The Two Alphas' Fated Witch

Safe Haven

My heart begins to pound in my chest as she says these words. Finally, I'm going to learn about my magic! If I weren't sitting on the bed right now, I'd probably be dancing with how excited I am. And nervous. What if I don't figure out how to fix everything? What if it was just a fluke, or a weird power surge of sorts, and I can't undo the bond? What if-

"Ali? Are you ready?"

Shaking my head a bit to clear away my thoughts, I focus on Mrs. Santiago, who has continued to wait patiently for me before beginning. "Yes. I'm definitely ready."

"Good, because I need you to focus in order for us to begin. Now," she exclaims, scooting closer to me. Her warm eyes never leave mine for a second. "I need you to close your eyes and clear your mind."

With all that's been going on? I can't help but snort a little. "I think that's easier said than done, Mrs. Santiago."

"I may not be a Rabbit Witch like my daughter, but as your mentor, I can still help you control your emotions. At least, enough to get us to our starting point. Now, close your eyes and focus on the sound of my voice."

Eventually, I comply, and try to clear my mind of everything but her voice. So many thoughts instantly rush to the forefront of my brain, all fighting for my attention. Images of my mother. The promises I made to Eric and Joey. The life I had before all this began...

"Ali, focus."

Right. I take a deep breath in, and let it out slowly. Repeating this process, I try to push each thought away with every exhalation. I can think about all that later, but right now, I need to do as Mrs. Santiago says, and clear my mind. My thoughts continue to swarm, but now, instead of swarming like bees in a hive, they're more like a fog that I've walked away from. Leaving me in a quiet, calm place. My breathing slows, and I wait patiently for my mentor's lead.

"Good. Now, I want you to think about your favorite place. Somewhere you feel safe and at home. A place where no one can hurt you, and only happiness resides. Can you do that?"

I nod, but it's hard. In my life, very few places exist where I wasn't sad or hurt. My own room back at home felt like a temporary shelter, which could be invaded at any given time. Even the trees in the forest behind our house share a few sad memories. However, as I mull over her words, one place does come to mind.

As I remember this haven, trees begin to sprout in my plane of nothingness. The smell of dew, moss, and running water come to me, but those are soon overpowered by acrid scent of the campfire before me. Crickets chirp within the darkness, which is pierced and broken only by the flames, an assortment of stars, and Moon Goddess herself. There's music coming somewhere behind me, and I see the shadows of mountain peaks far in the distance.

"Where are you right now?"

I begin describing my destination. "I'm at our camp in the mountains. The one by Echo Lake. It's night time, and my brothers are asleep with Dad. Mom went to the car for something, so I'm alone by the campfire, watching the stars. It's a full moon out tonight."

"Good. What else?"

"The old battery radio is on, and the station is playing something slow and sad. But I'm not sad. I used to love that song."

"How does it go?"

I begin humming to the tune in my head. As I do so, I can feel Mrs. Santiago's hands turning my arms. Her thumbs are rubbing my palms, and an overwhelming sense of calm is coming over me. Enough so that I actually start to sing softly along with the tune in my head.

"Can I use you as a warning sign

That if you talk enough sense then you'll lose your mind?

Oh and I found love where it wasn't supposed to be,

Right in front of me,

Talk some sense to me..."

"That's a very pretty song. Why do you like it so much?"

"The lyrics are so poetic, and the singer's voice is almost enchanting. It's a song Mom and I would belt out in the car. Even if I wasn't very good."

"What else about this scene do you like?"

"Everything. The smell of the campfire. The view of the mountains and the stars. The rustling of night creatures deep within the forest."

"What creatures do you see?"

I try to focus on that rustling. It's a little to my left, so I turn my head to try and get a better view. But whatever it is, it's staying out of sight.

I frown. "I can't see them. It's too dark."

"Why don't you get up and go closer?"

In my mind, I do so. Stepping away from my log seat, I walk around the fire, coming towards the treeline. But when I get a few feet away, a sense of unease tells me to stop. I hesitate.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

I shake my head, and take a step back. The rustling grows louder, and I start to realize that it's not a bunch of small creatures, but something much, much larger. "I...I don't think I should go that way..."

"Why not?"

All of a sudden, a growl rips through the forest. And it's much, much louder and deeper than anything either Eric or Joey have made, or probably could make. It easily drowns out the music and the crickets. The only thing I can hear over it is my own heart, violently beating in my chest. "It doesn't want me to come any closer. I- I can't-"

Then, as if hearing my words had triggered it somehow, the beast roars at me. I panic. Turning around, I start running away. Away from the fire. Away from the campsite. From the trees. From the mountains. From everything. Until all that is left is my rapid pulse and a dark expanse...

"Ali?! ALI!"

My eyes snap open as my body is shaken back and forth. I'm back in the cabin, sitting on top of the bed. Eric has is hands on my shoulders, gripping them firmly. His hazel eyes are flecked with blue again as they lock onto mine. Joey and Mrs. Santiago are nearby as well, looking at me worriedly from the foot of the bed.

I blink, a bit dazed. "What...what happened...?"

"I would like to know that as well," Eric growls, turning slowly towards Mrs. Santiago.

But she ignores him and, instead, comes to my other side. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

Now that I've had a moment to calm down, I breathe deeply, trying to control my blood pressure. "I think so..."

"Do you remember what happened?"

I nod hesitantly. "You were talking, and had me close my eyes."

"That's right. I had you clear your mind."

"And...there was something else..." But every time I try to remember anything past clearing my mind, all I get is a chill down my spine and a vacant slot. I know something happened, but I can't remember what. I turn towards her, utterly lost. "What were we doing? Why can't I remember?"

She holds my gaze for a few moments before turning away. She does a few paces back and forth with her head slightly lowered and her arms crossed, thinking intently.

"What were you two doing?" Joey asks. Both the boys look as lost as I am, though they are watching my mentor with far more malice than I.

"I was trying to help Ali find the source of her power," she responds, continuing her pacing. "Such a thing is necessary for a new witch. I had to when I was young, and I led Cassandra through it ten years ago."

"And did she almost have a panic attack as well?" Eric demands.

"Panic attack? What are you talking about?"

"Ali," Joey replies, "Your heart rate is going through the roof. In the last ten minutes, something stressed you out to all hells. That's why we ran in here."

"Sorry for that, by the way. I know we just talked about it last night, but-"

"It's fine," I interrupt Eric. "You guys were obviously stressed out about it, too. Besides, I don't even remember what happened." Suddenly, my body starts to shiver a little. I then realize Eric still has a hold of my shoulders. "But could you let me go? I'm fine now."

"Oh," he exclaims, and instantly leans back, taking his hands with him. "Sure thing."

I nod in thanks, but my arms still come around me by default. However, there are more pressing issues than my past trauma at the moment. I turn back to Mrs. Santiago. "What happened to me?"

She had still been pacing as the guys and I talked. But now, she ceases, sighs heavily, and meets my befuddled gaze with her own apologetic one. Oh, that can't be good.

Sure enough, it isn't.

"I believe your Spirit Animal just rejected you."