Ava's POV
At dawn, the Hollow Marshes looked like a graveyard wrapped in mist. My bones still aches from yesterday's training. I half-expected Mira's sharp eyes and clipped tone—but the circle was empty. Or so I thought.
Until I heard him.
"You're late, Valkara."
A man stood in the center, tall and imposing, clad in a long black coat
And you are…?" I asked, trying not to let his tone rattle me.
"I am Kael. They call me the Witchbreaker."
Great.
"Is that supposed to scare me?" I muttered under my breath.
What do you think l," he said, circling me slowly. "I heard you were raw. But I didn't think you'd be this… untamed."
There was heat in the way he said it. Intentional. My cheeks burned, but I didn't look away.
"Let's see what you've got."
He snapped his fingers—and a whip of wind lashed toward me. I threw up a shield, but it broke apart.
Kael didn't attack again. Instead, he stepped behind me, close enough for me to feel the warmth of his body.
"You're tense," he said, his voice low near my ear. "Magic doesn't flow when you're clenched like that. Relax."
I swallowed. "Kind of hard when you're breathing down my neck."
"Good," he said. "Get mad. Magic listens better when it's fueled by something real."
He spun me around by the shoulders. His fingers lingered just long enough to make it a little more than necessary.
"Again."
This time, the power surged from me—wild, fierce. He grinned, stepping back as violet flames snapped to life between my hands.
"There she is," he murmured. "I knew there was something wicked in you."
He stepped in close once more, brushing a stray strand of hair from my cheek. "You're going to be dangerous when I'm done with you."
I stepped away, tried to catch my breath, then I heard it—the growl.
Dante
The head witch had told me he would be allowed entry this morning.
He emerged from the treeline, eyes glowing amber, jaw clenched. Every muscle in his body was coiled with tension as he strode toward us, not bothering to mask the possessive fury in his gaze.
Kael turned, slowly. "Well. You must be the wolf."
Dante didn't blink. "And you must be the one who forgot what boundaries are."
I stepped forward, suddenly aware of how close Kael still stood beside me. "Dante—"
Move," Dante growled.
Kael raised an eyebrow, unmoving. "She's my student."
"She's mine."
Kael's smirk returned, clearly not affected by Dante words. "She's powerful. Needs hands-on guidance."
Dante's eyes darkened, and I swear I felt the ground shift beneath his boots. "Touch her again, and I'll rip those hands off."
"Alpha threats," Kael said, stepping back, hands raised mockingly. "How classic."
"Don't test me," Dante growled, stepping in until they were nearly nose-to-nose. "You think because you're a witch, I won't break you? You're wrong."
I stepped between them, planting a hand on Dante's chest. His heartbeat thundered beneath my fingers, He just arrived I didn't want him to get into trouble with anyone.
"I'm fine," I said softly, but firmly. "Kael was helping. That's all."
Dante's eyes finally met mine. The fury didn't vanish, but it dulled—just a little. "He doesn't get to touch what's mine."
Kael chuckled behind me. "Possessive. How charming."
"Leave," Dante ordered.
Kael gave a lazy bow. "As you wish, Alpha. But she'll need me again tomorrow."
He vanished in a flash of air and smoke.
Dante didn't speak right away. He stood there, breathing hard, still glaring at the space Kael left behind.
"You don't trust him," I said quietly.
"I don't like how he looks at you," Dante answered, voice low. "Or how you look back."
My stomach twisted. "It's not like that."
He cupped my cheek, finally softening. "You're mine, Ava. And I'll protect you… even from the ones who pretend they're on your side."