Between Witches and Wolves

Chapter 21: Permission Granted, But at What Cost?

Nate

I leave Ellie with Tabitha at the diner, but I still have an uneasy feeling leaving her with just one wolf shifter. Tabitha isn’t a warrior, either. But we really have to go to the meeting today. I missed the last one and that got me engaged. If I miss this one, who knows what Dad will do.

And since Alex is going to be the main one taking over as Alpha one day, he has to be at every meeting. These weekly meetings are such a bore, though. We just talk about the same s**t every time.

When we arrive, Sarah is there to greet me as my fiance.

“Hey, handsome. Long time no see,” she says as she loops her arm in mine.

Ash recoils at the touch, but I play it cool for now. I only have three months to find my fated mate, or I’ll be forced to mate with her.

Ughhhh, why is this my life?...

We enter the meeting room and take our seats. As normal, we go over reports and changes that we’ve noticed.

Alex mind-links me during the meeting.

Should we tell them about Ellie?

That’s all he says.

Technically, we do need to make a report so that we can be excused from certain duties while we protect her. Unfortunately, though, she is not a pack member and she isn’t romantically involved with a pack member. So, it would be a tricky subject. We could be ordered to leave her alone.

Ash growls at me for even thinking about it.

Do you think it’s a good idea? We may be told to abandon the project. I don’t want to risk her life. If I bring it up, Dad will for sure end it.

I mind-link Alex back.

Since I am technically engaged to Sarah, I can’t bring up protecting another female. But Alex is single, so he would have a better chance. Unfortunately, he would never be allowed to pursue a relationship with her, though, seeing as she isn’t a wolf.

Ash wags his tail at that thought.

Alex nods my way. Guess he will bring it up when he has an opening.

This meeting is taking absolutely forever. It’s like they want to drag it out. It’s already been an hour, and I told Ellie I would be back to get her by closing. The way this is going, though, we may be here for at least two more hours.

I mind-link Tabitha.

Hey, looks like the meeting is going to run late. Can you stay with Ellie until I get there?

There’s a long pause before she answers.

Sure thing, boss! I must say, I absolutely love her! Don’t worry, I got her til you can make it.

I am so grateful for my pack members. I will have to give her a bonus for helping me out.

I’m lost in thought when I see Alex stand.

Damn, I haven’t been listening.

“I would like to bring to the council's attention a young witch that I have befriended, who has been attacked recently. Nate and I both believe that the threat of her being attacked again is a possibility. We would like permission to be excused from daily practice, so that one of us may guard her until we know the threat has been neutralized.”

Alex speaks in a stern, clear voice.

“You want permission to skip training for some piece of ass who probably told you a pity story?” Frank asks.

I bite my tongue. If I jump to defend her, it’s all over. Alex has to be the one to do this.

“You and Nate both want to protect this girl?” Sarah asks, sitting beside me.

Alex continues explaining his side.

“We met her last week and we witnessed her being attacked by a vampire. Nate went to check on her the following day, under my order, and found her drugged and being molested by her former boss. He neutralized the situation and found out the vampire was behind the attack. He informed me of the situation, and I instructed him to take her somewhere safe. We have been guarding her since, hoping she makes a full recovery. But, the threat of the vampire that has indeed attacked her twice, is still a problem. That is why I am asking for Nate to help me protect her. She has become a dear friend of mine.”

I knew Alex would make it seem like it’s been all his idea. He knows that if I stated I wanted to help her, Dad would dismiss the idea. Still, it sucks that he is having to lie so much.

Truth is, we don’t know for sure the vampire was behind the second attack, or that he may try to get at her again. That and Alex actually had no clue of what went down until I explained everything to him. But this is our best chance.

I look over at Dad to see if I can get a read on what he is thinking. He has a hand to his chin, and a confused look on his face.

Finally, he speaks to the council.

“Any objections?”

A long pause.

“Then, I will grant you both temporary leave from training duties. However, I want to meet this girl. She sounds intriguing since this vampire seems to have taken such a liking to her. And, lastly, I want to move up Nathaniel and Serafine’s wedding date, just to make sure he doesn’t get up to any funny business with this little witch.”

You have got to be f*****g kidding me.

Of course he would find any excuse to move up the wedding.

I clench my jaw and ask, “So when would you like the ceremony to be held?”

If this is the only way he will let me protect her, then so be it. Her protection is that important to me.

“In one month. That should suffice.”

ONE MONTH??

I was supposed to have three months. Ash growls in my head at the suggestion. But it’s not like we have much choice. If we don’t agree, he will make sure I can’t protect Ellie.

This would be so much easier if I wasn’t so drawn to her. It’s impossible for her to be my mate, but Ash sure acts like she is. I just need more time to figure it out.

“I agree,” I say, my voice low.

I don’t want to speed up this marriage, but I need to see Ellie and figure out what all this means.

Sarah looks stunned beside me.

“Are you okay with this development, Serafine?” my father asks her.

“But of course, Alpha Damien. I would be honored.”

She bows her head slightly.

“Then it is settled. In one month we shall hold the ceremony and have you complete your mating ceremony after. You may be dismissed from the meeting.”

He raises his hands to wave dismissal over the council.

Finally.

Now I can go pick up Ellie.

I stand and go to leave, but Sarah is holding my arm.

“Can we talk for a moment?” she asks shyly.

I nod to her, and she takes me towards an empty room.

“In here, if you would please. I don’t want anyone to overhear.”

I enter the room. She locks the door behind her and turns towards me.

“So. I, um... I can tell there is something else going on with this girl Alex was talking about. I felt you tense up several times. As your fiance, I would like to ask that you be honest with me. Do I need to worry about this girl?”

Damn, she’s more perceptive than I gave her credit for. Guess there is a reason she is ranked number one on the female warriors ranking.

But she is right, I do owe her the truth.

“The truth is, I don’t know. All I do know is she needs protection, and Ash is very determined to protect her. He does have a strong pull towards her, and I still can’t figure out why.”

She looks at me stunned almost.

“I see,” she finally says. “Do you like her?”

Now that, I don’t want to say.

Because the truth is, I do. I’ve gotten to know things about her in this short week we’ve known each other and I have to say, she is spectacular. If she was a wolf, fated or not, I would be interested in pursuing her as a potential mate.

“No need to answer. I can see it on your face.”

She looks at the ground, and then back up to me with tears in her eyes.

“I am your fiance, Nate. I have trained and waited patiently for you, and yet you have never once looked my way. Why is that? Because of some made-up fated mate? Well, I am done waiting. You and I will be married in a month. I will make the perfect wife for you and the perfect co-Luna to Alex’s mate.”

She says firmly.

Ash growls at the declaration, and it’s not until she flinches that I realize he isn’t growling in my head, but out loud.

“Ash seems to not like that. I apologize for his temper,” I say, trying to smooth over the situation.

Then, without warning, she flings herself on me and kisses me. I push her off almost instinctively.

“You won’t even kiss your fiance? What is that girl to you? I am your fiance! You should love me! I will have you as my mate, Nathaniel.”

She declares as she unlocks the door and leaves.

What a mess. Can’t I just catch a damn break?

As I’m walking out to the car, I hear Tabitha mind-link me.

Hey, we are all good here, but Ellie seems freaked out about something. Are y'all almost done?

I immediately respond.

Just finished, I’m on the way.

I hop in the car and hurry to the diner. I’m not sure why Ellie would be spooked, but I don’t want to take any chances. I can easily make it there in twenty minutes.

I’m worried about the upcoming wedding and what it is between me and Ellie. But I can’t lie, I am excited to see her. I want to get to know her more.

I just wished we had more time.