Jamal Kunis POV
My mind was racing as I paced back and forth in my chambers. The past week had been a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected revelations. Doctors had come to examine her body, ensuring the Methis’s successful conception. It was a necessary step, but it had left me feeling a mix of anger and frustration.
She had reminded me of my duty, and it seemed to have stirred something within me. But instead of embracing it, I had let another half month pass without showing up. Just busing myself with the affairs of the clan, It was clear that my absence had caused a change in her feelings, from unease to calm acceptance. And for some reason, she thought it was fine.
“Is this what you want?” I had asked her the last time I saw her, holding her chin in my hand and forcing her to look at me. “To be nothing more than a vessel for my heir?”
She had met my gaze with a defiant glint in her eyes, but her voice was soft and resigned. “It is what I agreed to,” she had said. “And it is what you need.”
I had felt a surge of emotion at her words, but I couldn’t identify it. Was it admiration, gratitude, or something else? I had leaned in to kiss her, hoping to find an answer on her lips. But she had turned her head away, breaking the contact.
“I’m sorry,” she had whispered. “But I can’t do this, not now please.”
She had pushed me away gently, and walked out of the room without looking back. I had watched her go, feeling a strange emptiness in my chest.
In the midst of all this, I had heard that my Beta, occasionally visited Methis with exquisitely crafted gifts. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy every time I felt she was pleasantly surprised. But I pushed those feelings aside, reminding myself that I had made my choice.
As much as I was starting to care about her, my duties to the pack were more important, and I had to focus on that.
Even if it meant staying away from her while she possibly carried my heir, I didn't mind much, it was a sacrifice I needed to make, and I was okay with it.
* * *
Methis
He had just disappeared. Turned cold and left me here, alone. I wanted to ask where he was, where he had gone, but
Despite the tension between us, I had found solace in the friendship of the wolf children in the palace. I would secretly bring them the best pastries from the palace, forming a bond with these supernatural beings. Through them, I discovered a whole new world filled with werewolves, dragons, and witches.
The young wolves eagerly shared their knowledge with me, revealing that there were different types of witches - white, black, and red. White witches were allies of the wolf clan, while black witches were responsible for the death of my parents fifteen years ago. It was a painful reminder of the darkness that lurked within the supernatural realm.
“Are you afraid of us?” one of the wolf children had asked her curiously, as they sat around a fire in the woods.
I had shaken my head, smiling warmly at them. “No,” she had said. “Why would I be?”
“Because we are different from you,” another one had said. “We have powers that you don’t understand.”
I had tilted her head, intrigued by their words. “What kind of powers?” I asked.
They had exchanged glances, unsure if they should tell me their abilities. But they trusted me, and decided to show me what they could do.
One of them had transformed into a wolf before her eyes, making me gasp in awe.
I knew it was cliché, that it was pretty normal for them, but the entire thing still surprised me, pleasantly. Like a kid who was just seeing a magic trick for the first time, I stood up and applauded loudly, going as far as letting out a little whoop as the young wolf shifted back to human form, smiling sheepishly and looking very pleased with himself.
After that, the rest of them were pretty eager to show me what they could do. They had demonstrated their abilities one by one, impressing me with their skills. I had clapped and cheered for them, making them feel proud and happy.
We soon went back to the social order of their world, with them chattering on about the witches they trusted. But then they had told me about the other types of witches - the ones that were not so friendly.
“White witches are good,” one of them had said, he was the loudest and most playful of the three. “They help us and protect us. They are like family.”
“Black witches are bad,” another one added. “They hurt us and curse us. They are like enemies.”
“Red witches are rare,” a third one said quietly. He was the shyest, usually looking at his mates to stand up conversations he couldn't. I found it very cute. “They are powerful and dangerous. They are like legends.”
They had explained to me the difference between the three types of witches, and how they affected their lives.
“White witches use natural magic, like herbs and crystals,” It was the playful wolf again, he was slowly running his hands over the hem of my sundress, squinting. “They can heal and bless, but they can also harm and hex.”
“Black witches use dark magic, like blood and bones,” the second one said. “They can curse and kill, but they can also bind and control.”
“Red witches use elemental magic, like fire and water,” a quiet one said. “They can create and destroy, but they can also change and manipulate.” I wasn't sure they always answered questions in this order, maybe it was force of habit, but I didn't mind.
They had told me stories of the past, of how the black witches had waged war against the wolf clan, and how the red witch had saved them.
“She was the most powerful witch ever,” one of them had said. “She could control all the elements, even the ones that were not hers.”
“She was the only one who could stop the black witch king,” another one had said. “He was the one who killed the king’s parents.”
“She was the Alpha's lover,” a third one had said. “But she betrayed him, and left him alone.”
* * *
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The young wolves were telling me how black witches had killed the male lead’s parents 15 years ago, and how he had sworn revenge on them ever since. They said he had been hunting them down one by one, until he met her.
Her. The black witch who had broken his heart and betrayed him. The one who had almost killed him and me. The one who I had only found out about when I asked Beta about it.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” I whispered, feeling a surge of confusion and hurt. “Why did he keep this from me?”
The young wolves looked at me with what looked like pity.
“Maybe he was ashamed,” one of them suggested. “Maybe he wanted to forget.”
“Or maybe he still loves her,” another one said, making me flinch.
“No, he doesn’t,” I snapped. “He chose me.”
“Did he?” the young wolf challenged. “Or did fate choose for him? Maybe he never wanted you."
I felt a growl rising in my throat, but before I could say anything, a loud roar echoed through the forest. We all turned to see Beta standing on a hill, his eyes blazing with fury.
“What are you doing here?” he barked. “Don’t you have anything better to do than gossip about the alpha?”
The young wolves whimpered and bowed their heads. They knew they had crossed a line.
“Go back to your duties, now!” Beta ordered. “And if I ever hear you talking about the alpha’s past again, you will face the clan’s punishment!”
The young wolves nodded and scattered in fear, leaving me alone with Beta. He glared at me with a mix of annoyance and concern.
“What are you doing here, Methis?” he asked. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous to wander around alone?”
I looked away, feeling guilty and confused. I didn’t know what to do or what to think. I only knew that I was here to serve Jamal, but I didn’t know him at all.