The full moon illuminated the clearing. The shadows danced as the wind stirred the branches of the trees. The howling gales were one of the few things Elliott could hear as he watched all the people he had gathered. Kai and Jaxon stood by his side. Leon stood by his mother, Scarlett. A strict woman with blond short hair, dark eyes and tasteful clothes and makeup. Her noble posture was fitting for the High Witch of Elan Coven. The leader for the Council.

Elliott did not like that she came along with her heir. The witch coven is not ruled by one person, but a council. High Witch was merely the one chosen to represent them. Normally, at least one or two Councilmen would join the meeting. Since they weren’t, it must mean that they have put no importance on this meeting.

Beside them stood a blond man in his forties. With a boyish grin, only a few wrinkles revealed his age. His green eyes watched them with mild disinterest and the druid boy Hamish Macrae whispered to the man, seemingly to introduce everyone here.

This was the new Head Druid and the one who leads the dwindling numbers in the Druid Coven. Elliott has heard fairly little about him and merely knew that he was from a coven to the south instead of the North, where most of the Druid Covens is located. Though he did not like the strange expression the Head Druid sometimes showed when he looked at the shifters. It was something close to disgust.

Kai stared at the person standing a bit off the witches. She stood there with her arm across her chest with a fierce glare, sexy curves, and long strawberry blond hair. Her brown eyes watched them all with caution and you could feel her hostility and pride. She was rather tall for a woman and Elliott could see her muscles move when she turned to talk to Alex Lloyd who stood by her side looking apathetic.

This was the Lynx shifter Freya Cigan, also considered the leader of all other shifters. Though there was never an election. Most just follow her lead. The Price brothers have known her ever since they were small. Kai has had a large crush on her even if he has never been able to do anything constructive with his feelings.

Kai pulled out a flask with whiskey and Elliott wonder where he even hides all his drinks. Watching his brother take a rather large sip of the alcohol, he decided to begin as the last person was late. Elliott can talk to him later.

“Thank you all for coming here this evening,” Elliott began but was interrupted by Scarlett who seemed eager to lead the meeting.

“Though I do appreciate you reaching out to us, I still must wonder for what purpose we have all gathered here today.”

“If you let him speak, witch, you might find out,” Freya snapped and Scarlett glared at her. The Lynx had no problem meeting her glare with one of her own.

“And you say that men are territorial,” Alex said cheerily. Apparently amused by the hostility in the air. Elliott frowned at him. Not that he had put any instructions on who to bring but…

Leon made sense since he was the heir to his mother's position. Hamish Macrae is one of the few druids left who has been here for years, so the newly arrived Head Druid might want some advice from him. But Alex… Why was he here?

Elliott never got his answer so he just continued to speak with the others. “I have called you here to ask for your help.”

“Witches don’t meddle in shifter affairs,” said Scarlett and Freya snorted.

“So you claim but you Graycrests are not shy in sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

Elliott continued before this could escalate. He did not invite them to fight. “A rival alpha has come to compete for the spot as the next Patriarch.”

“So? How is this our problem?” Scarlett snorted and Leon grimaced at her disrespectful tone behind her back. Elliott did not envy his situation.

“It is when this Alpha intends to take back his turf and send anyone away that he doesn’t like.”

“And that would be…” The new Head Druid had been silent all through the exchange but now spoke up.

“Witches. Ronan Walsh isn't known to play well with them. A good witch, is a dead one according to him,” said Elliott.

“Though not preferable, it still sounds like a problem for your pack. My coven can defend itself if it comes to that,” Scarlett mused and gave Elliott a sweet smile that did not reach her eyes.

“Do you want war?” Elliott asked.

“When did I ever…”

“Read my lips, I want a clear answer. Do… you… want… war?”

Scarlett perused him and Elliott got a bad feeling. It seems that all was not well on the witches' side.

“I want the coven to be independent and that means putting some distance between my coven and the squabbles of the… shifters.”

That was not a clear answer but Elliott understood the message. They had no intention to help which was expected. Elliott just hoped that they would not work against him. He turned to the other two.

The Head Druid, Matthew Nottingwood, shook his head. “You won’t get my support. I have a clear policy to stay out of all external affairs no matter if it is the shifter or witch coven’s.”

“That was not your policy before. You were neutral but more than willing to wage for peace in our squabbles,” Elliott pointed out.

“That was Fingal Keir's policy and look what it got him. The Druid Coven is now scattered to the wind and our previous Head Druid is a criminal who abandons his way because of fear. We will need to go back to our roots when we lived like hermits to discover ourselves. Outside affairs can only defile us.”

Elliott frowned as he watched the new Head Druid talk with a calm face. This man speaks of the fears of Fingal Keir but has closed his own borders because of his own fears. Seems like the Druid Coven was far from dependable these days.

“Head druid… If this escalates we might be in danger. Shifters see no difference between witches and druids so…” Hamish began but Nottingwood interrupted him.

“Which is why we need to show them that there is a difference by putting some distance between us.”

“I will not force you to join us, Head Druid,” Elliott said politely and Nottingwood nodded gratefully. Elliott instead turned to his last hope, Freya.

“Mr. Lloyd was the one that suggested reaching out to the other shifters for aid. I do hope that it wasn’t in vain.”

Freya peered at Alex who nodded in approval before she turned to Elliott with a confident grin. “We are with you, Price. Let’s get this son of a bitch out of our turf.”

Elliott glared as that had gone far better than he thought. The fact is, it had gone too fast. Why did she glance at Alex? It couldn’t be… No, the other shifters prefer to be independent. They have no clear leader. Freya was the closes one and it had taken years for her to come into that position. A childlike Alex could not just come in and take it.

“So, I’m guessing that you will send over an emissary,” Freya said and Elliott gave her a smile and put his hand on Kai’s shoulder.

“Yes, we will.”

Kai took a heavy swig of the whiskey and Freya rolled her eyes muttering that they got the drunk.

“And what is your other brother going to do?”

Just as Freya said so, Jaxon ran past them and let out a rather silly squeal. “Blake!”

Jaxon embraced Blake and started to cuddle him while Blake blushed in a timid manner.

“Never mind,” Freya said and Elliott grabbed Kai’s whiskey to take a sip after listening to the two lovebirds chattering. He needed something strong for this.

“Jaxon, Blake! Focus!”

Blake was able to wiggle himself free from Jaxon’s embrace who in returned let out a whine.

“I’m sorry for being late. I got lost but Coney caught onto your scents,” Blake said and lifted up the cute little rabbit who wiggled his nose.

“I caught the smell of hormonal wolves, grumpy witches and cats!” the rabbit huffed and Freya stared at it like it was a ghost.

Blake peered at the group with a frown. “Did I bother you? Why am I here?”

“I concur! What is this… person doing here?” Scarlett huffed after wrinkling her nose like she caught the scent of something foul. Blake ignored her and sighted Leon. He was just about to walk over to him when he stopped as Leon shook his head and backed away.

Blake looked both hurt and confused. It didn’t help that Jaxon started to growl at him.

“Keep your pup in line, Price!” Scarlett snapped and Elliott hastily dragged Jaxon back.

”You are here as a representative, Blake.”

“For whom?”

“For the hedgewitches.”

“The what?” Blake looked even more lost.

“This is outrageous! The Harwens-“ Scarlett snapped but Elliott started to lose patience with her.

“As not been Hedgewitches for at least 200 years. No Hedgewitch would ever consider them one of them.”

“So you choose this boy instead?”

“No, I asked Pyramus as he is the only Hedgewitch in the district at the moment. He told me that he would send Blake as his representative. I quote, it will be good for the boy to experience a gathering of magical beings.”

“What about the Fae?” the Head Druid asked.

“They refused to come. They said that this world’s problems are not theirs.”

“Sounds like Fae, alright,” muttered Freya.

“You still haven’t told me what a Hedgewitch is!” said Blake.

Elliott sighed in dismay as he scratched his head. Why had Pyramus chosen a child who knew nothing about the magical world?

“Hedgewitches are witches that refused or aren’t allowed to be in a witch coven. The name is a mocking term used by other witches. Witches that hide in bushes, but the Hedgewitches made it their own and is now consider it a term for their freedom. Since you haven’t joined a coven, either druid or witch, then you are by default a Hedgewitch. Of course, that is only if you are human. If not then you are whatever race you belong to,” Elliott explained with patience.

“Sounds kind of like rebels,” said Blake and seem rather happy with the term.

“You are a badass rebel now, Blake!” said Jaxon and Blake turned red but had a silly smile on his face. Elliott could only roll his eyes and even heard Kai gag in the background.

“I’m delighted that you are pleased.”

“Then why am I here? I mean, why do I need to represent the Hedgewitches?”

“We have a bad fellow in town. Ronan Walsh wants to take over our turf,” Jaxon huffed,“ and we need help.”

“Ronan… Walsh? The guy who tried to kill Elliott?” Blake mused and Jaxon nodded eagerly. “And what do you want me to do?”

“Nothing, really. The Hedgewitches are too few or scattered to be of use but I still wanted to ensure that you were represented and most of all, warned of the incoming danger,” Elliott explained.

“Well, if you ever need help. Just ask. You helped me so much last semester and trusted me with your inner sanctum. If you need help, I will do it if it is in my power!” said Blake with a determined look on his face.

“Isn’t he amazing?” Jaxon sighed and got a slap on the back of his head from Kai as a reply.

“Surely, anyway. I need to figure out the scope of Walsh’s pack and would like to ask you other shifters to scout. I could send one of my own packs but-“ Elliott began saying before Alex chuckled from the back.

“But you already have one down. Not to mention that wolves aren’t known to be sneaky. Let us cats handle this.”

“Ronan Walsh has already tried to scout a lot of lynx shifters. It would be easy to send in a spy,” Freya said with a nod.

Scarlett huffed,” You animals will draw us all into war. Have you tried diplomacy?”

“He is here to fight, not talk. What could we possibly offer him to make him leave?” Elliott said and rolled his eyes.

“Speaking of war. I heard that your witches are trying to get Fingal Keir released. Along with putting the blame on this lad,” Freya said and pointed towards Blake. Blake looked up, apparently stunned by her claim, and turned his gaze towards Leon who refused to meet his eyes.

“What? Why haven’t I heard of this? Is this why a Justicar is skulking around our school?” Elliot said sharply and Scarlett looked at him with disregard.

“Fingal Keir was a victim. He should not be punished.”

“And what am I?” asked Blake and stared at Scarlett like she was a phantom of his imagination.

“The cause of all the problems,” Scarlett replied without hesitation.

“Well, as the representative of all Hedgewitches I say, fuck off. That man hurt my friends, cursed a wolf and tried to kill me because of some random fear for the druids to sacrifice him to save the World Tree. I might have done many things in my life that I’m not proud off but I will not be blamed for the actions of a madman!” Blake snapped and Jaxon growled at Scarlett to defend him. Kai had to pull him back again and glared at his little brother.

“You are already snogging the brat, no need to put on an act,” Kai scowled as Jaxon refused to stop glaring at Scarlett.

“Good on you, lad. But you are missing the point. A wolf was hurt because of Fingal Keir. Cursed. He had nothing to do with it but still was used as a tool. If the witches declare him innocent then the wolves will start a war,” Freya said and Elliott narrowed his eyes. He had a feeling that it was the point of this whole affair.

The Graycrests might be the top dogs before but since the war ended between the shifters and the witches, they have lost power to the Harwens. The Harwens were once hedgewitches and had a lot of mixed blood, which included Price blood. They became representatives from both sides and gain power as the will for peace between witches and shifters grew. If a war started again, Graycrests would once again regain that power and the Harwens would be cast out because of their mixed blood.

Though Elliott doubted that war was their goal, a tad of conflict could do the same for them. The Graycrests must be putting their bet on that the Price family would not declare war over one druid and just go after Fingal Keir for personal revenge. When that happen, the Graycrests would have ample reason to distant themselves from shifters which would make the Harwens lose power as well.

“And you witches say that we shifters are violent. You people merely use another weapon than the fist,” Elliott muttered before turning to Freya. “Ignore them. They have already stated that they will have no part in this.”

“But Fingal Keir-“

“Will be judged by a Justicar,” Elliott looked over at Blake,” who happens to rather like this one.”

Scarlett’s eyes immediately darted to Blake and suspicion rushed through her face. Apparently, she had not even considered that Blake had already met the Justicar.

“What-“

“Tell Idris Nemain that I said hello,” Blake hollered before turning to leave as Scarlett’s face turned into an array of color when her face when from white, green to red. Elliott would laugh at the situation but this was far from a humorous thing to laugh at.