I Scored Myself A Mate

"Should we take a break for this day? Just let loose? I am sure that all of us, even the elves had not the time to just relax." Luke recommended while they were still on the road. They had just entered the city Clarissa's sister lived. He could see how anxious his best friend was, burdened by an endless guilt and he wanted to do something about it. He was aware of how important this mission was, no one wanted another war to happen but at the same time, failing now, would mean that they would lose even more time and they would be unable to catch up to the hunters. 

"I don't think that's a good idea. We are short on time. We don't know exactly when that meeting will take place or where. We will have to investigate and find them. It might even take days" Mark said. He knew why Luke proposed this but he couldn't worry Allias more. He was sure his best friend would have kept this situation in mind during this whole time, telling him to just stop and take a break would worry him even more. "Let's do that after we meet the witch. I am sorry Mikael but…"

"I know. It's okay. That's the right thing. And you, don't worry too much." He said and punched his friend in the arm. "Have I ever disappointed you?" he asked Luke.

"Nope. Never" The wolf replied with a proud smile. He was lucky to have a friend like him. Even though sometimes he knew he did not deserve him, that was the main reason why he didn't argue when he asked for his freedom. He wanted to leave this pack and even though he would turn into an omega at least he would be happy. Luke had told him he would always have a home to return back to. That's the best he could do. 

"Is that her apartment? It's been a while since I came here." Luke mumbled staring at one of the tall apartment buildings. It had at least fifteen floors and many windows without any balconies, made from bright red brick it looked kind of peculiar next to the grey from the pollution normal buildings. Mikael nodded as he took a deep breath and undid his seatbelt the moment Luke parked the car. While everyone had gotten out he remained in, frozen staring at the window's trying to imagine which one was hers. He closed his eyes trying to let his guilt go, just for a second. Just so they could achieve what they wanted and he swore to himself to come back and beg. Tell her the whole truth and how sorry he was. Even though he knew that would not bring her sister back. 

"Hey" Mark's sweet voice was heard and he noticed that he had opened the door and now was looking at him. "Shall we go?" he asked and tended his small hand. Mikael took it and stepped outside feeling the breeze hit his face. Mark did not let go of his hand and began walking. He turned to face him and smiled brightly, his eyes turning into crescents and at that moment he seemed like he was shining. Mikael felt his heart beat faster and as he spoke his muscles relaxed. "I may not be really strong but I will always try to help you okay? I am here so don't worry." He tried to reassure him and Mikael gave him a faint smile. He felt even more guilty now. Because while Mark was trying to put his fears aside he was being overwhelmed by memories of her. Scarlet had begun to haunt his head once more, his thoughts and he was trying so hard to keep his heart for Mark but he knew that soon enough it would be pointless. He squeezed Mark's hand, loving his human warmth and they entered the building where everyone else waited. 

It was nothing alike the hotel they had visited yesterday. It was your everyday normal apartment building. It had a small entrance that showed you instantly the dark green old elevator and a dirty staircase as an alternative. It was too small to fit them all in so the wolves headed in first with Mark while the elves, with their Disee powers just teleported to the floor they were told. Walking up the stairs seemed to be a drag even for immortals. 

They had not notified her of their visit just in case she denied their help and decided to flee. Witches never really stayed in one place for too long, especially those without a coven since they would be an easy target for hunters. Her last address was there and Luke together with everyone else hoped they would be here. 

Luke knocked on her old door, that had the same hade as the bricks and waited. After three knocks and a few seconds of no reaction he tried again a bit louder this time until the dragging of slippers was heard behind the closed door and a woman appeared in front of them, staring at all of them with a frown. She was similar to Clarissa in one way, Allias noticed. They had the same big dark eyes. They were beautiful and her stare almost made you believe she could look into your soul. Full lips and dark skin her hairstyle was not as strict as Clarissa's, her hair wildly framing her pretty face. She was older than her sister since a few wrinkles were visible on her forehead and the sides of her eyes. She wore many golden rings that jiggled with her every move and a very long and airy skirt with colorful patterns. 

"Amelia, hello. I am Luke. The son of White fangs' leader. Do you remember me?" Luke asked her politely.

"Well you were just a little one when I met you but those eyes. Oh, my how could I forget them" She said with a smile and moved to the side for everyone to pass inside. "What brings you here little wolf?" she asked and headed towards her small living room. Talismans and unfamiliar plants were everywhere. And there was a sweet smell coming from a boiling kettle. 

"We came to ask for your help. There will be a hunter's meeting just a few cities away from here. We need to stop it. There is a possibility of another war happening. We don't have that much time" Luke explained but the woman had stopped looking at him. She stared at the four elves who were sitting on the back, behind everyone else close to the door. She seemed to be mesmerized by them.

"You know I've never meet an elf in real life. You look exactly like my sister described you. You're Allias right?" She said and bowed. "The elf king. My sister had called me and told me about her vision. It's a shame she…" she mumbled with a saddened expression. "She was such a strong witch. To be killed by a burglar like that…I was so shocked."

"We are sorry for your loss." Allias told her and took a few steps. "She was really kind and willing to help us when we asked. I will always be grateful to her and to you." He said and the woman nodded. 

"Thank you." He replied and wrapped the green shawl she was wearing around herself. "Now about those hunters. Why don't you sit down and explain further? So I will know what to prepare? I have been making tea, let me get you a cup. You must be tired from you trip." 

"Thank you, Amelia." Luke told her and all of them sat down, slightly cramped in the two small couches while they left the armchair for her to sit when she returned. Soon she came back with a tray and tea cups. There was also that pretty teapot. Made from white porcelain and a beautiful red rose design. The steam from it filled the room with that sweet smell that Luke had first smelled once they had entered the room. It was very relaxing. 

"There you go. I hope you can enjoy the tea." She told them and placed the tray down on the table, pouring steamy hot tea into the cups. She passed one to every one of them leaving Mikael for last. She accidentally touched his hand while passing him the hot cup and shivers went down his whole body. He needed to relax. Everything would be fine. He got lost in his thoughts again, not noticing when the woman left and sat to her chair. He was brought back though by the sound of a sneeze. He looked at Mark who seemed embarrassed as he told them he was sorry and he smiled. Just look at him, he told himself. It would be fine. "So please tell me more about the hunters." She repeated.

"We heard they are planning a meeting. One of the new clan leaders. Joe. We want to speak with him. He can help us. He is not like the other. We need to find him but we heard they have something. A dangerous source of magic and since we don't know how powerful that is we need to be prepared" Allias tried to explain and took a sip from his tea. It was really tasty but he couldn't really recognize what he was drinking. 

Amelia began talking but soon her voice became distant, his vision started to get blurry and his limbs felt heavy. He was falling asleep, he realized in his hazy state and he tried very hard to keep his eyes open but it was pointless.

"What have you…" he tried to ask her what she was doing but his sentence was left unfinished as he fell into a deep sleep. The woman stood up and checked if everyone was sleeping. She passed by them one by one and all of them were breathing heavily, their eyes closed shut. She approached Mikael and by placing her fingertip on his temple she woke him up, the blond boy looking around frantically. He tried to move but he couldn't. It felt like his whole body was paralyzed and he stared at her stunned. 

"Well, hello my sister's murderer. As it seems you underestimate witches. As always" she told him with a cold smile.