Rescued By The Beta

Chapter 18

CLAIRE

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at Trisha’s statement. While Jordan happens to be a jerk, saying he killed his mate was a statement I didn’t believe. To be fair, witches can’t phantom the depth of connection and bond that we werewolves share with our soul-mates. Therefore she’s more likely to believe those rumours.

“You shouldn’t believe in rumours like that, Trisha. Besides, he’s only writing to me in regards to our conversation at the meeting. I will be giving it to Hunter.” I brushed past her, heading for Jet’s study.

Before reaching there, I looked over my shoulder to make sure she was gone, then retraced my steps back to the bedroom to take a look at the letter. After reading the note, I wrote mine back, informing him I have hired a tracker.

I also added that he met with me at the location Killian had given me, except earlier so we could meet first. If everything goes according to plan, I should have Gianna at my mercy. I gave the letter to a passing servant to pass it to one of the messengers.

Left with nothing else to do while I wait for Jordan’s response, I went in search of Trisha. I found her in the garden, sitting in the middle of a clearing. Watching her try to reconnect with nature to reawaken her dormant abilities made me feel sorry for her.

I couldn’t imagine sacrificing a big part of myself for someone else. Clearing my throat to alert her, she still didn’t flinch or react to suddenly sensing another appearance that hadn’t been there before. I sat down next to her as she opened one of her eyes to look at me.

“Do you think this is going to work? I mean feeling the plants and trying to reconnect with them which is alright, if you’re training to be a healer instead.” I pointed out, my lips parting in surprise when a strong breeze blew over the plants as she moved her hand over it.

“My powers come from nature.” She informed me, a statement I have heard her say in the past. “Which is why I know my way around the traditional practice of medicine. I draw my power from the earth itself, the only time I went beyond that was when I helped Freya’s transition. I used the sky as a source of power, it was a new territory for me and I paid with my connection to magic.”

“Sophie’s powers are different.” A shiver passed through me at the thought of her. The things she could do were limitless, and I still couldn’t believe Jet had her trapped somewhere in the dungeon.

Trisha nodded in agreement, dusting herself from the ground. “Sophie practices witchcraft that was forbidden during our time in the coven. Her spells use living creatures as a source. The stronger the creature, the more powerful the spell.”

I never considered Trisha useful in my quest for revenge against Heather because I believed she was useless without her powers. Regardless of that, she was still a witch, who knows about witches and their abilities. If I’m going to take Heather down, then I’m going to need her.

Resting a hand on her shoulder, I smile a little. “I believe you will reawaken those powers of yours. It’s you Trisha, you always figure something out.”

“I believe so— ” her words end on an abrupt note as a smile suddenly overtakes her face. “Freya is back!”

The words had barely left her out when she started hurrying out of the garden. I followed her wondering how she was able to move so much faster with her long skirts while I was wearing pants. Plus she’s a witch and werewolves are known to be quick on their feet.

True to her words, Freya was just getting out of the car when I arrived at the scene. She was wearing a black fitted pants, with a matching black top with a heart neck line. Around her neck, a single necklace draped around it.

“Trisha!” She beamed, closing the distance between them to give the witch a hug.

“How I have missed you!” Trisha responded as they broke apart.

Freya turned to her side, catching sight of me where I stood. Her smile grew even wider as she approached me, eyes filled with unshed tears. Unmoved by any of it because I would rather not have her touch me.

“Claire… Oh my god, it’s really you.” With her arms wide open, she leaned in for a hug.

In a desperate attempt to avoid being touched by her, I hurried towards Hunter who was coming back from the dungeon. Uncaring about the rogue blood mixed with his scent, I cling to his arm, pressing my body to his side.

Probably wondering what the hell was wrong with me, he followed the direction of my gaze until it landed on Freya, Kale and her maid. Pulling me along, he approached them.

“Freya…” Much to my annoyance, Hunter pressed his mouth at the back of her hand before pulling her into a hug.

I let go of him as my claws digged into my palms, drawing out blood. However, I was ambushed by Kale hugging me before I even knew what was going on. Forgetting the fact that my mate was fine interacting with a human, I hug Kale back.

“Lady Claire…” Hazel gasped, pointing at the dripping blood-stain on my hands, attracting the others' attention to it.

At least that pulled Hunter’s attention away from Freya to examine my hands. “Come with me, we better put some medicine on that before it gets infected.” He ushered me into the house, and I realize I will have to keep the injury open by stabbing myself with my claws over and over again so I don’t heal up before we make it to the bedroom.

Back in our bedroom, I sat on the bed while Hunter rushed in to get the face aid kit from the bathroom. He returned within minutes and bent down in front of me, to clean up the wounds. Each time he looks away to grab another cotton wool, I extract my claws and drag it across the injury again.

“f**k! You’re bleeding so much.” He hissed, glancing at my face to see if I was in pain.

I couldn’t fake pain because he would sense I was lying but there was something else I could pretend about— my lack of it. “I have become so immune to pain, my body must have been pushed beyond a limit I cannot even imagine.”

He went completely still, and I felt the pure rage radiating from him. My gaze snapped to him, it was the exact kind of rage I need to make myself stronger. He stood up, taking a couple of steps back.

I could tell he wanted to punch something so bad at the way he was clutching his fists. Sweeping my hair back from my face, I approached him. Catching him off guard by pressing my lips to his, taking in all his rage and leaving him with nothing

but pleasures.

His hands tightened around my hips, pulling me impossibly closer to his heated body. My heart races and flips in my chest, melting into the familiar sensation of having his mouth on mine.

Oh goddess! I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy kissing him, having his clumsy-can’t-get-enough of her hands whenever he touches me. When there was no trace of anger left in him, and with great self control, I tore my mouth from his.

Feeling flustered and rattled by the kiss— which ended briefly as I was suddenly consumed with an overwhelming sense of pain that knocked the hair out of my lungs. Feeling your mate's emotions is one thing but taking them in… I felt crippled and lost my balance.

Hunter broke my fall easily as I collapsed into his arms, gasping and moaning from pain. He touched my forehead, trying to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with me.

I fought against the pain and as abruptly as it started, it eased away until I was left with a numbness that made me feel at peace. Feeling so much better than I did several minutes ago, I pushed myself out of his arms.

“Your wounds are healed.” He turned over my hand, his face clouded with confusion. “How is that possible?”

Swallowing hard, I tried not to panic. “The council must have done something to me, Hunter. I don’t know. Sometimes I feel so strange in my own body.” I broke into a sob, placing my head on his chest.

He immediately wrapped his arms around me, consoling me by whispering sweet comforting things to my ears. Seeing that he was distracted with that, I stopped the fake tears and just stood there, waiting for the moment he would realize and let me go.

Fortunately, someone knocked on the door. He still wouldn’t let me go so I had to pull myself from him. Hunter has always been clingy, in the past I didn’t mind it because I wanted to be in his skin as well but now? I found it suffocating.

Unfortunately, the person turned out to be Freya. Out of anyone who could have knocked, why the hell does it have to be Dane Grayson’s daughter?!