The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

Dogs Outside

"How- When-" I stammer and stutter, completely befuddled by the appearance of this new door. It really is just a door, made of the same wood and painted the same as the rest of the kitchen. Even the doorknob matches perfectly: a slightly tarnished steel, similar to that of the kitchen appliances around us. But I have been in this house, and in this kitchen, countless times. There has never been a door there. Nor a room on the other side of that wall! The kitchen lies in one of the back corners of the house, across from the dining room. That wall should only have part of a flower garden beyond it. Not an entire room!

"Mom, we don't have time for that!" Cassie whisper-whines to her mother, snapping me out of my internal conundrum. "Plus, they'll notice she left. We'll have to get them out of the house first."

Get who out of the house? What in all the hells is going on here?!

But Mrs. Santiago can't hear my mental screams, and just nods at her daughter. "You're right, hija. We probably only have a few more minutes before they get suspicious."

Are they talking about the guys? Finally, I can't stand the suspense any longer. "Will one of you please tell me what's going on?!" I point at the new addition, which Mrs. Santiago is closing, while continuing in a hushed, but imperious tone. "Since when was there a door there? And you still haven't answered my question, Cassie. How did you know I'm a Fated Mate?"

Mother and daughter share a look, one I haven't seen before. After only a second, Cassie sighs and responds "Look, Ali. I know this is really shocking and confusing right now, but I need you to trust us and help us get those dogs out of the house. Then, we will explain everything. And try to help you get rid of...that." She gestures to my shoulder, then looks me in the eyes. "Can you do that?"

Glancing between my best friend in the whole world and the woman who practically raised me, they should already know my answer. Though I don't like it, I sigh, then reply "Fine. But only if you promise to tell me everything, alright?"

Cassie nods, and Mrs. Santiago agrees. "We promise. Now, let's return before-"

"You guys alright in here?" We all turn to find Dylan's head popping through the kitchen door.

"Yeah, just some more girl talk, Dylan." Cassie smiles and heads towards the exit. "How's everything out here?"

"A little tense, frankly. Papa is trying to tell jokes, and that Eric guy is kinda going along with it, but something's definitely bothering the two of them." He turns to me with a raised eyebrow. "What's up with those two?"

I give him an apologetic smile while scrambling mentally for an excuse to give him. "They're just... it's hard to describe..."

Mrs. Santiago comes up from behind, rescuing me at last. "They're probably just nervous about being in our home for the first time, hijo. They only just met us, after all." She follows after her daughter, taking her son along with her.

I'm about to join them when my curiosity has me stop. Glancing over my shoulder, I look back towards where the door is, one last time. Or, at least, where it was. Now, the same old wall I always remembered stands firm and solid. I blink, but it remains so. Was it just my imagination then?

Shaking my head, I head back to the rest of the group. Dylan was right; there is definitely an oppressive aura filling the room. However, the moment Joey and Eric lay their eyes on me, it instantly dissapates. I take my seat in between the two, never leaving their gaze. Once situated back at the table, Joey whispers "That took a while. Is everything alright?"

Shit, I probably look like an open book right now. I take a moment to collect myself, then force a decent smile at him. "Why wouldn't it be?"

By his searching eyes, however, I know he doesn't buy it. Why does this bond have to give them mini lie detectors? Especially when I have to find a way to get them out of the house?! I turn away from him, thinking about my dilemma, and face Mr. Santiago, who is talking to Eric about how apple-picking season is going.

"So far, only a few families have come by to get their apple supply this year. But it's still early, and there's nothing like a walk through a full orchard. So we can still enjoy it, while it lasts."

"That sounds pretty nice," Eric says. "We'll have to come by and see it some time."

Bingo! I jump in immediately with "Why not go now?"

Eric turns towards me, raising his eyebrow slightly. Joey also seems confused. "Go where, exactly?" he asks.

"For a tour of the farm. There's still an hour of light out there, which is plenty of time to see the main orchard."

But Mr. Santiago shakes his head. "I'm sure these fine gentlemen wouldn't want to be troub-"

Luckily, Cassie has already caught on, and comes in for the assist. "But Papa, you're always so proud of our land. Surely these guys wouldn't decline to see the fruits of your hard work and labor?" Her comment is directed at her father, but her eyes keep shooting between Joey and Eric, as if daring them to say no.

"Yes," Mrs. Santiago backs us up. "I'm sure you two gentlemen have never been to an orchard before, since you come to these parts so infrequently."

Eric nods slightly. "Well, that's true, but we wouldn't want to impose."

"Nonsense! If that's the case, then I insist." Mr. Santiago, beaming ear to ear, gets up and makes for the back door. He opens it wide, letting in the fresh early-evening air. "Let's go, everyone!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, mi amor. I still have some cleaning to get done. And you know how I am about getting it all done. Oh, I know!" She claps her hands, as if an idea just came to her. "Why don't you boys go for the tour while Ali and Cassie help me finish up?"

Mr. Santiago hesitates a second, looking at his wife. "You sure, honey?"

She nods. "It'll get done quicker this way. Then we'll catch up with you later. Now you better hurry, while it's still light out!"

The Santiagos head their separate ways: men outside and women to the kitchen. However, just as I'm about to join the girls, a hand around my wrist stops me, causing me to flinch once again. Eric releases me the moment he sees my reaction, but that doesn't stop him from asking "Alright, what's going on?"

"What do you mean? You're going for a tour." I say, feigning innocence.

"That's not what we're talking about," Joey adds, still not buying it.

Stupid wolf gene. I sigh, then admit "Alright, fine. Something's going on, but I can't tell you yet. Nor do I really know what exactly it is. All I know is that I need some time to figure it out, and I need you two to go outside in order to do so."

"Is everything alright?" Eric asks, his voice full of concern.

I nod. "Again, I don't know what it is, but I know I'm safe in this house. That I can tell you with absolute certainty. So please. It'll just be for an hour. Tops."

After some consideration, my begging gets through to them and they head outside. Joey makes one last remark before heading out the door. "We want to know what's going on though later. Understood?"

"I promise," I nod.

After a few more moments of hesitation, they finally leave. Once the door closes behind them, I make a beeline for the kitchen, and find Mrs. Santiago, Cassie, and that mysterious door waiting for me once again. Where the f**k is that coming from?!