The Beta's Witch

Chapter 12: The Clock is Ticking

AIDEN’S POV

Carson was attempting to track Sofia from each of our phones. If she answered any of our calls it would be picked up by a tracking software that Carson had invented himself. I wanted to hover over him as he did his tech thing but decided against it. My brother’s knowledge of computer software ran deeper than my temporary interest when we were kids. It had bonded us when we were little, but I eventually had to focus on my responsibilities as Beta.

Carson could handle it.

Although I hadn’t been able to spend as much time with him as I had back then, I knew it wasn’t the reason my brother hated me. He had grown distant about five years ago, then downright cold around the time things between Sofia and I had started getting bad. I had hoped things would get better now that she wasn’t around. It seemed like we had hit a stalemate, until Adriana had shown up.

I wondered how close those two were. Three years was a long time to know someone, and Carson had said she came to him when she needed to get away. Imagining my brother being there for my mate made me insanely jealous, yet weirdly appreciative. He had watched over her when I couldn’t.

I sighed, frustrated. I wanted my brother back; I just wasn’t sure how to reach him.

“What’s up man?” Elijah asked. The Gamma had followed me into the kitchen, relaxing on a stool at the island while I made sandwiches. I slid a plate in front of him before taking a seat.

“I was just thinking about Carson,” I said roughly, not knowing how to explain why my brother’s attitude was bothering me so much.

Elijah smiled sympathetically before going back to devouring his sandwich. I sighed again.

He spoke through a mouthful a bread, sending bit flying everywhere. “Irm mo uht chee oop!”

“Dude, chew,” I ordered, throwing a napkin at him. “Then swallow.”

“Thanks,” he grinned. “I said, ‘I know what will cheer you up.’”

“What’s that?” I asked wearily.

“Let’s go win over your mate. I’ll even be your wingman, if you ask nicely.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively, making my laugh.

“I don’t know Elijah. She doesn’t seem to want me around right now. The last thing I want to do is push her further away.”

In truth, I didn’t think my heart could take another rejection from Adriana. Since the moment I’d laid eyes on her, I hadn’t had a moment of peace, fearing for her constantly. I just wanted to keep her safe, yet she seemed so determined to leave.

“Nonsense,” Elijah waved his hand dismissively. “Adriana is a very stubborn woman, but she’s also not used to having people who care about her. Why do you think I walked on eggshells around her since we started working together?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” he paused, considering. “I knew something was up with her a few months after she started working in my department. She appears completely happy; laughs with us, makes jokes, and takes a genuine interest in our lives. But I began to notice she didn’t interact with anyone unless she had to. Lucas, Oliver, and I were her bosses. She was professional with clients and the execs, but never beyond that. On her breaks she would disappear, so she didn’t have to talk to anyone in the break room or café.

“It seemed as though she had no friends. I had thought maybe we were friends, until I realized I knew nothing about her. One day I watched as an executive pestered her about her weekend plans. You would have thought she was on trial for murder.” He chuckled. “I knew then not to ask her anything personal.”

“I just don’t understand what could have made Adriana so scared that she wrote a letter telling herself not to let anyone too close.” I thought aloud, deeply concerned for her.

“Years of isolating herself has made it a habit, Aiden,” Elijah said gently. “You just have to keep showing her you’re not going anywhere.”

 I smiled at him, feeling a little better. Elijah was the best Gamma there was. His wisdom regarding people was invaluable.

“Let’s go hang out with our women.” He announced, eyes going unfocused as he mindlinked someone, most likely his wife.  

“Huh, that’s weird,” he said, suddenly very serious. “Taylor has a block on our link. Hold on, let me see if I can reach Aerin.”

His eyes went unfocused again, communicated briefly. I waited silently. Even though Adriana had said she didn’t think she was my mate, I didn’t believe her. We had both felt the connection, from the first moment we met and every interaction we had after. Something else was keeping her from me, maybe Elijah was right, or maybe something more was going on.

“Aerin says they’re at the training ground,” he reported, confused. “What are they doing there?”

I shrugged, hopping off the bar stool. “Let’s find out.”

“I’ll have Lucas meet us over there. Maybe we can all hang out,” Elijah said as we made our way out of the pack house.

A part of me was excited to have the guys and ladies help me win over my mate. Nothing in the world would make me happier than to have the kind of relationships my best friends had with their mates. The way they looked at their woman with so much love, like they would do anything in the world for them, was exactly how I felt about Adriana.

I realized I couldn’t let Adriana leave, even though it was what she wanted. I wanted her to stay because she wanted to but leaving was just not an option. Someone had almost gotten to her on the grounds. I couldn’t risk her getting hurt. It would kill me if something happened to her. Emotionally as well as physically. Male wolves couldn’t survive long without their mates, we weren’t made to. If Adriana died, I would follow soon after.

Tobias grumbled. As long as our mate is safe, we don’t have to worry about dying.

I know, but if I force her to stay here, away from danger, she may end up hating us.

Hating you, my wolf taunted. She hasn’t met me yet.

I sighed, feeling guilty. She will, Toby. Soon.

My wolf growled, making me chuckle. He hated when I called him Toby.

Elijah and I walked shoulder to shoulder, in companionable silence. As we came on up on the training ground, what we saw made my heart freeze. Adriana and Taylor viciously brawling in the sparring circle while Aerin called for them to stop.

Elijah and I ran, using our wolf speed to get their faster. Aerin’s panicked look was enough to push my body faster.

“Wait guys it’s not what it looks like!” the Luna yelled.

I grabbed Adriana around the waist, yanking her away from a mean right hook Taylor threw. Elijah dragged her away a second later. Restraining her movements completely, he used the mate bond to calm her predatory instincts. Taylor wasn’t above her vampire nature.

I saw Lucas running through the trees, coming from opposite direction.

“What the hell is going?” I yelled.

. . . . .

~ADRIANA’S POV~

“I don’t know about this,” Aerin said slowly. Her eyes shifted from side to side, looking nervous.  

The training ground was deserted. Taylor confirmed that the pack only trained either super early or mid afternoon. Which meant the grounds were ours for the next few hours. The vampire was stretching expertly, executing a perfect half moon pose.

“It’s been so long since I’ve had a good fight,” She grinned, easing out of the stretch. She began bouncing on the balls of her feet, shaking out her limbs like a wrestler before the ring. “The guys are busy anyway, Aerin. Why not have a little bit of fun?”

“Your kind of fun involves someone likely getting hurt,” the Luna scolded. She folded her arms, scowling at both of us. I grinned easily at her.

“I haven’t had a sparring partner in years,” I said dramatically. “You said you wanted to make me feel at home.” I pouted, flashing her my best puppy dog look.

Aerin rolled her eyes, then leaned against the trunk of a large tree outside the sparring circle. “Fine. But when the guys come out here and see this nonsense, I’m throwing you two under the bus.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. Her naturally blonde hair was curled into beach waves that fell enticingly down her back. The Luna was naturally beautiful and her piercing blue eyes, let us know just how stupid she thought we were.

I clapped excitedly, stepping into the predrawn circle with the former assassin.  Her unnaturally gold eyes assessed every move I made. As we circled each other I couldn’t help but admire the deadly grace she exhibited, like a panther prowling in the shadows.

Vampires were the ultimate opponent, faster and stronger than most supernaturals. They had to be as they usually traveled alone. Unlike wolves, who were stronger in packs.

I had an ulterior motive for asking Taylor to spar with me. The two women were reluctant until I revealed I was combat trained with multiple black belts. My magic was fine-tuned for fighting. At least, it was. I could tell I wasn’t as in control of my magic as I had been all those years ago. At times it felt like I couldn’t contain it, then it felt like it was barely there, hibernating beneath the surface.

I needed to convince Aiden to let me leave briefly to find the person who could fix my memory. Wolves were insanely protective of their mates, but I had a feeling he would be more willing to let me go if someone was there to watch my back if I needed it. I would have asked him to come, but I knew this person would attack on sight if they smelled a wolf.

Taylor pounced, with speed as fast as lightening, she was no longer in my line of sight. I swung around just in time to catch a seamless kick to my midsection, with enough power to throw me to the floor. Aerin gasped loudly.

I rolled on the ground, using the momentum to push myself back on to my feet. Taylor frowned. “Pay attention to your surroundings, chica. That could have been much worse.”

I smiled at the nostalgia. “Noted.”

Just as Taylor made a move to attack again, I whispered a spell. Time slowed to a crawl, allowing me to see every millisecond as it unfolded. While everything around me was trapped in slow motion, I moved unencumbered. The vampire appeared slightly blurred, letting me know she had been about to use her vamp speed a second time.

I chuckled, taking her arm I spun around and threw her off my shoulder, releasing the spell as I went. Taylor slammed into the ground, a tangle of arms and legs, kicking up dirt as she slid across the field. When the dust settled, she lay still on the ground, her stare locked on me. She seemed frozen in shock.

“Woah,” Aerin whispered. I smirked, bowing theatrically. Taylor narrowed her eyes.

I had little time to prepare before she was on me. We traded blows, interacting with each other through coordinated movements, like a complicated dance. I stumbled over a spell to boost my strength. The vampire’s punches felt like I was being struck by steel. The gleeful look in her eyes made me realize she hadn’t felt the freedom of fighting in a long time. We continued on. Her combos were flawlessly executed, and I returned a few of my own. The both of us were so focused on predicting the other’s movements that we became oblivious to the world around us.

I had a second to register Aerin yelling, before an arm gripped my waist, yanking me away from Taylor. Her fist missing my face by an inch.

“What the hell is going!?” barked Aiden, pulling me further away from a very riled up vampire.

Elijah was on her in an instant. I watched as banded his arms around her chest, locking her in place. An unladylike growl emanated from her chest, sending shivers down my spine. Elijah brought his mouth to her ear, whispering something I couldn’t hear. She blushed, the call of war a distant memory as her mate brushed his lips against her skin.

The arms around me tightened briefly.  

“Let me go!” I screamed, kicking, and fighting desperately. I struggled, feeling a pulse of magic shoot from my skin. The person restraining me wasn’t affected. I saw the couple across from me stumble slightly.

The arm dropped me. I scrambled away, turning to face my attacker. The air sputtered in my chest. A tall stranger loomed over me, dark intense eyes staring me down. A new set of tingles teased me spine. His heavy brows drew together in concern, a part of me wanted to reach out and touch his face or run my hands along the neat dreads that rested against his broad chest.

“Who are you?” I whispered, mesmerized. The man’s eyes widened in shock; mouth open slightly.

“Aiden wait,” A woman called from behind me. I spun around; my eyes tracked a woman cautiously moving toward me. The man behind her assessed me curiously, making me uncomfortable. It seemed like he was staring into my soul. “Give her a moment.”

A third man shifted into view, slightly larger than the other two. He gently grabbed the hand of a woman standing outside the circle I was in, pulling her behind him. His eyes never left me.

I retreated, feeling terribly outnumbered. How did I get here?

My back hit something hard, delicious sparks danced across my skin. I faced the mysterious stranger once more. “What magic was that?” I demanded. His eyes softened.

“It wasn’t magic Adriana. Not like what you’re used to.” He smiled gently, slowly reaching out to take my hand. I let him, gasping at the sensation of our touch. “It’s the mate bond.”

I swayed slightly, the pressure in my head intense. I clutched at my scalp, trying to stop the world from moving. Strong hands gripped my elbows, preventing me from falling.

“Adriana!” Aiden shouted, worried. I rode the waves of my conscious mind, pushing against the spell that was affecting my memory. I knew I had lost some of my past, but not enough to forget what I needed to do. The clock was ticking. My heart raced at the possibility of not making it in time to save myself.

“Adriana look at me.” Aiden pulled my hands away from my head, tilting my chin up. The world came back to me. The sun was bright, the wind blew steady, the earth was solid beneath my feet. Aiden’s presence grounded me. I met his concerned gaze, feeling my heart constrict with emotions I hadn’t felt in a long time. “You’re okay, Angel.”

“Aiden,” I said, smiling reassuringly. Relief eased his tense expression. Aiden pulled me into a hug, letting me bury my face into his chest. I acknowledged how scary the memory loss was becoming.

“I was afraid I’d lost you,” he murmured, rubbing his nose in my hair. “What happened?”

“I’m losing all my memories.”

“It happened earlier too,” I heard Aerin report. “This time it seemed a bit longer though.”

I sighed, stepping away from Aiden. Every part of me wanted to jump back into his arms and never let go. The feeling of safety was foreign to me, but in Aiden’s arms it felt like nothing could reach me.

I glanced up at Aiden once more, “I need you to trust me.” He looked wary but nodded anyway. “You have to let me leave.”

He was already shaking his head. “No.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he kept going. “You just forgot you knew any of us, Adriana. What happens if you leave here and forget where you’re going or that you’re in danger?”

“It’s only going to get worse,” I fumed, frustrated. “If I find the person that put the block there, I can have them remove it.”

“Hold on,” Elijah complained, cutting in. “Do you know who spelled your memory?”

I nodded, reluctant to say more. “Adriana,” Lucas warned, his Alpha tone sneaking through. He stepped into the circle, pulling Aerin along with him, forming a triangle of couples.   

“It won’t be any good if my memories are completely erased.” I said, evading.

“Fine, then Elijah and I are coming with you.” Aiden stated. I shot Taylor a glance, hoping she understood what I was silently asking, before turning back to Aiden.

“You can’t,” I said quickly. “He may run if he’s approached by wolves.” Or attack. “I can’t risk it.”

“He?” Aiden growled jealously. I chuckled, stepping in front of him so that I could take his face in my hands. His eyes darkened slightly at the contact. I loved the way he reacted to my touch. Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus.

“I was wrong to say I wasn’t your mate,” I said quietly. “Only a fool could feel what I feel and say it’s nothing. But there won’t be much of me left if I don’t do this.”

The uncertainty in his eyes made me push a little harder. “I’ll come back to you,” I promised.

“Adriana,” Lucas said. “Aiden is right, you can’t leave here as you are. It’s too dangerous for you to be out there on your own.”

“I’ll go with her.” Taylor said behind me. A deep growl ripped through Elijah’s chest, making me jump.

Aiden instinctively pushed me behind him. I could just barely see Taylor wrapping her arms around her husband’s chest. She smiled flashing her pointed canines, fierce and excited.

“Let me help, baby.” She crooned.

“It’s too dangerous,” he growled, stubbornly clutching his mate. “We don’t even know who this guy is.”

“Yes, you do,” I grinned, peeking around Aiden. "Besides, aren't you the least bit curious as to how a vampire has been working at Grey Enterprises the last six years, undetected?"