9. Danger

Isabelle POV

Xander's grip on my arm tightened, his body tensely barricading me from the witches. The youngsters behind us watched with wide eyes, their fear palpable. I felt their gaze on me, heavy with expectation of what I would do. My mind raced, torn between the temptation of untapped power and the instinctive mistrust of these dark figures.

"What kind of guidance?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

The lead witch's smile widened, revealing sharp, white teeth. "We can teach you to harness and maximize your power more fully than your current methods allow. The energy within you is strong, but without proper guidance, you are merely scratching the surface." Her gaze flickered to the pendant around my neck. "That trinket is a crutch. We offer mastery and excellence."

"Don't listen to them," Xander growled, his eyes locked on the witch. "Their magic is corrupt. They'll twist your power for their own ends."

The witch's eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. "Be silent, wolf," she hissed, a palpable wave of power emanating from her. "This is not your decision to make."

I felt the energy inside me pulse in response to her words, feeling a mixture of curiosity and defiance. The pendant throbbed against my chest, a comforting weight that seemed to remind me of my journey, of the trust I had built with Xander and the pack. I took a step forward, my eyes locking with the witch's, my mind working overtime.

"What do you want in return?"

Her smile faded, replaced by a calculating look. "Loyalty," she said softly. "Your allegiance to us. With our guidance, you could become more than a mere slayer, you will have the power you have ever imagined. You could be a force to be reckoned with, a true master of your destiny. You will have unsurpassed power and control no one could ever cease. But if you refuse… your power will not only consume you but also destroy you. You will be a danger to those you seek to protect."

My heart pounded. The promise of mastery, of unlocking the full extent of my abilities, was tantalizing. But the idea of betraying my pack, of aligning with these dark witches, filled me with revulsion.

As we all stared at each other in silence, a sudden roar echoed through the forest. The ground trembled, and a burst of light flared from behind the witches. They turned, their expressions shifting from confidence to alarm. I caught a glimpse of a massive, shadowy figure charging through the trees, its eyes blazing with malevolent purpose.

"Vesper!" one of the witches gasped, her voice tinged with fear.

The figure crashed into the clearing, revealing a monstrous wolf, larger than any I had ever seen. Its fur was matted with dark energy, its eyes burning with a malevolent glow. It lunged at the witches, who scattered, their graceful movements replaced by frantic attempts to fend off the attack.

The young pack members cried out in terror, retreating to the safety of the trees. Xander and I stood our ground, clutching each other for additional courage and strength; conveying a united front despite being caught between the witches and the monstrous wolf. My heart raced as the wolf's gaze locked onto mine, its lips curling back in a snarl.

"Isabelle!" Xander whisper-yelled, pulling me back, silently putting himself between me and danger. "We need to get out of here!"

But I couldn't move. The wolf's eyes bored into me, a strange recognition in their depths. A low growl rumbled from its throat, and I felt a surge of energy from my pendant, a warning, a need to focus, be on the alert.

"Who is he?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. An awareness, a subconscious recognition rising from my heart. If blood can talk, mine would have told me clearly that I know this wolf.

The wolf leapt towards me, its massive form blotting out the light. Xander grabbed my arm, pulling me back further behind him, but I stood rooted to the spot. The pendant burned against my skin, its heat searing through the layers of confusion, fear, and dread. The subconscious feeling of recognition searing my heart with unusual, ancient pain.

In that instant, I made my choice.

I thrust my hand forward, summoning all the energy within me. A blinding light erupted from my palm, slamming into the wolf with the force of a tidal wave. It howled in agony, the dark energy around it crackling and fracturing before blazing back to him. The witches screamed in shock, their forms flickering like shadows in a storm.

The light intensified, enveloping the entire clearing in a radiant blaze. I heard Xander's voice calling my name, but it was distant, swallowed by the roar of the energy cascading from my body. The connection with the wolf strengthened despite my attack. The wolf slowly stood up, locking its gaze with mine, coaxing me to remember, and a deeper understanding passed between us.

And then, everything went dark.

Xander POV

When the light faded, the clearing was empty. Isabelle was gone, the witches standing still in shock, and the monstrous wolf has disappeared. I staggered to my feet, my heart pounding in dread.

"Isabelle!" I shouted, scanning the trees for any sign of her. Pack members emerged at the clearing cautiously, their faces pale with fear and confusion.

Elder Marcellus rushed to my side, just coming out from the direction of the packhouse, his eyes wide with concern. "What happened?" he demanded. "Where is Isabelle?"

I shook my head, panic gripping my chest. "I don't know. She… she was here, and then… the light…"

Before I could finish, a low, menacing growl rumbled from the shadows. I turned, my blood running cold as a figure emerged back from the trees. Clad in dark armor, a tall, imposing man with eyes like burning coals stepped into the clearing, his presence exuding a chilling power.

"What have you done to Isabelle?" I demanded, bravely stepping forward.

The man's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I am Vesper," he said, his voice a dark, velvety whisper. "The true master of the shadows. And your little slayer has just become my latest pawn. I came back to warn you. She is now mine. You, or anyone who will try to take her away from me will face a cruel death."

My heart raced angrily as my mind rushed to find a way to force this dark creature to give me back my mate.

"Who are you?" I asked boldly. Knowing his name does not mean anything. We have to know why he took my mate. Vesper released a chilling laugh. Short, but just enough to cause fear run though us.

"All will soon be revealed to you." Words accompanied his laughter even as his mouth remained closed with only a cruel smirk adorning it. Before anyone could react, he vanished in a circle of darkness. Gone to wherever he brought my mate.

The elders looked at me with fear in their eyes just as my father walked through the clearing. "We have to move fast if we want to have Isabelle beside us. Her powers are much stronger than we thought if even Vesper got interested enough to take her personally. He wanted to make sure no mistake is made." My heart thumped in fear as I looked at my father and the elders. Everyone's determined faces registered in my mind as my thoughts raced. We have to save Isabelle, my love, my mate. We have to save the savior of not just the supernatural realm but the human world as well.

We have to make sure that we succeed.