Xavier’s POV
I mind link Saxon. Parker can explain everything to the Alpha at the River Valley Pack. “Tell him that rogues are in his territory and kidnapping the female wolves from the ceremony. Make sure the girls get to the pack house safely. I am going to follow the red head. I won’t be long.”
I followed her scent into human territory. I had to be careful to stay out of sight. Where was she going?
“Alpha is aware, he is going mad as the border patrol should have spotted them. The girls are safe.” Saxon mind links me. “We also have the caged rogue in the cells. The Alpha of this area will sort him out. He is livid at the situation.”
“Get some rest, Saxon. I have a feeling this isn’t over.”
I caught up with the red head and hid in the shadows behind a bush near the house she ran into. The house is in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbors. It is also far away enough that no one can see inside from the roadside. She pulled a shirt from under the steps and put it on, then walked into the house casually, as if nothing had happened.
The lights were on, and the curtains were open. I saw her sitting down at a table. A middle-aged woman, probably her mom, brought something up behind her and placed it down in front of her. Giving her a kiss on the head and a side hug. She started to eat. It seemed like a normal family interaction. I just feel it in my stomach that this is not a normal household, but I see nothing to tell me otherwise.
Another young girl with blonde hair sits opposite her. They are laughing, looking like they hadn’t a care in the world. The red head drags the blonde girl away from the table. They both walk outside the front door, out of view of the older woman, I guess. But I have a clear view. She took off her shirt and the bandage around her arm. The blonde girl looks at her arm and shakes her head, laughing. She places both her hands around the wound.
A few minutes later, the blonde girl removes her hands and the red-haired girl smiles, while stretching out her arms. There was no wound to be seen. I knew this wasn’t a normal household. “Possibly witches?” I said to Maddox. But a witch wouldn’t have attempted to save the girls. In fact, the red head didn’t use any magic at all, nor did she fight or smell like a wolf. Is she a human living with witches? Maybe she was kidnapped as a child or she has been brainwashed. I knew there was more to this simple family interaction than met the eye.
Red gives the blonde a kiss on the cheek and they both go inside, running up the stairs, giggling. All the lights went out around 1am. I watch the dark house and I was about to leave when a window opened. Red was climbing out of her window. How was she not exhausted? She had been rescuing girls only hours earlier. I had to admire the girl’s stamina.
She jumped from her window and landed on the ground. She walked over to a rosebush and curled up next to it. I waited until her breathing was heavy before I started creeping forward. She didn’t move, so I crept a little closer.
I heard the sound of electricity before something zapped me, making me growl. She jumped up into a fighting position, looked at me directly, and smirked.
She kept eye contact with me as she walked over to where I was and told me, “Don’t come any closer. The place is booby-trapped.” I ignored her and stepped forward. I got zapped again, stronger this time. “The current will only get stronger.” She says, warning me. “I thought you were a good boy. What are you doing here? You shouldn’t have followed me. My mom will not be happy if she finds a wolf on her doorstep.”
A voice broke the silence between us, followed by a light being turned on. “Lot, Lottie, Lottie, where are you?” We both turned our heads to the house. “Am just outside mom, something hit the barrier. I was checking it out.” She shouted back.
“Fine, but get back to bed afterwards. You have school tomorrow.”
“Yes, mom.” She says unhappily.
She turned her head to me. “Look, if my mom finds you here, she will not be happy. I am already in trouble for being home late. Now stop being a bad boy and go home.”
I should be fuming at what she was saying to me. She was dismissing me like a pup, but I wasn’t. I am more intrigued about who she is now more than ever. Why is she here living with witches? What is going on in that house? She ran toward the unlocked door and up to her room.
I watched as she closed her window. With a grin, she was shaking her head at me.
I stayed hidden, watching the house. The sun rose and eventually I saw the blonde and Lottie leaving.
What was she wearing? Oversized pants and a large sweatshirt. She looked terrible, the total opposite of last night. She looked like a pile of clothes had swallowed her. They both carried backpacks, so I assumed they were off to school. I left my position and headed to the pack house in the River Valley Pack. I shifted before entering.
Maddox’s POV
Parker was walking down the stairs as I was walking in. “You look like crap,” he said to me.
“Thanks. Some of us did not sleep last night.”
Parker smiled. “Did the big bad Alpha get some action last night?”
“I followed her last night. She went to the human village. Where she lives with witches, I think. I am going to get some rest and go back later.”
“Witches?” Parker questions.
“Yeah, but I don’t think she is one. Which is why I am going back.” I told my brother. I will solve this mystery.
4 days until birthday Lottie’s POV I struggled to sleep last night. Not because I was afraid of what happened, but because I didn’t tell my mom. I told her everything, Caren too. Between us, we have no secrets. Family is important to all of us, especially me. Mom thinks it’s because I am part wolf and with wolves being pack animals, they depend and rely on their families more. She encourages us to live similarly, which is why we are over protective of one another. Before me and Caren left for school that morning. I told our mom that something had happened last night on my run. She gave me a questioning look. I also told her I felt it was time for her to tell me about my real mom. She told us that after school we would all sit down and she would tell us everything we wanted to know. This was the only thing in our lives our mom refused to tell us until we were ready. Her agreeing to it now must have meant that she believed we were. It was a long day at
Millie’s POV “He placed her carefully on the table. She needs help, he told me. But he didn’t need to tell me. I could see she needed help. She was bleeding so badly. He dashed back to the front door. Shouting that he had to hide her sent from the rogues. He kissed me before he ran off. I panicked for our safety when he said rogues were chasing her, but I also panicked for his seeing as he planned on luring them away. It was when Roni rolled onto her back to reveal her huge pregnant stomach, I forgot about the rogues when I saw how pregnant she was. I set to work on the wounds I thought I could heal, but it had been years since I had to heal anyone. Aidan never needed this skill of mine, as his wolf healed any injuries he had. Her wounds were so deep and there were so many. She told me one of the rogues was in his human form and he used a silver dagger to cut her. He also dipped it in silver shards to make sure her wolf couldn’t heal her. She was struggling to brea
Lottie’s POV What a bombshell our mom landed on us this afternoon. I didn’t know what to expect, but I don’t think I was expecting all of that! Both me and Caren got a lot out of the conversation though. I know I never knew what happened to my biological mom. But I don’t think Caren ever knew what happened to her dad, either. It must have been hard for our mom. I guess that is why she hasn’t told us before. She lost her soul mate while he diverted the rogue’s attention away from my mom. She raised me based on a promise. Our mom and her soul mate perfectly matched each other. Aidan was brave, he must have been. Mom is brave and loyal. She has strong morals, which she teaches us. I can’t imagine the life Caren would have had if they had both raised her. But then again, I can’t imagine my life being any other way. They have always been there for me. Mom raised us alone and did a great job, in my opinion. But here she was, a crying wreck, telling me how I came to be in he
Maddox’s POV Here she was pouring her heart out to me and I just laughed at her. I did offer to help her with some things she was struggling with. “How can you help me?” She asked. “Remember the wolf from the valley, the big black scary one you said was a good boy?” “Yeah, but he wasn’t that scary. More like a big puppy, really,” she replied. “Who is she calling a puppy?” Xavier asked me. “That was Xavier. He’s my wolf and he is pretty scary.” She looked confused. “Let’s start at the beginning. Do you have a wolf? Maybe voices in your head started when you were about 16. I guess you’re not part of a pack, seeing as you know practically nothing about what you are.” “I hear a voice when I need to be cautious or am in danger like last night, but not any other time. I live with my mom and sister. Not sure what makes us a pack. Mom is a witch, Caren is a hybrid, 50% witch and 50% wolf. I know my mom was a wolf but know nothing about my dad, so I could
3 days until birthday Lottie POV I feel so tired. Thank goodness it’s Friday. One more day in that hell hole and then the weekend. I went downstairs to find Mom and Caren having breakfast. “Are you joining us sweetheart?” mom asked. “Thanks for yesterday.” I told her as I sat down. “I know it can’t have been easy and I know it hasn’t been easy raising us over the years. On a positive note, I met someone last night. He is offering to help me with the wolf stuff.” Caren started choking on her cereal. “What?” I explained to Mom and Caren about the wolf attack in the valley a few nights ago and meeting a man on my run last night, as well as his offer to help me figure out my future. When I looked at Mom, she was just staring at me with her jaw open. “Come on, Caren, we’re going to be late for school. Bye mom.” She sat there, staring at me in silence. As we got to school and were about to part ways, Caren turned to me and said, “They’re only human”. I hate thi
Parker’s POV I can’t believe Caren still wants to protect the humans, even after everything they put Lottie through. There was no need for what that girl and her friends had done to Lottie. I am very surprised she stayed so calm. Especially after seeing her in action the other night. Caren, being a wolf/witch hybrid, is different. I have never met a witch before. I was always told to avoid them, as they are an angry, selfish species who only think of their coven. Historically, there has always been disagreement and fighting between the species, so the two avoid each other at all costs. But Caren isn’t like the witches I have heard about. She protected Lottie. She defended her not with magic but with her fists. As a wolf, she is weak. She is probably on a par with a human. I like the pair of them and not just because I think Lottie is Maddox’s mate. They are different. The afternoon was quite amusing in this high school, though. The girls were flirting like crazy wi
Maddox’s POV “Hey Maddox, fancy meeting the monster-in-law?” Is what I hear Parker ask through our mind link. Not really, I want to say. But I want to see Lottie again. Xavier also tells me he would like an ear scratch again, maybe even a belly rub. I reminded him she doesn’t have a wolf, so he needed to calm down. She may not even be our mate. But if she needs guidance. I am more than willing to be there for her, maybe even when the clock strikes midnight on that day. Just to find out! Borrowing a vehicle from Alpha Hudson, I drove to Lottie’s house. I was possibly getting to know my future mother-in-law. I parked next to Parker’s SUV and walked toward the house. Lottie came bounding down the path and punched me in the face. It was quite feeble, really. “You have some explaining to do, mister.” I rubbed my jaw, pretending it hurt. “You sent Parker to spy on me?” She was not happy. “It’s a good job he’s funny, otherwise Caren may have killed him. She was in a foul mood af
Maddox’s POV I walked out of the house after my informal chat with Millie. When I mean informal, I mean she threatened my life. But I understand her motives. I do not approve of her actions, though. Then again, she is a witch and I am not familiar with their customs. What I am familiar with is wolf customs, and that right now is what my beautiful future mate is waiting for me. Me and Xavier concluded while we were in there that Lottie had to be our mate, as we wouldn’t have tolerated being treated that way. “What was all that about?” Lottie asked with her hand on her hips. The clothes she was wearing, showing off every part of her body in a good way. I mean, I don’t want anyone looking at her. But I admire the view. “Your mom just wanted to check I would not hurt you, that’s all.” She didn’t need to know about the rest. “She has invited me to come spend the weekend with her to help you understand your wolf side and what to expect.” I noticed Parker and Caren sparr