Ch. 531..540
Chapter 0531
Elena and Gentry were right, the Oleander patch was not nearly as bad. The magic surrounding it was a soft pink and just like the wolfsbane it appeared friendly and inviting, but it sure attacked when we started to work against it. This time the images I saw were the guys, my brother, my friends and my team all finding their mates and moving on without me. The pain of being left behind and forgotten was almost as bad as the physical torture. The gold magic from Elena and Gentry and apparently me wrapped around everyone. All of the people surrounding the crop had their eyes closed. It seems that the pentagram is designed to personally attack me. I was able to see through the magic a little better this time though. Like the images plaguing my mind were flickering in and out of focus. No one else seemed to have images play in their minds while Elena and Gentry fight to contain the magic. It finds my deepest insecurities and plays on my emotions. I know this, I can see it like I am an outsider looking in, but I can't stop the feeling of dread that fills me, I can't fight it off or control it in any way. What will the other three points do to me? Just as the images start to take a more solid form and the feeling grows more intense, I can see the edges of my vision darken. It is trying to consume me and I don't know how to fight it. I am panting and I feel tears burn hit streaks down my cheeks, but I can't do anything to stop them. Cam has one of my hands, Oliver the other. This time Dakota is behind me, both arms wrapped around my waist holding me in place. A flash of electricity shoots up my spine and the blackness takes over.
I know that I told Jena and Sierra that I'm afraid of being mated to Cam, Oliver and Kota but I have also always thought of them as 'my guys' in my head and a possessive feeling takes over at the thought that they would have a mate that isn't me. They are mine. What is wrong with me?
When I woke up, sweating and weighed down, I looked around the familiar bedroom and had the vague thought of 'how did I get here' but the soft snores next to me told me exactly how I got here. When I tried to move again, I felt a tug on my waist.
"Sleep, Smalls. No moving for two more hours." I huff a laugh at Dakota's sleepy grumble.
When I take another deep breath in, I smell honey on my other side. What is Oliver doing next to me in the twins' bed? I can smell Cam though, on the other side of Dakota. Did they all sleep in here with me? I try adjusting again.
"Bitty, he said sleep and don't move. Not sure how that was unclear." Oliver laughs without opening his eyes.
"You both realize she's never done anything we've ever told her to do right?" Cam's comment makes me full on giggle, body shaking and all.
"Can I go to the bathroom at least? I'll come right back."
"NO!" All three of them state. It's not a yell, but there is no hesitation in their words.
"Everytime you get up to pee, you disappear and then bad sh*t happens." Kota shifts so we are on our sides and my back is to his chest. Oliver lays on his side to look at me.
"No it doesn't and I really need to go."
"It does and you are not going to go alone." Oliver gets up and holds his hand out to me.
I roll my eyes and take it. Kota lets me go, but makes a whining sound in his throat.
"I'll be right back. I'm too tired to go looking for more trouble. We have enough, don't you think?"
Oliver walks to the private bathroom, opens the door slowly, looks around and checks every possible hidden nook and cranny before letting me in. I have no idea what he is looking for. I pack that away to ask all of them when I get done. I'm not having a conversation while I'm on the toilet. It's weird enough that he is standing in the doorway. His back is to me, but if he turned his head to the side he would be able to see me and the whole bathroom.
Chapter 0532
"Why are you guys being weird?" I call over from the sink as I wash my hands.
"What do you remember this time? From the magic release, I mean." He lets me pass him and puts his hand on the small of my back, steering me towards the bed. Cam and Kota have switched spots. "Seriously. What is going on? Why are you guys playing musical sleeping spots?"
Oliver just pushes me forward as Cam reaches out for me, smiling. "It's my turn, get over here."
I lay on my back as Cam wraps his arm around my waist and nuzzles into my hair taking an audible deep breath in. Oliver slides in next to me, laying on his back, one arm behind his head, the other draped across his bare torso. How did I not notice that before? I think I might be blushing.
I clear my throat. "So, we're here and not at the hospital, that has to be a good sign right?"
"They tried, after the last time we said 'no' and told the healers to come here. We don't all fit in a hospital room..." Oliver grumbles.
"And frankly, we are getting tired of spending time there." Cam finishes in my hair.
"You kept mumbling 'don't leave me.' What did you see Smalls?
I chew on my bottom lip. Still avoiding the question I ask one of my own instead. "Did you guys see anything this time?" All three of them tense. Far too much time passes silently. "Guys! You're freaking me out. What happened?"
"I saw you walk off with a faceless douche-canoe. You were smiling at him like he hung the moon and just walked away." Dakota breathes out. I can hear his wolf grumble in his chest.
"I saw the same thing. You didn't even look back. You found a mate and it wasn't us. I thought I was going to throw up." He squeezes me tighter.
"Oliver?" I turn to look at him, but he
turns his head. I reach for his hand on his abs and try to keep my heart in check. "Telt me, please." I've never had to beg him for an answer before. He's always been the person to just tell me, even if it might hurt my feelings. He's never actively avoided answering me before and my heart starts to hurt albover. Maybe I will lose him like I saw. I sit up awkwardly since Cam won't let me go and turn my whole body to him. I lace our fingers together and give him a squeeze. I need to hear this.
"You're going to be the next Luna." He's still not looking at me. "You will have two Alphas to protect you. I'm just a Gamma, you won't need me.” He looks at me then and I can see unshed tears in his eyes. He releases my hand and crosses his arms over his massive chest looking down. He's my big protective, moody guy. He's never been cocky or arrogant, but he's also never been unsure of himself and he is now. I did that to him, even if it wasn't really me, some version of me has caused him pain.
"We don't know what is going to happen. It's just the magic fighting back."
"We have always joked about you being a Luna. You have always put everyone else first. You take on things that should be far too much for you, but you seem to always make things work after a ton of personal sacrifice." He looks up at me. "The saw you leaving, but I've seen you really leave and I don't know if I can go through that again."
"I'm here now okay. That's all I can say. The mate thing is something none of us have control over. We
need to go find Elena and Gentry, want to get rid of a third point before Cam and Kota's birthday. They mentioned something might be tied to when you guys come of age. I would like to have a majority control of the magic around here before that happens."
"Told you."
"Huh?"
"When you get up to pee, weird sh*t happens and you seem to like looking for it."
"Shut up Dakota."
"I like it when you use my whole name, Smalls." I just laugh.
"I'm going to shower and we are going to go look for trouble together.
Chapter 0533
Turns out trouble finds me more quickly than I want to admit. Everyone is downstairs in the formal dining room. We have actually turned it into our version of a war room from the warrior house. There are maps and lists everywhere. Nathaniel hung a large screen to show surveillance videos in here. When we walk in, all eyes fall on us and Jena is pale.
I rushed to her in an instant. "What? What happened?" I look around for my brother, thinking something might have happened to him while I was out cold. But, he's right there beside her. There's only one other thing that would put that look on her face. "What. Happened?"
I look around and my whole team looks sick, like physically ill. Everyone else is worried, I'm sure, based on their reactions.
"We found something early this morning on patrol near the spot where we got Gentry back." Wyatt starts, but doesn't go on right away.
"Seriously! Somebody start talking now!" Every bad emotion I have is running through my body right now. Fear, anger, dread, shame. What could they have possibly found that would make every single person in this room look like they have seen a ghost?
"You got a delivery." Lil says, pushing a white box at me. I'm going to f*cking kill him and shove these white boxes down his throat. Anger surges through me.
"WHOA, Bitty. Take a breath.
"We got another box of who knows whose body parts and you're telling me to take a breath?!?" I turn and yell at Oliver.
"No, I'm telling you to take a breath because you might set the house on fire."
"WHAT!" I yell, How can he make jokes right now? Dakota is the one for jokes, not him.
"Baby, take a breath, please. I would hug you, but I'm kind of afraid right now." Now, Kota decides to step in.
"What are you talking about?"
"Look at your hands, Bitty." I look down.
"What the f*ck is happening?!" I looked surprised and scared. My hands are on fire. I can't feel it, but they are on fire. The flames are licking up my arms, but I can't feel a thing. I'm not even warm. "Is it just my hands?" I look at Oliver, he will tell me the truth.
"Uh, your eyes are red and glowing, but your hands are the only thing on fire."
"New power unlocked."
"Shut up Sam." My brother smacks him upside the head and I laugh. I let the anger go and laugh.
"No! Sam, keep it up. Whatever stupid you have going makes her happy. It's calming her down." Lil points to me and I look down too. The flames are receding.
I can feel myself calming down, but,
"What the actual f*ck was that?! I
catch fire now?!?! Is this common or some other bullsh*t reserved just for me?" I run my fingers through
hair and take a deep breath. "Are my eye's normal at least?" I look to Oliver again. He's my go-to for straight answers.
"Yeah, Bitty, your stormy gray is back." He gives me a half smile.
"Fine, add it to the list of things somebody is explaining to me later. What's in the box?" Lil slides it towards me. "And how do you know it's for me?"
"We think they have all been for you Sky." Kyle says from the corner of the room.
I reach for it and flip the top. I know there's a body part of some kind in here. I can smell the blood. It's not anyone I know, but it's still familiar somehow. I take a deep breath and Cam, Dakota and Oliver are at my side in an instant.
"It's the Luna's hands...from the first drop two years ago. The fingers where the mark from the Luna ceremony were in the first package we received. It was the first contact we had from... Who sent this?" "There's a card." Lil slides a white cardstock rectangle towards me. The edges are purposefully frayed and there is a gold border embossed, like an invitation or announcement.
I picked it up and read out loud. 'It's time we finished what we started. I'm ready for my Luna to come home.'
"What the f*ck does that mean? You're our Luna, no one else can have you. Who else thinks they can have you?"
Jena and I say it together looking right at each other. "Mike."
"We need to get the rest of these pentagram points taken care of. He's coming."
"And he seems to be coming for you." Cameron growls, wrapping an arm around my waist.
I look at Gentry and Elena. "What can we do? This is taking so long. I pass out after every clearing. How do I do better?"
"You are already doing everything
you can. You take on the full power
of the spell. It is literally filtering
through your body while we
transform the spell to something we can use. We can't push you any further, you are barely healing as it is? Elena looks concerned.
"It's not enough, we need to get these last three before Mike gets here and I have a feeling he has gone off the reservation. If he was working for the Rogue King, he isn't any more, or he's working some side agenda. He's crazy, but I'm sure he will attack around Cam and Kota's birthday. We have to prepare for that to be the attack day.
Chapter 0534
I take a deep breath collecting my thoughts and I look down at the box again. "What the hell?" I say more to myself. I only saw and smelled the Luna's hands at first and I was so angry I missed the rest of the package contents and I want to throw up.
"That's how we knew it was for you." Jena whispers.
"What is she talking about, Tiny. What makes this yours?" Cam grips my waist drawing my attention.
"The rest is mine." I whisper, just staring at it trying to remain in control. This will not make me spiral, I will not let him have control anymore, but that small part of my brain that holds onto my scared little girl self wants to fall into the abyss of pain and cry.
"What do you mean 'yours?"" Dakota asks.
"That is a piece of my shirt that was ripped in a struggle and those are my shackles." I signal with a head tilt. My things are nestled underneath the dismembered hands of the two unknown Lunas. If someone hadn't taken a closer look I probably wouldn't have noticed them either, even with my sense of smell. My scent is all over the packhouse, so it wouldn't have registered right away that my scent is also in the box. I take another breath and look at Jena. I haven't touched the box and I won't, I will not spiral again because of Mike, he can't have my thoughts anymore. My wolf and I just keep repeating the mantra. "Are you okay?" I ask her like we are the only people in the room. She shrugs.
"Are you?"
"No, but when have I ever been?" She smiles at my question, it's small but genuine. "What's the plan? We need to get ahead of this now." I look at everyone in the room.
"She's right. It would make the most sense to attack when the twins come of age. They have been forced into the Alpha position early so they will have a weak point at the time of their actual birth when the full transition takes effect. You're going to have your hands full Mateo." My dad looks at my brother and I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing. Did he just say I was right? Where the hell has this guy been my whole life? Oh, yeah, that's right. I didn't matter until everyone was told I'm supposed to be the next Luna. Now I matter. And one of my mentors is his second chance mate. Dick. But I will also take all the help I can get.
I take another deep breath in and try to stay calm. Apparently I can't hide when I'm angry anymore. I burst into literal flames. The thought of shooting a fireball at my dad, like in a video game, crosses my mind and it makes me smile.
"What has that look on your face, Smalls? Cause it's cute and scary all at the same time." Dakota whispers in my ear.
"I was wondering if I could shoot fireballs now."
"Of course you were."
It doesn't escape me that several people in this room have called me 'the next Luna.' I wonder if Ava said something or if they know something I don't. Even the twins are acting like we're mated. I didn't miss Dakota's 'baby' comment before. I shake my head. It doesn't matter, there is a whole year before any of that has any reason to matter anyway, we have a pack to save.
"What can we do about the last three points? They need to go. I want to go attack the Belladonna now and remove any other love spells that might be lingering." I try not to look at the guys at all. My focus is on Gentry and Elena. Yes, the thought of Kaley still having some kind of hold on them makes my blood boil and I know it's jealousy, but I will never admit that out loud. But she is no leader, she's no Luna, no matter where she goes. She isn't designed to take care of a pack, let alone mine. She needs to be stopped. Her dad, wherever the hell he is, needs to be stopped. We have a hierarchy for a reason and not everyone can handle being at the top. "Is there any more grounding or focus work I can do while you are casting now that I kind of understand what the magic will do to fight back? I mean there's four of us standing at the head of the protection circle. What else can we do?" I don't hesitate to volunteer Cam, Oliver and Dakota for the job, they are leaders now too, they can take some of this burden.
Chapter 0535
They both look at me with concern and I think they are going to fight me pushing this. I know it's going to be hard, but when has anything I have ever done not been hard? Never. Obviously, I was designed more like a cat than a dog and we are going to use all nine of my lives before this is over.
Somehow I think they are having a private conversation, but I didn't think witches could mindlink. Maybe they can, now that they are very clearly mated to werewolves.
"We can help you with some grounding, as well as your young men. We can be ready in an hour to take you to the Belladonna, if you are sure." Gentry asks. She's never really asked me if I wanted to do anything. That should be a red flag, but it's not.
I nod. "Bring stuff for the hemlock too." Her and Elena's eyes go wide. "I won't force anything, but if I can handle it I want to try. If I do not pass out, we will get these done. We need to prep for a fight and no one can focus with this sh*t hanging over us. I want control of my pack back. We don't know if Mike is on his own. Maybe he's a distraction for the Rogue King, we need to be ready for both of them. Let me do this." They both nod again. "Go eat, and I mean really eat. You will need your strength. Give us some time and we will gather what we need and come gather you when we are ready." Gentry looks over my shoulder. "She does not leave this packhouse. She needs food and water and rest, but so do you three if we are going to make you a part of the conduit."
"Yes ma'am." All three say in the creepy twin speak. When did Oliver pick that up?
We all parted ways and the guys were true to their word to Gentry. We sat, we ate and they would not let me do anything. But no one made me go upstairs and try to sleep, so I guess that's a win. Conversation was almost nonexistent as we all sat outside looking at our forever fire until Lil sat forward.
"What are they doing with the magic? I mean I know we are breaking the evil Kaley-b*tch spell, but there is still magic around the pack, right? What are they doing exactly? Do you know Midge?"
"I have an idea, but it's above my training to be able to give you a full tutorial. They are using me and basically the guys to take the spell and shift it into a protection spell. The same as the way Mike's works, but less of a life detriment. We are all a part of it so someone would literally have to kill off every single person around the spell circle in order to break it and even then as long as our DNA is alive in someone somewhere the spell will be in effect. It will not forcibly bind anyone else to it. This is our burden to bear."
"Oh damn. You really thought this through didn't you?"
"Yes and no. I can't take all credit, just
all tieshift of the binding. We aret
this pack in one
another, it made the most sense."
"Wait? Does that mean I'm in your pack now? What about Wyatt and Nathaniel? They haven't been in the circle thing."
"They have been our sentinels during the spell, they are tied too."
"So much for having a choice when I was done with my time in the Elites." She laughs at me.
"Like you were going to go anywhere else. How's your arm, by the way? Still itching?"
"Yeah, but it comes and goes. I'm not due to lose it until the end of this summer, so maybe this is normal?" She raises an eyebrow. "What am saying? I'm teamed up with you, of course it isn't normal." She smacks herself in the forehead and we all laugh.
"You aren't wrong." Sierra laughs and leans over to hug me. The guys have been trying, almost successfully, to give us space.
I think the mated ones can sense
danger and are having a hard time being too far from their mates. The rest as a group are and have always been protective so they are here standing watch over all of us.
"It's time." Gentry's deep voice is both calming and authoritative all at once.
Chapter 0536
We load up, this has become second nature already, and head to the Belladonna patch in the Northeast corner of the island. The forest here is so lush and green. I don't normally run this part of the patrol. We don't tend to get a lot of ocean based attacks so we patrol here, but it is light. I instantly love it here though. The sun is shining through the trees and I can see the individual rays that are sliced by the branches. As I look out the window I see a clearing, similar to the first two. The Belladonna is another beautiful plant With deep indigo blue purple flowers that look like little bells. I haven't been able to wrap my mind around such beautiful things causing so much pain and sorrow. But I guess it isn't the plants, it's the casters taking the plants abilities and bending them to evil tendencies.
We all walk out knowing our positions by now. This time Oliver is to my left, Cam is on my right and Dakota is behind me. It's so funny how they can interchange their rolls in this and I don't feel uncomfortable at all. Gentry is talking, but I don't listen. I feel a little bad for that, but I am already locked in on the magic. The dark blue is like paint floating in water. There is no shimmer to it at all, but it is beautiful all the same. I have been forced into my worst memories and my worst fear. I wonder what I will endure today? I think knowing that it's going to attack me personally helps. I won't be blindsided necessarily. I just never know what it is going to do.
The chanting begins and the magic swirls. This is thicker than the last two and more sluggish to move, but it does, reluctantly. I watch the magic and see the fuzzy images start to form in front of me this time. I am watching as if they were on TV in front of me not consuming my whole focus.
The blue haze floats along the ground and I see fighting. Wolves and humans alike are fighting everywhere. Some faces I recognize, but others I don't and yet feel a pull to protect them. I want to save all of these people from the fight they are being forced into. No one wants to be here, I can feel it. I see a man, absolute fear in his eyes as he attacks a wolf twice his size. They battle for mere moments before the wolf rips out his throat. Another woman is fighting a faceless warrior for her life. He sends a bone cracking punch to her face and she hits the ground hard and does not move again. I am stuck, powerless to help any of them. I am watching all of these people die for someone else's self centered cause. I can feel the hot tears running out of my eyes, but I can't look away. They all deserve to be seen if I can't help them. I will watch each one of them fall and carry that memory with me forever. The scene shifts and what I see stops my heart. Sierra on the ground, eyes open, not moving. Sam,not two steps away from here with the same look. Lil, Wyatt, Nathaniel, Mateo, Jena all in heaps on the ground. I don't know if any of them are alive. A hulking figure stalks towards me. I can't see his face under a large hood pulled down to his nose, but I know it's the Rogue King, that's the only person who could bring this kind of destruction. His walk is labored and it takes me way too long to figure out why.
He is dragging something behind him, making the walk slow and fumbling. I am ready to fight, there is no way I am getting out of this without one. When he stops, he drops three ropes at my feet. No words are spoken, but I don't need them. My guys are bound at the wrists, arms over their heads, bleeding from more points than I can count. Oliver's eyes are open and I let out a wail. He can't be... He's always just been there and been solid and dependable...No. Cam's eyes are closed, but his neck is at an odd angle. I want to sink to my knees, but I can't even do that, my body is frozen. Dakota looks like someone dragged their claws over his body over and over again. Who would do something like that?
I let out a yell of pain. I can feel my body heating up and I hear a low rumble of laughter. "It's just a matter of time, my special girl, then you will be mine. Right where you were meant to be. And as you can see, no one can stop me."
Chapter 0537
I blink and the figure is gone, but the people on the ground remain surrounded by the velvety dark blue ink swirling just off the ground unchanging, motionless. "I got you Smalls."
"Take a deep breath Bitty."
"Come on Tiny, some back to us."
I hear the words, but I can't believe them. I'm still staring at their unmoving forms. It's their voices in my head because I want to hear them so badly. I can feel pressure on my arms, but I can't look down. Why can't I move? This isn't right. Something is off. I focus back on my three guys lying on the ground, but their voices are all around me.
"That's it, blink, look at us, focus, Tiny."
"We're right here." I feel hands on my cheeks, but no one is there. What is happening? Is the Rogue King using magic to disorient me? Magic. Wait, what was I doing before this? Magic, Gentry and Elena were doing magic. I'm part of the spell. It's not real. But, if it isn't real why can't I look away? I can't turn off the vision. I try to pull away.
"No, Bitty. Stay here. Don't move. Breathe. Listen."
"Tiny, let me have some of the fear. Let us help you." Dakota is talking to me, but he can't be. He's in front of me shredded and not moving. "I'm here, let me help." I feel arms tighten around my waist and my back is flush with a broad taught chest. I take a breath in. Cinnamon. I smell Dakota right behind me. "That's it, Smalls. Let us help."
I lean back, I hope my instincts are right. This whole thing is so strange I have two realities going on. The one I can see and the one I can hear and I can't make the two match up.
"We're still here Bitty. Think and look, control it. See past the illusion."
"I can't" It's all I can whisper.
"Yes, you can, Tlny. We're here, feel it." I can feel large fingers lacing with mine and then squeezing tight, almost painfully.
"What is taking so long?" Someone behind me growls in question.
"This one seems to have more layers, multi purpose. This is one being used to control you boys as well as whatever illusions have been keeping everyone under control. There is a lot to unpack. Skylar, I need you to fight this with us. Wherever you see, whatever is causing you pain right now, look through it, see through the illusion. Find the truth. This one is for you to break."
So, no pressure or anything. Why can't I just have regular lessons from regular instructors? Why is everything thrown at me and learn as you go? I can't seem to open my mouth to make words come out. She said see through the illusion. I can hear Oliver and Cam talking to me. I know Dakota is behind me, his arms around me. So he can't be the bloody mess in front of me. I focus on that. I tilt my head back. He's still there, his chest is supporting my head. His heartbeat is fast though. Does he see what I see? Or maybe his version of his loved ones dying? I breathe deep, warm, spicy Cinnamon. I squeeze my right hand still laced with Cam's. My left is engulfed by Oliver's. I flex those fingers too. Another deep breath, Honey and Citrus join the mix. They are here with me not on the ground. I can see the navy mist start to thin. I see Sierra and Sam, then Lil and Jena and Mateo. All my friends are looking at me with varying degrees of worry. The vision tries to pull me back in and it hurts, like ice burning my skin it prickles everywhere and I struggle to hold my focus, but if this is on me and I want to end this I have to fight.
I take a deep breath and let the scents around me solidify my strength. I think about containing the evil magic that has been forced onto these beautiful plants. I imagine a glass bubble and siphon the navy mist inside where it can't harm anyone else. My breathing is tabored and I am sweating now, but it is working. The visualization is helping me clear my vision. The whole clearing is in my view now. One more surge of ice shoots down my spine, through my heels and into the
ground and then my body collapses.
"Damn, Smalls." Dakota picks me up, but for the first time since we started doing this, I am awake.
"Great work Little One. You are tired and I am sure the Hemlock will be much of the same. Do you still want to try?" Gentry is close to me now. When did she walk over here?
"F*ck no, she's not trying another one." Cam sounds appalled. "Look at her, she can't even stand."
"I am looking at her, Alpha. This is the first time she has come out of the spell conscious and she dispelled this one herself. This is her decision to make, not yours or mine and I will respect either choice as will you."
"We have to."
"Bitty are you sure? That one was rough."
"But not as rough as the first two
and I'm starting to figure out the
magic. We only have a few more days and these have to go before we can deal with the fire back at the pack house. I'm okay, I will probably pass out and need you three to carry me home and snuggle with me, but if we all expect it then we can deal with it." I touch his cheek with my palm and he leans into it. I don't totally understand this shift in our relationship, but I'm just going to go
with it.
"You're always going to give her what she wants aren't you?" Cam asks from next to me and I smile a little.
Oliver looks at me and winks. "Probably."
Cam growls again as Dakota silently turns and walks back to the truck. We don't get in the front seat though. He somehow maneuvers into the backseat without putting me down. Cam slides in near my head and Oliver slides in, laying my feet in his lap. Sierra and Sam jump in the front seats, like this is totally normal.
"Sleep Smalls, we have about an hour to get to the next spot." I nod my head and lay back onto Cam's lap.
I roll on my side so I am facing his stomach and let his warmth and scent surround me. He starts to run his fingers lightly through my hair. Dakota's warm hand slides under my shirt and rubs circles into my back and Oliver has my legs tucked up into him. With their warmth and scents and the gentle sway of the truck, I am out in no time.
When they wake me up, I feel completely refreshed. Without words we all step out of the truck and start the process over. This time Cam is behind me, Oliver to my right and Dakota to my left.
Chapter 0538
Sitting around our never ending fire later that night, I am tucked into Cam's lap fighting sleep, but I don't want to go up to the room yet. If I go then they will all follow and I have been avoiding facing this all day. "Well, one more to go Little Bit. Do you think you can handle that tomorrow? That will give us two full days to mess around with this fire. We need to figure it out. I still don't totally understand what you are doing with the pentagram plants either, but I do know I feel better and you have never done anything bad to me...well except that time you beat my take down time..."
"Oh and she beat you at capture the flag..." Sierra helpfully points out.
"Do you remember the time she beat you at Martha's eating all those pancakes." Mateo laughs.
"Fine I take it back, you beat me at everything and do it graciously, so I still trust you. Better?" He asks the six of us still hanging out.
"I feel better today. I am tired, but it's nothing like breaking down the first two. I think the spells were stronger on the first two, but as the magic weakens the effects are still strong and hard to deal with." I told them about what I saw today as the magic fought me and reluctantly I told them about the other two crops' reactions. I'm trying to hear what the guys told me the other day. Even Oliver, who sees me and basically knows what I'm thinking at all times, said I keep a lot of things to myself. I really wanted to throw up at the looks on their faces, but I told them every detail of the visions I got. "I don't know if I will be ready to battle with the magic tomorrow, but I do want to train. I feel like I'm so off and I just need to run or something. I just need to move."
"I'm sure they could move you around plenty." Sierra laughs at me
"Shut up!" I take that as my cue and stand up. I need to leave before any more s*xual innuendos start. "Wouldn't matter anyway. I don't work like that right now." I say flippantly walking inside the house before anyone else can add their two cents.
I make it to the stairs when a voice stops me. "Skylar, can we talk?" I freeze, one foot hovering over the first stair. I set my foot back on the landing but didn't make a move to turn around though. I take a deep breath, I have to still be in some part of the magic induced dream. "I wanted to know how you felt about my being mated to Elena."
"You have never cared for my thoughts or opinions before. They don't matter now. The Moon Goddess decided you needed each other and now she's here." I go to move again, but his words stop me. "She never would have entered our pack if it weren't for you. So I owe you a thank you at the very least."
"Umm...accepted. I'm going to go to bed now. We still have work to do."
"No, wait. Don't go. Not yet. How are you doing? With all of this, I mean?"
I finally turned around to face him and tilt my head like a confused dog. I couldn't help myself. Who the hell is this guy?
"No."
"What do you mean 'no?""
"Let me be perfectly clear then. No, you do not get to ask me how I am when I didn't matter for the first sixteen years of my life. You now see what and who I am, so now you care. You are too late to make up for any of that. I have a job to do. Stay close to Elena and keep her protected, she is important to me." I turn to move up the stairs. Cam, Kota and Oliver are standing there waiting in silence for me.
Like always, they follow my lead and
say nothing to my dad. I can't believe he wants to talk to me now. I mean, I guess I can. Having a mate changes your whole world according to Sierra and Jena said that even she feels less angry just being around Mateo. So why not let my dad have his happily ever after? But, most of the sh*t I dealt with was because of or encouraged by him. He didn't include me in anything unless he had to. I don't owe him anything. I just roll my eyes as we make it to the second floor landing.
On instinct I move to the bedroom I share with Lil and start to search the door. Oliver was right and he shouldn't be the only person looking for the bundles of herbs. I'm too short to reach the top of the door with even my hand, but Oliver
doesn't let me struggle
long and he comes over to help. Nothing. Hah? The twins find nothing over Wyatt and Nathaniel's rooms either. I haven't seen Kaley for a little while either though. That can't be a coincidence, but I don't think about it too long. I need to sleep and Sam is right. I have to get the last crop so we can look into this fire pit.
Nothing out of the ordinary plagues us over the next two days and we were able to get rid of the
Wormwood, which it turns out is a hallucinogenic as well as a fire element. Gentry thinks it was the last crop to be incorporated into the spell and most likely allowed the forever fire to start. What we don't know for sure is if this will weaken
the fire. Once it was started, it is
going to be the hardest thing to put out or transform.
My wolf has been quiet in my head. I know that she's still there, but she has been taking on as much magic as I have and she feels tired, but not weak. As I'm standing around the fire with Elena and Gentry talking through all of the magic that we had to dispel and what we could possibly be going against Nathaniel comes running out breathing heavily.
"Sh*t's going down. I think they know we shut down their spells."
Chapter 0539
We scramble. I don't look back at the witches, I know they can handle themselves and have a completely different way of handling situations like this. I run out the front door and shift as I leap off the porch. My wolf and I pull from an energy I didn't know we had left in us. Our pack is under attack and this is what we are here for.
****They're early!"*** Lil shouts over our mindlink, and to my surprise Cam answers.
***"Are you really surprised though? We knew this was coming."***
***"That doesn't piss me off any less. I was hoping for fashionably late. You know, like when you guys are full Alphas, Midge has discovered all of her superpowers, things like that. Speaking of, Midge, have you figured out how to shoot fireballs out of your hands yet? That would be super helpful right about now."***
***"No, but I will make sure to stand close to enemies when I'm getting pissed off and I can just explode around them."*** She laughs at me.
***" Just remind me to not stand to close, that sh*t was scary."*** Wyatt barks out. "I wonder if Mike was able to detect that with his blood tests?"
***"Probably not. Midge is a phenomenon even science can't explain. I'm surprised Doc Sylvia's head hasn't exploded yet!"***
***"Shut up, I'm not that weird. You make me sound like a freak."***
***"Boss, even I think you are scary."
"***
***"Do you always have running commentary while you are heading into a fight?"*** Mateo asks.
***"YES!"*** My whole team, including me, responds laughing.
***"How do you focus?*** He sounds skeptical.
***"When you fight ninety percent of the time, this is how we focus. It's not a big deal. This is how we group and keep our heads, keeps everyone calm."*** Lil explains like it should be common knowledge. ***"What do you guys do to get your heads in the fight?"***
***"Seeing as we are not career fighters and assassins. We don't have a pre-fight ritual. Although that sounds like something we should circle back to."*** Sam laughs at her.
***"Oh goody, newbies. I love fresh meat!"*** Lil cackles like the twisted person she really is. War and fighting brings out a new side of everyone. This is usually someone's true nature. How you fight and react in a fight can tell a lot about a person.
I can hear footfalls through
everyone's thoughts. I have access
to all of them and now my team, my found family, seems to be
Bovene?
connected to the family I was born I into, Lean't even unpack the emotions running through me right now. So I do what I always do and
stuff that sh*t down for later.
***"Nathaniel, talk us through this. We are going in blind and you know how much I hate that sh*t!"***
***"On, it, boss. We just got hits from every sensor we set up on the entrance perimeter. About five minutes ago, nothing since. Predicting at least fifty, but you would have a better idea of numbers."***
***" Jena, what do you think about numbers? I never got a good look, but I can guarantee this isn't the first wave of fighters if this is Mike. He likes multi step plans with options."***
***"There's no way he only has fifty. Do you have eyes on any of them Nathaniel?"***
***"I do now. All wolves. I count two dozen. More coming in. Updates on the regular."*
"***
***"WHAT THE F*CK DOES THAT MEAN?!"*** Sam yells at us.
***"Code Baby, just find wolves that aren't pack and take them out. We'll explain later."*** Sierra laughs at him.
We finally make it to the Western
border where our little peninsula
meets the mainland. I can see
wolves running at us. They made it across our borders. I'm sure they
figured out or were told our patrolet
routes and wanted to give
el.i
themselves as much advantage as possible. I would do the same in their shoes. We put on a burst of speed. I want this over as quickly as possible. If Mike wants to attack us, I need to draw him out and he is a lazy f*ck. He will send everyone he can in first to tire us out and then step in acting all high and mighty like he did anything.
I collide with a large gray and white wolf. He underestimates me because of my size and doesn't try to submit me right away. We are all snapping jaws and flying claws, but my wolf is faster and better trained. It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to subdue him. He is bleeding
everywhere from scratch t
and bite
marks, there is no way he will heal. Even with our enhanced abilities. He deserves to die, but I won't leave him bleeding out like this either, so my wolf rips his throat out ending his existence.
These wolves are fast, but not coordinated and their eyes look a little wild, almost like they are drugged.
Chapter 0540
***"Anyone else notice the look in their eyes?"*** I call out taking out another wolf as I move in the direction they all came from. I am on a mission to find Mike. He may not fight alongside his warriors, but he is never too far from the fight so he can take credit.
***"They're all bloodshot. What's up, Bitty?"***
***"Not sure, but be on the lookout. They could be enhanced and be a problem or they could be poisoned and under mind control."***
***"It's probably both, Midge. And whoever is controlling them isn't very good at it or doesn't give a sh*t what actually happens to them."*** Wyatt grunts out, still fighting.
***"We still taking them out, Midge? Or are you going to try and save everyone?"***
***"I don't think we can save them. We have to assume..."*** A huge wolf barrels into me knocking me to my side. What the f*ck?! All the air was knocked out of my wolf's lungs and it hurts, but I don't think any major damage was done. We look over, but all I see are wolves fighting.
Several more of our warriors have joined the fight.
***"TINY!!! What happened? I lost sight of her. Anyone see her?"***
I try to say something, but it's hard to talk even through mindlink. That hit was harder than I thought. I tried again, but we must have hit our head. I can hear my wolf fine, but the mind link is fuzzy. She tells me to try magic. I have no idea 'how' to do that, but instincts have me trying whatever I can at this point. I focus on Oliver. He is the closest and can usually sense magic with me.
***"Something's wrong. I can't talk to her, but I can feel her. Bitty, where are you?"***
I reach out more, but I can feel the fight closing in around me. We are so dazed, standing seems like a hard task.
***"Got her!!! Don't move Bitty, you have something sticking out of your side."***
***"We're coming to you!"*** Dakota shouts and I look wildly at Oliver, hoping he understands.
***"NO! She's the distraction. Take these f*ckers out. She'll be good in a couple minutes."
Oliver shifts into all his glorious nakedness and leans down to my wolf's side.
***
"Somehow they get a needle in you, Bitty. Probably the standard cocktail for you at this point. But, I don't know why it didn't force you to shift. That seems strange."
He pulls whatever needle out of my
side and I can feel relief immediately flood my whole body. Thank you Moon Goddess for the bonus speed healing. My wolf wimpers just in time to warn Oliver of a wolf jumping at him. He spins and manages to roll us both out of the way, then he sifts to take on this new wolf. MyWolf shakes her head again and we can feel our paws again. We stand up wobbly, but now I wonder If I should fight in human form so I can at least communicate. That was probably the reason for this concoction, cut me off from my team, but didn't allow me to shift and use my human form.
We keep fighting. The wolves seem to come in waves, slow and steady. I was right about wearing us down. We need to do something, my warriors need this to end or we won't survive. I take a chance and risk pissing off every person that I love.
I shift to my human form and shout. "MIKE, YOU COWARD, COME OUT AND FIGHT ME YOURSELF!"
Then a wolf, that can't even be my
age runs at me, terror in his eyes. He
is being forced to do this. He is a
child. None of the adults we have been fighting all day wanted to do this either, but they are adults and more than likely joined Mike because of whatever lies he told them. This kid doesn't want to do this and his clumsy movements are probably him fighting the command.
I am going to kill this motherf*cker with my bare hands. Then I feel it, my hands are warm, it doesn't hurt, but I can tell I am all flamed up right
now and as this kid reaches me, nda's swipe at his side and he yelps, but he isn't burned, just knocked sideways. He stood up shaking his gray and russet colored fur. His eyes have changed though, they are a brilliant blue. No longer the confused red.
***”GET THESE WOLVES TO ME!!! This weirdass fire in my hands breaks them out of whatever command they are under."***
I keep going with my instincts and make a circle. All the crop patches were circles. There was a circle around Mike's pentagram. I am clearly fireproof so we can just force them through. Maybe we don't have to kill anymore innocent people today.