I opened my eyes only to be greeted by sunlight peeking through the window. I blinked twice before realizing it was not my bed, and yesterday's events flashed in my mind: the witches, the blade, the Oracle. I shook my head and hoped it was just some sick dream. But my conscience already knew the answer.
I pulled myself from the bed and stood near the window. The sun was peeking from the clouds, painting the whole sky gold. Last night, I slept like a baby. I don't recall the last time I had such a peaceful sleep. I felt refreshed.
I freshened up and called August to check on the pack. I had already lied about the postponement of the meeting, but I am not sure how he would react when he knew that I was at Reed's house. I didn't want to think about that now. I quickly changed and put my hair in a bun. I hadn't eaten anything since last night, and my stomach growled in agreement.
The castle was huge. It was not like the normal pack house, but at the same time, the Black Claw pack is the oldest in werewolf history. The family of the Black Claw pack is legendary. There were rumors that the bloodline of the Black Claw pack were direct descendants of King Lycan. The first-ever werewolf born or cursed.
After nearly getting lost twice, I finally found the way downstairs. I wandered across the hall; the sound of my footsteps echoed. The walls were dark and tethered at some points. If it were not for the morning light, it would give the perfect vibe of a haunted house. A portrait caught my attention, and soon, I was standing before it and admiring it.
The portrait was of a man, who I assume was the alpha. I knew the last alpha of the Black Claw pack, Alpha Andrew, but the man in the portrait was someone else. He was wearing a crown and standing below a tree. He had an apple in his right hand. Every visible brushstroke was remarkably perfect, from the leaves of the tree to the dangerous cold eyes of the man. Beside the man was a black wolf standing on all fours, looking as fierce as he was. The portrait was beautiful.
I was so mesmerized by the painting that I didn't realize when someone entered the hall and stood beside me.
"This was the portrait of King Lycan," Diana said, breaking the silence. I hummed but didn't look in her direction. She continued. "The very first werewolf cursed by the god Zeus himself."
I looked behind my shoulder and met her mysterious eyes. Diana was also looking at the painting. She was in her jogging tracks. She still managed to look beautiful, and my insides boiled with jealousy for some unknown reason.
"You know, he once said the difference between love and war is which kills you first." I frowned, unable to understand what she was trying to say.
As if reading my thoughts, she smiled knowingly and started walking in the opposite direction.
"I guess you are hungry. Come with me; the breakfast should be ready," she said, still walking through the hall. Without a second thought, I followed her. We walked in silence and were soon standing before the kitchen. The aroma of sweets hit my nose and knocked out my senses. I smiled and looked at Diana. She walked towards the dining room and sat at one of the chairs. I quickly followed, and soon, the dishes were served on our table.
After eating from every dish and tasting every sweet, I was finally not famished. Diana looked at me amusingly. I shrugged and ate one of the pastries.
"You have quite an appetite," she remarked. I blushed crimson red. I looked at the empty dishes. Jeez, I was really hungry.
Now, when I was satisfied, my mind started playing again with me.
"How did you know Reed?" I blurted the only question which was bothering me since last night. She looked as if I caught her off guard. She signaled one maid to clear the table and stood, extending her arm for me. I gave her my hand, and soon, we started walking again with our arms crossed.
"Well, if you were planning to murder me, I am sorry, but Reed and I are just friends," she said lightly and chuckled. I pursed my lips; I was sure by now I was looking like a pink puddle of bubblegum.
Diana started laughing hard.
"Oh god, I was dying to meet you," she said, finally catching her breath. I looked at her, surprised.
"How did you know about me and..." I paused.
"You and Reed?" Diana completed. "Trust me. I knew the day when he met you and returned home. He has not been himself lately," she said, opening the back door of the castle, and in the next moment, we were standing in a garden of beautiful orchids.
She picked one orchid from the ground and examined it. It was tattered and in bad condition. She grabbed the orchid in both of her hands and recited something in a foreign language. In the next second, the orchid was transformed into a beautiful flower blooming with white petals. She put the orchid on her ear and continued walking. A smile was automatically plastered on my face.
"Did he say something about me?" Diana smiled apologetically at my question. For some reason, I didn't want to know the answer.
"He hasn't uttered a single word about you." I looked away. "But as I said, he hasn't been the same either. I tried to ask him so many times, but that cold-hearted alpha would not say anything." Diana rolled her eyes and sat on the grass. Neither was I. I sat beside her and tried to divert my attention to the beautiful sight of orchids.
"Then I did some of my magic." She winked. My curiosity spiked up.
"So, you already knew about me?" I asked. She played with the orchid on her ear.
"I am a necromancer. I could see the future," she said, shrugging her shoulders as if it was nothing for her.
I looked at her to see if she wasn't joking. No, she wasn't.
"So, you could see the future? I mean, future like what is going to happen?" I rambled; my mouth was wide open. Necromancy was a myth. Nobody could see the future.
She smiled and nodded. For some reason, I felt she didn’t like talking about it. I decide to change the topic.
"Tell me, how did you and Reed meet exactly? Or you had already seen it coming?"
She laughed; her voice felt like a melody to my ears. I was starting to like her. There was nothing evil about her. She turned towards me so we could be facing each other.
"As you already know, I am a witch. Technically ex-witch. I ran away from my coven when I got the first opportunity," she completed and looked lost in her thoughts.
"I continued running, escaping, and then I met Reed. He helped me, gave me food and a roof over my head. In short, he is like a brother I never had." She smiled a full-blown smile.
"Where is he? I haven't seen him?"
"He is avoiding you." Diana laughed at my expression.
"He has not returned from the field yet. He likes to train his warriors himself." I closed my eyes and laid on the grass and felt the gentle breeze.
"You could see my future?" I asked, opening one eye to look at her. She looked away nervously. "Yes and no," she whispered so lowly I would doubt it if not heard by my own ears.
"Yes and no? What does that mean?" She smiled knowingly and stood in her place.
"You ask too many questions. Let's go; Reed could come any second. He wouldn't be too happy to see you with me. Trust me, the last thing he wants is both of us teaming up against him."
I nodded my head and cleaned my clothes. Maybe all witches were not evil. Maybe some like Diana were also there. I decided to drop the subject.
"But you have to tell me everything one day about my future," I said, grinning innocently and fluttering my eyelashes. She laughed and crossed her arms with mine.
"I know."