Enchanted Mate

The beginning

I stir awake, my body shivering from the cold, my stomach aching with hunger; we’ve been on the run for endless months. The government has marked us for death, and humans are all too eager to comply. The reason? It all began six months ago when a devastating virus swept across the United States. As people fell ill, many discovered they carried a dormant gene – my family and I included. That’s when I learned I wasn’t just any werewolf but a rare and powerful one. Though I’m getting ahead of my story. Every supernatural being was forced to seek refuge in the shadows. A sympathetic neighbor directed my family toward the Rocky Mountains, promising sanctuary and vast territories for all supernatural beings. The werewolf king, who had remained hidden for years, was also going there.

I’m Zoe, a fierce and determined young woman, and alongside my fiancé Jared, we embarked on this perilous journey. With us came my brother Tyler, whose tracking skills proved invaluable, Ryker, our brilliant strategist, and my sister Katelynn, our group’s nurturing protector, along with her family. Our numbers have grown since then. We’ve welcomed several werewolves, each bringing unique abilities, and a few witches with remarkable magical prowess. We’ve formed a tight-knit community, supporting one another, with our group excelling at fishing and trapping. As my stomach growled insistently, I kicked off my sleeping bag and pulled on my shoes, determined to check the traps and fetch water. With any luck, someone would have a fire going by my return. The warmth of our shared mission and the support of my companions filled me with a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

I made my way to the river, its rushing waters providing a calming melody. Our fishing traps, expertly set up with help from our experienced trappers, dotted the waterline. The process of setting up these traps was meticulous and required a deep understanding of the local fish species and their behavior. The thick forest surrounding us offered perfect concealment, while the cloudless sky above promised favorable conditions for our journey. Danny had taught us all the art of fish trap construction. We maintained proximity to water sources, allowing us to set traps while attending to other tasks. Approaching the riverbank, I was delighted to find several traps teeming with fish – enough to feed our entire group. I reached for the basket, skillfully crafted by my sister Katelynn under the guidance of Aliza, our witch companion. After collecting all the fish, I filled our water container.

Returning to camp, I spot Jared, Danny, and Eric huddled around the crackling fire. Their heads turn as I emerge from the tree line, basket of fish in hand. Eric’s weathered face breaks into a knowing grin as he quips, “Someone must’ve been famished this morning?” I beam back, proudly displaying our abundant catch from the previous night, responding enthusiastically, “Yes!”

Eric, a seasoned mountain man in his sixties who reminds me so much of my father, offers to prepare the fish. His presence and his son Danny’s bring a comforting warmth to our group. During nightfall, Eric tells us tales from his younger days in Virginia’s mountains before his westward journey. He settled in Oregon with his wife Beth, where they raised their three boys amid the rugged wilderness. With a twinkle in his eye, he often recounts their astonishing discovery – he was a werewolf, and Beth possessed witch powers. Danny, their middle child, inherited both magical lineages, making him a rare hybrid. His two older brothers, however, only carried the werewolf gene.

We encountered Eric, Beth, and Danny several days into our journey before their reunion with the older brothers in the Rocky Mountains. They quickly became our second family, sharing invaluable knowledge crucial to survival.

The story grew even more fascinating when we met Aliza, who became Danny’s destined mate. She carried an ancient tome chronicling the intricate history of witches and werewolves, which she frequently shared. The revelation of supernatural beings among us seemed surreal, yet here we sat, sharing freshly caught fish around a campfire. Aliza suspected her grandmother’s awareness of their witch heritage, having gifted her the book in her youth – a volume she’d dismissed as mere fiction.

As Aliza explained, the mate bond created an instantaneous, unbreakable connection. She described an irresistible pull toward Danny, while his wolf side became fiercely protective and devoted to her. Their connection ran so deep that they felt incomplete when apart. Though I found their bond beautiful and extraordinary, Aliza’s book revealed that such mate connections were exceptionally rare, making their relationship all the more unique and special.

My relationship with Jared differed significantly. Despite my love for him, it never matched the intensity of Danny and Aliza’s connection. My brothers’ warnings about him being wrong for me went unheeded – I loved him, even if it wasn’t the all-consuming passion described in the ancient texts. As we continued our journey, the constant threat of pursuit and an uncertain future weighed heavily on our minds. Still, our shared love and unwavering determination drove us forward.

My contemplative moment was interrupted by Tyler and Chris, a fellow werewolf we’d befriended during our escape. Along with Ryker, they had been conducting their routine surveillance – a necessary precaution in our dangerous world. The human bounty hunters were mainly motivated by the substantial government rewards, especially for capturing us alive. They urgently advised breaking camp and moving forward. We’d spent several precious days at this ideal spot, perfect for fishing, accessing fresh water, and laundering our worn clothes. Though I’d relished the opportunity to properly clean up, I understood we couldn’t risk lingering. These brief respites for recovery and rejuvenation had become treasured moments. Chris emphasized our pressing need to reach the mountains before winter’s arrival. Our progress had been frustratingly slow, and we were forced to avoid populated areas and stick to the wilderness’s relative safety. The urgency of our situation and the tension of our slow progress weighed heavily on our minds.

Katelynn’s weary sigh drew my attention to where her husband, Johnny, labored over their wagon. Their children, four-year-old Piper and six-year-old Junior made the journey infinitely more challenging. The wagon had been a godsend for transporting the little ones, who quickly tired from walking. Before discovering this vehicle, we’d taken turns carrying them. Eric and Johnny’s mechanical skills had kept it functional until a wheel gave out days ago. Eric’s innovative repair suggestion had kept Johnny busy since we’d stopped. “It’s not perfect,” Katelynn admitted, her exhaustion evident, “but it should hold up for a while longer.” The constant movement took its toll on all of us, but the children bore the heaviest burden. We continually reassured them of better days, promising fun and stability once we reached our destination. My heart ached watching my sister yearn for an everyday life for her children, knowing how desperately she wanted to provide them with the stability they deserved.

I’ve never fully grasped why the government marked us for extinction and why peaceful coexistence with humans seemed impossible. Eric insists it stems from their fear and lack of understanding about our kind. I believe it’s pure ignorance, and I desperately long for home. Nevertheless, I rise, methodically pack my backpack, and compress my sleeping bag. Finding another secure campsite before darkness falls is crucial.

I assist Katelynn with the children and wagon preparations. Samantha, Craig, and another werewolf pair meticulously inspect the campsite, ensuring nothing remains behind. Eric, Tyler, and Chris take point position, ready to transform if threats emerge. Their wolf forms provide our first line of defense. Ryker and Danny guard our rear, establishing a protective circle around the group. They remain shirtless, wearing only pants – a practical choice given our naturally elevated body temperature as werewolves. This minimal clothing also facilitates transformation, minimizing clothing damage. Though they prefer stripping before shifting, circumstances don’t always permit this luxury.

My first transformation was an agonizing experience, with bones breaking and restructuring themselves. While initial shifts are universally painful, frequency brings ease and familiarity. My transformation proved extraordinary – my wolf form emerged pure white, and I could shift rapidly, even mid-leap. We discovered this capability during a bear’s attempted attack on Piper. I transformed mid-air, engaging the bear while Katelynn whisked Piper to safety. Remarkably, my clothes remained intact post-transformation, shocking everyone. However, I rarely shift now; Eric and my brothers believe my distinctive appearance increases my vulnerability. To hunters, a white wolf represents a rare supernatural prize commanding an astronomical price.

We press forward into uncertain territory, seeking sufficient distance and suitable shelter before nightfall claims the sky. Our survival depends on constant vigilance and movement, always staying one step ahead of those who hunt us.