The Duty of an Alpha (Book 2)

Spells

Chapter 18

Arden POV*

It took nearly a full day after waking up to fully recover. I could only guess that there was something more going on with the rogue than just having his emotions blocked. It seemed like he was also able to inhibit my abilities, but I couldn’t be sure about that since he was dead.

I had asked Eva with help examining the corpse. Even though it seemed morbid, we needed to know what was so different about this wolf and why he was so close to the pack. Eva was able to force shift the rogue back to human form.

We had a few people come in to look at him, in case anyone could recognize who he was, but nothing was helpful. Even James came by. He didn’t know who the man was, but he swears that the scent is familiar, only he doesn’t know why.

He promised to keep thinking on it, just in case it finally clicked, but I could see that he was feeling like he let me down.

After a few more days, all the scouts that were sent to scour the woods near the river finally returned. No one had anything to report, leaving me even more frustrated. We had no proof that rogues were anywhere near our borders, yet Ash River had already been attacked twice.

Roman didn’t stay long after I woke up in the infirmary. He had to get back to his pack, saying he wanted to be sure that everything was done right. So far, his patrols had nothing to report either. The surrounding areas of his pack were just as clean as mine.

Nothing seemed to be going our way, and for nearly a week, everyone avoided me since they knew I was in such a bad mood. I tried to keep it under control, but there were too many problems and not nearly enough solutions.

A break in the disappointing news finally came when Eva approached me during dinner in the pack house.

“Arden.” Eva called to me in her gentle voice. “I have some good news. We are ready to make our first attempt!”

Her words brought a smile to my face, and I quickly cleared my plate and placed it in the sink to clean up later. We hurried from the dining area, not wanting anyone to overhear what was happening.

“Really?” I asked, trying to contain my excitement. “I could really use some good news about now, and if this works, it would be at least one problem that has a solution. Would we be able to do this tonight?”

“I’m fairly certain this will work, and yes, everything is ready to perform the spell as soon as you are ready.” Eva assured me. She reached out to stop me from going upstairs, so I just stood next to her, waiting. “Have you considered who would be the first person to try this on? I promise there will be nothing harmful done. Either it works or it doesn’t, but either way, no negative effects should take place.”

Her question made me pause. I knew I wanted Vanalynn to get her voice back as soon as possible, but I couldn’t bare crushing her dreams if it didn’t work. There had been so many decisions put on me lately that I felt overwhelmed b the idea of making another one.

“I don’t know honestly.” I replied, hating the words that came out of my mouth. “I wouldn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up just for it not to work.”

“I understand dear.” Eva placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “If I might make a suggestion, perhaps try asking one of the older staff members? It is sad to think it, but many of them have probably come to terms with never speaking again. They haven’t been able to most of their lives, so it would be less likely to crush their hearts if the spell did not work.”

Eva’s words made sense, but then again, when she spoke in her soothing, gentle tone, everything makes sense. I nodded my head, thinking of who would be the best to ask out of the older pack members. Nearly all of them chose to stay on in the pack house when I took over. Being hindered by not being able to speak with anyone out loud didn’t seem to bother them, but a few have expressed their gratitude of being able to mink link again.

Apparently, cutting out their tongues wasn’t enough for the sick in the head Alphas that came before me. They also had their ability to communicate at all subdued. Vanalynn had once told me that they thought it would make the staff more subservient since they couldn’t express their unhappiness to anyone.

A few names came to mind as I thought over who might be willing to try this spell out, and also keep quiet if it doesn’t work. Out of all of those who had suffered at the hands of the previous Alphas, one of the stronger and more resilient of them was the head cook.

“I know just who to ask.” I told Eva as soon as I decided. “If you want to make sure everything is ready, we will be up there in about 5 minutes?”

“Of course dear.” Eva started up the stairs in oddly graceful movements that I knew she was known for, and I turned back towards the kitchens.

It didn’t take long to find who I was looking for. The woman rarely left the kitchen area, even though I had tried multiple times in the past to make her take a week off.

Lisa swore up and down that the entire kitchen would fall apart if she wasn’t there to manage it. She was a small woman in her 50’s who always had a smile and kind words to give. She mothered nearly everyone who came into the kitchen, and always made sure to keep an eye out for anyone who needed their favorite meal made to cheer them up.

If there was anyone who would benefit from being able to speak out loud, I would like to believe it would be her. Yet, she would also manage just fine if her voice was never returned to her.

“Lisa!” I called out to her from the kitchen door. “I need to see you for a moment, please.”

Lisa turned and smiled brightly at me before she started pointing to different things within the room. It looked like she was giving instructions to the other workers, but she was mind linking them individually.

Alpha! It is so nice to see you! Lisa mind linked me as she got close, still smiling. What can I do for you?

I was hoping we could go somewhere and talk? She looked a little shocked that I linked her instead of speaking out loud, but recovered quickly and agreed to walk with me.

I’m listening, Alpha. If there is anything I could do for you, just ask. She said, confirming that she was definitely the person to talk to.

It is actually something that I want to do for you. I said slowly as we started heading up the stairs. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, so please don’t tell anyone.

Of course!

Have you met Eva? I asked, and once she said she had, I continued. I invited her here to see if she would be able to solve a problem that too many of our pack members suffer from. The Alphas who were in charge in the past left a lot of scars on many of the people here. Unfortunately, some scars will never be healed, but I wanted to see what I could do about trying to help.

Lisa looked at me patiently, waiting for me to continue.

Would you be willing to be the first to test out a spell that Eva has created?

Yes. Lisa answered before I could even tell her what it was. If it can help people in the pack, then yes. I will do it.

You don’t want to know what it is for? I questioned, surprised at her resolve.

Surprise me, Alpha. She winked at me and continued up to the 3rd floor.