Wolf Unleashed (Hybrid Prophecies Book 1)

by Luna Weathers

  She wanted to walk the castle’s grounds, but instead decided to walk in the city and try to get to know some of the people. Zara knew that some disapproved of their pairing. There was a market on the streets that sold spices, fruits, vegetables, and meat. From there it led into an area to buy fabrics, dresses and other items that would help with spells and enchantments like candles. She looked through the market and talked with some of the owners of the stands. She received some side eyes and some disgusted glances. She did not let them bother her and continued to mingle.

  The owner of the candle stand took interest in her mate tattoo. She asked to see it and Zara held out her hand. She felt no negative energy from her. She was a plump woman with curly hair to her shoulders that was turning from a deep brown to gray. Her own mate tattoo was flames in the forms of vines and it shimmered red, orange, and yellow. This meant she was a Fire Elemental. Zara could even tell by holding her hand that the energy of fire ran through her veins and her hands were very warm to the touch. Her face was round, and she wore a gentle smile. Her eyes were honey brown and she gave her a kind look. “You are our new Queen. You are a wolf yet carry the strong magic of a witch. Now you have our Elemental magic to wield.” Her voice was soft, but firm. Zara was unsure if this woman was being nice or condescending with a gentle tone. “Yes, ma’am. I now carry three magicks.” She looked up from Zara’s tattoo and into her eyes. “You are the wolf of prophecy.” Zara nodded. “We are blessed to have you as our Queen. We are now protected by the Lunar Coven and the Wolves. Three realms are joined just from you and our King’s pairing.” Zara smiled at her, “Yes. We will make history with our pairing. We are the first wolf and Elemental True Mate pairing.” She nodded. “Bring change to our world, Queen Zara.” Zara smiled at her and moved on.

  She continued her walk and she was greeted with bows and smiles. Children ran up to her to look at her mate tattoo and even asked to see her magic. They loved watching her aura flare and her eyes become mixed with silver. One little girl even asked to shift to see her wolf. Zara was happy to oblige. Her wolf loved children, so she was happy to even play with the little girl.

  When she shifted back, the little girl thanked her and ran off. She smiled while watching the girl find her parents and walk off to their next destination. She felt at home here. That was something that she did not expect.

  Then she felt the energy shift. It went from happy and lighthearted to cold and dark. Her magic began to flare under the surface of her skin and her aura began to shine. Zara stopped and smelled the air. She could not smell anything that was not unfamiliar. She looked around to see why she felt this way, but then felt cold steel wrap around her hands. Her magic cut off and a bag went over her head. Huge arms wrapped around her stomach and lifted her off her feet. She tried to scream, but felt knuckles collide with her temple and everything went black.

  She came to, Goddess knew when, and she was in a chair with her hands tied behind her, her legs tied to the chair legs. She was in a cold, dark room with a table that was lined with knives of different shapes and sizes. Zara smelled silver and knew some, if not all, of those knives were silver. A wound made from a silver weapon will not heal. She looked around to assess her situation and realized that there was only one way out and it was the door in front of her.

  Zara called upon her magic, forgetting about the cuffs. When her magic did not respond, she called upon her wolf. There was no response. Her wolf was not there. She could not feel her at all. This sparked fear. She had never had a moment in her life without her wolf. How would she call on her pack without a connection to her wolf? Then she thought of Tobias. She looked into herself and could not find the link to her mate either. Zara wanted to panic but took a deep breath. Panicking was not going to get her out of this.

  The door swung open and in walked a large man well over six feet tall with an egg shaped, bald head and a powder like complexion. His eyes were cold and distant, his shoulders were broad, and it was clear that he was a Hunter with the amount of muscle he had on him. Behind him walked in a man who was slightly shorter, light brown hair, and green cold eyes. Alpha power came off him in waves and Zara knew who this man was… This was Cyrus, Alpha of the Werewolves. She wanted to growl, but knew it was futile without her link to her wolf. Another man walked in after him. He had a salt and pepper stubble and cold black eyes. He walked with a slight limp and used a cane. He wore a white suit with a red shirt underneath. She could smell death on him.

  “Well look at this, the Ghost of Zara Wolfsbane.” Cyrus said.

  “Ghost? I am right here with my hands and legs handcuffed. How am I a ghost?”

  “I knew you to be dead. Yet, here you are.”

  “Not my fault that you were misinformed. Maybe your Hunters all those years ago told you I was dead to escape your so-called wrath.”

  Cyrus growled at her. “Do you think that I have no wrath, pup?”

  Zara did not answer. She felt like that would annoy him more. It did. He growled again.

  “You will answer your King!” He may have raised his voice, but his power did not match.

  “I do not believe in having to say that I have power for people to know that I do. That’s just me.”

  “You have a mouth on you.”

  She saw the white suited man move his hand slightly and then she was hit with a spell. She went to say another snarky remark but could not. The spell was to keep her quiet. It’s him. The Sorcerer. Then he left the room.

  “Ah much better.” Cyrus said with a smile. “It’s not like you mastered your magic and can still cast anything at me.”

  Cyrus looked over to the bald guy. He was inspecting the knives and testing its sharpness. She’d never met a Hunter and hoped that she never would. They were known to be soulless. Hunters were mercenaries for hire. They killed other supernaturals. Zara was sure if she did not think of something, she would meet her death today.

  Then she noticed that the Hunter did not have a smell. She thought that was unusual. Then she noticed how the Hunter was moving around in the room. His gait was familiar. She has met this person before. Then it hit her. The guy from the ceremony! Hunters know how to glamour themselves. Ugh. How did I not catch that?

  Cyrus slapped her. “Pay attention! I have been preparing to meet you for twenty-five years. I knew one day you would surface. I knew you were still out there. Atara would have felt her twin perish and she never showed signs of that. However, you did not live up to my expectations. You are the one I was supposed to fear. The wolf who would wield magic beyond what we know. Yet, my Hunters easily captured you because you had your guard down within that despicable Elemental Realm. Like your mate could have kept you safe. I’ll be sure to take over that disgusting realm first and turn it into rubble.”

  Zara felt something ignite inside her when he mentioned the Elemental Realm. That was her realm now too. Then she felt flames in her hand. The cuffs did not cover the elemental magic! They must not know that a mate bond shares the magic. She then tilted her hand so the flames could reach the metal and imagined the chain melting. It’s working.

  “Kill her. Slowly. And cut that ugly ass tattoo off her skin. I hope that Elemental King feels it as you cut her.” Baldy grunted and then he left.

  He turned to face Zara. The smile on his face made her shudder. I am dealing with a psychopath. “I am going to slice you up until you are unrecognizable. Starting with that disgusting mate tattoo of yours.” He turned back around. He paused, trying to decide which knife to choose first.

  She felt rage envelop her. No one will ruin my mate mark! Her rage made the fire burn through the metal entirely. She felt her magic and wolf’s warmth under her skin. Her aura shined brighter than it ever had. Zara was pissed and so was her magic. Not to mention, they pissed off her wolf. They will pay for taking us from our mate and threatening our mark! Her wolf’s motherly voice was now laced with a venom.

  Zara’s magic felt raw, but tame under her skin. It was telling her that they
were at peace, ready for her to use whenever she needed it. The power she felt was like nothing she has felt before, but she was not afraid anymore. She will not let Cyrus win. She will not allow this oaf of a Hunter to defile her mark either. Not when she finally had it etched into her skin to tell the world that Tobias was hers. Her magic melted all the metal that was attached to her. She thought about reversing the spell that the Sorcerer had used to shut her up with. Then she felt the spell vanish. My magic obeys me! It was her turn to have a devilish smile on her face. Too bad the psychopath is facing the other direction.

  Her body lifted off her chair and hovered above the chair. Her magic, at full force, was something to be reckoned with and now she could make her hover! Baldy turned to face her again and had to tilt his head a little to look into her eyes. “Last chance. Align yourself with me or die.”

  He charged at her. Zara flicked her wrist and he was hit with a wall of energy. It threw him backwards into the wall, pinned him so he could not move, and he dropped the knife. Zara floated to the ground, picked up the knife, charged at him. She stabbed him in the chest. His eyes widened with fear. As his life drained from him, her wolf’s voice overlapped her own when she said, “you chose wrong.”

  When he was dead, she opened the door and peeked outside. There was no one that she could see so she sent her magic out to feel if there was anyone that she could not see. Once she was satisfied that she could escape, Zara shifted and sprinted down the hall. She called on the elemental energy that she received from Tobias and used air to camouflage herself. She had to run up stone stairs for several flights and down many hallways. Zara smelled fresh air and raced out the door.

  Raven’s coven was somewhere near here, she remembered. Raven teleported wherever she wanted to go so she knew she could not find a trail that would lead to their home. Zara then thought of a trick she’d learned from Tobias. She called the earth element to her aid, she asked it to show her the path to Raven’s home. The ground shook a little in response and then a soft green energy lit up a path for Zara to follow. Over the mountain and through the woods to Raven’s house I go.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight: Atara

  “What do you mean she’s missing?” Atara growled at Tobias. Her own power from her wolf and magic pushing through. Her aura started to pulse around her, it looked as though black fire was around her. Tobias’s power was clashing against hers. Torbin dropped to his knees, almost choking. Tobias looked at his right-hand man and pulled his power back. Atara could not calm herself. Zara is missing. I should not have left her here!

  “This morning she left the castle. Torbin said he saw her leave. She was walking the streets. Went to the market. Talked to some of the locals, played with a little girl and shifted to show the girl her wolf. She was being an incredible queen… a role she has only been in for three damn days. Torbin was right behind her. He did not see them coming. He was ten feet behind her, and no one was ahead of him. Then she was gone.”

  Torbin was still on the ground. He would not look at either of them. He reeked of guilt. “Stand up. Now.” Atara ordered. Even though Torbin was not a wolf, he could not refuse her order. He stood up and looked at her. He was sure to avoid eye contact. He at least knew to do that when in front of a pissed off dominant wolf. “Why do you smell of guilt? Are you involved with my sister’s abduction?” Her wolf’s voice, a deep voice, overlapped with her own. Atara was surprised to hear that but did not show shock on her face. “No, I could never do that to Tobias. We were raised in this castle together. I grew up with him! I would never be involved with his soulmate's abduction!” She could smell that he was not lying.

  “He is telling the truth.” She told Tobias. Elementals do not have the nose, like wolves do.

  “Torbin, send out our best warriors. Take them to where she was abducted. Lead-”

  Raven teleported in between her and Tobias, making all three of them jump. Atara’s wolf reacted and casted out her magic and knocked Raven sideways. It was a good thing that she was between them because Tobias was able to catch her. “Aunt Raven! Stop doing that!” She looked to Atara stunned, but quickly composed herself. Then she looked downright pissed. “I have the whole Coven scrying for her. Atara, Tobias, come with me.” She reached her hands out to them and they each took one. Raven teleported to her home.

  Atara felt disoriented when Raven let go of her hand. “You may feel some dizziness.” Atara shook her head and looked at her aunt. “Why could not you have portaled us?” Raven smiled at her, “takes longer.” She looked around the room. There was a big bay window that faced the yard. The sun was setting, and the sky was turning pink and orange. She noticed that there was a fire going and what looked to be twelve people standing in a circle around the fire. “The whole coven is here?” Raven shook her head yes. “We are going to perform a scry. I was hoping to use a strand of your hair, Atara. Tobias? Can I use your magic essence? Both of those could help us link her through the scry.” Atara and Tobias did not hesitate. Atara yanked out a strand of her hair and handed it to Raven. Tobias pooled his magic into his palm and held it out to Raven. She transferred it into a jar. “I’ll need you two to stay in here.”

  They watched as the Coven performed the scry spell. Raven tossed the hair and magic into the fire. It burst into white smoke and then traveled up in the air. It looked as though it was going to blow into the wind and lead them to Zara. Atara’s hope began to swell, we can find her! Then it stopped and it was thrown back into the fire. The entire coven was thrown backwards. Atara and Tobias went to run outside, but they could not open the door. Atara was going to blast it open, but Raven opened it and walked inside. “Looks like we were met with black magic. She is hidden behind it. We can’t do the spell.” Tobias let out an angry scream that almost shook the cabin’s walls. Atara looked at her sister’s soulmate and her heart broke as he began to pace back and forth. “Tobias, go home. We will think of something. I’ll get Xander and Sophia together.” He looked at her. His facial expression was pure rage. It softened when he noticed that Atara was trying to calm him. She had never had to do this before. She did not know what to say. “I’ll take you both to Xander’s.” Without warning, she teleported them there. Xander jumped when they popped into the living room. “I told you to stop doing that, woman!” He ignored him.

  “Xander-” Atara began.

  “Zara is missing.” He answered.

  Atara could only nod. Raven told them that she would return. She had to talk to the Coven about a possible spell that may combat the one on Zara that made her untraceable. Tobias said he had to be near Zara to help calm him, Sophia showed him to her room. Atara sat on the living room floor and stared at the carpet. Her mind began to unravel again, so she shifted and let her wolf take over. She needed to rest before she destroyed the realm to find Zara. She was sure that Xander, Raven, Sophia and Tobias would help her. Her wolf pushed her mind to sleep and she went unconscious.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  Atara woke up to a commotion. She felt Raven’s power enter the room. Then she felt...Zara’s. Atara jumped up from the floor and realized she was still her wolf. She shifted and ran toward Zara. She was thrilled that her sister was home, safe. Zara opened her arms and hugged her sister tightly. Atara heard Tobias stomping down the stairs, so she stepped out of the hug for Tobias. He crashed into Zara and held on as if she were not real. He placed his hands on either side of her face and kissed her. Then he laid his forehead on hers. “Do not ever do that to me again.” He whispered. She watched her sister bury her face into her mate’s neck and she could see her body relax as he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Zara, where were you? Why could not we find you?” Atara asked.

  “Cyrus’s castle. The Sorcerer helped him. I had to kill a Hunter to get out.”

  “You killed a Hunter?” Tobias asked her. Zara looked up at him and smiled.

  Damn. “How did it happen? How did you escape?”

  Zara described everything. From the moment she was
abducted in the Elemental Realm, to waking up in the castle, seeing Cyrus and the Sorcerer in the same room, to taking control of her magic and escaping by killing the Hunter. Atara was proud to be this woman’s sister. She overcame a lot in just a few hours and was unharmed.

  “What next?”

  “I want Cyrus to pay for this.” Zara sounded cold.

  “Since when do you want blood?” Raven asked.

  “Since I was abducted, threatened, and almost sliced up by a silver knife. He is working with a Sorcerer! That must be how he got his position. Black magic. He has killed people for his own selfish gain and used fear to keep people in line. I want him to relive those deaths. I want him to feel their pain. The pain they felt as he killed them. I want him to feel King Krimm’s, Mom and Dad’s, Atara’s friend’s deaths through their eyes. Aunt Raven, can we do that?”

  Everyone was shocked at Zara’s declaration. This was so out of character, but Atara assumed she may feel the same way if she was abducted right after her mating ceremony, too. Atara watched Xander, Sophia and Raven exchange glances. She could tell they were uncomfortable with what Zara had asked. Then Lucus walked in. He saw Zara and, in a flash, he was hugging her. “Lucus, you are hugging me way too tight!” She said with a laugh. Lucus still held on tight. “I’m sorry. I had to make sure you were real. We were all worried sick that we would find you dead.” Lucus’s voice was cracking, he had tears in his eyes. “Shhhh. It’s okay. I’m fine.”

  It took a few minutes before Lucus would let go of her. Atara watched Tobias’s reaction to see if there was any jealousy, any anger as a male was all over his mate. Even if Lucus was gay, it normally did not matter. Soulmated males tended to be overbearingly protective of their mates. Tobias was just smiling. It looked as though he was happy to see his mate being loved like this. I seriously need to find mine.