Love to Love

The Betrayal

"You know Blair?" Paula covers her mouth and gags again.

"She's my… my former high priestess. I just left her coven. She took back my invitation and revoked my magic." Nadia says quietly.

"Oh Nadia, you can't leave. You're a born witch. A natural witch."

"No, I'm not. I'm a natural wolf and an invited witch."

"You're a first generation witch of your family. When your mother joined Blair's coven, that made any child she gave birth to, a natural witch. It was in the spell. While you can technically leave her coven, you are still a witch. Your magic is not gone. You're a solitary witch. Not dark, nor light. Until you choose, like your mother and I." Nadia closes her eyes and squeezes her fists. This is all too much.

"Cadette 17!" a loud, angry voice calls from behind them. "Pick up the pace and get her in the manor!"

"Come, let's go." Paula takes Nadia's arm and quickly leads her to the front door.

Once inside Nadia is overcome with the smell of death. The walls are damp, the floor is slick. There's barely any light, a few candles, lanterns and whatever sunshine is able to make it through the drawn curtains. It's quiet and any movement echoes. Paula leads her up a grand staircase that creaks with each step. At the top of the stairs in a large portrait of a man and woman. She doesn't recognize them but can't look away. They turn to a long hallway and continue further back into the building. Deeper and deeper they walk Nadia feels more and more tense. Paula stops at a door with intricate details, a once golden knob and pushes it open. A cloud of dust greets them first.

"I'm so sorry for the condition of the room. It's been years since any of these rooms were used." Paula pulls a box of matches from her pants and lights every candle she can find.

"Why am I staying here again?" Nadia looked around but touched nothing.

"The Commander ordered you to be here." Paula repeated.

"Yes, but why?" Nadia presses for more information. There is something not being said.

"Nadia… please, please don't tell them who you are. Who you really are. Tell them you're a rogue wolf. Do not mention your magic, even if you can't feel it, it's there. Stall but also don't lie. If they already know your royal title, then let them say it. Don't offer any information first. I will do what I can to make sure you stay safe from him."

"What will the Commander do to me?"

"Not the Commander. There's another above him. Lord Zander."

…

...POV Nadia…

My blood turns to ice. Zander. He's a vampire. Blair warned me about him. Did she purposely put me in his path?

"Paula, look at me." I grab her arm and turn her towards me. I steady my eyes to hers. "Can you hear me?" My lips don't move as I speak to her.

"Yes, holy s**t yes, I can hear you." Paula answers back without a sound.

"We are both solidarity witches, belonging to no coven. Unless we create one?"

"Yes. You're right... Nadia, you're a natural witch. All you need is one sister in your coven to be a high priestess. Here, take my hands." Paula holds my hands and begins to chant.

The time has come,

begin to learn from

new magic and light,

crystal clear and bright.

A coven we seek,

hear the words we speak

A circle of protection

a natural election.

The time has come,

The time has come…

Her hands tightened around mine, cramping my fingers. In a whole body rush of sensation I felt the need to shift, scream, leap and sob but didn't. I held her hands and began to soak in her words.

The smell of dirt filled the room.

Earth.

A gentle breeze danced through our hair. Air.

The candle flames grew taller.

Fire.

A light mist filled the room.

Water.

I was reborn. A High Priestess'.

Paula wept and hugged me. Her body was pressed against mine so hard, I had to take a step back. As I pulled back from the hug I moved the collar of her uniform. Below the navy blue shirt was the mark of a wolf. I quickly grabbed her arm, tilted her neck and took a closer look.

"Paula?" I whispered.

"Yes, I've been bitten by my mate, Danny."

…

"That's unbelievable Ryan. Honestly, if I didn't trust you, as I do, I'd suspect that the whole story was complete bullshit!" Holly snapped.

"I know, it feels like bullshit. It IS bullshit. I should be preparing for my Alpha ceremony, my wife's Luna ceremony… we should be together! Thanks to all the f*****g lies and secrets, we're in this mess!" Ryan stood to his feet and gritted his teeth.

"Ryan, I can't apologize enough." Helena spoke softly. "It's my fault… I should have never let this happen. For it to get this far!"

"While you do have a hand in the secrets, your Majesty, I blame my father. My grandfather. They are the real ones at fault."

"What is your plan Ryan?" Alfie asks.

"I… I don't know. Nadia left to see her High Priestess', Blair. She wanted answers from her, she wanted to go alone. I never should have let her go. Now she's gone, lost or… Helena felt her call, felt her fear. We headed in this direction because of Helena."

"The lavender field is where I met Blair. I felt this was the place to start." Helena said.

"But the lavender… it's exploding!" Kie shouts!

"Ah, sorry about that. That was us." Holly said. With a quick wiggle of her nose the dust immediately fell. The air was clear. The sun was shining but nearing the horizon. "We sensed danger. We sensed you. We thought you were Danny, hunting us again."

"Now we're mixed up with a kidnapped Luna Witch!" Alfie shouted.

"Hey! We have our treaty with Ryan's Pack. We have him to thank for our lives! If he needs our assistance, we will not run away!" Holly slapped Alfie's thigh and spoke to her Flock.

"It's ok Holly, I don't even know what we're getting into… let alone what trouble we could get you in. I have my Beta, my warriors. With Helena able to hear Nadia, we should be able to find her."

"Here, I have some dried meat and bread. Gain your strength." She hands her bag to Kie and walks towards Ryan. "Let's go talk."

They walk a short distance to a grove of maple trees. The breeze smells sweet and Holly's hair sparkles in the sun. She leans against a tree, crosses her arms and scowls.

"For f**k sake Holly. Don't give me that look." Ryan groans.

"Why not? You're being an i***t. You haven't been in these woods in a long time. Too busy in that fancy castle. Working on what exactly? Political bullshit, arranged marriages to total strangers? She's gonna get you killed before you even make it to Alpha."

Ryan kicked the dirt and raised his shoulders. He felt angry but also a slight ping of regret. What if Holly was right?

"No, you don't know her. She's my mate!"

"Your mate. Your predestined mate to continue a royal bloodline to ensure the survival of the pureblood werewolf species. Ever question that logic?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Your old fashioned way of life… these traditions you keep. Even when it destroys people."

"Holly…" Ryan turns to her and sees that pink glow. "I…"

"Broke my heart." Holly whispers.

...

December 2104

"Ryan, take a seat." Alpha Kenneth's voice is stern. Ryan sits in a hard leather chair across his father's mahogany desk. His eyes narrow in on what this meeting could be about. Seems more serious than he assumed. "We need to discuss the future of this Pack. For the Kingdom."

"What do you mean? What else is there to discuss? We've talked about our borders, the warriors, the food and water supply, medical care, our relationship with Humans and other species. Can't imagine there is more. Unless you're planning to retire early then, shiiiit." Ryan laughs at his own joke.

"Yes, Ryan. That is exactly it. You need to marry so you can become the Alpha."

"What the fuck."

The Alpha places his head in his hands and sighs. His son is 25, without a mate and has priorities that aren't in line with the pack, the kingdom and the future.

"Unless you'd like me to pass this role to your Beta?"

"Jeez Dad, this is just unexpected." Ryan shifts in the chair.

"Shouldn't be, you're 25!" Kenneth shouts.

"Yeah but still, you became Alpha at 21 and could be Alpha till your 100! Age doesn't mean much in that aspect. Since it hadn't happened yet I just figured you weren't ready to step down. Is this because Holly and I moved in together?!"

"She moved in? When?" Kenneth's surprise confuses Ryan.

"Last weekend? You and mom were in the city. I told mom, I figured she told you."

"No, she didn't. She should have. She shouldn't have let that happen."

"Why not? We've been dating for years, we're always together, figured it was time. Though I'm not sure I'm ready for marriage yet. I love her, I do but marriage…"

"Stop… you can't marry Holly." Kenneth sighs and feels tightness in his chest.

"What? You just said I needed to marry…"

"YOU WILL NOT MARRY HOLLY!" Kenneth roared and the walls shook.

...

Holly looked to the ground, arms still crossed and cheeks flushed. "You destroyed me Ryan."

"I… I don't know what to say."

"Of course you don't. You didn't then either. You just left." Holly wipes her eyes, not letting her tears fall.

"I told you my father surprised me with an arranged marriage. I had no choice." Ryan says back.

"Then you left. You had a choice. You didn't pick me, when I thought you loved me. Like I love you."

"It was to marry the Suburbia princess or leave the pack. That's not a choice!"

"Yes, it is. You invited me into your life, your family, your pack. I thought we would marry. Even if I wasn't your destined mate, I thought that didn't matter. Or if worse came to worse, you'd change me! I would have changed for you. You weren't out seeking your mate because you were in love with me! Tell me I'm wrong."

Ryan feels the truth in her words and can't think straight. He leans on a tree and slides down to the ground. "You're not wrong."

"But I'm still not the one." Holly follows and sits across from him. "So, how do we look for your wife?"

...POV Ryan…

I can't just ignore what she just said to me but I don't have time either. I need to find Nadia. My mind is so mixed up and I can't bring myself to look Holly in the eye. She's right on so many levels, most importantly now that I'm lost in these woods. "Please, help me scout these woods. I don't know where to look. If Helena and I can't feel or hear her, I'm afraid we won't find her."

Holly swallows and is silent for a moment. She jumps to her feet, brushes the dirt from her hands and points. "That direction, North, is the river. It hasn't changed. Still open territory. To the west, past the lavender field is the nearest human lead city, Mount Buffalo. It's a civil place, we will travel there for supplies. We have friends and family that are settled there. They are cautious with Vampires, Wolves and Witches but mostly accepting. To the South is your Kingdom and Suburbia. East… east is the former Watson Pack Territory. After it was abandoned we used their roads as a shortcut to another Human City. It was empty and quiet for years until last winter. Someone moved in. Repaired stone walls, fires burn all the time. We stayed away. Something feels off. Light witches and trolls don't even go."

"You don't think a vampire clutch took over?" My stomach felt dread.

"Maybe, but we've seen movement during daylight. Alfie and his crew think it's probably that damn rogue wolf, Danny. I'm not so convinced."

"Let's get back to the group, I need to talk with Alfie." I rush past Holly and she follows, slowly.

…

"Is Danny one of the warriors that brought me in?" Nadia asks.

"No, he is a higher rank. He's technically Alpha to the wolves here." Paula says casually.

"Alpha? Paula, you're a Luna?!" Nadia exclaims.

"He rejected me after marking me. Immediately after he finished. He wasn't even off of me before he said those words. I am twelve years older than him, we were both surprised when we met and had that mate connection. I had assumed since I accepted a dark witch invitation the Moon Goddess took away my life with a mate. I never looked for him. Then one day this tall, lean, lean for a wolf comes to my cottage. Said he smelled a wolf in heat and demanded to see my daughter. I told him I was alone, it was my heat he sensed. We hadn't made eye contact because I was under a cloak. When he grabbed my shoulders, calling me a liar, it was instant. The second our eyes met he scooped me up and carried me inside. I'm sure you can imagine my delight! I'd been alone for years and suddenly a strong, handsome young man is ripping my clothes off. Even better it was my mate! I fell completely to his will. It lasted hours before he finally marked me. I barely even said mark me before his fangs sunk deep into my neck. There was a moment of passion, maybe even love. I placed my hands on his chest and he gripped my wrists. He growled I reject you as my mate. It was the most love and hatred I've ever felt. My heart simultaneously opened and broke. He was gone in a flash."

"Oh, Paula…."

"Six months passed and my belly had grown. I stayed at my cottage because it was all I had. A very dark, freezing night there was a crash outside. I feared it was my cover for my firewood. I didn't even get past my front stoop before someone grabbed me. I woke up here, in the manor. Still night, cold and alone. I was chained to the bed with silver. I kept fading in and out. Finally I woke up to someone standing over me. It was a woman I'd never met before. She was giving me an IV, changing my bedding and nightgown. She paid much attention to my swollen belly. She didn't say a word. I screamed who are you? Where am I? and she didn't blink. I remained in that room when my water broke. My child was born and immediately handed off to someone, I only saw the back of their head. I don't even know if it's a boy, a girl or if they are still alive."

"They took your pup?" Nadia had held Paula's hands this whole time and felt her shiver and shake.

"I was hooked up to a machine that pulled milk from my breasts. I constantly had an IV in my arm, was given food and water throughout the day but stayed in bed. No one spoke to me. They'd come in to clean me, feed me and change me. That milk machine went off every 15 minutes! I was beginning to lose my mind when Danny finally entered my room."

"Welcome to my pack Paula. You will be Cadette 17, an Omega. You will work in the patrol building. You are not a prisoner, you're free to leave if you wish. I don't suggest it though. I will kill you. You've birthed my child but you will tell no one. You are not anyone's mother."

Paula continued to tell Nadia that Danny was hardly ever in territory. If he was she never saw him. She saw the Commander daily, he was always around. He'd only be unavailable if Lord Zander needed him.

"If the Commander lives here in the manor, Danny is always away, where does Lord Zander dwell?" Nadia questioned.

"He stays under the Manor, in the Crypt." Paula's skin turns cold under Nadia's warmth.

"You're afraid of him, aren't you?" Nadia whispers.

"I am. Everyone is."

"Paula, we must stick together. I will help you escape… Ryan! Mother! Please hear me!!" Nadia shouts in her mind.

"Ryan! I hear her, she's there!" Helena points East, just as Ryan feared.

"We can't go there Ryan...your Majesty! We need time to prepare for whom we will meet." Alfie shouts.

"Well we must go, it's my daughter!" Helena looks to Ryan for his agreement.

"Helena, wait, Alfie is right. We're not prepared. If you can hear her, she is alive. We need more warriors. More fighters." Ryan paces back and forth and plans aloud. "Kie, we need to go back to the Kingdom and gather warriors. Alfie, is your crew equipped to fight?"

"Equipped and ready to kick some ass!" He gives a fellow fairy a high five.

"Right. Good. We meet back here at Sunrise!" Ryan shouts and all parties take off in various directions, except for Helena.

"Your majesty, what are you doing?"

"I can't go back Ryan, I can't face William. Not now. I will stay here, till you get back. I will listen for her." Helena stayed seated and drew a circle around herself. "My magic will protect me."

...

...POV Ryan…

Her magic? Her magic. For f**k sake. Is anyone telling the truth about anything! I glare at her for a moment and I know she hears my thoughts. What have you done?

"Please Ryan, please. It's killing me. Every decision I've ever made since accepting that date with William has been the wrong one. Please, understand no one hates me more than I hate myself." Her tone is genuine and heartbreaking. I nod and turn to join the others. My shift happens faster than ever before. The clothing Alfie gave me burst into dust.

When I catch up with Kie and the warriors I tell them Helena stayed behind but I don't share the other part. While I'm furious and hate to continue the lie, I need help to find my wife. Helena is the only one that can hear all her calls. If she says she's protected by magic, I have to put my faith in her words. She was my mother's best friend. They shared their wedding day. Mom spoke about Helena every day.

20 Years ago

"Mom, can we go visit Helena today? I had a dream about her." I said.

"Aww, sweetie. Remember what I said about Helena? She lives in Suburbia, a human kingdom. We're not welcome there. At least, not right now." Mom held my face in her soft hands and kissed my nose.

"When will we be welcome? If she's a Queen and you're a Queen and she's your best friend, can't you make a treaty?" My small voice asking big questions made her worry.

"You need to spend less time with dad in his office I think! You don't need to worry about treaties."

"Yes I do! Someday I will be Alpha, it's never too early to learn." I smirked.

"Ok but I bet even dad would say you should keep practicing gymnastics and karate right now. Plenty of time to learn the more grown up stuff later!" She poked my belly and continued reading her book. The Twilight Saga; New Moon.

"Is that a history book?" I look at the pages and see it mentions werewolves.

"Nope, this is just a made up story. Written by a human. I find it entertaining."

"Oh! Is it like that cartoon grandpa showed me in the theater room? The wolf pretending to be a grandma!?"

"Mm, no, not really. This is a love story!"

"Ewww!!"

"Someday you won't say eww, someday you're gonna love someone so much!"

"You mean Nadia?"

"You love Nadia? You've never met her."

"But I saw her picture and she's Helena's daughter. I think about her. Someday I hope we get to meet. When we're allowed to be friends with humans again."

Mom's smile will never leave my mind. Her kindness was her best trait. She treated everyone the same. No matter who they were or what they've done. She wasn't naive though and knew not everyone was good. But she still didn't treat a criminal badly. She changed protocols in the reformatory and training with warriors. Dad scoffed at many of her suggestions but he eventually saw a change. A rogue wolf could change and be accepted into a pack. A thief could be remorseful and never steal again. We have her to thank for many of our laws.

I wonder if mom knew Helena was a witch. She'd likely accept her, keep the secret and be sure Helena would never harm the Kingdom, the pack or Suburbia. So why was Helena so ashamed?

Before we had quite reached the Kingdom the gates immediately opened when the lookouts spotted us. My father and his First Sergeant, Henry, were waiting in the courtyard. He stood still, hands behind his back, shoulders stiff and didn't blink. Henry saluted me and stood at ease.

"Nadia is in trouble. We need to gather the warriors and go to her. We believe she's being held captive by rogue wolves that took over the Watson Territory." Breathless I managed to get it out. Father still didn't flinch.

"Your majesty, we are aware of what's happening. We have Intel watching that territory." Henry says.

"Have you seen Nadia!?"

"Yes, we received word of her this morning. She was seen with a female Cadette heading to the Manor."

"Why didn't anyone call for me?! We've been searching for her! Helena can hear her calls. She's in trouble! Dad, what the f**k, say something?!"

"Maybe it's for the best. She seems to be taken in as a guest. I doubt they will harm her."

My mind went blank.

"Your Majesty, you can't be serious? She's the future Queen of the Kingdom, our Luna." Kie said.

"She will not! She's a witch!" Dad's voice boomed through the courtyard and caught everyone's attention. I see concerning looks and hear whispers.

"Dad, how dare you reveal that! There is so much deceit, so many lies! How about you tell the pack that first!" I roared back.

A crowd was beginning to gather and I felt an intensity building. He's going to cause an outrage against my wife! She's just as innocent as them in this mess. "She had left to speak with her high priestess when Helena heard her cry for help. I don't know what happened and why she's now being held captive but I WILL save my WIFE!"

"Your Majesty, we need to alert nearby packs and territories and go into full lockdown. Now! This is code ICE." Henry's eyes had closed for a moment. He was getting a call from a warrior. This news was big, I could feel it in my bones.

Code ICE? I racked my brain. Code ice. Ice is water, cold water, cold, cold enemies… VAMPIRES!

…

A loud knock startled Paula and Nadia. They dropped their touch and Paula immediately backed away. Just in time for another woman to appear in the room.

"Cadette 17, is your radio not working?"

"Huh...oh, s**t. I apologize, Cadette 12, my volume was turned down during the interrogation."

"You're needed back on patrol." She quipped and left the room.

Nadia looked at Paula and spoke in her mind. "Go, I'll be fine." Paula gave a slight nod and left the room. The sound of the door being locked gave Nadia goosebumps. She looked around the room a bit more before sitting in a large chair. She struggled to process what was happening. How it happened so quickly. Just a moment ago she was in her new husband's arms and now… will she ever see him again? Her family? In an attempt to shake the worry from her mind she thought of Blair and her warning for Lord Zander. She was now in his territory. He could be right below her, watching her, listening. What did Blair know?

"Blair, you b***h. You're gonna pay for this. You led me to him on purpose! So much for our connection being gone! We'll forever be linked! I hate you for what you've done to me, my mother, Paula… "

"It's what a dark witch does, you fool!" A cloud of green formed in the middle of the room and soon Blair's Crone appeared.