21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
ASHER’S POV
We have been walking, climbing and stumbling for about two hours now. I had suggested we go in our wolf forms but Rowan told me the witch could be very hostile towards werewolves in their wolf form. The last thing I want is to be blasted on a rock by some supernatural being. I’m not exhausted though.
I have just one goal, to find the witch and show her this dagger so she can explain to me what exactly is going on.
Rowan and Astrid are a few steps behind me, engaged in a heated argument about who knows how to fight better with the sword and I know better than to get involved.
They would argue sometimes and swear not to talk for each other ever again, but the next minute, you’re gonna see them hugging each other. That’s why I never get involved in their arguments.
Crazy siblings.
Once we get to the peak of the mountain, the strong wind which brings extremely dry cold blows and I rub my palms to warm them up. I wrap my overall tightly around my body to keep myself warm.
Damn it, these mountains are cold.
How could someone live up here…
Oh, She’s a witch. She can live even in larva and won’t get burnt.
“The cottage is behind that gate” Rowan indicates, pointing straight ahead and I close my eyes and let out a satisfactory sigh.
I was already getting too cold for my liking.
“That’s good news” I turn to look at Arya who’s shivering from the cold but before I walk closer to her, Rowan beats me to it and gives her his overall. That’s when I notice that he had another overall under the one he just took off.
Smart ass.
“Thank you”
“Anytime sis.”
These two have been arguing at the top of their voices, even throwing objects at each other ever since we left home for this trip, but here they are, acting like twin siblings who never fight. It’s so heartwarming to watch.
A tiny smile spreads across my lips as I lead them over to the cottage.
As we approach the gate that looks rusty and at least a hundred years old, my heart starts throbbing in my chest. I’m nervous having to go in there and talk with a witch.
A witch I’m not very sure if she’s on my side or not. It’s such a great risk, but I know I have to make this bold step. That’s why I’m a leader.
“I’m beginning to get the eerie feeling” Arya whispers from behind and I smile.
I already started getting the eerie feeling the moment I was told there is a witch living up these mountains.
The gate of the cottage looks like it’s tired of life, the rusty hinges could hardly bear the weight of the iron frame. As I touch the gate, I can feel the desquamate paint shed on my fingers which are enclosed in gloves. I push open the old gate and the hinges creak and groan like they have not been open for a very long time and that gets me wondering if this witch ever goes out.
I jolt and thrust it open for us to squeeze through and enter the Large garden that looks like deserted.
The compound looks dreary and the land is gloomy, flat and dry. I feel a raw wind stir and strike my face, it shows no remorse.
As we walk over to the old looking cottage, the smell of still, sodden soil gets stronger as time retreats and lingers in the atmosphere. The grass around the compound is at least high foot and among the tangle of weeds, lurked a few battered flowers.
The wind whisks as it attempts to force it’s way into the cottage, but is stopped by the old door. The cottage appears to be in serious need of attention.
“When was that last time you came here?” I ask no one in particular.
“About two years ago”
“Has this place always been like this?”
“Uh… yeah”
“Great” I exclaim as I step on the porch and stare at the old door that looks like it would bite my hand if I dare touch it.
“Knocking irritates her, just open up”
“Are you sure about that?” I ask looking at him. “This is a witches house, we can’t juts barge into…” Before I can complete my statement, I hear the door creak open and I turn abruptly to look, only to see Arya walking in.
“What are you doing?” I whisper in horror and Rowan follows her.
I look left and right nervously and when I realize that I’m the only one standing at the porch, I rush into the cottage. The moment I step in, the door bangs hard behind me with a loud noise, causing all three of us to jump in fright.
My heart starts skipping in my chest.
I turn to look ahead and I’m totally awed by what I see. The cottage looks so small from outside, but it’s actually a mansion within, just like the tents in Harry Potter that usually looked small outside, but a whole apartment within.
One angle of the big living room contains what I would guess as spell books neatly packed in a library and the other has numerous potions in bottles packed on shelves.
“Wow! I exclaim in amusement and the twins just smile as they walk on.
Suddenly, a very strong wind blows, almost causing us all to lose our balance and I close my eyes to prevent it from stealing my eyeballs away.
When the wind stops, I can smell a strange scent in the room, which means the witch has appeared.
I gently open my eyes and they fall on a very beautiful woman, who’s dressed in an immaculate white gown and a black cloak over it. Her straight black hair falls gracefully on her back and the numerous bangles and rings on her hand makes me understand that she’s no one ordinary.
I swallow dryly as I take a step backward.
I must say that I’m amazed.
I had expected some old lady without teeth and very unkept hair and long nails to show up, but the exact opposite did.
This witch is in fact a gorgeous woman and I have to give it to her.
“Thank you very much Alpha Asher” She speaks with a smile on and I look at her confused.
Why is she thanking me?”
“Ex… Excuse me?”
“You called me gorgeous, that’s why I said thank you”
Oh shoot!
She reads minds.
“Yes I do” She replies with yet another smile and I smile awkwardly at her.
“You all, come this way” She instructs and we all follow her silently to a place which looks like a sitting area.
“You seem to know we were coming already” I speak out as I sit on the chair.
“I have been waiting for this day to come.”
“Uh… what do you mean by…” my words are cut short by the sight of tea cups flying towards three of us and I’m petrified.
My eye shoot wide open and I look at both Rowan and Arya who just shrug at me with knowing smiles on their faces and take the teacups.
I look at mine floating before me and make a quick judgement whether to take it or not.
“It’s fine bro, go ahead” Arya urges as she nudges my arm with her elbow and I reluctantly stretch my trembling hands forward and grab the tea cup.
I peep into it see it’s content and then I realize it’s the same coffee I drink every morning at my pack.
“Thank you Ma’am”
“Rivera, you can call me Rivera”
“Thank you Rivera” I thank her with a smile as I sip the coffee.
It tastes so good.
I place the coffee on the table and take out the dagger from my overall.
“I don’t know if you already know why I’m here, but, I need you to tell me what this dagger has to be used for” I explain as I place the dagger on the table and she picks it up.
“You found it” She says in a whisper as she scrutinizes the dagger and then looks up at us.
“You found it” She repeats and I nod blankly.
“Yeah, and my father would be cursing in Neverland right now because that’s something he never wanted me to see”
“No… he wanted you to see it”
“I don’t think so”
“I can’t explain everything thing to you right now, but here is what you should know. This dagger is they key to the door that holds all the solutions the problems the werewolf world is facing right now”
“Including the fact that we cannot detect our mates”
“Yes, including that fact. It’s a good thing you have found the dagger, but it’s also disadvantageous because it might one day fall in the wrong hands and when it does, it’s over for the werewolf world.”
“Can you please explain to us exactly what the dagger is meant for?”
“No, not now. But… you have to protect it with your life until the time comes when it has to be used.”
“And when will that time be?”
“I will let you know when it’s time”
Why the hell is she so mysterious?
“I know you are eager to know so you can find solutions to all these troubles, but you can’t do that on your own. This whole charade began with a special route, so it’s going to take a special route to end. Witchcraft started all this problem and witchcraft has to end it” She waves her hand in the air and the dagger mysteriously disappears.
“Where did it go?” I ask frightened.
“Back in your father’s study, in the locker where you took it from. Do not take it out from there. Now you may leave”
“But you haven’t even told us what the power of the dagger is”
“You will know when the time comes. Just know that you must never lose that dagger!” The same strong wind of a while ago blows again and she disappears.
“Let’s get going” Rowan urges and we all rise up from our seats and scurry out of the house.
I have never been so terrified in my life.
First, the cottage looks so old and crappy from outside, but a total wonder in the inside. Floating tea cups, a woman who appears and disappears at will.
I only read such things in books but I just got to witness and experience them.
Holy moly!
I make a skip and as I land on the ground, I land on my paws and take off at top speed. I need to go for a quick run to get my mind settled
All what I just experienced a while ago is too much to take in.
I came to get answers to questions that kept buzzing on my mind, but right now, I’m not only confused and terrified, but I’m worried about the storm that’s on the way.
May the Moon goddess take control.