Discovering Me

Potion Making

Breakfast was delicious and I really enjoyed my time with the Beta family. Beta Grant suggested we leave directly after, since it was a 45 minute drive and he wanted to be back from town by lunchtime.

The herbal shop was a cute little shop with candles and books as well.

“Hello, how may I help you?” a cute little older man appeared from behind a bookshelf.

“Hello. Walt, I have a visitor who is looking for some herbs and things. Would you be able to help her?” Beta Grant asked.

“Depending on what you’re looking for.” He says, eyeing me. “Hello young lady.”

“Hello Master Walt. It’s a pleasure to be acquainted with such a powerful wizard.” I said, sensing his aura and rank.

“You really are an enchantress, aren’t you? What’s your family surname, my dear? I can see you’re not from around here.” He asked.

“My grandmother’s surname was Williamson. She was Ursula Williamson.” I replied, bracing. Knowing his reaction may not be so nice.

“Why should I help the granddaughter of the dark side of the yin yang sisters? What are you using your magic for? Good or evil?” He asked.

“I understand where your feelings are rooted from. I assure you I don’t have the power needed for evil like my grandmother or even my aunt. I am a hybrid after all. I’m only trying to concoct a potion for healing to aid in a wolf’s natural ability.” I explained.

He stared at me for a moment analyzing me before finally agreeing, “That's not true, but I'm not sure you know that yet. I trust you're being honest and will help, but only because we’re family. My name is Walt Williamson. Your grandmother is a cousin. I know how her demise happened and how your father was sent away for his protection beforehand. Your great aunt, Nancy, did a wonderful job cloaking him then sneaking him into the werewolf community away from your grandfather. It was too late for your aunt. She was taken in by another dark witch and has been quiet for some time. Tell me what potion are you looking into making and I will help you gather the items you need.” He reluctantly agreed.

I explained the potions I wanted to make and fortunately he had everything needed and more. He also gave me a book of potions that he wanted me to study. He felt it would be beneficial for future use. We talked about some of my family history and I was amazed at the facts that were hidden even from me.

“My dear Lexi. There is a spell I’d like you to learn from in the book that will allow you to call in and communicate with me using any reflective surface. I put my calling card number on the book’s cover. Make sure you give me a call whenever you may need me. You may not be strong enough to teleport yet, but I can and am also able to teleport you.” He says, handing my bag of herbs. I hugged him and thanked him as we left his shop.

“Well, that was intense. Who would have thought you would learn so much about your family history from old man Walt? Oh and thanks for picking out those teas for my mate.” Beta Grant said as we got back into the car.

“No problem. I hope it helps her.” I said as I fastened my seatbelt. “It’s always interesting hearing others' perceptions of my grandmother. She was mischievous at her young age. Unfortunately, my dad and his siblings had to reap the consequences of it all.”

“Is that why you said what you said earlier about being put to death? If you’re in trouble, I might be able to see if we can help you.” He inquired.

“Partially. It's no secret and was made clear, as long as I keep a low profile I can remain safe.” I replied, putting on my sunglasses.

“I’m sure you’ll explain when you feel comfortable,” he said in a reassuring way.

I’m glad he didn’t press anymore. I really didn’t want to go and remember all that trauma. The rest of the ride back into the pack was quiet. It allowed me time to start reading the book I was given.

Once we pulled up to the packhouse, Beta Grant offered, but I grabbed my bag, telling him it was no problem for me to carry it in. I gave him the bag with the tea for his mate. It had instructions on it so I didn’t need to explain anything. I was informed that Keenan was already in his suite, so I walked right up and opened the door.

“Hey, Keenan. I’m back….oh.. I’m sorry. I’ll come back.” I said, closing the door and walking back down to the elevator. I didn’t expect to walk in on him being “serviced” by that Cassidy chick. I mean, I guess they were only getting reacquainted. Once the elevator opened, I was surprised to be greeted by Mr and Mrs Patal.

“Oh, Hello Mr and Mrs Patal.” I said, greeting them.

“Hi Lexi. Where are you headed?” asked Mrs Patal.

“I was just going to the kitchen to see if I could use their stove to make some potions to help with wolf healing” I said, gesturing to my bag.

“Oh. Keenan doesn’t want it made in his suite or do you need better ventilation or something?” Mr Patal asked.

“Well, Keenan is getting acquainted with a friend there and I didn’t want to intrude. It’s not really odorous, but extra ventilation would be nice. If the space isn’t available I’ll wait until later,” I replied.

“Lexi, why don’t you come with us back to our cabin? It’s right across the street. I’d love to hear about this potion and how it will help.” Mrs Patal suggested, and I graciously accepted the invitation.

***

“So you see how it turns from red to a golden brown color once it’s simmered. I’m going to take it off the heat now and let it cool some, then I can bottle it in the jars you gave me and I’ll need to get in touch with the warrior that was injured last week in the rogue attack. I think his name was Jermaine or something like that.” I explained after mixing the potion together and explaining how each element aids in the wolf’s strength.

“Jermaine? I almost forgot he had been in an attack last week. I remember Zain saying he was an odd case because his wolf didn’t seem to be healing him at all. He said he could only faintly feel his wolf. Do you think this will help strengthen his wolf?” Mr Patal asked.

“I hope so. I spoke to Mr Walt earlier at his shop and he said if it doesn’t, then it may be a possibility that the attack wasn’t planned by rogues alone. In that book over there he marked a spell that might help also. I’ll try it but I'm not sure how strong my magic is.” I explained further.

“Well, it won’t hurt. I’ll call him here now.” Mr Patal says.

A few minutes later, we heard a knock at the door and Mrs Patal was welcoming Jermaine in. He looked even worse than he did earlier today. Shaking his hand, I felt something was off with him.

“Mr. Patal, can you get a reading on his blood? Does it seem like it has toxins in it to you?” I asked, remembering he detects blood traits. Although I don’t consume blood, I can tell something is off with it.

“Oh let me see.” He said, looking into Jermaine’s eyes.”Hmm..” He said before he walked upstairs and came back with a bag. He pulled out what looked like a glucose monitor. “I’m just going to prick your finger and take a small blood sample. This text kit is used by modern day vampires to determine if blood given by a doner is indeed safe. Many still enjoy feeding on willing participants. I’m going to use it on you, Jermaine, to see the level of toxins in your bloodstream and what type they are. I know the hospital has already tested you for rabies but there are other wolf viruses that can be passed into the bloodstream from a bite.” He explained. “Looks like you have strychnine in your blood system. That’s odd. It usually doesn't affect us werewolves, but it is known to kill normal wild wolves. It’s not too common here in the US. I’ve linked the boys to get here, so they should be here shortly.”

In the meantime, I decided to concoct a detoxifier. Mrs Patal has a lot of herbs needed in her small herb garden that she uses regularly in her food seasoning and teas. They’re pretty similar to the ingredients used in the hangover cure and cause the kitchen to have an aromatic scent.

“It smells good in here. Mom, are you making soup or something?” Alpha Zain asks as he walks into the door, followed by his Beta Grant and Gamma Keenan.

“No, but now that you mention it, it does smell similar to my Chicken Herb Soup I made when you boys after your first shift.” she said, smelling the air around. I walked into the living room behind her with the detoxifier in a coffee mug, handing it to Jermain.

“Here, try to drink this. You may have to use the restroom in like a half hour after drinking, so you may want to get home. Here’s the healing potion in this bottle. You should probably drink a lot of water with both, so you can keep your system hydrated. Hopefully, you can hear your wolf better after ridding your body of some of the toxins.” I explained to him.

“Thank you, Lexi. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, I will take my leave after I drink this.” Jermaine says, slowly drinking down the detoxifier. The root in it does make the taste very bitter.

“I’ll go clean my mess so you can all discuss pack matters.” I said, walking back into the kitchen.

“Lexi,” Keenan called out, following me into the kitchen. “I’m sorry you walked in on me like that. It really wasn't what it looked like”. He started to explain.

“We’re all good bro. I should have knocked. She’s very pretty.” I said, going over to the sink to wash out the pot I used.

“She is, but not for me. I was comforting her and will admit things heated up. I did not plan for her to be there. She just followed me up and we were talking. You know just catching up and when she hear the door open she just dove on my lap.” He says, walking so that he’s next to me.

“No judgment here. I mean you are both two consenting adults. I already know you have the willpower to abstain from a drugged-up enchantress. If she broke your willpower, I have no need to question things, right?” I said, biting my lip thinking about how hard it must have been for him that night I was given the drugs.

He walks close behind me, arm around my shoulder, bending low so he’s right in my ear and lowly says, “Little enchantress. You just don’t know there were many times I was tempted and I’m not just talking about the encounter in the hotel room,” he rubbed his finger on my chin to turn my head to face him. “ I don't even know if you noticed. I want to find my mate, I really do, but it’s not an easy task keeping my hands off you.” That was enough to get my attention and make things heat up. I never knew he looked at me like that.

“Am I interrupting something?” Mr. Patal asks from behind us, causing Keenan to put space between us and allowing me to take a deep breath and finish washing out the dishes I used.

“Um no. I was just telling Lexi how proud I was of her. She’s doing a great job, isn’t she dad? I hope the potion helps Jermaine”, he says to his dad.

“Yes, she is. But seeing what I just did, I think I’ve changed my mind about convincing your cousin to take her as a mate. There’s already something here.” He winked at his son.” I was just coming in to tell you that your brother would like to hold a meeting in the conference room in 20 minutes. I’ve written down the blood toxicity level and he would like to have Doctor Graham in to do a conference call with the other packs to see if they encountered anything like this. Lexi, my mate, will take you to the clinic to drop off the rest of the potion there if that’s okay with you.” He states before walking back into the living room.