?" There isn't any hint of thought behind his words. No suspicion over the fact that the two are potential mates.

"Because unlike you Ezra, the man has some competency to him. I told him to guard Fie and Althea and Keir is carrying out his orders." Malleus grumbles but then let's put a loud sigh.

"I'm going to walk back home with my mate. I don't want to hear any bitching from Ezra so the rest of you follow after ten minutes." He announces and turns around while I follow after him, both our hands clamped firmly together.

"What about my mother? Did you kill her?" Althea speaks up, Malleus and I stopping after a few steps.

"No. She's alive. But I'm sure I can rely on you and Keir to take her out." The edge in my mate's voice is answer enough to which I give him a hesitant look, not quite sure what he's playing at.

You can't simply force Keir to get along with his mate. The mate bond will do its job but only to a certain extent and I'm not even sure how it works for witches.

The trek back to the castle is silent, Malleus already knowing I'm not in the mood to talk unless he wants me chewing him out. The sun is high in the sky by the time we set foot onto castle grounds, staff giving us uneasy looks but they're definitely not followed by second glances considering the pissed off expression my mate is carrying.

I know for a fact it's not because of the way everything didn't go according to plan but Malleus was already aware of that. The reason he's pissed off is because no amount of tea or coddling will fix up my mood.

I thought over all my options. Going through each and every petty possibility and then striking them off of the list. Silent treatment is the first to go. Why should I punish my mate by practically rewarding him? I'm not going to let him bask in content at my pure silence.

No way in hell.

"Where are you going, baby? Let's take a nap." Malleus calls out, his voice increasingly hesitant as I go down the stairs instead of taking a left where I'm supposed to. He might be pissed off but he's also worried and not wanting to set me off just in case.

Oh how naive he is.

"No, thank you. You can sleep if you want. I'll be up in a moment." It's a clear sign of dismissal but Malleus doesn't take the hint, following after me like a lost puppy just how I was an hour or so before.

Heading into the empty kitchen considering the early hours of the morning. I make myself at home even though I've only been here once before. Busying myself, I put some water in a kettle and put that on while rummaging through the vast cupboards for a simple mug.

"Baby, no. Let me do that." Malleus voices, eager to make me tea like he's been doing so ever since that day I woke up to him doing it for me the first time. I know it's something my mate enjoys doing. The fleeting joy he gets at providing me comfort with something as simple as putting effort into making tea.

The love behind it always making me warm and fuzzy inside at the thought but no, not today.

"No, thank you." Malleus stops midway, arm outstretched to the cupboard where I'm sure the trusted mugs are stored. Moving his arm away, I fetch one of the mugs out for myself. I can't help the pang going through my heart at the dismayed and hopeless expression passing through his eyes. Nonetheless, he takes a step back and watches me like a hawk as I complete the motions of making tea.

By the time I'm done, Malleus' pissed off expression is now resigned to a frowning one as I turn around and continue to where we were supposed to go.

Entering the living quarters, I almost want to go to my old room where I stayed the night until my bed kicked me out of it but I know that's taking a step too far. Even my lingering glance towards the closed doors has worry pouring through the mate bond as Malleus follows my stare.

Brushing it off, I head to our room and place my mug on the bedside table.

"I'm going to shower and get changed." I tell Malleus without a second look back. The shirt and shorts I'm wearing belonging to Apollo and even though the man is nice and harbours good intentions; it feels almost wrong that I'm wearing some other man's clothes and not my mate's.

Speaking of my mate's clothes.

Once again disappointment flashes in Malleus eyes when he sees me stepping out of the walk in wearing my own nightwear that I've never worn before. I'll admit, the silk feels amazing against my skin but there's no scent of my mate coming through it nor is there the relishing comfort I get when I slip into his baggy shirts.

Ugh, I'm pathetic and petty. What a sad combination.

Sighing in comfort at the fact I've wiped what little blood and gore I had, off of me. I take note of the fact that Malleus too had a quick scrub in the shower, probably going to shower in my old room. Slipping under the covers where Malleus half sits propped up against the headboard with his pillow behind him, I grab onto my rapidly cooling mug of tea and sip away. Pretending as if my mate isn't looking at me with large eyes, practically begging me to cuddle into him so he can sleep peacefully.

It stays like this for quite awhile. Me sipping my tea and practically reaching the bottom of my cup while Malleus continues to watch me with a sad look on his face, in complete silence.

"I'm sorry." He mumbles in a thick voice once I've placed my empty mug to the side. Turning to face him, I nearly smile at the look he has on his face, Malleus subconsciously pouting while he pines for me through the mate bond.

Shaking my head, I make myself comfortable deeper into the bed before leaning my head on his chest once he settles in. There's only a brief moment of content shooting from each side of the bond but Malleus knows this is just to calm each of us down enough to sleep.

I sigh and mentally shake my head.

We've got much to learn.

——————

AN: Hi guys! I feel like the chapter got better towards the end but I literally can not stand the beginning. My writers block was horrible and this chapter feels so choppy to me ugh. I'll try to edit it once I'm over this weird block. Anyways, what would you like to see in the final chapter and then the epilogue (maybe bonus chapters)??

Question: Would you rather be forced to dance every time you heard music or be forced to sing along to any song you heard?

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