ALAIA “What kind of favor?” I asked cautiously. Knowing my brother, he doesn’t ask people for favors. He prides himself on doing things with no help. This alliance with Isaiah was the first time he asked for help. So, whatever he wanted me to do was serious enough to need my powers. Zack was deep in thought before he answered. “I’m sure you know we went to the Wormhole two weeks ago to follow a lead on the rogue attacks. At first, I thought it was the owner, but he had no clue that a witch had bought his men. A witch was behind the whole thing,” Zack said. I controlled my face so as not to give away my surprise. Is he really trying to accuse me of my face? I slowly opened the dresser with the grimoire, preparing myself for whatever he would do next. “Why are you telling me this?’ Zack pulled out a necklace with a rune carved into it. It was Mirja’s. He placed it on the table. “I got this from a rogue at the bar. It belongs to the witch,” Zack spit out ‘witch’ as if it lef
ISAIAHI watched as Councilman Faulkner seemed to be thinking or fighting with his thoughts before he spoke. “I understand. However, I still believe she should be executed for her actions. Changing her mind doesn’t excuse the fact that she was there on her own accord in the first place. Meaning everything up to that point was premeditated. Who’s to say she won’t have another change of heart,” Councilman Faulkner said. I looked at Zira and her family. They all shared the same look of desperation. I racked my brain, thinking of some way to help them. But, even though these weeks have been hectic, Zira was...is still my friend and a member of this pack. It’s my job to protect her, regardless of what she could have done. “Believe me, Councilman Faulkner, I was thinking the same, too, but maybe we could think of something less severe. Instead of an execution, we could…,” I hesitated and glanced at Zira. “I’m sorry, Zi,” I linked her. I knew she wouldn’t like this idea, but it was the
ISAIAHI quickly moved around my desk to place Alaia behind me as Zira burst into the room. “Zi…” I could sense she was angry. “Why!” She yelled. “Why can’t I stay with my family?” “What are you talking about?” I asked, moving closer to her. “The Councilman told my mom I had to stay here. Can’t you talk to him?” “Zi, I don’t have much control…”“You’re the Alpha!”“There are certain things even I can’t control,” I said calmly. “Case in point, what just happened in there.” “Please,” Zira pleaded. “If I’m going to be banished, the least they could do is let me spend my last days with my family. Please, Alpha Isaiah.” Zira fell to her knees. I bent down near her, stroking her back as she began to cry. I heard an exacerbated sigh behind me and turned to see Alaia cross her arms, rolling her eyes. I walked over to her. “Give it a rest, Alaia. Can’t you see she’s going through something right now? Put yourself in her shoes,” I whispered to her. “I can’t! Because, unlike her, I
VICTORIA The moment I saw Alaia leave the room, I followed a few feet behind. I could feel her anger vibrating off my skin. She was mumbling something I couldn’t catch as she disappeared behind her office door. I stood by Alaia’s office, hoping to find out what she was doing when I felt it. The feeling was heavy around the door, like dread creeping on my skin. It was so thick I had to step back to catch my breath. She was doing something evil in there. I felt a presence and turned to look down the hallway. There was nothing there, so I went back to the door. After not hearing anything in Alaia’s room, I returned to the room where the councilman was addressing everyone to signal Zack, and we met in the hall. “Did you find something?” Zack asked. “No, but whatever she is doing right now doesn’t feel like anything I’ve ever felt before,” I told him while leading him back to her office. “It’s something dark. I could feel it through the door.” “Don’t worry. I’ll see what I can sen
ALAIAI transported myself to Zack's office right as he was walking in. He was startled at first but quickly gathered himself before closing the door. "You could've given me a heads up, Alaia. It's still a little strange you can do this," he said, walking around me to his desk. "I used to do this a lot when we were kids. Thought you would be used to it by now," I said, placing the necklace he found at the bar. "I never liked it then either," Zack grumbled. "Do you remember the plan?" "Of course I do. I'll go in first to 'de-magic' the place, and then I'll pull you through. When that time comes, this necklace will illuminate." I walked over to the floor-length mirror I requested. "Place it over this mirror and walk through. Understand?" Zack picked up the necklace. "Sure. Place the glowing bit over the mirror. Just be careful," he said, looking down at my belly. As if he actually cares. I thought as I rolled my eyes. Just think Mirja will be one less person to worry about after t
ALAIA I saw it was one of the wolves that helped with the attack on Zira. He must have recognized me from when I killed Danny. Dammit! I stepped back towards Mirja as he approached me, trying to get a better look at me. "Frank, leave," Mirja begged him, but his eyes never left mine. "Yes, Frank. Why don't you leave and get Nas? He knows me. I'm sure he could clear all this up," I said, trying to usher him out the door before he grabbed my arm. "No! This cloak and your scent. You…you…you were there. You...you...killed Danny," Frank said. "Why would I kill Danny?" I asked. "I was the one who paid you guys just for you all to fail. I was the one who got screwed in the end." I tried to pull my arm out of his grasp, but his grip didn't ease up. "No. I remember the figure well, and Danny didn't know many witches besides you and Mirja." Already, I could feel the power gathering inside me, ready to be released at a moment's notice. "Be careful what you say, Frank? Lies can get pe
ALAIA I stepped away from the mirror, waiting for Zack to come through. A few minutes passed, and I started to panic. I don't know why I would care. I hated Mirja and hated my brother even more. If they died, it wouldn't bother me, right? I started pacing back and forth, shooting glances at the mirror occasionally. If they weren't back now, then they had to be dead. Nas caught them and was probably torturing my brother for information. Zack wouldn't give me up, though. I was sure of it. Well, not entirely. Finally, the mirror warped, and my brother fell through with an unconscious Mirja. I let out a breath of relief. "What took you so long? What happened?" Zack's eyes glazed over, signifying he was linking someone before he looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about? I broke the necklace, like you said, right when you disappeared. That was only seconds ago." "That's impossible. I've been waiting here for at least ten minutes." Zack shrugged his shoulders. "I don't
ISAIAHMy father paced back and forth while I sat behind the desk, watching him. He was going on and on about Zira carrying a white werewolf. A werewolf our lineage hasn’t seen for three generations. This was an excellent opportunity to strengthen our pack, but I had other plans. “Look, all I’m saying, Son, is this is an opportunity not only for you as an Alpha but for this pack. If I were the Alpha, I would do this in a heartbeat,” my father continued. “But you’re not, Father. I am,” I said, keeping my eyes on his. “I gave Alaia my word, and I’m not going back on it. Not for you, not for the council, not for anyone.” I wasn’t backing down from this. I made a promise, and I was sticking to it. “Just think about it, Son. That’s all I’m asking.” “Fine.” I got up from my seat and walked to open the door. “I need a minute alone to think about it.” He looked at me, shocked by my action. Being a former Alpha, he wasn’t used to someone telling him to leave his former office. Of course