The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

War and Peace

It's around nine o'clock, and I'm laying in bed, mentally exhausted. Through the wall, I can hear the movie Eric and Joey put on. Some action thriller, from the sound of those machine guns and explosions. Probably a Michael Bay production. It's fine, though. My brothers are normally up all night, and at least these guys are trying to be quiet.

Joey had asked me if I wanted to join them, but with the events that unfolded today, my mind just felt ready to collapse. So I politely declined, saying I was going to bed. And here I am.

Now, for some reason, my brain won't shut up. Ugh, I hate when it does this! I'll feel super tired and sluggish, but the moment those lights are off and I'm horizontal, it's like the cogs in my head start working overtime. Visions of what happened in the last twenty-four hours keep cycling past my closed eyes. Waking up in this bed. Those painful, pleading pairs of eyes. The werewolves' ranks and sexualities. That garlic bread. The Santiagos' house. That awkward dinner. Mrs. Santiago's workshop, and the life-changing facts I learned within. Our promises...

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

Those words resonate through my mind as I turn onto my side. We made a lot of promises today, but this one felt different, and still does. Something clicked when I said those words. Eric, Joey, and I all felt it. As if that promise held a completely separate meaning from the others. Maybe because it was an ultimatum of sorts? Or was that the bond refusing to permit such a promise?

It doesn't really matter. No matter what, I meant those words. This bond, whether real or fake, is completely unfair. To them. To me. Even to their Pack. They run the largest Pack in Crescent City, maybe even the world. How could their members ever accept a witch as their Alphas' Fated Mate? Let alone, someone like me...

And there it is, the real reason I can't fall asleep. It always circles back to this. A tear escapes my eye as I hug a pillow. All these emotions today are finally overflowing, one droplet at a time. Gods, I hope the guys can't feel this right now! The last thing I need is for them to come in here, all worried about me. That would just add to the already full plate of guilt I have sitting in the pit of my stomach. My brain and my heart feel like they're at war with each other. Gods, why am I like this? I can't f*****g do anything right!!

I must've cried myself to sleep, because the next thing I know, it's early morning, and I'm waking up to a usual, well-deserved headache. Getting up from the bed, I wipe my encrusted eyelids free, and head to the bathroom. After a nice, warm shower, I feel a little better, though now my ever-gluttonous stomach is ready for breakfast. Throwing on my undergarments, a t-shirt, and some jeans, I exit my room.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'm the only one up, as the common room is still dark with no sign of either Joey or Eric. That's not unusual. Whenever I sleep in a new place, my body always wakes up early. It'll probably take a few weeks before I end up sleeping in.

Another gurgle reminds me why I'm here, so I head to the fridge. Luckily, the boys seem to keep a stash of fruits and veggies on hand. I grab an apple and head towards the living room. Yesterday, I spotted a window seat in one corner, behind the TV. After testing my weight to make sure it holds, I hop up and open the curtains.

Based on the temperature of the glass, it's another cool September morning. There's a bit of frost of the exterior pane, but it doesn't impede my vision too much. I munch on my breakfast while gazing outside my new wooden sanctuary. The leaves have started to gain their dying hues, painting the forest with splatters of yellows and oranges amid the sea of greens. What little sky I can see is a bit grey, and there's a fog hanging close to the ground. Still, squirrels and chipmunks scurry about, scavenging early before hibernation time, and chickadees flitter around with a few robins, scouring the ground for worms and seeds. A flash of blue joins them, and a jay bullies his way into the group. I can't help but smile as I watch them all, hard at work, completely unaware of my spying.

All of a sudden, I hear a creak from upstairs. Snapping in that direction, I find a broad form languidly drifting down the stairs. After a yawn and a stretch, Joey turns to my direction and jumps.

"What the-"

I giggle at my inadvertent surprise, then whisper-yell, "Morning."

"Mother Moon Goddess, Ali, you scared the crap out of me!" He makes his way over to me while holding a hand on his chest, still a little spooked. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I'm always like this when staying in a new place. My body takes some time to adjust to new surroundings, even when unconscious."

"I guess that makes sense."

"What about you?" I ask, taking another bite of my apple.

"I've always been an early riser. I like to exercise before starting my day." He looks out the window. "Looks a bit chilly out there."

"Mmm," I nod. That's just the way I like it. I turn my gaze back to the trees, continuing my bird watching.

"...Would you care to join me?"

I snap back to him in surprise. "I thought we agreed I wouldn't leave the house?"

"No," he says, leaning against the wall with a tiny smirk, "We agreed you wouldn't leave without discussing it first. Which is what we are currently doing."

A spark of hope ignites in my heart, but I'm still wary. "Won't Eric worry?"

He chuckles. "My partner is not like you and I. He probably won't be up for another hour or so. Plus, if he sees we're both gone, he'll just assume we're together. Maybe he'll even join us." He shakes his head. "That would be a first!"

I smile. "Well, if you're sure, then I'd love to! Give me a second."

Before he can change his mind, I rush back into my room, throw my still wet hair into a ponytail, and grab my sneakers before meeting him at the door. He smiles at my eagerness, but then frowns. "Where's your coat?"

"What coat? It can't be that cold outside."

"Ali, there is freaking frost on that window! At least bring a jacket with you."

I pout, but still acquiesce, tying my hoodie around my waist. "There. Now can we go?"

He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, but still opens the door. With a smile spreading across my face, I step out into the brisk early morning air, and enjoy the hint of moisture in it. Gods, does that feel good! Now that I'm outside, I can tell that the sun is trying to break through the cloudscape, burning its way little by little. A splash of sunlight hits my arm, and my smile widens as I enjoy the tinge of warmth.

"Are you just gonna stand there, or are you coming with me?" Joey chuckles, heading towards what I assume is west.

"Coming!" I bolt towards him, only slowing once I've caught up. The wind whistling past my face burns my ears, but that only increases my excitement. Once we're side by side, I match his gate for a steady pace.

My eyes are in constant motion, trying to capture everything during this beautiful fall morning. A squirrel hopping from one branch to another. Another pocket of sunshine bursting through the canopy. That same blue jay from before taking off as it spots our approach. How can a place be so alive, and yet so peaceful?

"Someone's enjoying herself."

Oh, right. For a second, I forgot I wasn't alone. "Sorry," I say automatically.

"What are you apologizing for?" He raises an eyebrow, giving me another smirk. "All I said was that you were enjoying yourself."

"Hehe, right." I blush, a little embarrassed, and try to think of something else to say.

Joey beats me to it, however. "Are you seriously not even the tiniest bit cold?" He asks, scanning my naked arms.

"Nope!" To prove my point, I walk ahead slightly, and twirl around on some already-fallen foliage, arms out wide. "This temperature is just how I like it!"

He shakes his shaggy locks at me. "You're crazy."

"You're not wrong, but apparently this has something to do with me being a witch. That's what Cassie said, at least."

"Really?"

I nod. "To be honest though, I thought it was just because I'm fat."

Suddenly, he stiffens a little. Uh oh. As he opens his mouth, I instantly know what he's about to say. And I don't want to hear it. "You're not-"

"Don't."

Joey stops, shocked by my interruption. "Don't what?"

I sigh, and turn away from him, continuing to move forward. "I may not be able to always tell when you're lying like you and Eric can tell with me," I call over my shoulder, "but I'm not blind, Joey. So don't even try to say I'm not fat."

A few seconds later, it's Joey's turn to catch up with me. The sound of a woodpecker resounds further up the way before he finally speaks again. "Fine, but if it bothers you so much, why not try to fix it?"

Ah, that age old question. I snicker a little. "It doesn't bother me that much anymore. What bothers me is when people try to downplay it. Or outright deny it. It's a part of who I am, and I've learned to accept it."

We continue in silence after that. I try to enjoy the flora and the fauna around us, but I can't help sending glances back towards my companion. It's obvious he wants to say something, but either he doesn't know what, or he's realized there isn't anything one can say after that, because the quiet between us remains unbroken for another half hour.

As it seems he's finally given up on the conversation, we suddenly come to a cliffside, overlooking a pretty large gully. There's a river about ten feet or so down, flowing calmly towards the south. A few ducks are catching their breakfast in an eddie as we come before it. Only a tall oak tree resides on this embankment. With the sky as open as it is here, I can see the sun as gotten some work done. Only a few stragglers are hanging on for dear life from the once formidable cloud army.

We head to the tree, which, based on Joey's trajectory, seems to be our destination. With how high it towers over us, I can tell it has lived for quite some time. And yet, the mass of leaves barely browning here and there prove that it's still got a few more years.

I balance on its roots, rushing around while taking it its majesty. "It's beautiful!"

"I couldn't agree more." Joey concurs, his now lightening eyes gleaming over the proud beast. "Eric and I always loved coming here to watch sunsets. This tree holds many secrets within, and probably knows more about us than we ourselves do."

I have no doubts about that. Trees have always been a big comfort to me. They're the silent friends that always listen, never judge, and are always present. I've had many bad days where I needed such companions, and there are a few birches back at home that used to watch over me while I hid my pain from scornful eyes.

But today is not one of those days. I sigh, and begin to enjoy the morning once again. I watch the clouds slowly diminish, then fade into oblivion. The duck squad eventually meanders farther upstream. I close my eyes and focus on the serene presence around us, all while leaning against this watchful guardian. Joey doesn't say a word, and with a few glances, I can tell he is doing the same. I smile at the knowledge that we finally have something in common, then let my head sink back into the bark. Maybe things will work out after all...

A few minutes later of breathing in Mother Nature's radiance, Joey sighs. "We should probably head back now."

I just nod and push off from my grounded perch. With a hand on its bark, I say a silent farewell to my new friend. Then, I follow Joey back to the house, taking in the last of our peaceful walk together.