The Witch and the Wolf ✔️

Wedding Plans

I held the long wavy dagger in my hand, testing its weight with a few simple spins. Despite it being years since I'd had the chance to wield a Hunting weapon, it still came as easily to me as I'd remembered.

I then held it aloft, to the moonlight peeking through my curtains. The dagger had a name— Wolfsbane.

How incredibly appropriate.

I was supposed to kill Fenrir Lamar with this blade, to ascend— then kill Huron once I was the Luna.

It would be difficult to do the first— but I had no qualms about the task. Fenrir Lamar was just like Alpha Grayback from the Southlanders.

It was all the same, in the end. The same machismo, the same cruel evil that is savage and greedy and cares for and loves no one.

That was what the wolves truly were— and Fenrir Lamar was the greatest example of that.

It would be hard to get at him— the only place I saw him on the regular was at meals, and there was no way I was doing that. I'd probably be ripped apart before Huron could intervene, even if he wanted to.

And that was a big 'if.'

But that did lead into a bigger question. Would I be able to kill my mate to take the power?

I think in my heart, then, I knew. I lowered the blade. I'd have to find some other way, something easier, to make him go away.

Or maybe I should just run away again, I thought. Since I couldn't do this. Since I was too weak to take out justice.

Then I thought of all of those who had failed to avenge my parents, to save me.

I had to do it, for them.

I then heard footsteps, the sound of the door to my sitting room opening. I hid the dagger underneath my pillows, and sat down by the bed, trying to look as if I'd only just awakened.

As I did, Tala opened the door.

"Oh good, you're awake." Tala smiled. "We need to make sure you are extra-presentable today— we'll be discussing your wedding plans with Alpha Lamar and your mate."

I blinked. "Wedding plans?"

"Well, surely you didn't expect to only remain engaged," Tala giggled. "We can't have that ribbon around your wrist be all lonely— you'll need to add a ring!"

"Oh, right." I swallowed, forcing myself to stand. "I just— I didn't realize it would be so soon."

"I'd think you and Huron would be eager to consummate the bond," Tala suggested coyly.

My cheeks turned bright red. "I think you're overestimating some things."

"Look, I'm not asking for details either, but it should be nice to be properly married," Tala said. "I know human women also love deciding things about their wedding days, just as much as any wolf woman. Surely you had dreams of it, as a little girl?"

"I haven't had dreams of weddings for some time."

In fact, there had only been the abstract ideas from when I was still a little girl. The ones where marriage is far off and you'll marry someone perfect and everything will always be perfect.

"Well, maybe we can make some dreams come true." Tala flung open the wardrobe. "I think that this black dress would look nice on you, don't you think?"

Sleeveless, with a babydoll-style top, the pattern had pale pink flowers sprinkled all over it, and the skirt cascaded from the empire waist all the way down to right over my knee-caps.