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13.The Book

POV: Leila

As I rushed down the stairs, Janie behind me, I saw many pack members on the stairs and around the pack house. It’s always crowded right after lunch time. Once I made it to the bottom of the stairs almost everyone started to whisper and glance at me. I ignored them as I made my way to Damon’s office for the second time today. I walk into his office without knocking to see all of my brothers still there. Amy was now sitting in Damon’s lap, while Beth and Joyce were with their mates.

Damon began, “Leila? What-”

I interrupt, “I want mom’s spellbook.”

They all look at each other before Damon speaks, “Why? You don’t need-”

“It belongs to me, that’s why.” I interrupt again.

Damon frowned at being interrupted twice.

“Don’t interrupt your Alpha.” Amy snapped.

My attention went to her and I glared at her as I snapped, “He isn’t my Alpha, he’s my brother. Get used to it.”

Amy scoffed and went to speak but Janie interrupts, “Do us a favor and stop talking. I know it’s hard for you to understand but this has nothing to do with you.”

“And it has something to do with you?” Beth scoffed.

Janie crossed her arms before saying, “No, but I’ll be here as long as my friend wants me to be.”

Amy went to speak but I snapped, “Enough. Give me the spellbook.”

“Maybe we should discuss this in private.” Axel offered.

Amy and Beth looked insulted but I thought Axel meant closing the door so that the pack members crowding around outside wouldn’t be able to hear. I didn’t care either way. Amy and Beth would be told about whatever happens by their mate; and the pack members always seem to find out things eventually.

“There’s nothing to discuss.” I say.

“That book belongs to mom.” Hunter snaps.

“Mom’s dead.” I say quickly, trying not to show how painful it is to say that, “As her daughter, the only witch in this family, her grimoire belongs to me.”

“Leila, last time you used that book you almost burned the house down..” Damon says.

I scoff, saying, “No, I didn’t. I set a piece of paper on fire that was on my bed. The only reason it flared up was because Hunter made me lose focus when he yelled at me.”

“That’s a lie.” Hunter snarled.

Everyone in the room looked at him in surprise, including me. Our brothers were confused and startled the most. Hunter and I may not be very close but he’s never been so hostile towards me. I know all of us are angry and upset with each other right now, but we’ve been angry with each other before. Hunter’s never acted like this. What's changed?

I glare at Hunter as I exclaim, “No, it's not! What the hell is your problem?”

Hunter tries to mask the emotions playing on his face but I can feel the anger and resentment coming from him, but why does he feel that way?

“You can’t be trusted with what’s inside that book.” Hunter says.

I furrow my brows in confusion as I ask, “You don’t even know what’s in the book.”

“Yes, I do. I read it.” Hunter reveals.

I look to my other brothers and they nod in confirmation.

Damon sighs as he says, “Hunter read it so we might decide if there were some safe spells in it for you to practice. But, he told us what was in it and that it’s too dangerous for you to have. That fire spell was the safest one.”

If I remember correctly, it’s literally impossible for them to open that book. Besides, I think, there's a spell in that book to change your hair color. How is that more dangerous than a fire spell? All I can do is stare in confusion until understanding dawns on me. Hunter told them. They didn’t actually read it.

“Who’s the liar now?” I say to Hunter.

“What do you mean?” Fox asks, glancing between Hunter and me.

“Do you want to tell them or shall I?” I ask Hunter, anger shining in his eyes.

“Tell us what?” Axel asks, already glaring at Hunter.

Hunter was glaring at me, as if daring me to say anything. I smirk and face Axel.

“Hunter did not read mom’s grimoire. He can’t. It’s enchanted so that only mom’s blood can open the book.” I reveal.

My brother’s look at each other, confused before Ryder says, “Uh, Lee, we are mom’s blood.”

I shake my head, explaining, “But you aren’t witches. You are mom’s sons but you don’t have her witch's blood. I don’t remember everything mom tried to teach me, but I remember her telling me that.”

They all froze taking in what I just revealed. Hunter’s anger is clear on his face. Suddenly, Axel growls then Hunter is against the wall being held by Axel. Axel may seem the calmest among us, but that’s because he works to control his volatile temper.

“How dare you lie about that?” Axel snarled in Hunter’s face.

Joyce rushed over to Axel and put a hand on his arm to help calm him. It didn’t work. Janie took a step closer to me, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. I squeezed her hand back, thankful for her comforting presence.

“I had to.” Hunter exclaimed.

“Why?” Axel asks.

“I was trying to protect us. She’s got no control. What if she did one of those spells on someone?” Hunter tells him.

Fox walks to Axel’s other side, exclaiming, “We wouldn’t have stopped Leila from practicing her magic if you hadn’t have lied. It’s your fault she doesn't have control.”

Damon walks over to them, Fox moves out of his way and Damon grabs Axel to make him let go of Hunter.

“Let him go. Now.” Damon orders.

Axel resists but let's go after shoving Hunter one last time against the wall. Damon returns to his seat and sits down with Amy standing beside him.

Damon began. “I think we can all understand where Hunter was coming from-”

“I can’t.” I interrupt.

“Neither can I.” Lucifer says.

I turn to face my mate to find his frame taking up the entire space in the doorway, his eyes dark with anger. I notice his hair is wet, the pieces sticking to his ears and forehead. Lucifer’s already black hair is even darker. I smile a bit as it seems my mate did indeed take a cold shower.

Lucifer comes further into the room. Conner, Michael, and Summer walking into the room and fanning out beside him. Lucifer takes Janie’s place by my right, grabbing my hand. Conner stood to Lucifer’s right while Janie stood next to him. Michael came up to my left, while Summer stood next to him.

“Tell me, where is Hunter coming from?” Lucifer asks softly.

I think it would have been less threatening if he’d yelled.

Damon began carefully, “I only meant that Hunter was fearful. And that we have all been frightened of a witch’s power at some point.”

It was Axel who spoke, “I haven’t. Lee is not just some random witch, she is our sister. I can’t believe you’re actually agreeing with what he did.”

Axel moved from where he still remained by the wall to stand beside Janie, Joyce doing the same.

“It’s not that simple.” Damon tried.

Fox interrupts, “How is it not simple? He lied! We made Lee ignore another part of herself because of what he told us.”

“It’s not simple because Damon doesn’t want to admit that he was wrong.” Axel says.

Damon growled as he speaks, “That’s enough.-”

“Yes, it is.” I interrupt, “I don’t care about any of this right now. I came for moms grimoire. Give it to me.”

Damon didn’t budge but I wouldn’t waver. Hearing all of this hurts. Knowing that Hunter was afraid of me and didn’t trust me. Damon probably felt the same. I just want to get my mother’s grimoire and leave. Maybe go on a run with my mate.

Suddenly Lucifer spoke, “Give her the book.”

Damon’s gaze went to Lucifer and I wondered if my brother would allow his pride to get him into trouble. Would he disobey his King? Damon bowed his head and stood, walking to his hidden safe. Damon placed the picture on the ground, one of our whole family before mom died. Damon put in the password to the safe, the day he met Amy. Then he pulled out the old, leather book. Damon closed the safe, put the picture back, and came over to me. Damon extended his hand and I took the book from his grasp. I gasp as I feel slight shocks and energy rush up my arm, through my body. It feels as if a piece of myself I never even knew was missing has finally returned.