WANTED by the ALPHA

Twelve

"Don't you have healers in the pack?" Celeste asked Caspian who kept hovering her shoulder. She couldn't tell if he was interested in seeing how she used her magic or he just didn't trust her.

"We have doctor Pennington. Remember the one who came to see you when you first got here?"

"Yeah, where is he?"

"I sent him with the other warriors to The Darkmoon pack"

"Why would you send your only doctor to another pack? What if I wasn't here? Would you have let these people die?"

"Are you scolding me?" Since it sounded as if he was smiling, Celeste stopped and raised her head to look at him.

"Do you think this is a joke?"

"Can you speed up a little? I also need medical assistance" he replied showing her his hand. Three long claw marks covered his right hand. From the looks of it, the injury wasn't that bad and he could heal it himself.

"Pour alcohol on it so it doesn't get infected" she dismissed him but he didn't leave "What else? Do you want to learn magic?"

"Stop bothering her and come sit over here. I'll wrap your wound for you" Isolde answered, pulling on his arm. Still dressed in a robe, Caspian followed her, throwing one last glance over his shoulder before they exited the room. She wondered what had gotten into them. Had they swapped roles?

When she had arrived there, Isolde had been more welcoming than her mate. But now it was the other way around. Had she missed something or did they change personalities each month? Shaking her head, she went back to healing the warriors. To heal them completely would require a great amount of magic, which she couldn't afford. So instead she only did half the job. They were wolves therefore would be fine after a day. She needed to conserve some of her magic in case another batch of rogues showed up unannounced. Feeling a presence behind her, she snapped,

"Oh for f***s sake, can you go and do whatever it is you do in your office or somewhere else?" Caspian's hovering was driving her insane.

"I'm sorry but I don't have an office yet" the person behind her replied. She turned to see it was the rogue- Evan's mate.

"Can I help you"

"I realize we got off on the wrong foot. Can we start over? I plan on staying here and I don't want to have conflicts with anyone"

Celeste narrowed her eyes, studying him. He was tall, with a big build and blue eyes. Since they had all been wolves during the fight, she couldn't tell who was who. She bet he was a good fighter "I like ironing things out in the field. Wanna have a spar session with me tomorrow morning?"

He looked taken aback "Fight with you?"

"Remember you're trying to get on my good side here. Assuming I'm weak because I'm a woman is the wrong thing to do"

"On the contrary. I'm not sure I can take you on. We all witnessed what you did to those rogues"

She smiled. Maybe he wasn't so bad "I have a rule. No magic unless you try to play dirty"

"Okay, it's a deal. Is seven okay with you?"

"Yes. See you..."

"He's taken. Stop flirting with him you witch" Morgana spat walking towards them.

"See you there," she told Enid. He nodded then left, probably because he didn't want to get involved in their impending argument or maybe he'd already figured out how Morgana was and had distanced himself from her. Either way, Celeste liked that he at least had good instincts, compared to his mate. Shifting her attention to the b***h glaring at her, she asked "Shouldn't you be out w*****g yourself? Your working hours have started"

"The second you're done, I want you to leave. You are not wanted here"

"One of these days I will give in to the urge of ripping out your intestines. Keep testing my patience b***h"

Puffing out her chest, she said "You don't scare me"

"Do you get paid to come at me or is it part of your lifestyle? You see someone prettier than you and instantly dislike them. Is that how you live your life?"

"You think you're pretty? Please, you don't even come close to our Luna"

"What has this got to do with Isolde?" Celeste posed, healing the remaining warrior while her eyes were on Morgana.

"I... I'm just saying. You can never be as pretty as her"

"I've never wanted to be like her or anyone for that matter. And if we're talking about beautiful people, you are definitely at the bottom of the list"

"f*****g b***h. I will rip your face out so...."

"Cut it out Morgana" Isolde chastised walking towards them "Leave Celeste alone. Avice needs help in the kitchen"

"Yes, Luna" suddenly she'd turned into a meek woman.

"Whatever's her problem?"

"Ignore her. I'm sure after some time she'll come to like you"

"Oh, is that how it is here? People who don't like will change their minds and those who do will start disliking me?"

Isolde nodded "I guess I deserve that"

"I'm not trying to be a b***h here but ever since I came back you've been giving me the cold shoulder. Did I do something while I was away?"

"The world doesn't revolve around you" as she was saying that, the color of her eyes deepened, almost turning black. She caught herself, shook her head then released a shaky breath "This isn't about you Celeste. I'm just worried for my people, those who almost died today. We were so lucky to not have lost anyone but if those rogues come back, what will we do?"

So that was it "Don't worry. I'm here, aren't I?"

"You won't always be here to save us"

"I can cast a spell around the territory that forbids any outsiders from getting in. Will that ease your worries?"

"You've already done so much for us. I can't ask you to do that"

"It's nothing. Worry doesn't look good on you Isolde"

She let out a shaky laugh "You noticed it too?"

"I thought I'd done something to anger you"

"I'm sorry for making you feel unwelcomed"

"I will accept your apology if it's in the form of food. I'm starving"

"Glad to see you haven't changed. Let's go to the kitchen and on the way you can tell me how you ended up with the Vampire King. I heard you came with him"

"Would you believe me if I tell you I've been living with vampires for the past month?"

Isolde wrinkled her nose "Actually, yeah. You reek of blood. Maybe take a shower first?"

"Sorry, my stomach can't wait. I'll shower later"

"Okay. Just go to the room you used before. It's still empty"

In the kitchen, Avice, the cook passed her a plate the second she sat down. It was loaded with all types of meats and veggies, just the way she liked it. Smiling, she dug in, grateful that Morgana was nowhere to be seen. Isolde was right about her smelling like blood. After spending so many days breathing it, she was relieved to finally have fresh air. Although her magic was pretty good, it didn't compare to nature itself. Instead, it was a replica that was good but not good enough. As she ate, Avice told her of how Enid had marked Evan before going out to fight. Apparently, that was the hottest piece of gossip at that moment. It turned out no one knew they were mates.

"I bet it was the most romantic thing ever" the woman sighed

"Haven't you found your mate yet?"

"No. I hope the moon goddess will let us meet soon. I can't wait to see how he looks like"

"Or she" Celeste added

"I don't mind if it's a he or she. As long as we get the chance to meet"

"Are you that eager?"

"Who isn't? All unmated wolves want to find their other halves. Don't you want someone who'll love you unconditionally, with no inhibition?"

Celeste stopped chewing the food in her mouth. In truth, she'd never thought about it. Other than looking for her mother, she really didn't entertain any other thoughts, especially ones that involved love. She wondered how it was. To be the object of someone's love and adoration. She had been alone most of her life and had already gotten used to it. Dannan had asked her to marry him. Was it because he fell in love with her?

"Tell me what love is" she told Avice, dropping her fork. The other woman turned the stove off and moved to lean on the counter.

"Oh Celeste. It's the most beautiful thing ever. Where do I start? How should I explain it?" She thought about it for a second "Have you ever found yourself thinking about someone all day long? Wanting them to be happy and being sad whenever they're also sad? To find love is to find a partner for life. Someone who will share all your worries, accept you with all your flaws, be ready to die for you. Do you know understand what I'm saying?"

"That sounds more like stupidity Avice. Why would anyone die for me?"

"Because they love you"

"So they'd prefer to die and leave me to suffer? No thank you"

"Don't witches fall in love?"

"How would I know? I've always lived alone"

Avice clapped her hands together, startling her "That explains it. Since you have been alone, you don't know what love is"

"Have you ever been in love?"

"No, but I know how great it is to have that special person in your life. Celeste, your days will be brighter. You'll feel happy at the sight of them, dream about them even when they're right next to you. Do you know how great that is?"

"Honestly, it sounds like s*****y" Celeste raised her hand when Avice tried to speak "Forget it. I'm going to take a shower. Thank you for the food"

"One day you'll understand what I mean. You just wait and see"

She scoffed. Why would she ever want to be in love? It sounded like a chore. Celeste couldn't imagine herself thinking about someone all day long. Maybe for an hour at most. All day? She had things to do. Magic to learn. Unlike wolves who spent all their time either fighting or trying to find their mates, witches had to learn about magic. Figure out which element suited them most. It had taken her years before she figured out her element was earth. There were thousands of spells she hadn't mastered yet. Why would she waste her time thinking about someone? Too deep in thought, she didn't see the man standing outside her door waiting for her.

"What is going on that tiny head of yours?" Caspian asked, scaring her. Celeste jumped back, missed a step and slid. He reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist then pulled her upright, steadying her "Are you okay?"

"No I'm not. You scared the crap out of me"

"I'm sorry"

"Whatever. Did you want something?"

"Not really. I just wanted to thank you for what you did earlier"

"Which part?" She asked pushing his hand away. In the process, she felt the rough skin. His injury. It hadn't healed yet.

"All of it. I don't think we would have defeated those rogues without you"

"That's good to hear. Maybe this time you won't just hand me over to some dumbass who claims I'm his mate"

"Hey, you said you'd fought with him and ran away just to spite him"

"Yeah? Did you really buy that?" She snickered taking his injured hand. Celeste did a sweeping motion over it, applying magic to heal him but she was pushed back by an invisible force, her back slamming on the door. Shocked, she whispered "What the f**k?"

*****************************************

We're here. Let the drama begin. I so cannot wait to reveal what I have in store for Celeste. Am I the only one excited? Let me know in the comments section.