I'm neither relaxed nor in good humour, but I pretend so as I call the cub en route to my office. He trots behind me, as mum as a sealed mouth entails. Anger dissipates from the lividness I have bottled up despite my honest efforts. Phoenix's news of a failed settlement has soured my cast. The youngling at my heels knows me well enough to detect my foul mood and keeps a reasonable distance. "Has the body been taken care of?" I glance at Redor's lowered head as he hastens forth. He reports in a mellow tone that does not rouse me more than the current. "It has, Alpha. As instructed, it has been embalmed. All that remains is for the transfer." "Await my command for the next step." "Aye, Alpha." He begins to slink away but straightens, refilling his spot at realising I've not finished speaking. Snow crunches beneath my feet, adhering to the sole of my heavy slides. I revive the memory of carrying her across the field to our wedding. She'd been on the verge of lamenting at the sea of

☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ "Supernatural creatures are forms of magic. The first werewolves, as you know, were fashioned from the moon goddess's magic. It continues to run down in generations born, and is why you all shift. As for newly turned wolves, she blesses them herself." "I am aware. Go on." I egg her on when she takes a pause, a pensive look on her face. "For the most powerful of creatures, weres or other, excess magic leaks out of them, and since they have nowhere to go, they infiltrate my spheres, wells from which I draw my stored powers. Negative emotions lead to dark repercussions, blackening the spheres, throwing me off balance and discomposing my control." "Do all witches use these spheres you have mentioned?" "Ony those powerful or with magic that poses themselves or others serious danger. And even then, it's different for everyone." 'Which category do you fall under?" I press, an inquisitiveness taking the wheel in my probing. She looks away, her lips curling inward. H

☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ Maeve's bow is of complete mockery. Her chin wobbles as she struggles not to chortle. I contemplate if Saskia detects that she greets her in jest until I catch the contemplative countenance on the Luna's face convert into the portrait of indifference. I'd underestimated her emotional intelligence once again. "I am no lady." "Forgive my blunder. Tell me, what are you, human?" "My name is Saskia, Luna of Guttenbrieg. I demand I be referred to by my proper title in the future." Saskia gives her a sickly sweet smile that earns a frown in repose. "Now, who are you?" "Pardon me, Luna." She grins so wickedly that I want to block her gaze of my wife, but I know that the Luna can handle herself. I should give her a chance too, for I will not always be readily available to shield her. Not omitting the times of trouble I've been at her side, the tide has not changed its course at my wish. My presence has made matters worse in enough instances. It's the reason for the s

☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ There is warring within me, but I hold back. It is not my call to interfere. Saskia can choose for herself how to collect her debt or whether she forgives the debtor of it without my influence. "What you decide will be done." "Thank you," her gratitude shines forth through the haze of my murky world, and her warmth spreads through me, a billowing mass of radiance dispelling dismalness. "You know, your sister, Maeve... she is quite something." She comments as we commence a walk that leads nowhere. "I could not disagree if I wished to. Maeve and I...we have a tumultuous history, a turbulent past, that I have not forgiven her of." She fixes her bun as it's become lopsided before admitting: "it was obvious that you had a lot against her." "Is that why you backed me up?" "I mean, it's common sense, isn't it? How can I side with a stranger over my husband? I literally have never glimpsed her in my entire life until today, stunning as she is." "She has no home in N

☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ Kaleb might not be aware, but it's his fault that whatever this power inside of me is awakened. The emptiness that still yawns within was triggered by our encounter. "And lastly, that slap is for that distasteful comment." Mikael locks his arm on my waist as if on signalling, his voice as smooth as velvet as he addresses Kaleb. "The Luna was willing to give you a chance to be free, but I see that youse not interested in so a fine favour. I suppose it is good that you've proved me right, as I was on board for you completing your punishment without clemency before." A cruel smile wanders onto Mikael's lips as he pushes his weight forward so he's not concealed behind me. "You will remain here till further notice. Or until you learn respect for my wife." "Do you now care for her, Alpha? I thought you were not to be associated with such a female." Kaleb sneers at the Alpha, fangs drawn. Beside me, Mikael stiffens, transforming into a plank wood, rigid and inflexib