The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

Promises Part Two

"Hey, ow!"

"What the hells?!"

"Shut up, mutts! This is the least you deserve for what your kind has done to us!"

My best friend, ignoring the howls and protests of Eric and Joey, begins marching towards the house, dragging them behind her by the ears.

"Cassandra, let them go." Shaking her head at her daughter's harsh actions, Mrs. Santiago comes to the wolves' aid. "They still have no idea what's going on, and that's a little unfair due to the circumstances, don't you think?"

By her mother's command, she releases the whining werewolves, who instantly start massaging their poor earlobes. "Fine," she rolls her eyes. "Besides, it may be better to test this out here, so they don't end up destroying the house."

"Will someone please just tell us what is going on?!" The boys stare at us, completely lost.

But the two women just look at me, ignoring their pleas. "Ali," Mrs. Santiago says calmly, "You should be the one to tell them. But give them space, just in case."

She's right. They may not believe this if it doesn't come from me. But I'm still not sure this plan is even going to work, and if it doesn't... Scenes from three nights ago flash through my mind, and I shiver involuntarily.

A hand on my shoulder draws me from my anxieties. "Don't worry." Cassie winks. "We've got your back."

I exhale and nod. Then, I turn back to Joey and Eric. They're a few feet from us, but I can still sense their concern. They're wary of what I have to say. To be honest, so am I.

Well, here goes nothing. Finally, I announce the inevitable. "Eric, Joey, I'm a witch."

Silence fills the distance between us. It's as if the entire world stopped, just to see how these two will react. Will they be mad? Angry? Aggressive? After all, I just told them I'm their natural enemy, which I denied fervently not twelve hours ago. I hold my breath in anticipation.

Nonetheless, nothing could've prepared me for them both relaxing slightly, nor for Eric just asking casually, "Is that it?"

I blink, stunned. "What do you mean,.'is that it'? I was freaking out for a solid ten, twenty minutes at this news, and all you can say is 'is that it'?!"

"Well," Joey combs through his black hair, "We told you already that we thought you were. It's the only thing that makes logical sense, even if you didn't know it yourself."

I can't believe this. Was I really having a mini panic attack for this?!

Seems I'm not the only one that's surprised. "Are you saying that you thought she was lying?" Mrs. Santiago asks.

"No, we knew she fully believed she wasn't a witch, but-" Suddenly, Eric stops talking, and stares at the woman beside me.

Joey is staring at her, too. Even from here, I can tell his eyes are darkening. "How did you know she was a witch?"

"Because we're witches too, obviously!"

Cassie scoffs and rolls her eyes at the two of them. But by the time her golden irises lock back into place, a sunset orange wolf is lunging toward her. I didn't even see Eric shift. I just felt his fur brush past me as he ran straight towards her.

However, just as his fangs are about to rip her throat out, his body is launched away from hers. At first, I thought she had thrown him off, but her arms never left her side. Hells, she is frozen in fear, with all her previous cockiness gone. I look to her mother, but she is just as shocked as we are, and hasn't moved a muscle either.

As the wolf gets up to try again, something rings in my ear.

"...promise you will not ever harm myself or any of the Santiagos."

"Fine. I promise."

Those were mine and Eric's voices from not ten minutes ago. I look towards his canine form. His dark hazel eyes lock onto mine, burning through his fiery fur. I can tell he heard it too. And now, as wave after wave of raging low growls ripples off him, I can tell he's freaking pissed.

"Are you f*****g serious, Ali?" Joey's accusation snaps my head towards him. He is no less angry than his partner. I'm surprised he was able to stay in his human form, being as mad as this. "You just found out you're actually a witch, and you're already using magic on us? Again?!"

Before I can respond, Mrs. Santiago, who calmed down once she realized the plan actually worked, defends me. "This is no magic, Mr. Sylvain."

"No," Cassie adds, having also breathed a little, "This is something you can thank your Moon Goddess mother for."

"Watch your mouth, witch!" he growls through his teeth. "What are you implying?"

"Wow, even I know Fated Mates can't break promises between each other." She scoffs, regaining her previous attitude. "Seriously, can you guys even call yourselves werewolves?"

Her sarcasm drives Eric to try for another attack, but my words and his ring through our minds again, and he whines, shaking his head instead.

"So you used the bond you magically made instead," Joey retorts. "How is that any better?"

"I'm sorry, but I had to. I needed to make sure you wouldn't act rashly without hearing us out."

"Not like we have a choice now..."

"Hey!" Cassie shouts, just as angry as the guys now. "We didn't even want you two to know. If it wasn't for Ali's insistence, we would've kept you mutts in the dark. Do you even realize how much danger this puts my mother and I in?!"

I put a hand on my friend's shoulder, and give her a small smile, trying to calm her down. She's practically shaking with rage right now, but also fear. Looking at her mother, I can tell Mrs. Santiago is just as scared. They're right. The two Main Alphas of the largest Pack in Crescent City now know they are witches. My bond with them, though forced, protects me from their wrath, but it doesn't automatically do the same for them. If I hadn't gotten the guys to make those promises, Cassie would be dead right now, as would Mrs. Santiago, no doubt. Just the thought of that possibility makes my stomach curl.

"So you're saying you did this for us."

Joey's blank statement is paired with his incredulous eyes.

But I still nod and meet his gaze. "I made you two a promise to tell you what was going on. This is the only way I could keep that promise."

Another growl from Eric tells me he's still pissed. He walks over to Joey, always keeping his eyes on us three, hackles raised and fangs gleaming. Even Joey isn't any less angry about this new development.

I don't care. I won't have them hurt my friends. Standing in front of the Santiagos, I meet their glares head on, not backing down. Maybe they'll hate me for this, and resent me for tricking them, but if this is what it takes to make things right, then I'll do it.

"And with this, I'll make you two another promise, so we're even."

The guys stop growling, in order to listen better, but the intensity of their eyes does not waiver. Neither does mine.

"I promise that some day, no matter what, I'll break this bond. Even if it's the last thing I do."