Kiel's eyes widened as he crested the hill, the sight of the Blackstone coven's new home taking his breath away. The mountain, once a barren and rocky outcropping, had been transformed into a stunning mansion, surrounded by beautifully crafted houses and lush greenery. The sight was breathtaking, and for a moment, Kiel forgot about his anger and frustration.
"Ash, how many people did he bring with him?" Kiel asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ash's response was measured. "The guide says a lot of them, my lord. Morgan and Ember also followed him, as we can see. It looks like they want to settle down here."
But Kiel wasn't listening. His senses were on high alert, his instincts screaming at him that they were not alone. He scanned the surroundings, his eyes piercing the shadows, and then he saw it - a flicker of movement, a glimpse of eyes watching them from the darkness.
"Show yourself," Kiel growled, his voice low and menacing. "Stop hiding in the dark."
Ash's expression turned confused, and he spun around, searching for any sign of the watcher. The air was thick with tension as Kiel's words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was only silence.
Then, a figure emerged from the shadows, their movements fluid and deliberate. Kiel's eyes narrowed, his grip on his control tightening as he realized who it was.
Ash's eyes widened, his voice barely above a whisper. "My lord..."
The figure stepped forward, a smile playing on his lip.Cormac's words dripped with amusement as he emerged from the shadows, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Wow, no one has ever noticed when I'm invisible. You are the first one, Kiel."
Kiel's expression was unimpressed, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Should I be happy?"
"What are you doing here?" Kiel asked, his eyes narrowing.
Cormac chuckled, his laughter low and husky. "I should be the one asking what you are doing here."
Kiel's eyes flashed with anger. "And when did I allow you to be roaming my city?"
Cormac's smile never wipped. "When did I roam your city? I'm just checking out my place, Kiel. What do you think? Isn't it beautiful?"
He closed the gap between them, his voice taking on a loving tone. "Kiel, why don't you allow us in? We've been sleeping in the camp for 2 days, and I'm not comfortable. I just want to come inside the house and finally sleep comfortably."
Cormac's hand drifted to Kiel's shoulder, his touch gentle. "Please, Kiel, just let us in."
Kiel's expression turned cold, he grip on Cormac's shoulder tightening. "Are you trying to compel me?"
Cormac's eyes widened, his voice laced with pain. "I would never compel you, Kiel. Kiel, you're hurting me."
Ash, who had been watching the exchange, finally stepped forward. "Alpha Kiel, this isn't right."
Kiel's gaze never left Cormac's face. "What are you thinking, coming here alone? Do you think I can't kill you?"
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes flashing with aggression as they attacked Kiel. But Cormac was quick to react, his power surging out to send the attackers flying back, making their bodies crashing to the ground.
Kiel and Ash were left staring, shocked, as Cormac stood between them.
"Ash, take care of those two," Kiel growled, his eyes never leaving Cormac's face.
Cormac's smile never changed as he spoke, his voice laced with amusement. "They're not enemies, Kiel. They were my familiars, just looking out for me."
Kiel's expression turned cold. "You mean by killing me?"
Cormac's eyes sparkled with mirth as he replied, "I would never allow you to die or let someone wound your awesome body."
Ash was speechless, watching the exchange between the two. He had never seen Kiel react to anyone like this before. And Cormac, he was something else. The way he spoke, the way he moved, it was like he was dancing with Kiel's emotions.
But Ash's mind was also processing something else - Cormac's scent. When Kiel had mentioned that Cormac smelled like moonflowers, Ash had thought it was just Kiel's stress talking. But now, being close to Cormac, Ash could smell it too. And it was weird. Witches didn't usually smell like flowers, it was said to disturb their minds. But does Cormac seemed to be an exception.
Ash's thoughts were interrupted as Kiel walked away, not too far, but far enough to make his point. Ash snapped out of his thoughts when Kiel called his name, and they continued walking, Cormac and his familiars following closely behind.
"You're walking," Cormac said, his voice laced with amusement. "Why don't you turn into your wolf and let me see?"
Kiel stopped, his eyes flashing with anger. "Just because I don't kill you doesn't mean we're friends. And why have you been following me?"
Cormac chuckled, his laughter low and husky. "Must you be angry every time? I thought we were getting along."
Kiel's expression turned cold. "What, you and me? I'd rather befriend a snake than have anything to do with you. And for your information, you're bothering me, especially how you smell. I hate it."
With that, Kiel and Ash walked away, leaving Cormac standing there, a small sad smile on his face. He sniffed himself, his eyes dropping, and whispered, "But you like moonflowers..."
The words were barely audible, but they seemed to carry a weight of sorrow. Cormac's shoulders slumped, just for a moment, before he straightened up, his usual confidence and charm snapping back into place.
One of his familiars, Matilda, spoke up, "He's so arrogant. After everything you do to him..."
But her words were cut short as Cormac's eyes flashed with power, his silver gaze glowing like molten metal. He raised his hand, and the air around him seemed to ripple and distort, like the surface of a pond on a summer's day.
"Lilith, Matilda, you should know better than to speak ill of him," Cormac said, his voice dripping with power. "Let it be the last time you attack and talk bad about him, because next time, I won't be so nice to you."
The air seemed to thicken, and Matilda and Lilith felt a choking sensation, their necks constricting as if an invisible hand was squeezing tight. They gasped, their eyes wide with fear, as Cormac's power held them in its grasp.
"Yes, my lord," they managed to choke out, their voices barely audible.
Cormac's gaze never altered, his eyes still glowing with power. "Let us return to the camp," he said, his voice dripping with authority.
With a wave of his hand, the air seemed to ripple and shift, and Cormac disappeared, leaving his familiars to struggle for air.