ZADOK


    My eyes skimmed through the decade old greenhouse that was Shilhi’s workspace.


    “I think it’s good that she wants to train.” Shilhi remarked, stirring her cauldron pot.


    God knew what content it was this time around.


    “Why do you say so?” Azriel asked from behind me. “She poses enough danger even without powers, why would she need to train more?”


    I heard the implications of his words, but chose to y dumb.


    “A powerless witch living in a pack of witch-hating-wolves.” I answered in ce of Shilhi. ” It doesn’t take a genius to know why she feels threatened.”


    I watched Shilhi pour little portions of the pot’s contents into small bottles.


    Those were my potions.


    “I understand that, but you already said you would introduce her to the pack as a guest. No one would hurt her after that.” Azriel exined. “Training her will pose more of a risk to us with her current skill set.”Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    “If I didn’t know you well, I’d think you are scared of her, Azriel.” A wry smile was on my face, “If ites to that, I’m confident you’ll be able to handle it. And if you’re unable, I’ll take care of it myself.”


    Azriel’s jaws twitched and I knew he did not appreciate my jab on his ability to properly carry out his duties. I couldn’t be bothered.


    “I think it’s great she wants to train.” Shilhi spoke again, grabbing our attention.


    One thing I hated about Shilhi was that she tended to leave her sentences unfinished, until we called her out on it.


    “And why do you think so?” Azriel asked the million dor question.


    She dropped her spoon and walked closer to us, taking a seat on an empty chair to my right.


    “Ithra is the chosen one.” She started, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at that, “Although it is clear she has no witch powers, we need to be sure.”


    “What do you mean?” I asked, hating the probability of being deceived yet again by a meager witch.


    “Think about it. A person who has the power to lead us into the dark forest, a powerless witch who has the power to hold the ghost orchid that grows in the dark forest. Nothing about her spells is ordinary.”


    “You think she has powers and is hiding it?” Azriel said with a growl undertone.


    I didn’t like where this was going.


    “Not exactly.” Shilhi opened a book, and traced its content. “However, I do not entirely rule out that possibility.”


    She looked up at me, and I felt my blood boil. If she was saying this, it meant there was still need to be wary of Ithra.


    I didn’t like the feel of that.


    “There’s also a little possibility that she does have powers, but is in the dark about it, alongside a chance she really doesn’t have powers.” Shilhi shook her head with a tut, “thatst possibility will be a shame. To be known as such a legendary being and yet have no power to show for it.”


    “How do we verify the extent of her abilities? If her abilities are still lying fallow or somehow hidden within her, I doubt she’d disy them to us if we ask peacefully.” That was Azriel.


    Always thinking ahead.


    “That’s where the traininges in.” An evil glint lit her eyes, “what better way to force her powers to y than the training ground?”


    Azriel nodded his head, liking the sound of manipting the training to uncover whatever secrets she held.


    My wolf however, was having a hard time understanding their reasoning. As usual, I shut him off, and headed to the table that held a dozen freshly brewed potions.


    Without a thought, I picked a bottle and gulped its entire contents.


    I feel their eyes on me, no doubt, wondering the reason for my fluid actions. I owe nobody an exnation.


    “How do we set up the training to discover what we need?” I asked and Shilhi began.


    “During the training, we will set up natural tests and see how she reacts to it.” I could hear her brain churning. “You can handle the physical part of her training, while I incorporate the testing into whatever you have nned out.”


    “A win-win if you asked me.” Azriel smiled, he loved the sound of a challenge. A new thrill.


    I did too.


    “You are in charge of her training.” I said to Azriel, “both of you can figure out the details, while I oversee every once in a while.”


    “Perfect.” Shilhi said,


    “Sounds good.” Azriel nodded, cing a book on the shelves.


    “Great. Any other thing we need to settle?” I asked, already up on my feet.


    Shilhi got up. I sensed her hesitation and I wondered what she wanted to say.


    “There’s but one thing, Alpha.”


    “I’m all ears.”


    “The mating ceremony. It’s fast approaching and we are the one to host.” I felt my wolf stirr at her words, and within seconds I felt pain.


    Irreconcble pain of yet another mating ceremony without my mate.


    “I believe Azriel can handle it.” I spoke in a straight tone, leaving no traces of my inner turmoil. “Can’t you?”


    “Sure. However, this is the 12th mating ceremony in the past 12 years and you are yet to make an appearance. We’ve pushed the responsibility of hosting for the longest time and now, everyone is eager toe.”


    “Of course they’d be eager toe, it’s a night of finding their significant other.” I didn’t understand why I needed to have this conversation, “You will y host to them for the night. Give them some excuse on my whereabouts, I doubt they’d remember me when the fun starts.”


    I turned around, ready to leave when his words stopped me.


    “They are not just here for their mates, Alpha.” Azriel said in a serious note, “They are here to confirm if the legend is true, and if you truly do not show up, words will spread.”


    “And thest thing we need in such a delicate time is to give them a reason to look into us, especially with the appearance of the chosen one.” Shilhi sufficed.


    Arge part of me wanted to walk away, act like I always do and tell them to figure it out. But I couldn’t.


    “What needs to be done?” I said after a long silence. “Remind me at the time and I’ll see to it. Anything else?”


    “Nothing…other than the fact we need to hasten up in preparing Ithra and getting into the dark forest, everything’s good.”


    My jaws tightened. “Great.”