The She-Wolf Series Book 3: She-Wolf's Reign

SAMANTHA

Aidan led me to a vast meadow, guiding me through a gate at its perimeter. He shared that Trinity had concealed the unicorns from sight, even from those living in the castle. These creatures were on the brink of extinction.

Only Trinity and the fae were their last line of defense. I wondered if she had intentionally kept her furry friends a secret. Aidan assured me otherwise.

He believed she would appreciate the company and likely thought I’d be as indifferent as the other wolves we lived with. The moment I crossed the creaky gate, the illusion over the paddock dissolved. I was left speechless.

Instead of the desolate meadow encircled by evergreens I had always imagined, I was welcomed by a mystical clearing filled with captivating shrubs and trees with long, drooping branches. A brook babbled somewhere, and the melodious chirping of a bird echoed in the breeze. I absorbed the view, my eyes wide with wonder.

It was so distinct from the surrounding winter forests that I knew magic was involved. Even the temperature was warmer and the air lacked the crispness of the dry mountains that encased us.

“Wow,” I exhaled.

I looked ahead and followed a smooth stone path toward what I presumed was the stable. It resembled a massive fairytale dollhouse more than a stable. Large wooden doors were attached to the pristine white exterior.

White spires with shimmering silver roofs stood at each corner, and ivy climbed up the sides. Where else would the unicorns live? I mused, chuckling to myself.

“Aidan?” Trinity’s voice echoed as I pushed open the heavy door. She appeared from around the corner and smiled when she saw me.

“Oh hey, Sam.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude,” I apologized hastily.

“Not at all,” she replied warmly, enveloping me in a gentle hug. “I wanted to chat anyway.”

“Are you sure?” I asked as she stepped back. “Aidan told me about the unicorns and I got a little excited.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Really? Do you want to meet them?”

“Could I?” I barely managed to suppress a squeal.

“I would be honored to show you around,” Trinity said, winking.

She took my hand and guided me toward the path she had just come from. The witch had swapped her sporty clothes for a polo and riding pants. Tall, brown boots reached just below her knees and her dark hair was tied back in a loose ponytail.

Her recent aloofness seemed to dissolve in the magic of the barn. As we rounded the corner, the most magnificent creatures I had ever seen stood in individual stalls. Each unicorn was pure white with a single, spiraled horn that had a purple hue.

They were taller than I expected, but their movements were almost delicate. They extended their heads and stared at me intently. Their gazes held an eerie wisdom I wasn’t accustomed to in animals.

“Hey gang!” Trinity greeted, “The queen is here to meet you. Be nice!”

She smiled before slowly introducing each horse by name. They were all named after gods and goddesses, and the names suited them perfectly. Some approached cautiously, a few eagerly pressed their soft noses into my hand, while others seemed completely indifferent.

“Don’t take it personally,” Trinity advised, “Some are more sociable than others.”

I giggled. “Which one head butted Ivar?”

She smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “That was Apollo. He’s outside. To be fair, my brother sort of asked for it.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I muttered.

“Hmm,” Trinity mused, “I probably deserve a headbutt myself.”

She sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry for what I said. I was projecting my own insecurities onto you,” she confessed, taking my hand in hers.

“In all the years I’ve lived, I never thought my mother would return. Now, I can’t help but fear that everything and everyone I love is in immediate danger.”

I squeezed her hand. “We aren’t, Trin,” I reassured her. “We’re all ready to stand with you.”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “I just can’t help but worry that I’m not enough,” she whispered.

“You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” I told her sincerely.

“It’s funny,” she grinned, though her smile was tinged with sadness. “I was thinking the same thing about you. I’m sorry I haven’t been a good friend lately.”

“Let’s make a pact to stick together from now on, all right? There’s just too much…testosterone around here for us to be at odds.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” she chuckled. “I’d been handling them solo for way too long.”

We began our stroll through the meadow where she had let a few of the herd roam free. Some came up to nuzzle Trinity and a couple even greeted me. They behaved somewhat like regular horses, but there was an undeniable magical, ethereal vibe about them.

“From here on out, we’re going to switch up our training methods,” Trinity announced as we paused by the stream I had heard when we entered the gate. “Ivar made me realize that I hadn’t really broken down the mechanics of magic for you.”

“What do you mean?” I questioned, extending my finger for a dragonfly to land delicately on.

“My mom was a tough trainer. She believed pain was the best motivator and saw kindness as a sign of weakness. Arguing with my brother made me see that I’d been unintentionally following her example.”

“You’re nothing like her, Trinity,” I reassured her softly.

She gave a small smile. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I’ve been the best teacher.”

She turned and we resumed our walk. “It’s crucial for you to understand that witches don’t generate energy. We channel it and transform it into something else. In my case, I use dark magic to convert living energy into spells, healing, or teleportation. Light witches draw energy from any light source, the sun being the most potent. My magic is stronger, but it’s limited unless I can find another source.”

“Like a plant or a person, right?” I clarified.

“Exactly. I also store it in gemstones,” she elaborated, raising her hand to show off the numerous rings she always wore.

“Wow, that’s fascinating. I never knew.”

“Trade secrets,” she winked. “Actually, I learned how to do it after I met Aidan. Before him, I think I was somewhat scared of my own power. I couldn’t even teleport. He’s the one who pushed me to explore my abilities.”

A question that had been bothering me came to mind. “When Tatianna attacked, she mentioned that you wouldn’t draw from the werewolves in the ballroom. Why not?” I inquired.

I noticed Trinity’s frown from my peripheral vision. She seemed reluctant to explain, but eventually spoke up.

“Drawing from a dark magical creature is exhilarating. It’s life force energy in its purest and most potent form. Many dark witches get hooked on the rush, my mother included.

That’s what ultimately drove her to try and dominate the supernatural.

“Every time I tapped into the life force of a dark creature, it’s an unparalleled rush, followed by a crash like a tsunami. Only drawing from someone with dark energy can fend off the withdrawal symptoms, but it requires more and more to satisfy the craving.”

“It’s like an addiction,” I realized.

“Exactly,” Trinity agreed, “and the high from using that dark energy is euphoric.”

I recalled the time after we got back to the castle. Trinity hardly left her room unless it was necessary and everyone kept their distance. I thought it was because she was upset over almost losing Aidan.

Now, I wondered if it had more to do with the aftereffects of using werewolf energy to save him.

“I would only ever use it as a last resort. My mother had no such qualms,” Trinity went on. “Even among those who chose to channel it, she was by far the most dangerous.

Fortunately, you have the ability to shield your magic from her.”

“How?” I asked, puzzled.

Trinity halted under the shade of an ancient willow tree and held my hands in hers.

“By teaching you—albeit harshly—to start deflecting the spells I cast at you, you’ve already begun to tap into that power.” The hands she held between us started to tingle and heat up. “Do you feel that? That’s dark energy I’m transferring. Close your eyes and let your wolf embrace it.”

I did as she instructed and let Ayisha take control of my senses. In my mind’s eye, I could see a vibrant glow spreading from my fingertips in tendrils up my arms. It was soothing and life-affirming.

Ayisha let it envelop her soul, igniting the life force that bound us as one.

“Exactly,” Trinity whispered, letting the energy in her hands fade. “Now feel that within yourself—within your wolf. That is your own dark magic.”

A sensation sparked in my chest, then traveled along my nerves, lighting up my entire body. Every muscle fiber was buzzing, and my blood felt warmer, more vibrant than ever before.

Suddenly, I understood.

The sheer magnitude of this energy, its raw power, and the inherent risk it carried, hit me all at once. It was a revelation, a moment of clarity that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.