4. Logan — Witches

Logan

Frey would get her wolf. It elated me, but I didn't want her to be disappointed or distressed about this. I knew what it meant in the wolf world if you didn't have a wolf at twenty-two — you remain wolf-less for the rest of your life. Frey was afraid of this. I knew even though she hadn't voiced it out. I didn't care if she had a wolf or not. She'd always remain special to me. She'll always be my mate.

My gaze met the moonlight that was rising to its zenith in the skies. It was spectacular. My grandfather used to tell me stories about the moon goddess. He said that we descended from her and her god-like blood flowed through our veins. I smiled. I had terrible memories of my grandfather; he was a cruel and inconsiderate leader, but somehow I still held on to the good ones.

The cars took a turn, and we drove for a mile before we inched closer to our destination. I heard that an unknown enemy was picking witches off one by one and they were always on the run. Witches exuded great power, and I wondered why they couldn't hold their own. I couldn't imagine witches running for their lives.

I pulled out of my thoughts when the vehicle came to a halt behind a white picket fence. The place looked eerily quiet and as I alighted from the vehicle; I squinted through the desolate environment.

“Are you sure we're in the right place?” Alex, my Gamma heir, inquired. We left his question unanswered.

“Proceed with caution.” Keaton told them, crossbow in hand.

We proceeded down the gravel path that led to the front porch, and my gaze scrutinized the compound. There was a cloth line on my left and a small garden on my right. A rickety cabriolet parked beside the house and a rocking chair sat on the porch. We stepped onto the wooden surface and the floorboards creaked.

I glanced at Tyler and he reached for the dagger in his holster. We weren't on good terms with the witches, so we didn't expect less than a little freak show.

“I've been expecting you.” The voice behind us prompted us to turn on our heels, poised to attack.

The lady in question had brown eyes that accentuated her dark skin and black dreadlocks which cascaded down her back. She took a step closer and Keaton raised his crossbow to her, and she shook her hand and chuckled. “Are you attacking me in my home?” She inquired. Her voice was brave and self-assured.

“We came for a peace talk.” I told her.

“We don't talk peace with weapons, do we? I'm Shannon,” she introduced herself with a smirk, and I stepped down the porch and shook her hands. I didn't know this woman, but I had to trust that nothing could possibly go wrong. “Come on, let's get inside.”

When we settled inside her home, she poured glasses of red wine and passed them to us. She sipped from her glass, gazing at us with a suspicious impression in her eyes. Once the wine glass touched her lips, we took a swig, and she scoffed.

“So you think I would poison you? Come on, you're the next Alpha. I can't take on a pack of werewolves if I killed you,” her eyes traced every single wolf blood in the room. Shannon chuckled and clicked her glass with mine. She sat on the vacant seat and fixed her gaze on us. “Why are you here?” She queried.

“Where are the rest of the witches?” Tyler inquired.

“I can't tell.” She shrugged. Of course, she would be unwilling to reveal anything about her coven. This was what I expected after what my grandfather did to her people. I'm surprised our heads were not rolling on the floor already.

“I should do the talking.” I said, rose to my feet and convinced Shannon to walk into the kitchen with me.

“Be careful.” Alex informed me.

She shut the door and held the talisman that was wrapped around her neck, muttering a spell. I arched my brows, and she rolled her eyes.

“It's just a spell to ward off the eavesdroppers.” She explained and leaned on the counter. I liked this woman. She was very brave. I'd never met a witch that could talk back to a wolf like she did. I couldn't tell why, but I was glad we were getting off on the right foot.

“Hounds attacked our pack. As you know, the crowning ceremony is in two days. I need your help to raise a barrier around the pack territory.” I said.

“Is that why you came? To use us for our power?”

“No. I hoped we would get back to living together in the pack because I heard hounds are targeting witches.” I didn't know if the witches were running from those soulless creatures. I had to make an assumption.

“We can hold our own, Alpha.” She cut me off with a sudden burst of anger and horror, and I backpedaled.

“I'm sorry.”

“We protect and care for ourselves. We don't need you to do that for us!” she declared. “You want us to do the spell for you? I'll have to talk to my witch sisters.” The anger in her eyes faded at the snap of a finger.

“Alright. Thank you so much for your time. I'll be seeing you soon.”

“If my witch sisters approve, don't get your hopes up.” She clarified and waved her hand over the door and it unlocked. I looked over my shoulder and released a defeated sigh, then I walked out of the kitchen to meet the rest of the wolf bloods.

“We have to make sure we return to the pack for the vigil.”

“Alright.”

“Thank you for having us, Shannon.” Keaton, Tyler, and Alex said simultaneously, and we headed off to our cars.

When we got back in, I briefed them on my conversation with Shannon.

~

We had a labored journey home, but made it to the pack just when the wolf bloods gathered for the vigil. We left our weapons in the trunk of the vehicles and marched toward the large, red oak tree that created an exquisite shade under the moonlight. Every wolf blood had convened to pay their tributes to the dead and the mourning. Most of the kids were playing in the middle of the pack and the adults were trying to hold their ground. I nodded at some of them, smiled at others and got onto the stage, which was a log of wood set under the tree. I squinted through the pack and found Frey standing with her parents, Jax, and the kids she saved last night. She waved and nodded at me, and I swallowed hard and released a melancholic sigh. The air was crisp with keen and woe and the night wind howled in anguish as it traversed past the area. The look on the faces of the wolf bloods held distress and rage, their wolves speaking vengeance for the lives of their families that were brutally murdered. I had to stay strong for my pack.

“Wolves of Night Shade. Yesterday the vicious creatures, hounds, attacked us, and they took what belonged to us — our children, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters,” I declared, and some women burst into tears. I didn't need to imagine their pain. I had experienced it. Everything that occurred last night was a perfect reminder of what happened twenty-two years ago. I lost my mother to hounds when I was six. It drove my father to the deep end, and I had no one to stay strong for me. Losing someone was having an endless void where they used to be, with nothing to fill it. I had to make sure that I would not disappoint these wolves, who'd put so much faith in me.

“These creatures will not stop killing until they tear down everything we believe in, everything we've built! I will not let them. We will not let them! Now I need all of you to stay strong, stay together and have faith because we will survive,” I said and turned away as a tear slipped from my eyes. “A minute of silence for the dead.” I continued, and the chatter ceased.

After I finished my speech, some wolf bloods returned to their homes while others sat under the oak tree and continued to mourn the deceased. Tyler and Jax were six feet away from Frey. Keaton and Alex led the kids back to the pack house. It was the only place I knew I could keep them safe.

“Hey. How are you?” Frey questioned and placed her hand on my shoulder as I sat next to him.

“All better now, I'm with you.” I said and looked into her blue pools. I caressed her cheeks and ran my fingers down her hair.

“I'm sorry. I know how this reminds you of what happened twenty-two years ago.”

“It's ok. You know I miss them, my parents. My mother would spank my ass and tell me to get a grip,” I chuckled, and she smiled. I still had memories of her and I wished she were here. She leaned on my shoulder and I continued to pat her hair. “I can't wait to have you by my side.”

“We'd make a good team with your Beta and his boyfriend.” She trailed her gaze to Tyler and Jax, who were trying to keep their whispers low.

“Definitely,” I smiled. “I love you, Frey.”

“I love you too.” She said and laid a kiss on my shoulder. We sat there for over an hour until we were the last of the wolf bloods under the oak tree. Frey fell asleep in my arms and I carried her back to the pack house.

~

I was up before the morning sun hit the skies. I circled the pack territory in wolf form and I returned to the pack house, meeting Frey, who stood in front of the porch. She was up early. I'm surprised. I splashed water on my face from my bottle and smiled at her.

“Morning, Luna,” I teased, and she blushed. “How was your night?”

“Perfect with you.” She answered. We sat on the floor facing the fountain. There was a brief silence.

“We didn't get to talk about the witches last night.”

“Yeah. I met Shannon. She's a feisty one. She said she'd talk to her witch sisters, get their permission before she helped us.”

“So we'd be expecting her today.”

“Before the end of the day, I hope. I think the witches are hiding in some place. They might be kids there and the best thing I can do for them is to put a safe roof over their heads where we can protect each other.” I told her, and she nodded.

“Say the witches accept our proposal. Are they vacant housing structures for them?” Frey asked me.

“A few. I'm sure they'll like their houses closer to the mountains. I intend on making a solid budget for housing.”

“That's great. We should have our bath and come down for breakfast.” She said and rose to her feet, taking my hand and leading me into the house.

I turned on the shower, stripped and stood in the warm water that trickled down my skin. Frey did the same, but this time, it was slower, intoxicating, and sinfully delicious. I could feel my engorged member lengthening from the tease. She moved toward me and wrapped her hands around my shoulder. Kissing me, she shoved me into the wall and I groaned as I let her take charge. Her touch on my body felt ethereal. It felt pure, electric, coursing through every fiber of my being.

“On your knees, little mate.”

I gasped through my gritted teeth. I clenched my hands and moaned as she took my hard length into her mouth.