Midwick

Cordelia Blackwell

Today, I've found out the worst news. My aunt, Morgana Blackwell, owed a favor to the strongest and most feared Alpha, Cain Cadell. Now, we'll both have to bend backward to repay that debt.

"Mother of all that's holy, put a goddamn smile on your face, Cordelia." Morgana nudged my side, at the same time let a polite smile on her face.

"I know they hate me. They know that I know that they hate me. And you know that I know that they know, so what's your problem?" I replied with a roll of my eyes.

Alpha Cadell held a ball in his very fancy, and extremely huge, mansion. He said it was a celebration for his arrival at the new town. I was sure it wasn't only that.

"Just keep your manners. We will be in and out before you even know it." Morgana stressed, and nodded her head at some woman with a winged face mask.

Did I mention that this is a masquerade?

We live in Midwick, Virginia. A very small and very beautiful town, which one would feel was built right in the middle of the woods.

It kind of was.

"Ms. Blackwell." A gruff voice called from over the music and the loud laughter of the other guests.

Both Morgana and I turned at the same time and saw a man with a stoic face standing before us, "They're ready for you."

He uttered the words with utmost disgust. He was literally forcing himself to speak to us. It wasn't all that strange.

After all, werewolves and witches never got along all that well. At best we steered clear from each other and at worst we were downright enemies.

And yes, I'm a witch. So is my aunt, who just happens to be the coven leader.

Morgana nodded her head, then gave me a pointed look, "Stay here, if I need you, you'll know."

"Whatever." I left the two of them head on their way, and I snatched one of the Champagne glasses from the many floating trays.

I slithered through the guests with my head held high, trying to ignore the looks I would occasionally get.

"She's the Blackwell witch, the youngest." I heard a woman say as I passed through.

I knew this would be followed by the long miserable story of my pathetic life. I found a less busy spot, so I took another glass of champagne, and stood there.

"I heard that she lost control of her magic, and killed her mother."

"Seriously?" I muttered under my breath in boredom, then decided to head to just walk around.

I was standing in a secluded room, away from the music and the noise, when a young boy ran towards me, seemingly out of breath.

"Are you Cordelia Blackwell?" He asked me with hopeful wide eyes.

This boy couldn't be a day older than eight. I hunched down, "I am, and you are?"

"I'm James Burke. My mama needs your help." I knitted my eyebrows together. Who's his mom exactly? And who sent him to me. "I heard that Black Magic can only be fought with Black Magic. Because sometimes darkness can drive away darkness."

Uh-ha! That last part was all Morgana. She sent him to me.

"Okay, James. Take me to your mom and I'll see what I can do." I told him with a small smile.

"Thank you." The boy was on the verge of tears when he wrapped his arms around my waist.

I felt every muscle in my body tense. I didn't like being touched all that much. I patted his head awkwardly and pushed him away.

We headed upstairs through the curved stairs. The sound of the music had dulled down, and the brightness of the lights seemed to disappear on this floor.

It was dark and gloomy, and there was this ominous feeling about the place. "Perhaps you should tell me where the room is and you go back downstairs."

I told James as I felt his hand getting colder in my clasp. He was afraid as well, the dark energy I felt was easy to sense, even for those who aren't magic wielders.

He nodded his head, biting down at his lower lip, I think to hold himself from crying. Comforting people isn't my forte, but well...

I kneeled before him, and held his shoulders, "You were so brave, coming to find me like that. I will do my best to help your mom, okay?"

He nodded his little head, "Third room to the right." He told me then ran back to the stairs.

"What is happening here?" I muttered the question to no one, as I followed the hallway to the third room.

I whispered a protection spell around myself, and I tried to put on my strongest face. I opened the door and right before me, I saw a woman floating on a king-sized bed, with her wrists and ankles tied with shackles.

I blinked a couple of times, then I finally managed to pull my eyes away from the woman. Looking right, I saw my aunt standing there with an almost apologetic look.

"How come that you stumbled into this Emily Rose Exorcism?" I walked inside, my eyes stole another glance at the floating woman, whose back was bent in an awkward angle.

Meet Sheila Cadell, or rather Sheila Burke." Morgana started, "They noticed that she's been acting strange for the past couple of days, but today she went full-on basilisk. She almost ripped her mate's lungs out earlier today and last night, she shifted into her wolf form and slipped into her son's room." Morgana let out a sigh, "She wanted to feast on his flesh."

I gave Morgana a look of disgust, and she put her hands up in a surrender gesture. "Her words, not mine."

The woman, Sheila, started groaning and moaning. "You think she's cursed?"

"You feel the darkness of the magic around her, right?" Morgana asked and I nodded.

"If we do this, are you sure the Alpha will clear your debt? I mean, he isn't really known for keeping his promises, or having much respect towards witches." I gave her a pointed look, "Remember the Gray Coven?"

"We have an agreement, don't worry." She said with a strange confidence, which I don't know where she's got it from.

Cain Cadell had a notorious reputation. He had killed his own father and banished his brother to become the Alpha. Not only that, but to make his pack bigger, he raided plenty of other packs. Even forced some witches' hands to help him.

The Gray Coven was his latest conquest. Apparently, he had threatened them into helping him, but they refused which led to their demise. Or at least so I heard.

"I don't like it." I told Morgana, but padded strode towards the bed anyway.

I mumbled a spell, then passed my hands over Sheila's body. Once she fell back on the bed, I tried to sense the spells which were used on her, but I got nothing.

Or rather, I didn't understand what I sensed.

I just knew that the flow of her life energy didn't feel right. I touched her forehead, trying to build a mental connection but something was fighting me.

She started screaming and writhing trying to push me away from her. I jumped on the bed, and straddled hair, holding her head between my hands.

I closed my eyes, and allowed myself to delve into her mind. When I came back from that short journey, I gasped loudly and jumped off the bed and away from her.

"Are you okay?' Morgana rushed to my side, supporting my weight.

I nodded my head, "I am, but she won't be for long."

The door to the room was forcefully opened, almost breaking out of its hinges. It startled us, but what knocked the breath right out of my lungs was the man before me.

He was 6'4 of pure muscles and a bulky figure. His white button up shirt didn't leave much for my imagination.

His brown soft hair had something akin to a reddish highlight. He had this short beard which only accentuated his jawline and high cheekbones.

His skin was tanned, like he spent a considerable amount in the sun. Then my trail for thoughts froze, my eyes widened even further.

"Alpha Cadell?" I breathed out.

He sauntered towards me with a smirk on his face, "Yes, darling. The one and only."

Cain Cadell

I knew moving to Midwick was a good start. The town held a strong connection to almost all kinds of supernatural, it only made sense that I make it the place I rule from. I know I still have plenty of fights, maybe even wars, before I become a Lycan.

"Perhaps tonight you'll finally find your mate." Daniel Braxton, my Beta and best friend, said as he came to stand next to me on the balcony.

"You haven't lost hope yet?" I shook my head, "I will be thirty in a few months, Daniel. No wolf goes that long without their mate if they were ever meant to have one."

"It's possible. You can never really know."

I chuckled coldly, "Or perhaps that witch we met a few years ago was right. She said the Moon Goddess herself has cursed me to never have one."

I felt the weight of his hand on my shoulder, "It doesn't have to be like this."

Daniel was the only one who knew how much not having a mate affected me, perhaps it's because he was yet to find his mate as well. While I come off like I'm enjoying my single life, sleeping with women, and snatching power, I crave the feeling of having someone to call my own.

In this all wolves are the same; a piece of our soul is missing, until we find it.

To have one person who would love me unconditionally, accept my endless flaws, and forgive my past deeds.

Sometimes, it feels like I'm looking at life through a cracked window. Everything looks broken and out of reach.

"Let's focus on the more important matters." I used my alpha voice. "Are all the preparations ready for the masquerade?"

"Yes, Alpha." Daniel confirmed. "And as you requested, I sent the invitation to the Blackwell personally and to their doorstep."

I nodded my head. I needed the Blackwell to be the first to show. "How's Sheila?" I asked him, gritting my teeth.

"We had to tie her to the bed. She had been thrashing around. Almost ripped John's ear out." Daniel said sadly. "I just don't understand what happened to her."

I shook my head; I didn't understand either. However, I was sure that a witch was behind it. That's why I needed the Blackwell to arrive as soon as possible.

...

The masquerade started on time, and guests began coming forth. I remained in the shadows, letting Daniel take care of welcoming them. After all, I had a bigger problem to take care of. I remained hidden in a corner, and watched everyone, anticipating the arrival of Morgana.

But as I stood there, a strong scent hit me right away. It was beautifully pungent, sweet like a flower, but strong like a spice. I felt my wolf stir inside me. I knew she was here, and her scent only made me more eager to see her.

I followed my nose, walking through the faces I didn't know and ignoring the admiring looks I received from plenty of women. Until I stumbled into one. "Alpha Cadell, I hope you're doing well."

"Morgana?"

How come she has traces of that beautiful scent? I knew it wasn't her; it wasn't my first time meeting her. So, it must be someone she knew.

"I came to pay my debt, Alpha. Can you explain the situation to me?" She asked with a tilted head.

I was dazed for a minute, looking around to see if someone was with her, but it looked like she came alone. "Yes, sure. Come on."

I led her to Daniel, and after some introductions, I told him to take her to Sheila. "Aren't you coming with us?" He asked, confused.

I shook my head, "There's someone I need to find." I told him. I felt him trying to mind link me, but I shut him out.

After they left, I followed the scent to a secluded corner, the scent was strongest there. But I growled when I found no one there.

"Where the hell is she?" I muttered in frustration. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I decided to go upstairs, check on the progress of things. Then I got it again, faint, but there. I headed to my sister's room, and when I opened the door, I saw her. She stood right there next to my sister's bed with Morgana.

She's breathtaking. Her blonde hair was brighter than the sun, and her pale skin glowed under the light. She stood short, probably at five feet, but her long

I had seen plenty of women, been with more women than I could count, but her... she was different. Something about her pulled at me. Her legs seemed longer with her red high heels. And the short dress she wore did nothing to hide her curves.

Her blonde hair cascaded down below her breasts, glowing under the light of the room. The pale skin on her neck called for the animalistic part in me to bite her, claim her as mine.

She's mine.

The last thought wasn't mine; this was my wolf. This woman is my mate. And just like that, I felt like a piece that fell in place.

Her blue eyes remained focused on mine; I could see she was affected by my presence too. "Alpha Cadell?" She breathed out my name in the most alluring ways ever.

"Yes, darling. The one and only." I couldn't help the smirk that rose on my face.

"I'm Cordelia Blackwell." Her voice was slightly shaky, then her eyes drifted to Sheila's bed, "And I think you have a serious problem here."

My mind froze when I heard her name. Cordelia Blackwell was a well-known name in our world. Everyone knew her, they steered away from her, even witches.

A dark witch for a mate.

The thought made me erupt into laughter; I knew I must have looked like a mad man. The Mood Goddess really knew how to find my match. I shook my head, and after calming down I ambled towards her.

I knew I was in her personal space, when she tried to step back slightly. Being this close to her, I could feel sparks between us, something was cackling.

I knew she felt it too, when I saw her gulp nervously. "Wolves don't respect personal space much, do they?" She asked in a light voice.

I noticed how she tried to pull her gaze away from mine. "In this case, no, darling. Actually, the less space the better."

She blinked a couple of times and looked at Morgana with questioning eyes. She then shook her head, "Whatever." She mumbled under her breath. She looked back at me, with more confidence, "Look, your sister here is possessed by a very strong, and extremely vengeful spirit."

"Possessed? As in with a ghost?"

She raised an eyebrow, "No, with a fairy."

So, my mate is quite sarcastic. Interesting. But I will need to sort out Sheila's problem first before I make Cordelia mine. Because no matter what, she will become mine.

I will fight for this, claws, teeth, and everything I've got.

Cordelia Blackwell

I don't understand why this man had such an effect on me. Throughout my twenty years of life, or rather nineteen if we're being practical, no man has had this effect on me. "You're funny." He said with a small smirk.

"I wasn't trying to be." I retorted with a raised eyebrow. I couldn't let him intimidate me, nor could I let him know the way he affected me.

He inched closer to my face, "You should watch out how you talk to me." I didn't like his threatening tone.

"And you should watch out who you're talking to." I challenged back. We stared at each other's eyes, I think he was waiting for me to relent first, but I never would. I have more of a backbone than that.

The real problem was, the longer I stared at his dark brown eyes, I felt like I was being sucked in. They were deep, penetrating, and I could now understand the reputation he had with women.

"I believe there's no need for this aggressiveness." Morgana stepped in between the two of us, pulling me back from him slightly.

I was grateful. The closeness made my magic sizzle under my skin, like it wanted to come out. According to my experience, this is never a good thing.

"Your sister needs our help, and Cordelia is the best to help her." Morgana said in her usual calm and soothing tone.

Cadell stepped back as well, finally breaking eye contact, and I felt myself able to breathe again. "You were saying she's possessed." He started with a business tone.

I nodded my head, "Yes, there's a spirit residing in her body and keeping her wolf shackled inside." I moved closer to Sheila's unconscious body. "The process of possession is usually a long one, and Sheila had been through the stages."

"And how do you get it out of her?" He asked, stepping closer to me again; With every breath I took, his cologne engulfed my senses, making me slightly dizzy.

"The spirit belongs to a witch, Jeanette McConnell." I turned to him with disgust in my eyes, "Of course, we all know you've angered plenty of those, but Jeanette is an old one, I believe she's way before your time."

I was still trying to find a definite answer to his question, then I remembered something I once read in an old grimoire. "If we're lucky, then Jeanette's body will be in Midwick Cemetery. I will have to dig Jeanette out, burn her bones with the blue flame spell, then put the ashes in the Soul Cleansing Potion."

"Are you saying my sister needs to drink the ashes of a dead witch?" He seemed disgruntled by the idea.

I shrugged my shoulders, "It's your best option." I averted my eyes to Morgana for confirmation and she nodded.

"I will begin with the potion, but you know it will need you to..." She trailed off.

I nodded my head, "I understand, start on it, and by the time I come back, I'm sure I'll be able to use some of it."

"Some of what?" He asked with narrowed suspicious eyes.

"Black Magic." Morgana answered, "The Cleansing spell takes days to be ready, Earth Magic can't quicken the process."

"Well, since this was cleared, I'll be heading out now." I announced, striding out of the room. As I reached the door, I felt a strong grip on my arm, halting my movement. And something like electricity shot up my arm. I felt goosebumps rise on my body and a shiver ran down my spine.

I don't know where that was coming from, but I really disliked it.

I turned around, and Cadell was staring down at me, "I'll come with you." He said with a tone of finality.

I snatched my arm out of his hold, "I'm not one of your wolves, you know? Try and show some manners. Geez, what happened to men?" I shook my head and left the room.

Against my best wishes, he still followed me. I headed downstairs, the party was still in full swing, and I passed by the various people around. Most of them knew who I was, and some didn't hide the fact that they didn't like me all that much.

However, it was easy to notice their surprise and shock when they saw the Alpha following me. He made a show of putting his hand on the small of my back, making it look like we were friends.

We weren't. We can never be.

Once we were out of the mansion, he grabbed my arm again, "We will take my car." He ordered.

I don't know who died and made him the boss of me? What gave him the right to order me around? It made me furious, but again, I shouldn't be surprised. Cain Cadell was known to treat witches like servants, and when they didn't do his beddings, he killed them. Usually, in the most gruesome ways ever.

I just want this night to be over with. I thought to myself, then said, "Just bring a shovel."

He gave me a Cheshire grin and nodded his head. The car ride was engulfed in a tense silence. He gave me a side glance, as we neared the cemetery, "How long have you lived in Midwick?" He asked out of the blue.

"A year." I know my reply was snipped, but I didn't want to open the door for a conversation.

He hummed but didn't say anything. I got the feeling that he wanted to, though. He kept stealing glances my way as he drove, which only made me uncomfortable for some reason. I got to the point of fidgeting in my seat.

Once the car came to a stop, I felt relief wash over me and I couldn't get out of there faster. "Let's split to cover more areas." I told him as we stood in front of the huge metal gates.

The vast land of tombstones and faceless statues laid before my eyes. The night had a cold chilly air, and I felt myself shiver. This place gave me a sense of dread. Suddenly, my mind was attacked by several images of darkness, dirt, and me struggling breathlessly, clawing my way out of the coffin I was placed in.

"You sure you can handle going in there alone?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, no hint of concern in his tone.

I quickly put on my strongest face, and scoffed, "Just find her grave. If she's a witch, she'll have a tombstone with her name. Jeanette McConnel." I stressed her name out.

With that I hurriedly left him, walking through the several tombstones and trying to diminish my memories. After all, I've already been dead once, there's no need to frit, right?