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Chapter 116
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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A Time for Strength Chapter 117
On the way into the coven, we landed a helicopter in the field near a giant gate. The witches created performed a spell that opened the gate to let us through in the Hummer Henri had waiting for us. It was a twenty-minute ride to their Coven house. Longest twenty minutes of my life… until I found out Lenora was sick about three hours ago. On the way out, they created portals and took us one or two at a time. Lady Camille was right. The quick trip left me disoriented and nauseous. On the way to the village near the airport, Delilah explained a portal was not just a tear in space and time. It’s a connection between one place and another. Portals are possible because of a place mortals can’t access called “The Beyond”. The Beyond is where the connection between the two places is cut short. The longer the distance between the entrance and exit, the further the Beyond has to stretch to pull the two points together. That extra effort requires extra energy from the traveler. That’s what cau
A Time for Strength Chapter 118
Delilah opens her bag and pulls out a fishing tackle box and a glass vial. The vial is already half full with a light pink liquid in it. “What’s that?” I tip my chin toward her.“Juice of cranberry and spring water from my coven’s realm. I’m going to add several herbs to it. None of them will harm Beta Lenora or her baby.” She explains as she pops open sections of the tackle box and pulls out pinches of dried leaves, adding them to the vial. “The combination of the ingredients and the will of my spirit… well, the will of my spirit and the blessings of the Goddess Hecate are what give the potion its power.”“Fascinating.” Doctor Nolan cocks his head. “Is this something we can discuss another time, Miss Delilah?”“Oui, Doctor.” She smiles, then murmurs under her breath as she swirls the vial around. There is a shift of the ambient energy in the room. Everything feels lighter and more crisp. It’s the literal opposite of what I have felt when dark witches would fire spells at us in the
A Time for Strength Chapter 119
I look back to see Kas looking around at us. I need to protect my Luna, but I need to protect my mate too. Kas’s face is deep red where Bronx hit her. She looks embarrassed about the situation. Why would she feel that way? He’s the one who should be ashamed.“Let’s get her into the apartment.” Lenora struggles out of my arms and picks up Kas’s keys to unlock the door. She switches to a mindlink. “Milo, I’m going to deal with Bronx. Wait for us out here.”Before I can reply, she shuts down the mindlink and leads Kas into the apartment. Shit. “I think that’s what they call a no-win situation, Beta.” Tyree frowns, looking at the door.“Yeah.” Reggie puts his hands on his hips and stands next to me. “I think you did the right thing, though. There were enough of us here to help her. I think we were all just too much in shock to act as quick as Lenora.” “Beta, Gamma, they said there’s a problem with Kas.” Delilah rushes up, holding her old doctor bag with James and Ashley in tow.“Yeah.”
A Time for Strength Chapter 120
“Go ahead, Sister Marguerite.” Leni pulls out a pad of paper and a pen. I can’t tell if she thinks this woman has something legitimate to say, but when my mate turns on her ‘business mode’, no one is dumb enough to stand in her way. “Alpha Regent Bronx Andreas Mason is going to travel with Gamma Regent Reginald Adam Slater. Iokaste remains behind. Beta Regent Milo Emory Stone and Luna Regent Lenora Jane Mason-Stone are absent. I see… there’s a baby girl. She’s very special… Oh! Her spirit is ancient. A very stable thread. I-I think Iokaste will heal her? Or… Iokaste will heal Luna Regent Lenora Jane Mason-Stone’s spirit? Hmm… this thread is unique. The threads of mother and child are woven tightly to the goddess’s.”“Sister Marguerite, you can use our informal titles. Please.” Leni smiles at the bubble, then frowns in concentration. “Kas healed me before I was pregnant. Before we knew she was a goddess. Is that what you see… err… feel? Can you provide more information about this heal
A Time for Strength Chapter 121
Lenora’s POVI stand up and lean over the table as my temper flares. “Delilah, you told me-”“Beta, can I see you in the hall for a moment?” Milo pinches me by the armpit and drags me into the hall, slamming the door closed behind him. “What do you think you’re doing, Leni?!”“Milo, Delilah gave Kas some goopy neon green shit to drink, then like… sucked out part of her fucking brain! I watched her!” I hiss at him. “It turned her into a hag! She knew exactly what she was doing, too!”“What the fuck are you talking about, Leni?” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Delilah is a white witch. She can’t be a hag.”“The other night after Kas’s vision. She wanted to remove Kas’s fear. She called it gray magic. I didn’t know what that was. I told her to go for it.” I throw my arms out to the sides in frustration. “How was I supposed to know it was dangerous?!”“Is that why Delilah got sick?”“She stole one of Kas’s emotions, Milo!” I snap at him. “Why can’t you focus on what’s important here?”“We
A Time for Strength Chapter 122
“Milo, I thought we weren’t going to exchange gifts.” I hold the box in my hand and tilt my head to the side. “I haven’t had time to go shopping for you.”“Well, technically, it’s not for you. It’s for you to hold on to. It’s for Codi for when she gets older.” He squeezes my knee and gives me that lopsided smile that makes me melt. There’s a mischief in his eyes I haven’t seen in a long time.“Okay?” I pull the ribbon off the box and open it. The contents make me gasp. It’s a pair of diamond studs and a matching solitaire necklace. It looks suspiciously similar to my engagement ring. “Oh my Goddess, Milo! This is too much.”“No.” He kisses my cheek. “It’s not. I’ve been holding onto them for years. I’ve been keeping them in the safe with my gun because I know you would never look in there, but you never really seemed that interested in jewelry. I figured whenever we started a family, we could leave them with your engagement ring as part of an inheritance or something. Besides, do you
A Time for Strength Chapter 123
“Elder Randall, sorry for the delay. Alpha Mike and Luna Sandy are here for the holiday. We were having a private luncheon when you arrived.” Milo holds my elbow and stands half a step in front of me to put space between me and Randall. “Oh! Who is this?”A petite girl stands behind Randall, making herself as small as possible. She looks uncomfortable, tugging on her raspberry colored skirt suit as if she’s not used to wearing something so formal. She pulled her hair into a modest French braid. When she looks up, I can see pure fear in her wide set blue eyes. Her movements remind me of a bird.Carly was right. If she’s of age, she sure doesn’t look like it. I would call you a liar if you told me she was older than fifteen. There’s a sickly smell to her, as if her scent is too concentrated, like overripe bananas. My heart constricts. She has to be a girl he’s selling.“Answer the Beta Regent, my dear.” Randall turns and dotes over the girl. “Remember what you’ve been practicing with ma
A Time for Strength Chapter 124
Shifting to wolf form reminds me of when I first learned how. It's something you can only do for the first couple of months of pregnancy. Justice keeps up with Ghost to lead the run, but it’s a strain for her, which is a change from her usual effortless pace she kept before we were pregnant.I shift back to human form and snuggle with Ghost near the edge of the woods so he can sniff my belly and connect with Codi. He wraps himself around me while I stroke his head and let his thick coat comfort me. Ghost lays his snout against my belly and huffs. His gray eyes look up at me with surprise and love when Codi reacts to him. There is sadness there, too. I’m not sure why. Outside the enclosure he has created with his body, nothing matters.“She knows you, my brave wolf.” I kiss his nose. “You’re her daddy just as much as Milo. I bet her wolf is going to be gray like you.”Ghost licks my face and before unraveling himself from around me. I curl up into a little ball to stave off the chill
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A Time for Strength Chapter 151
“Good Morning, Beta.” Sondi Eklund pokes her head into my office. “Would you be able to review these retirement package updates I’m proposing to the Alpha?”I look up from my spreadsheet and try to smile at her. “Of course, Sondi. Please come in.”“I already highlighted the sections in question.” Sondi comes in with her staccato, bird-like movements. “Oh, Beta Lenora, are you ill? Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but you look exhausted.”“I’m alright, Sondi. Being a new mom is exhausting.” I’m careful not to go into too much detail. Sondi and Scott still haven’t found their daughter. I don’t want to be insensitive. I quickly change the subject. “That and I feel like I’m running in circles trying to decipher some of the information on this spreadsheet. They’re supposed to be client names, but I can’t figure out how they’re coded.”“Would you like a fresh set of eyes?” She looks eternally hopeful. “I’m happy to help.”“Um, sure.” I turn the laptop to her. “I’ll look at these updates whil
A Time for Strength Chapter 150
“Kaaas?! Are you sure you and Codi will be okay?” I yell into the living room. “I can call the daycare and see if they have someone who can come up.”“No, we’re fine.” Kas’s voice sounds strangled.Milo peeks his head into the living room and pulls back quickly. He doubles over in a silent laugh, pointing to the living room. I look out to see Codi had a handful of Kas’s hair in a death grip. Kas’s mouth is open in a restrained cry of pain, trying to untangle the chubby fingers from her sparkly locks of hair. I nudge Milo who’s on the floor in tears with his hand over his mouth. “Knock it off, Milo. She’s trying her best.” I pull him off the floor. “Kas, give her the rattle that’s on the coffee table. The one that looks like a tiger's face. She’ll let go in a heartbeat.”After a pause, Kas calls back. “Oh my Goddess, it worked! Thank you!”“Okay. We won’t be gone long. Mindlink if you need ANYTHING.” I walk to the living room and kiss Codi on her chubby cheek, then kiss Kas on her for
A Time for Strength Chapter 149
“And this is the Alpha’s private archival library.” I hold up a slip of paper for Musu to read. “Memorize this number. It’s your personal access code and don’t share it. Understand?”“Yes, Beta.” She stares at the paper. “I got it.”“Good.” I punch in my code and let the door slide open. I step inside, motioning for Musu to follow. She steps in and looks around in awe.“The Goddess has truly blessed our Alpha.” She takes a few more steps trying to take in the library's beauty. “I’ve never seen a private collection this large.”“Well, he’s been collecting them since he was a child, and it has proved useful.” I clasp my hands behind my back and look around, then point to a book on a pedestal covered with a glass case. The page is open to the painting of The Moon Goddess with the Menae. “This is how we found out Kas is a goddess.”Musu looks down on the image and chuckles. “Is it inappropriate to say The Moon Goddess and Endymion were more like rabbits than wolves?”Justice lets out a wh
A Time for Strength Chapter 148
Lenora’s POV“Delilah, if anyone asks, your family is from France. You went to culinary school there. That’s how you met James. Bronx gifted Kas private lessons. James was a security guard for Kas while she attended the school. You’re twenty-three-”“But, no, Carly Ann Miller, I am one hundred and-”“You. Are. Twenty-THREE. Delilah.” Ashley interrupts. “No arguing.”“You expect me to just LIE?!” Delilah holds her hands to her chest and looks mortified at the thought.“Yes.” Ashley, Carly, and I all say in unison.Delilah falls back in her seat, distraught.“It’s not that we want you to be dishonest, Delilah.” Ashley softens her tone. “It’s a matter of self preservation. For all of us. You included. Whatever technique you’ve used in the past to deflect attention won’t cut it anymore. You and Kas are going to be approached by paparazzi all the time now. They need to believe you’re human. We’ve given both of you believable, respectable human profiles. The fewer people trying to dig into
A Time for Strength Chapter 147
“Alright, Big Guy.” I toss the plastic gun on the arcade game. “You win. I’ll never beat you at Duck Hunt. I’m out of cash to feed the machine anyway.”“I mean, you tried. I’ll give you some props, man.” Marco blows into the barrel of the plastic gun and looks at his watch. “It’s been two hours. That’s gotta be a good sign. Right? Musu woulda called me if Lenora chased her out.”“Yeah.” I pout my lip. “No mindlinks either. Down your beer. Let’s check on them.”Marco raises his pint glass and chugs the remaining beer. “Rita! Thanks, darlin’!” I hold up more than enough cash for our tab and toss it on the table. She gives me a thumbs up from across the restaurant. “Don’t be strangers!”“Ah man, that fresh air.” Marco takes a deep breath when we step outside. “Nothing beats summer in Montana except maybe spring in the Coven’s realm.”“Did you hear that?” Ghost gasps, suddenly at attention.“Huh? Hear what?” I shorten my stride and look around.“A warbler.”“Okay… and?”“They leave afte
A Time for Strength Chapter 146
There’s a quiet knock on my office door. Instinctively, I look down at Codi. She’s still fast asleep. I set down the report explaining there were absolutely zero useful bits of information on Randall’s tape recorder other than rambling about a trip to Portland to see a warehouse or something.We still haven’t been able to determine the identities of the girls in the photos other than Evie. There was no rhyme or reason to the codes associated with each one. The unusual names don’t exist anywhere either. The team is still looking into it, but I’m not very hopeful. Randall sneaks under the radar on everything.“Come in.” I say in a hoarse whisper.Milo peeks his head in with a huge smile on his face. I put a finger to my lips and point to the travel bassinet next to my desk. He tiptoes in and silently closes the door behind him.“Hey Sugar.” Milo whispers. “Is this a bad time? Are you busy?”“I always have a minute for you, Milo.” I blush when he hands me a bouquet of wildflowers. “They’
A Time for Strength Chapter 145
“Tyree, have you finished the sweep of Randall’s suite?” Milo paces behind his desk.“Just about Beta.” Tyree’s voice comes through the speakerphone. “He took most of his stuff, but there were a few things left on the kitchenette counter. A folder with some paperwork, an envelope, like one of those ones you mail photos in. Ya know? Feels like there’s something inside. And a voice recorder.”“A voice recorder?” Milo asks, confused.“Yeah. I don’t want to open anything or push play in case it’s booby trapped.” Tyree replies. “Fool me once.”“Good call. Bring everything to my office.” Milo pushes his finger into the desk. “I’ll get a forensics team to take it off our hands.”“Yes, Beta.”“Don’t let anyone in that room until they get a deeper sweep.”“Yes, Beta. Marco will stand guard. I’ll be up in ten minutes.” Tyree confirms and hangs up.“Milo, what do you think he was up to?” I bounce Codi gently in my arms. It’s not because she needs it. I have too much nervous energy to hold still.
A Time for Strength Chapter 144
“An apartment in Paris? Who would have ever pegged your brother as a hopeless romantic?” Mom swipes through images of the apartment Bronx bought for Kas as a wedding present. “It’s absolutely gorgeous!”“Yep. She needs to sign some paperwork, but I don’t think she understands enough about real est-” I bite my lip and point at Dad who’s making wolf faces at Codi on the other end of the sofa. Mace tests out a growl to see if it will startle her. She makes a sound that could be a growl back at him.“So sweet.” Mom places a hand on her heart. “Meeting codi is all he’s talked about since we got the news that you were pregnant. So what's next? Have you thought about a little brother for Codi, maybe?”My heart squeezes. “Justice, what do I say?”“As much of the truth as you can.” She sounds unsettled. “We don’t really know anymore. Do we?”“You know how hard it was for me to get pregnant, Mom. Let alone survive Codi’s pregnancy. We haven’t really talked about having more yet. If the Goddess
A Time for Strength Chapter 143
It’s been two days. Kas has isolated herself in her apartment, still convinced that she needs to hide herself away. I brought Codi up so she could snuggle with her niece in hopes it would lift her spirits. I let her take Codi to the bedroom while I go talk to Marco.“Hey, Beta. Everything okay?” He salutes me.“She’s not handling it well. Maybe I should invite her to go to the meadow?”“I wasn’t talkin’ about the Luna.” He lowers his chin. “You been avoiding me?”I immediately feel my face flush. “Wh-what? I-”“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like that. I know you’re busy with your pup.” His tone softens. “I need to stay in my lane.”“I mean, I-I guess I kinda thought, um, your mate wouldn’t want me talking to you.” I confess. “So… yeah. I guess I have been avoiding you?”“Ah, Leni, come on. I’m fuckin with you… kinda.” He looks sheepish. “Me and Musu was talking about our ranked members. I didn’t tell her about US, but I told her you and me grew up together and that we still close frie
