Page 11 of The Witch’s Daughter

When she stepped onto the trail, I smiled.

Calla—the infamous daughter of a huntress—was flanked by her two pet natural wolves that never left her side. She had her mother’s ebony skin and lethal grace, but it was the aura of power surrounding her that called to my own magic.

Even my wolf perked up a bit, remembering.

The group of wolf-witches I’d trained with as a pup were the closest to littermates I’d ever had.

“Jaxon.” Calla returned my smile and fell in step beside me. “I thought I smelled you out here.”

The wolves at her feet brushed their bodies against her legs, lowering their eyes and turning their heads to show they meant no disrespect as I looked them over. Our own beasts were similar to our non-shifting cousins.

That shouldn’t surprise you.

Just an observation.

I smirked at Calla, thinking about her greeting. “Smelled me, huh? Look at you, using lowly senses like the rest of us. Is your sight failing?”

By the haunted look in her eyes, I knew that wasn’t the case. Still, she stepped lightly. “Low like the rest of us? Please. How’s that Alpha status treating you?”

The remark caught me off guard and I winced, forgetting my place for a second as we fell into our old taunting roles.

She was right. I no longer belonged to my birth status. Not that being an alpha born wolf would keep me low in the ranks anyway. But the only clue I had of a family before Victor saved me from the streets was a mother who’d abandoned me once she’d gotten a scent of alpha in my blood.

I didn’t blame her.

Those were scary times for all of Cadejo.

Unlike Calla, I didn’t come from finery and a doting pack. Though the rumors did speculate that she’d been born in a cave.

“Speaking of low-borns,” I teased, trying to change the subject from my depressing roots. “Did we miss Gentry already?”

We passed the border of Fenrir and Cerberus, where the thin line was drawn and marked by scent. Gentry had passed through here less than an hour ago, leaving a scent trail to follow, but it surprised me that he hadn’t waited.

We’d still kept in contact over the years and he knew I was coming today.

“I’m sure he’s all up in arms about leaving his mate,” Calla said. “Not that I blame him.”

A dark cloud passed over the sun.

“Hmm,” I said, feeling my stomach clench when I saw where this conversation was heading. “Should I assume this means you’ve also found your mate?”

“Not yet. Thank the gods. It’s hard enough to keep these boys fed.” Calla’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes as she reached down to scratch her wolves’ ears. She didn’t push the subject.

“It’s strange,” I mused aloud. “All the rules about this festival and who can come. And that was before this mysterious summons.”

Calla smirked. “Does it really seem that crazy to only allow witches or warlocks to attend a magic festival? But I’m assuming Gentry won’t go because of that. What about you?”

“I’m still undecided.” I scratched my jaw. “You?”

Calla turned her face to the sky. “They say Halley’s Comet only comes every seventy-five years. We’ll all be dead before we get this chance again, so I think I’m taking it.”

When you put it that way…

“And the summons?” I asked. The scroll was burning a hole in my travel bag.

“Isn’t that what were going to the meeting to discuss?” Calla shrugged. “Sure, it’s strange. But it’s not like anything crazy will happen under the noses of every witch and warlock in the country.”

“I’m assuming Alpha Uki gave you her blessing,” I said. The Amarok Alpha was more spiritual and religious than any other Alpha I’d met. But she cared deeply for her pack, and always did right by them, so she had my respect.