Blood and Silver: First Bite

Witches and Secrets

Abigail woke up in the office, alone. She immediately felt a longing for Jackson, and a panic set in when she realised he wasn’t there.

It was an ache in her chest like she’d never experienced before. Yes, when he’s ghosted her after they met, she’d felt disappointed and couldn’t get him off her mind, but this was different. It was as if a part of her was missing, and she was in the midst of grieving that loss.

She stood up and walked to the door, slowly pulling the handle down and stealthily pushed the door open, just a crack, and took a look into the reception area. No one was around, but she could hear voices from the next office. She crept out and headed over to the door to the guidance counsellors office, and slowly slid her body down the wall until she was sitting on the floor. She put her ear up against the door and listened. She felt the need to stay hidden to try and find out more information about what was going on.

She heard her voices which she recognised as being her mother’s and Serena’s. She couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, so she focussed harder on their voices and was surprised that she could suddenly hear them as if they were standing right in front of her.

‘Werewolves?’ She heard her mother say.

‘Yes. We prefer the term “shifter” but it boils down to the same thing. Every pack has a witch, and Hazel was ours. I think that’s why she wanted you to have her house, to take over her duties? She would’ve known you inherited the gift, she was very perceptive, that one.’ Serena answered.

‘But what about Abigail? What is happening with her?’ Laura asked

‘That is a delicate situation, Ms Moore.’

‘Please, Dr Howard, I think we are past formalities by this point. You’ve broken the news to me that I’m a witch, and that we’re living in a town full of werewolves, sorry shifters… you can call me Laura!’ She laughed.

‘Nice to meet you, Laura. I’m Serena!’ Serena chuckled.

Abigail couldn’t hold herself back. The things she’d been suspecting but felt crazy for thinking were true? And her mother and Serena sounded so nonchalant about it all.

She burst through the door, causing Laura to jump and Serena to growl defensively.

‘Abigail!’ She said, calming herself.

‘Werewolves and witches, huh?’ Said Abigail. ‘When were you going to tell me?’

Laura walked over to Abigail. ‘I just found out… and as crazy as it all sounds, it kinda makes sense.’

Abigail laughed. ‘I thought I was crazy looking into all this stuff, it’s good not to be alone! I’ve been reading the old books and journals Mrs Smirnova left me and it was a fight between my head and my heart what to believe!’ She continued.

‘Smirnova?’ Serena said, as if she had just been struck by lightening.

‘Yeah,’ replied Abigail. ‘She used to look after me, she gave me this necklace’ she held up the pendant ‘and from what I read, I’m pretty sure she was a witch too.’

‘She was. And a powerful one. She was the Blood Crescent witch. She went AWOL about 18, 19 years ago and the pack was weakened significantly. The Alpha at the time, Silas Abbott, was furious and blamed our pack. We had had a mutual understanding before that point, but after his accusations, the attacks started to happen and it just about started a war. They got another witch who cursed our bloodline, and no daughters have been born to our pack in 18 years. Our pack is dying because of it.’ Serena mournfully spoke.

‘Wait, Silas Abbott?’ Ask Laura.

‘Yes.’ Replied Serena, giving Laura a look that confirmed what she was thinking.

‘Okay, who is Silas Abbott?’ Asked Abigail.

‘Who was, he is long dead.’ Corrected Serena.

‘He was your grandfather honey. Your father’s name is Caleb Abbott.’ Laura said, taking Abigail by the hands.

‘The Blood Crescent Alpha.’ Stated Serena.

‘And Jackson?’ She asked.

‘He’s the Alpha of the Silver Moon pack. Our Alpha, and…’ Serena replied.

‘…my mate?’ Abigail asked.

‘Yes. He is your fated mate, a magical bond that knits your souls together, and makes you stronger together than apart. I guess you could liken it to finding your soul mate.’ Serena said.

Laura took in this conversation, before arriving at a question. ‘A magical bond? Created by who? Is it like Abigail and Hannah’s bond?’ She asked.

‘No one knows who created the bond, if it was done centuries ago by a witch, or as some believe, the Moon Goddess who is the protector and Almighty of the shifter race. But yes, it is a similar situation.’

Abigail looked confused. Laura felt guilty and didn’t know how to tell her that she had inadvertently created a bond between her and Hannah. Serena sensed the confusion and stepped in.

‘Abigail, when you were young, your mother wished for you to have a true friend. She didn’t realise there was magic in her to grant that wish, but that was the day you met Hannah.’

Abigail’s eyes tested up. ‘So our friendship isn’t real? It’s just the result of some magic?’ She asked timidly.

‘No!’ Responded Serena. ‘It’s not like that! Magic cannot create love, there is no power in the world that can do that. Think of it as a helping hand. Like, um…’ Serena stopped to think of a good analogy, and then continued.

‘It’s like making a cake. You have all the right ingredients but don’t known where to start. The magic is kinda like giving you a recipe book to show you how to put everything together for the best result. And then it kinda hands you a cake mixer to use so you don’t spend forever mixing by hand.’ She laughed, hoping her analogy made sense and didn’t sound too ridiculous.

Abigail smiled. ‘So Hannah was always meant to be my friend, the magic just gave us a little push. And Jackson too, I felt drawn to him and couldn’t stop thinking about him. But today was different. Why?’

‘Today you are 18, which means your inner wolf has awoken. And you’re right, you and Jackson already had the beginnings of a bond.’

‘And the boys earlier?’ She asked.

‘Oh god that’s the worst part of being one of us. You turn 18 and your pheromones are like a nuclear explosion. Those boys have not been exposed to a female of their age in their entire lives so it was probably much worse. But you can compare it to a dog in heat and all the neighbourhood dogs come around and try to break down the fence to get to her.’

Abigail looked horrified.

‘Don’t worry! Laughed Laura. ‘Once you’re marked by your mate, the effect goes away and they will leave you alone. Especially with your mate being the Alpha!’

‘Where is Jackson?’ Abigail asked, the empty feeling in her chest growing more and more the longer she was away from him.’

‘I’m not sure, but he’ll be back. He won’t be able to stay apart from you for long.’