Surviving My Fate

Chapter Twenty-Eight Meeting with a Witch

Cassie’s POV

“Carter” I breathe wrapping my arms around his neck and throwing my body against his as he walks through the door. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” I hadn’t seen or heard from him in the hours after the battle ended. I have been worrying myself sick pacing the living room while Alex slept on the couch.

“I’m here baby, I’m okay.” He says putting his face in my neck and inhaling my scent.

We stay like that for a long time just holding one another neither ready to let go.

***

It’s been a week since Ian and Ashley launched their first attack against us invading our borders with their rogue army. I was no longer training outside too afraid to leave Alex’s side.

Mel and Abby came up to the suite daily and while the kids played we trained. Mel was also helping me with my research. I wanted to learn about our pack, our allies, and the other supernatural creatures that exist too.

I’m reading a history book on vampires when Mel walks in. “What ya reading today?” She asks tossing her bag on the counter and taking the seat next to me.

“History of vampires. Has Silver Crest ever had any interactions with their clans?”

“We had a war once a long time ago that spanned many packs and clans. Once the treaty was signed the only interference between the species has been between the respective rogues.”

“That makes sense.” I nod closing the book.

We're-creatures seem to be the most common supernatural as far as I’ve learned and their territories span across all continents. Vampires and witches are a close second outside of were-beings. Hunters wiped out a lot of vampires and the Salem witch trials condemned many witches.

“You ready to train?” Mel asks nudging my arm and pulling me from my thoughts.

“Uh yeah.”

***

Carter has been spending a lot of his time cooped up in his office plotting how to handle our situation. Alex and I come down in the evenings and eat dinner with him. Alex is playing on the couch while I read and Carter has his eyes glued to the laptop nestled between stacks of paperwork on his desk. He’s typing fervently when the phone starts ringing.

“Hello, Alpha Carter speaking.” He answers his voice an epitome of power and professionalism.

Without werewolf hearing, I don’t make out what is being said on the other end of the line.

“Thank you, Arielle. We will be expecting you tomorrow.” He says before hanging up and dragging his hand down his face.

“Everything okay.” I make my way to him grasping his strong hand in mine and meeting his eyes.

“It will be.”

“Can you talk to me about it?” I don’t know why he continues to try to keep things from me.

He swivels his chair pulling me onto his lap. “That was Arielle the leader of the Daughters of the Moon coven.” I nod following along. “She will be here tomorrow to place a spell over the territory.”

“What’s the spell going to do?”

“From what we’ve discussed it should alert us when anyone meaning harm crosses onto the territory.”

“Do you think it will work?” I ask twisting my thumbs.

“I hope so. It’s a proactive step in keeping my people safe so it’s one I have to take.” He places a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.

His pack is very well-trained and he's doubled the sentries on the border since the attack. This is an added layer of protection for me.

So why don’t I feel safe?

“Can I come?”

“No.”

“Why not?” I try to stand but he won’t let me.

“It could be dangerous.”

“I want to meet our ally.”

“She will need to be able to concentrate Cassie.” He sighs.

“Whatever Carter once again you don’t care to involve me.” I’m tired of trying to be a part of something he won’t allow me to be. Too bad I’m not going to listen.

***

I knew I wasn’t supposed to be here but I had made up my mind last night that I would finally see the witch who has been aiding us in this war.

It’s easy to sneak out, the men are preoccupied with her arrival, and Mel is focused on the kids.

I follow behind them keeping my distance so they don’t catch my scent. They’re mere dots on the horizon as we trek further east. They come to a stop near a small guard post Levi, Marcus, and Carter standing tall against the light of the sun.

A violet light brims before them and a woman steps out. She's wearing a black cloak that sweeps the tops of the black combat boots that adorn her small feet. I can’t make out her features from where I hide behind a large tree but she’s tiny compared to the wolfs who greet her. She appears young when she pulls her hood off revealing the most vibrant violet hair I’ve ever seen, it spills out rolling over her shoulders, a beautiful contrast against her fair skin. I squint hard trying to make out what they’re saying by reading their lips but I’m unable to do so without stepping closer. I’m unwilling to alert Carter to my presence. Stupid human ears, stupid human vision.

I hold my place pressed securely to a tree and watch as the witch conjures a pestle and mortar then begins pulling various herbs and vials from her cloak. Her purple magic swirls around her the magnificent violets casting their light as a wall shimmers starting on her right and making a circle as far as I can see until it comes back around connecting on her left. The second they connect shimmers dance brilliantly through the veil and it disappears.

Arielle puts her potion away and pulls her hood over her head. Her work is done and the meeting is over.

As the witch turns to leave her eyes lock with mine the violet pools trapping me in their gaze. My breath catches at their beauty. How did she know I was here? My eyesight sharpens for a moment “Follow me” she mouths her perfect pink lips parting slightly. How is that possible? I watch as she makes her way off the territory, she doesn’t disappear this time. When she's far enough away Carter heads in the opposite direction with Marcus and Levi quickly becoming lost in their own conversation. I move backward as they pass me slipping further toward the witch I’m now following. I run trying to catch up after her. I lost her waiting for them to leave and I’m not sure where she went. I continue on the path I had seen her take and stumble out of the woods onto a narrow roadway. I hadn’t ever been to the East and I’m unaware of where I am. I stand in the middle of the gravel street spinning in a small circle when she appears behind me. I jump, swallowing down a scream.

“Cassie I presume” I nod. “Why did you want to meet me?” How’d she know? “I had a vision and you were following us it’s quite obvious you have something to discuss with me” wow she’s smart and sarcastic.

“Okay, I see you’re not one for small talk” deep breath, here we go, “I want you to hide my son and I.”

She laughs vulgarly but there’s no humor in it. “Really” she scoffs. “Hide you from the strongest alpha in North America?”

“Please” I beg.

“He got his title for a reason. He will not only kill me, Cassie, but he will also slaughter my entire coven.”

Carter is not like that, is he?

“Please” I beg again “I can’t let Ian get to us again, I have to protect my child.”

I can see the understanding in her purple eyes. She’s not as young as she appears. Her wisdom shines in the depths of her purple hues. “This isn’t going to be easy.” She mutters tapping her manicured black stiletto nails on her delicate heart-shaped chin.