Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty

I jerked awake violently, my head and shoulders lifting off the mattress as I twisted, striking out at invisible enemies.

My breath was ragged and raw sounding; sweat had pooled under my arms and at the base of my hairline.

“Ben,” I breathed, my heart hammering hard against my sore ribs.

“Morda,” Grant was watching me, pale eyes catching the breaking sun.

I squeezed the sheets under my hand, balling them into a tight fist. “Nightmare,” I explained, “overtired, I think.”

I lay back down slowly, keeping my eyes on Grant’s as I rested my head against the pillow, tucking my hands underneath my face and curling my legs to my chest.

“You were dreaming about Ben?” Grant hedged.

I swallowed thickly. “I dreamed that I slit his throat.” ~And enjoyed it.~

For a fleeting second, Grant smiled. I reached out and hit him playfully, the small gesture making me feel a little better. He laughed and held up his hands.

“Sorry that I was a little happy to hear your dream was of the violent variety. Much better than the alternative.”

My cheeks flamed. “The alternative wouldn’t have been a nightmare.”

Grant shrugged. “A sex dream featuring Benjamin Harlow? Nightmare material for sure.”

I smiled and lay back down, closing my eyes. I felt his gaze on me, felt my skin rise where his eyes passed. I enjoyed the feeling.

Despite my attempts to keep my mind away from my nightmare, I couldn’t help but see Ben’s blood seeping over a marble floor.

I shivered and opened my eyes to find Grant sitting up, sheets fallen to his waist. He was shirtless, leaving tight abs and a broad, smooth chest on display.

I pulled the sheets up over my nose as my eyes roamed. I didn’t mind the view.

Grant looked down at me and gave me a tiny smile, gray eyes made lighter by the translucent morning light.

He ran a hand through his hair and looked out the window as the sun began its steady climb over the trees and into the sky.

“This High Matron thing,” Grant prompted, “your mother said you were chosen by the Goddess?” I shrugged and rolled over.

What could I say? I didn’t understand it any more than he did. I hadn’t stuck around to sort out the finer details. All I knew was that I now had another layer of pressure stacked on top of my shoulders.

Grant sucked in a breath. “We don’t have to talk about it but—”

There was a sharp rap on the door, and then it was thrown open. “The alpha is ready to see you.” It was Axel. He was dressed in a dark shirt and jeans with a matching scowl.

Grant nodded. “We’ll be there shortly.”

The door was slammed shut.

Grant looked over to me and widened his eyes. “Is it just me or is something off with that guy?” Grant shook his head. “And people think I’m cutthroat.”

We were dressed in a matter of minutes. I, of course, had to strap on my ceremonial crystals, which took more time than I cared to admit.

Once presentable, we reunited with Eve and then followed Axel through the house.

We didn’t encounter any of the house’s inhabitants as we made our way across the mansion. Wherever the wolves were, they were making themselves scarce.

I didn’t mind, though. I was nervous enough that I had a slight tremor in my hands, and seeing more werewolves would only add to the shaking.

Finally, Axel stopped in front of a pair of heavy wooden doors. “Here,” Axel said, inclining his head to the office.

Grant took a deep breath and lifted his knuckles to the door. Axel rolled his eyes and pushed the doors open before he got the chance to knock.

The room was larger than I had expected. Decorated with dark, heavy wood and lined with chairs and books, the alpha’s office didn’t stray too far from the imagination.

It was a room of power and privacy, exactly what you needed to sort out pack affairs.

In the center of the room was a large desk. Wide and deep, the piece took up most of the space. But it was the men standing behind the desk that caught my attention.

Tall, dark, and handsome was exactly the way I would describe him. He had a boyish charm to him with the kind of face that told you he had both the tools and the know-how to play the field a little.

I was sure his mate had a hard time wrangling him in.

Dark hair, a chiseled face, and warm gray eyes all brought together with a winning smile and a stunning physique. The alpha was handsome. No doubt.

“Alpha Evers,” Grant inclined his head, “I’m Grant of the White Wolves—”

The alpha waved a hand. “Logan is fine,” he insisted, “especially for a White Wolf.”

Grant forced a smile. “Great. Well, I’m here to—”

Logan frowned and held up a hand.

“I don’t want to talk shop until I know who’s in the room with me. I’d also suggest we wait for my wife to arrive; she does not take kindly to being left out of the loop.”

“Nor does your daughter,” Ebony said as she entered, Axel trailing behind her.

She smiled at her father as she perched herself on one of the bookcases, Axel standing just in front of her. He was the perfect height for her to rest her arm on his shoulder.

Not a moment later, another woman entered the room.

At first glance I would’ve sworn it was Ebony’s sister, but this woman looked slightly older, and her hair wasn’t quite so unruly, despite sharing the same color and streak.

She was a pretty, petite woman. Bright eyes and a sweet face, I could see why she fit with the alpha. Together, they were a stunning pair.

The woman didn’t seem threatening, though. With such a small frame and gentle face, it was hard to imagine her raising her voice, never mind changing into a wolf and tearing out someone’s throat.

“This is my mate, Haven,” Logan introduced, a smile spreading unconsciously over his face.

Haven lifted a hand in greeting. “Welcome.”

Behind her trailed the blond man from the day before. He lifted his hand in a wave, introducing himself as Jude Lockheart, pack peacemaker.

I assumed that meant he was their therapist or counselor or something of the sort. He definitely had the temperament for it.

Grant introduced Eve and me briefly, figuring we would draw more attention if we weren’t introduced at all. Axel was still watching me closely, his senses working to place my scent.

I could almost see the gears turning in his mind. From what my aunt had told me, the werewolves had mostly isolated themselves from the rest of the supernatural. Meaning, I had the advantage of knowledge.

“I’m here because of Cerberus,” Grant said bluntly.

Logan inclined his head. “Yes, I heard.”

“They were here last night, I assume.”

Logan nodded. “They were.”

“And their prisoner?” Grant prompted, his voice tight.

Logan leaned forward. “Escaped.”

I nearly jumped forward. Axel tensed. “Escaped?” I echoed. Grant looked down at me sharply, a warning not to speak. Damn the attention, I needed to know where Ben was.

“Apparently, the rogue wasn’t your run-of-the-mill werewolf. Alpha Dane asked me to assist him in recapturing the man. I agreed.

“The last thing this state needs is a werewolf wannabe shifting in front of humans and exposing us. Goddess knows we’ve had enough issues with Sun Warriors.”

Grant bristled. “Believe me, I know better than anyone here how much of a threat exposure is.”

Logan inclined his head. “Of course.”

“The question is,” Haven interjected, “why do you want to know about this rogue? Why bother in these affairs?”

Grant’s lips twisted to the side. “I—”

“He’s helping me,” I spluttered. “I asked him to help me free Ben.”

Logan raised an eyebrow and shared a quick look with his mate. “You?” he said. “How are you and the rogue…?”

“He’s important to me,” I said stiffly, jerking my chin upward as fear shot through me. I was running on adrenaline now. No experience to guide me through a chat with a powerful alpha.

Haven laughed. “All criminals are important to someone.”

“His only crime is being different,” I snapped, blushing afterward.

Haven tilted her head to the side and cast a glance at her daughter. “That, I can sympathize with.”

After prompting, I told everyone about Ben, about his upbringing, about the girl he had loved, about what had happened afterward and how I met him.

Logan leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes twinkling as he gave my story some thought. “I understand that this…”

“Son of the moon,” Grant offered.

Logan smirked. “Right, okay, well, I understand that this—guy—has had a streak of bad luck. But that doesn’t necessarily change the laws or how they apply to him.” Logan hesitated.

“This is outside my jurisdiction. Hell, I had only heard of these types of wolves in folklore before now. We might have to call Sebastian and Serena—”

“Alpha Evers—” We all swung around to see a young woman at the door. She paled as soon as she saw us all gathered and staring. She swallowed. “Uh—sorry—there was a dispute.”

“Later,” Logan dismissed, still thinking over the current predicament with Ben. The young woman nodded and left, bowing her head slightly before she tucked tail and ran off, leaving the door wide open.

Haven rolled her eyes and lifted her hand, giving her wrist a slight flick. The door flew closed.

Eve’s head snapped up and then swiveled between Haven and the door. She grinned, and I got a sinking feeling in my gut.

“Witch!” she yelled, pointing at Haven.

Logan growled, sitting up straight in his chair. “What the—”

“—hell did you just—” Haven interjected.

“—call my mother?” Ebony finished.

Grant shook his head slightly, cussing low under his breath. I bit back a sigh. Perhaps bringing Eve along hadn’t been the best idea.

While her tree magic had been helpful during the hike, her careless speech wasn’t appreciated here.

“You’re a witch,” Eve stated simply. “What clan are you a part of?”

Haven balked. “I don’t know who you think you are—”

Eve rolled her eyes impatiently. “I’m a witch too,” she said, “like I said before. I am a specialist in plant life, specifically trees.”

Just for emphasis, Eve manipulated a branch outside the office’s window. Everyone was silent as the branch of a strong oak waved at us.

Grant growled a warning for her to stop. It went right over Eve’s head.

She was grinning like a child, green eyes bright as she watched her own trick and then looked to the others, clearly expecting delighted faces and only getting shock, and in one case horror.

“I think our world just got a little bigger,” Jude said, watching Eve in wonder.

Haven swallowed hard but even then couldn’t clear her throat enough to talk.

Instead, it was Ebony who pushed herself off the bookcase and stalked over to the window, pressing her nose against the glass as she watched the tree bend under Eve’s will.

Ebony looked at us over her shoulder and then at her mate. “More Black Lunas?”

Eve frowned. Clearly she hadn’t been briefed. “Black what?” she said. “We’re witches.”

I grimaced. She had not only exposed herself, but she had just dragged me into it too. I tried to ignore the newfound interest in me and slid a little farther behind Grant.

Ebony shook her head. “Only my mother and I have those abilities—you have to be mistaken. What pack are you from again? You two aren’t White Wolves too, are you?”

I stepped forward and grabbed Eve’s arm, giving her a tight squeeze to stop her from speaking. She had made a mess of this introduction.

Now I had to try and save it before we spooked the wolves into a witch hunt. Literally.

“I’ve been told that werewolves aren’t exactly steeped in the supernatural world,” I started hesitantly, “but there are other monsters besides your kind out there.”

Haven shook her head. “Our powers come from the Goddess—”

“So do ours,” Eve quipped.

Haven looked as though she couldn’t quite get enough air into her lungs. “No,” she insisted, “we’re wolves not witches. The extra powers…they’re just…”

She looked back to the tree outside the window, confusion clear on her features. I felt a pang of pity for her, sure she was questioning her entire life now. I knew how that felt.

“There was a prophecy, right, Mom?” Ebony said, also looking stricken. Haven nodded but didn’t open her mouth. Frankly, she looked a little queasy.

I thought back to what my mother told me. “Maybe you’re right about the origins of your powers,” I added.

“I’m the product of a witch and a…a werewolf, and I was promised I would never shift. Maybe my specific…combination only comes with powers, meaning you’d have to be something else.”

Haven seemed relieved for the split second it took Eve to intervene. “I’ve met your type of hybrid before,” she said, frowning at me.

I felt a sting as I thought back to that moment when my mother assured me. Then again, maybe she was only reassuring herself?

“I can’t believe…” Ebony shook her head. “Impossible.”

“More impossible than being favored by the Goddess?” Haven mumbled, mostly to herself.

Eve stepped forward again, cringing as she began to realize what her revelations had started.

“The streak in your hair, I’ve seen that before too. You should seek out the Eastern Witch Clan, their old Clan Mother—”

“I think that’s enough,” Jude said gently, eyes worrying over Haven with a fondness that told me she was more than an alpha to him.

Logan looked lost, like he had suddenly realized that the body of water he was stranded on wasn’t a lake but an ocean.

“Why can’t our problems be simple anymore, Hav?” He turned around and looked at his wife. “Remember when our biggest problem was Dakota?” The earned a little laugh from Haven and Jude.

“I wouldn’t say our problems were simple back then,” she said, “Cecily and Daryn offered more complication than I needed at seventeen.” Haven waved her hand, dismissing the past.

Logan drew in a long breath, running a hand through his dark hair. “I have to be honest, I’m more than a little shocked. Between werewolves who aren’t quite werewolves and teenage witches, I’m—”

He shook his head.

Eve smiled. “And the vampires and faeries and sprites and—”

“I don’t think that’s helping,” I said, cutting her off.

“Why don’t we know about all this?” Ebony asked, looking slightly green. “How is it possible that we’ve existed this long thinking we’re the only supernatural beings out there?”

Grant cleared his throat.

“I only learned about the sons of the moon when I joined Cerberus. As for the witches, I discovered them through research, and when I met Morda’s mother, I took a blind stab in the dark. As for the rest—”

He waved a hand toward Eve. “It’s mostly news to me.”

Jude was rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. He looked to me. “You said that werewolves weren’t ~steeped~ in the supernatural world. What did you mean by that?”

I shuffled from foot to foot. “I asked the same questions you did when I met Grant and learned… anyway.

“My mother told me that while werewolves are an official clan and have a seat on…whatever council there is…your kind decided to withdraw from the larger community centuries ago.”

Logan frowned. “I wonder if any of the pack elders are old enough to remember—even if they only remember stories…” He shook his head and seemed to give the entire subject a mental push aside.

“As for your…half-wolf.” I assumed he meant Ben. “I don’t think it would be right to subject him to our laws if he isn’t one of us. Especially as you’ve hinted to a larger supernatural…council?”

I nodded, encouraging him along.

Logan put on a wry smile. “The half-wolf-boy-person should definitely be captured, but I don’t think we should send him right to the Royals.”

Haven seemed hesitant. “If Sebastian and Serena think we’ve double-crossed them—”

Logan sighed. “I’ll contact them today, fill them in on”—he eyed me up and down—“the current ~situation~.”

Axel grumbled. “We don’t have any proof of what the girl says.”

Haven nodded in agreement. “Would it be possible for you to contact this council?”

I swallowed thickly. “I don’t know if—”

“If you can’t contact them, then we can’t give you the wolf-man,” Axel said.

Ebony sighed but agreed as well. “We’ll work with Alpha Dane to recover the wolfing-hairy-man, but we cannot just give him to you without proof that you’ll actually take him to this council.

“If Cerberus were to find out that he was released again, their orders wouldn’t be to hunt and capture, it would be to hunt and kill.”

We were all silent as we waited for Logan to deliberate. After a long moment, he pushed himself onto his elbows.

“I agree with my daughter and son-in-bond. You have to provide us with some sort of proof that this council exists.

“We will hunt down the elusive not-a-wolf-wolf-boy, and I will contact the Royals, but we cannot hand him over until we have assurance that this won’t come back to bite us in the ass, understood?”

Grant nodded before I could contest. We had no idea where this council was. We didn’t know if it was a permanent setup or a gig they got together to hold once a year.

Promising that we could seek out the leaders of the supernatural council was ludicrous. Hoping that they would be easier on Ben than the werewolves was also a long shot.

“Done,” Grant agreed, holding out a pale hand for Logan to shake. “We will visit the Council and get the proof you need and perhaps some more answers on why werewolves have been so excluded.

“So long as you find and deliver the”—a smile twitched onto his face—“sometimes-furry-sometimes-not-wolf-thing.”

Logan clapped his hands together and then got up to stretch. “Great! Now you and the witches are welcome to stay on my territory for the rest of the day.

“Have dinner with the pack and stay for the bonfire if you wish. I’m sure my mate and daughter are eager to speak with you.”

I gulped as I took in Haven’s and Ebony’s very direct and intimidating stares.

I wanted to politely refuse and get the hell out of there, but Grant accepted graciously. His doing so told me that refusing an alpha’s offer to stay wasn’t really an option.

I forced a smile onto my face. “We’d love to.”