Chapter 13
1244 Words
Lukes POV:
“Are you sure this is the place?” I ask Kimberly as we stand in front of what looks like just an empty patch of forest.
“Yes. I came here with Lilah a few times. The witch has a barrier around her home to hide from unwanted visitors,” she says.
“Unwanted indeed!” A shotgun c***s somewhere in the trees. “Now I’m going to give you to the count of three to get the hell off my property. One…”
“Nema?” I call out, scanning the landscape for a shimmer, a break in the light—anything to betray the witch’s barrier. This isn’t my first time dealing with witch wards. I always feel them before I see them.
“Lilah sent me. My name is Luke.” Finally, I catch it—a faint glare at the edge of my vision, a ripple in the warmth that tells me I’m close.
“Oh, I know who you are, Alpha,” she spits the title like poison. “Now what the hell do you want?”
I turn my body directly toward the barrier, letting her know I’ve found it. “We just want to talk.”
There’s a long pause before her voice sounds again, closer now. “You may pass through. But you alone.”
I turn to Kimberly, who looks worried. “Just wait here for me.” Then I straighten my shoulders and step forward, hands out.
A second later, a shack materializes in front of me as I cross the threshold.
“Alpha? Ryker? I mean, Luke?!” Kimberly’s voice comes panicked from behind the veil.
“I’m here!” I call back, knowing it’s useless.
“She can’t hear you.”
I turn slowly. Nema stands behind me, shotgun still raised. Her hair is a faded mossy green, her layered dress and cloak making her look like something straight out of Hocus Pocus. Funny, James made me read that damn story to him every night for a month—probably not the best pick for a four-year-old learning our world. Witches sucking the souls from kids? Yeah, didn’t think that through.
Anyway, Nema is old. A lot older than she looks. With her attitude, she’s probably sucking souls too. But she wears her age well.
“Are you serious?” I nod at the shotgun. “I’m a werewolf.”
“Silver bullets.” Her eyes narrow. Tough and no bullshit. I kind of like her.
“How did you know where my barrier was?”
“I told you—my sister Lilah, she—”
“No.” She cuts me off sharply. “You looked at my barrier like you knew exactly where it stood. How?”
“A glare. I’ve come across witch barriers before. I usually catch the light shift before I feel the warmth. They show themselves to me, really.”
“But no one besides a witch…” she mutters, trailing off.
“Are you gonna put that thing down now?” I sigh.
She makes a sound of disgust and finally turns toward the shack, lowering the gun. I look back through the barrier to see Kimberly still searching for me, then follow Nema inside.
It’s tiny. I have to duck to get through the doorway. Inside, it’s cluttered—honestly, probably qualifies as hoarding. But weirdly… it smells like home. Which is ridiculous, since I’ve never really had one.
“You just gonna stand there?”
I drop onto the small brown couch opposite her.
“Out with it!”
Straight to the point. Good. Small talk would kill me.
“Right. Lilah said you might be able to help us with… our problem.”
“I’m aware of your problem. I’m also aware the last time we tried this it didn’t work. Lilah was a kind girl, but still a werewolf. I doubt I’ll like you any better.” She takes a sip of tea.
“I wasn’t planning on winning you over. I already have a witch… she might not be thrilled, but we share a bond. I just need to make sure she’s safe. Will she be safe?” I take a breath. I wouldn’t do this if there was any risk to Ellie.
“What do you care about witches?” Her eyes cut into me. “And how’d you get one to like you anyway?”
“Maybe it was my charm.” I force a smile. Deep down, I know it wasn’t. If Ellie had a real choice… would it even be me? She deserves the world, not some old mercenary turned alpha of a cursed pack. Just thinking about her not choosing me rips something raw inside my chest.
“Look, smart ass, if that’s how you’re gonna act, get the hell out.”
“No, wait! It was a joke. You really don’t like our kind, huh?”
“Not even a little.”
“There has to be one werewolf you like…” I tease.
A shadow crosses her face so fast I almost miss it. But there it is. Someone mattered.
“It doesn’t matter,” she snaps.
“I need your help. We know what we have to do—I just need to be sure my bonded witch won’t be harmed. Can you guarantee her safety?”
She studies me long and hard, like she can’t believe I actually care. But she doesn’t know how much. I would give everything for Ellie—not just because she’s my mate, but because of who she is. The twinkle in her eye, the innocence in her smile… she deserves the world. I know what I’m asking is unfair. But I also know she’s so good, someday she’ll forgive me.
“She won’t be physically harmed. Emotionally? That’s different. Depends how close you two are. But she’ll get over it. You’re a werewolf.”
I nod, relieved at least for that.
“If I don’t mark her, she’ll survive this,” I say out loud, mostly to myself.
“What did you just say? Why would you mark a witch? How exactly are you bonded?”
I sigh, defeated. If I want Nema’s help, she has to know.
“She’s my mate. My Moon God–destined mate. She’s only a hybrid, but Lilah said—”
“GET OUT!” Nema jumps from her chair, storming to the door.
I stand, tense, frustration rising. This witch and her mood swings are about to drive me insane.
“Get the hell out of here and don’t ever come back!” She shoves at my chest.
“Wait! Lilah said you’d help us break the Blue Blood curse!”
“GET OFF MY PROPERTY!” She shoves again, both of us now outside, her hands still pushing at me.
“Please! My son—this is for my son. I have to save him from all of this.” I try one last time. I don’t even know what I said to set her off. “Look, just give me the herbs—I’ll figure it out myself.”
“You’ll need more than herbs. And were you even going to ask for my cooperation in all of this—”
Nema freezes.
And so do I.
Because that voice. That sweet voice I could pick out from a damn crowd.
Ellie.
- Writer
