The warlocks virgin wolf.., p.1
The Warlock's Virgin Wolf (Fate of the Ten Realms Book 5), page 1
The Warlock’s
Virgin Wolf
Fate of the Ten Realms
J. S. Striker
Copyright 2023 by J. S. Striker - All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher.
All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
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Chapter 1
Rosa Howler felt like she was living in a nightmare.
“Are you sure that’s what my father said?”
Her father was dead, a stupefying event to everyone in the clan that had resulted in months of grieving, a long ritual of burial, and her taking over as his only daughter and child. The daunt-filled task of being a sudden clan leader had been harrowing at first, but Rosa was starting to get the hang of it—until now.
“That’s what is written in his will, yes,” one of the clan elders, Victoria Howler, confirmed, but with an apologetic look on her face. The woman was old, had more grandchildren than Rosa could count, and was their resident library keeper.
“But we already ready his will: that I take over and produce an heir, and that I keep our alliance with other clans. I have been fulfilling both clauses.”
“That was the regular will. This was the hidden one.”
Rosa’s eyes widened. Before she could ask, another person strode in, holding a scroll and with a set look in his gaze. Garth Howler was Victoria’s mate, older than the woman, and trying very hard not to limp as he crossed the distance between them and handed Rosa the scroll. She had a feeling he wouldn’t take it well if she asked him to sit, so she didn’t.
“We found it when we were reorganizing your father’s favorite library section,” Garth explained, tone no-nonsense and just a touch brittle. “It states that you are to be mated as soon as possible and produce an heir to secure the Howler line. It also states that due to some unexpected circumstances, he has already chosen your mate in advance, and you are to fulfill your duties to keep the clan thriving.”
She opened it and read while he continued speaking, her heart sinking to her stomach as the written words confirmed what he was saying. But there was more, each word piercing her hard until she wished she was the one sitting down.
“My father was in debt,” she noted, eyes flying on the page. “He didn’t want to ask our allied clans for help, thinking they would see it as a weakness and either break the alliance or take over our clan. So, he asked someone else for help. Someone who has no political ties with any of us. A dragon shifter.”
“Yes. That’s right.”
Dragon shifters once ruled the Otherworld, hence the group of shifter islands named Calassius—an honor to the first dragon shifter to come here, whose name was Calassius. Their kind was now rumored to be extinct, or at least headed in that direction. They were also rumored to be sons of bitches, protecting their territory and treasure above all else, and vicious to anyone who dared to cross their path—or anyone who so much as looked the wrong way at them.
“Dragon shifters are not on good terms with our current allied clans,” she trailed off, trying to recall the old stories she had heard. But Victoria was ready with the information.
“Yes. Hrothgar burned down the Nitro Clan because he wasn’t happy with how they had settled on the edge of his territory. Amadis drove away the Dumlog Clan because he wanted the neighboring islands empty. Salford killed three clan leaders for apparently botching up a trade deal. That’s not counting the number of pirate ships he sank when they entered his sea territory.”
There were more, all of which confirmed what she already knew: that dragons were ambitious, manipulative, and wanted nothing to do with other creatures other than for slaving and entertainment purposes. She took a deep breath.
“Okay. Then it’s simple. We bury this scroll and never speak of it again. We keep our alliances and strengthen our defenses…” She trailed off when the elderly couple stiffened, their faces mirroring masks of bad news. “What?”
Garth shook his head. “We can’t bury this scroll. Not when the dragon shifter in question has already made contact.”
The man held up another scroll, this one shiny and brand new. Her fingers itched to tear it apart, but she swallowed the urge and took it gingerly.
“Who?”
“Read it,” Victoria said gently.
She did, noting the neat handwriting that couldn’t quite manage to hide the command.
I have heard about Manuel’s passing. It must be a harrowing time for your clan, but you must have read your father’s will by now. I will be setting a date for our meeting to iron out the details about our union. In the meantime, I will give you time to grieve and prepare.
- Klaus
“He must have found out through a special connection,” Garth said before she could ask. “Something that binds them when Manuel was still alive.”
“Klaus. I haven’t heard of him. Does that mean he hasn’t offended anyone?”
“It’s Klaus of Oslo.”
This time, her eyes nearly bugged out of her head as stupefaction coursed its way through her system. Rosa might not have heard of his name, but Oslo was quite famous for its reputation: a lone island just at the edge of Calassius, riddled with the most treacherous paths and home to some of the most unspeakable treasures in the Otherworld. Of course, those treasures were not without their hidden lairs…or their formidable guardians.
“Oslo, as in that Oslo. Home to the dragon who stirred trouble with a few of our alliances…”
“All,” Garth corrected, then began to list down the offenses until her head was spinning. She held up a hand to stop him, getting the picture. It wasn’t a pretty one.
“Then it’s solved. I can’t mate with him, not at the risk of alienating our allies and current resources. There has to be another way to deal with this.”
The silence wasn’t encouraging. She threw them an exasperated look and was rewarded with disagreeing ones. Finally, Garth shook his head.
“The will is as ironclad as the first one, Rosa. Your father made a deal and must pay for it. I’m afraid the only way to solve it is to surrender to the dragon shifter’s demands or…”
Death. Havoc wreaked on her clan, which was guaranteed to involve fire, and too many people heartbroken—if any were left. Her entire body tightened just at the thought, but she stomped down her uneasiness, refusing to worry the already troubled pair.
“Or mating with someone else,” she reasoned. “Not any of our allies because that’s bound to cause them trouble if this dragon finds out. I need someone unknown. Someone who hasn’t crossed Klaus and would make him believe that it was all coincidental and happened way before we found out about my father’s deal.”
“It would jeopardize our standing with our allies if we make deals with non-allied clans,” Victoria said.
“Then other creatures. Vampires? Majority are bad news, but I know there are some good ones.”
“Ostrov Krov is rife with politics and not a good idea.”
“Why not?” At the pause, she raised a brow. “Garth…”
“Klaus of Oslo had some altercations with the vampire island a few decades ago. I don’t think he would be very forgiving when he hears you mated with someone that he deems an enemy.”
“Another creature, then.”
“La Fleur is another no. One of their courts tried to play a prank on him—as most Fae do—and it didn’t go well. Warlocks are out of the question, too, with our failed alliance and multiple disastrous encounters with them. Simply put, we have nothing they need in exchange for their help.”
She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say, her brain turning blank at the narrowing tunnel of options. Reality kicked in, as dark as how she glimpsed her future would be.
If she mated with him, their fate was sealed: that of her being powerless as the dragon shifter took over her clan and her life, effectively rendering autonomy impossible. Furthermore, it would cut off their peaceful exchanges of resources when her alliances found out the truth and withdrew their support, designating the Howler Clan to enemy status. Desperation bubbled up in her throat, but the need to be calm was stronger and powered her through her next words.
“Fine. None of those creatures work, then. Is there a date for when I am to meet the dragon shifter?”
“No. Not yet.”
“Then let me think about it. And I assume that this matter hasn’t been spread to the clan yet?”
“Of course not, Rosa. Not until we have confirmation from you.”
“Let me think,” she repeated, inwardly sighing when they nodded and left. Alone in the clearing—perhaps not the best spot for a spontaneous meeting—she still couldn’t think as other emotions surfaced and clouded her logic. There was just one statement that would fit per fectly with her situation and it wasn’t one she liked.
Rosa was royally fucked.
There were clan responsibilities to fulfill, starting with securing weaponry from their lion clan ally and talks about a visit from a bear clan in exchange for those weaved items they supplied so well. Then she had to break up a fight between two women who had fallen in love with the same man, who just so happened to have trouble deciding who he wanted to be with. Instinct had her leaving the two women alone and taking the man aside to look him straight in the eye.
“Make your decision by sundown tomorrow. It’s either Sheila or Lassie.”
“But—”
“Or I am going to get you kicked out of here and you won’t have a woman to choose from.” At the man’s paling face, she gentled her tone. “Park, if you did this with another clan, they would have your head.”
“I understand, Rosa.”
“So, make your decision. Who makes you happy?”
“Well…”
“The answer will come tomorrow,” she said firmly. “Be firm and stand by it.”
Once that was done, Rosa thought she finally had time to reflect—until Victoria approached her with the same grim determination and a hint of pity, the scroll visible in the woman’s grip.
“Already?” Rosa blurted out.
“Yes. Open it. It just arrived today, and it’s still warm.”
She eyed the scroll in distrust, then took it and hissed when it scalded her fingertips. Rosa blew on it before she rolled it open, the dread already forming a massive ball in her stomach even before she finished reading.
“They still have a connection via a sandpit. He wants me to go to Oslo now and get mated within two months.”
The two women eyed each other, understanding what it meant: that it was highly likely she wouldn’t return. But Victoria got over it faster, pasting on an encouraging smile.
“Perhaps you will return with good news. Or maybe he wants privacy before meeting the rest of the clan.”
“I will deal with this.”
“I can help you pack your bags—”
“Don’t worry about it. I will send him a response right away.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach inside. Panic bloomed, thrumming in her body and snapping at her feet until she was racing toward the fire pit at the back of her father’s hut. Manuel used it when he wanted to mull over important matters while building a fire, and Rosa had been careful not to disturb those private sessions. Now she barged into the open, quiet area, noting the smoke where the letter must have arrived from.
“You can’t just barge into my life like that,” she scolded. “You don’t have the right.”
The fire pit didn’t respond, its smoke dying. It was ironic how a warlock’s last gift to their clan had become her father’s favorite connection to the magic world, something that he had openly abhorred after cutting ties with those creatures. Riding on her fury, Rosa slipped into his hut and went back out, scribbling furiously as the words flew in her head.
Klaus,
I have errands to run, and I can’t leave my clan just yet. I am also already mated with someone else, so there must be some misunderstanding. I am very much open to a meeting between us so that I can deal with my father’s debt in a different manner. Please let me know when you are available.
With Grace,
Rosa of the Howler Clan
She threw the letter into the pit, whispered its destination, and watched as smoke rebuilt to curl around it before it swallowed the letter whole. She shuddered when the magic whispered against her skin, then did the unthinkable. She buried the smoke with soil until a mound formed, then stomped on it as hard as possible. It died instantly, the magic vanishing with it, and she deduced that he wouldn’t be able to send a reply just yet.
Dragon shifters as important as he was couldn’t just leave his treasure alone without a lot of preparation—perhaps one of the reasons why he had asked her to go to him instead. She banked on that. She also banked on him being unable to send a letter allowing him to stew, get over his surprise, and finally approach her more logically. But the ideal scenario in her head was still a risk, and she was distracted when she left the fire pit and bumped into Garth.
“Were Klaus’s troubles with our alliance clans logical?”
The older man blinked. “What?”
“Was there a reason for him to attack them?”
“I don’t know the details, but I know there were threats and blacklisting involved.”
Threats and blacklisting she could deal with.
“Has he ever attacked them without warning?”
“I’m not sure. I have heard rumors that his attacks were one-time scenarios because no one dared to counterattack him or cross him after.”
“Can he penetrate our magical barriers?”
“Fire cannot.” A frown formed on his lips. “What are you up to, my dear child?”
“I’m not a child anymore,” she reminded. “And I’m doing my best to preserve what we have here. I have errands to run.”
“What?”
“I’m going to the cave. Can you double the security while I’m gone?”
Garth tensed, gaze meeting hers. “That cave has magic. Your father…”
“Is gone and can no longer protect us. It would be a waste not to use what’s in that cave. Garth, can you double the security until my return?”
The man looked like he wanted to argue some more, the conflict visible in his features. Then he sighed and nodded.
“I will triple it.”
The unspoken support had her patting his shoulder before she was off, calculating the time she would get there versus the dragon shifter changing his mind and abandoning his guarded island to visit hers—an unlikely scenario, but one had to have backup plans. When she reached the opposite end of the island, Rosa dove into the water and swam, expert strokes that she had learned since childhood and had been helpful for hunting. Now she used it to get to her destination as fast as she could, waiting for the sun to shine a specific way and illuminate the smaller island ahead.
Technically, it was still a part of their territory, but with the sea in between, it had always been a good idea to keep its whereabouts a secret so no strangers would sneak in. She slipped inside the cave, scanning the darkness as she walked cautiously. Skeletal heads littered the ground, but what people didn’t know was that those heads had either been the remains of animals they killed, animals that had died naturally, or imitation figures carved from stones.
“Please work. Please, for our clan’s sake, work.”
The mantra floated in her head, then spilled out in a mutter. She let out her claws when she reached the mound and dug hard, her hope leaping when she spotted the glinting crystals in no time. A few seconds later, she had ground all of them to dust and mixed them until the glint became a blinding light. It lasted only a second as the darkness returned, but she felt it: the faint buzz of magic whispering against her skin, perhaps because she had been the one to activate it.
“Oh, thank heavens,” she praised. “The shield is up.”
And it would last for a couple of years if her father’s words had been accurate. In her mind, the rest of Manuel’s tirade resurfaced.
“I can’t believe they gave me a bogus deal. What on heavens are we to do with fanciful magical shields? We have enough protection to last us a lifetime from our allies and the weapons we have in storage. We keep to ourselves. No one would dare attack such a peaceful island. Those damn witches took advantage and thought I would be satisfied with some useless crystals—as if they couldn’t be bothered to spare anything more when they could magic everything into existence. Well, no more of that. They can’t get away with this. I won’t allow them to.”
“Will the barrier drive away all kinds of threats, Father?”
“It should detect antagonism, yes. As if I can’t detect it already? What an insult.”
She didn’t care what else the warlocks and witches could offer because this was the only thing they needed. Rosa stepped back, the relief pouring out of her in waves as she wandered out of the cave, viewed the actual waves, and let the sea breeze dry her hair.
“One problem down, one more left,” she mumbled, already ticking off the list in her head. No to Fae, warlocks, allied and non-allied shifters. Possibly yes to some vampire candidates, but she needed to find a way to communicate with them first. “Perhaps I should pay a visit to the trading island and check out options.”
