Chapter 6

6

SERAPHINA

I come to, my head poundingfrom that knockout punch, only to find myself tied to a wooden chair—my hands bound behind me and my legs tied tightly to the wood. Woozy, I struggle against the ropes, the coarse material biting into my skin.

The pain clears my head a little.

How long have I been out?

The paint is peeling off the walls of the cabin and the curtains hang heavy with dust and cobwebs. The window is too dirty for me to see out, while most of the furniture is covered by white sheets. Several tracks, wolf and human, cut through the grime on the wooden floors.

The one room cabin hasn’t been used in quite some time.

Attempting to stretch out my hands, my fingers tingle from the lack of blood circulation and their odd angle, while pins and needles poke my legs. Surely my magic can spark now. I can’t be useless.

Magic requires only words and intent, just like it has been passed down throughout millennia, but still nothing springs forth, despite my desperation.

Help, there has to be a way to summon help.

What had Kieran said about magic and tribal land? It doesn’t work here. I groan, my head lolling to the side. There must be some spell in place that inhibits it…which means I’m a sitting duck.

“What is our poor little bitchy witchy trying to do?” Gloria goads me. She steps up from the left and slowly her figure separates itself from the growing shadows inside the cabin. Another sneer twists her features. “Have you figured out that your magic can’t do crap here?” She laughs as if madness has taken her over entirely. “Once you are out of the picture, Kieran will be mine.”

“Kieran will never fall for this,” I argue.

“What? I am beautiful and single lady will be at his beck and call. Once you’re gone, he will do whatever he can to possess me. I’m just his type. And once he has me, he won’t miss you. No one will miss you. I’m going to bury you in the garden and then fuck him on the plot for good measure.”

I gasp. Yeah, she’s certainly sprung a leak. I struggle against the restraints as Gloria heads toward the front door, grabbing a shovel and dragging it behind her for pure theatrics, I’m sure. Heat courses through me.

I can’t die like this. I won’t.

Maybe witchy magic doesn’t work, but I’m bound to Kieran. He’s the Alpha. Surely his magical spark will help me. We’re connected to each other, the energy tethering us and making us equals. It has to count for something. It has to count for everything .

I close my eyes, struggling to block out the fear and pain and focusing on the thread of energy between us. Slowly, I start to chant the spell.

“ Invisible string that pulls us together,

Knotted, sealed, forever,

Sanction me with your holy seal

To break forth these restraints with zeal

Drawing on the magic of mine,

Which is the Alpha of the Great Pine. ”

A rush of heat scorches me, as if I am a living torch. The fire doesn’t burn me but my ropes melt away.

I don’t have time for questions. From my view point, I see Gloria outside digging. Okay, not theatrics, then, I think with a hint of hysteria.

I push out of the chair as the cabin door creaks open on rusty hinges.

Shit, is she back already? Had I looked away too long? Is she ready to kill me?

My hands are shaking as I cup them in front of me, a ball of magic forming between my palms. I release it with a yell and send it flying toward the door.

“Whoa! Watch out.”

My heart leaps to attention. That’s Kieran’s voice! His form fills the open doorway before he rushes into the room with his arms outstretched. He grabs me, hauling me into a hug, and over his shoulder I glimpse an older man who looks enough like Kieran to be his father.

“Well, that is one way to make an entrance, my boy,” his father murmurs.

“Seraphina, are you okay?” Kieran studies me.

“We have to leave!” I’m breathless, grasping at him. “Gloria has lost her mind. She’s trying to kill me!”

Kieran’s arms tighten around me. Power wafts off of him, his anger palpable. “Dad, watch Seraphina while I deal with this. Stay here,” he finally says. “I’ll take care of it. You’re safe now, Sera.”

“Be careful,” I whisper.

He marches on in the direction where Gloria is surely still digging my grave. Fear strokes my insides with silken claws.

Does she love him with enough desperation to take him out of the picture if she can’t have him?

“What will happen when he confronts her?” I ask Kieran’s dad. “Will we be able to help him?”

He shakes his head no. “If they both shift into wolf form, then it is a matter of pack politics. Kieran must defend his position in the pack, even if it means the death of the other. He cannot back down.”

I wrap my arms around my torso, shivering.

Please live .

We’ve come this far. I can’t lose him now.

Kieran

I don’t tell them to run, just in case they need to step in, to assist, as I don’t know just how crazy Gloria might be. That is the only thing I can say to excuse this situation—she’s made up some fantasy in her head about us, while I still see her as this little girl finding her place in the pack. She must see me as something else,and any other woman in my life as competition.

“Be careful,” Seraphina whispers after me.

Following the tracks around the side of the cabin, I find Gloria eagerly carving into the soft dirt. She tosses it over her shoulder creating a neat pile.

I clear my throat to announce my presence.

“Oh, you’re early,” she says once she recognizes me, her smile a bit lopsided. “I wasn’t prepared for you being here just yet.”

“I’m here to fix this before it gets too out of hand.” I make sure to keep her in front of me, my voice low and soothing like I’m talking to a child in need of comfort.

“Oh, her .” Gloria’s voice spikes with anger as she grips the handle of the shovel tighter.

“No, Gloria. This isn’t about her.”

“You’ve always had the potential to be a traitor, just like your dad. I thought you’d see though that I was the one who could help save the pack, and together we would have led the pack perfectly. Showcasing our strength to not allow any enemies to take our territory…but instead you choose her.” Her smile turns into a toothy leer.

I shake my head, my hands out in front of me like a shield. “We were never going to be together.”

It’s the wrong thing to say. “Then if I can’t have you, I’ll take the pack.” Quickly, she shifts into a large, snarling wolf, and attacks me before I can shift in turn.

In the blink of an eye, I morph, my wolf much larger than Gloria’s, towering over her slighter form. I lower my head, growl at her, show her my teeth in an attempt to get her to back down. But she doesn’t listen to her instincts. Instead, with her sharp fangs bared at me, she leaps forward, snapping at my neck, my side, anywhere she might do me damage.

I whip my head to the side to dodge her next attack. In less than a few heartbeats, I find her neck and sink my teeth into it.

The fight goes out of her the moment I lock my jaw, using my superior strength to force her down to the ground on her belly. She whimpers.

I taste her blood on my tongue, smell her fear and hear her pleas. Clarity slams into me before I do any more damage to her. I will fight for those I love and protect mine, but I won’t kill without necessity.

I growl louder, more menacing, waiting for Gloria’s submission. She whimpers again loudly, tucking her tail between her legs and at last goes limp.

When I finally drop her to the ground, she turns over on her back, belly up, showing submission.

The echo of the cabin door slamming open sounds before Seraphina and Dad round the cabin. Sera stares at us, her eyes wide, but she doesn’t seem shocked or surprised at my wolf.

“Now what do we do with her?” Seraphina asks.

“He’ll take her back to the pack elders and they will have the final decision,” Dad answers for me.

So many unasked questions played in that space, but Gloria’s submission requires me to hurriedly proceed.

Shifting back to my human form, fully dressed, I yank up Gloria by her scruff. “It’s time for the pack to decide your fate.”

I only hope the elders might see reason. As I glance at my witnesses, my dad and Seraphina, I can’t help my lack of confidence, my victory slowly receding under a tide of concern and worry. The elders have certainly not instilled any confidence in me in regard to their bad decisions of late.

We head back to my truck in silence. My thoughts whirl together in a mess. My dad drives with Seraphina up front in the passenger seat, as I still hold on to Gloria in the back. Finally, pulling up in front of Mortimer’s place, I hop out, dragging Gloria with me.

Dad and Sera trail a few steps behind us, both of them wearing similar expressions of hesitation and concern.

“What is the meaning of this?” Mortimer cries out as I throw Gloria on the ground at his feet.

She curls up into a tight ball, tucking her back legs against her chest and refusing to look at anyone.

“Gloria has broken pack rules by assaulting my mate and myself. She has submitted to my rule and the elders must rule straightaway on her punishment.”

Mortimer works quickly to disguise his shock. He stares down at Gloria. “Is this true, girl?”He waits a beat, listening to her shivering silence, before barking out, “Speak!”

Gloria quickly rises in human form from the ground at the command in his tone. “I have read the books, the prophecies and believe that our Alpha, to truly rule, must have his mate.”

A crowd starts to gather around her as Gloria speaks, and the extra bodies only add to her confidence. Color blossoms on her cheeks.

“And only then will we be protected,” she continues. “The Alpha did subdue me, but all I did was for the good of the pack. The woman he brought to our lands is a witch, and such must not be trusted.”

Loud murmurs roll across those gathered here.

I feel them all staring at me. Rather than allowing Gloria the opportunity to sway them with her fanaticism, I say, “I am the Alpha. This is true. But it is also true that Fate determines when we bond and with whom. I am bound to Seraphina, but even more I love her.” I turn to stare at her. “This wasn’t planned, but I am happy to have her by my side. She will make us strong.” I broadly grin. It feels good to share the truth with everyone. This is the hard part, if they will accept us as the Alpha pair.

A murmur ripples over those gathered.

“A witch? You’ve chosen a witch?” Auntie McClellan moves to the front of the crowd. “My father would roll over in his grave. You’ll sully our line.” She moves to slap me, when my dad catches her hand mid swing.

His paleness is gone and some of the light has returned to his eyes. Auntie only gapes at him in shock.

“You will not break up another family, Katherine. The invisible strings of fate have bound them and there is nothing you can do.”

“You see how the alpha doesn’t even support our ways,” Gloria says. “How will he protect us when he chooses that of magic over us?”

Again, the crowd mumbles their concern.Through it all, Sera remains trembling at my side, our arms pressed together.

Mortimer raises his hand silencing all present, his face unreadable as if set in stone. “Kieran is our Alpha, has met all of the challenges over the years, and kept us thriving despite the difficulties we’ve faced. I’ve scryed to see the future, as taught to us during the years when the witches and the wolves worked together. For what is to come, we must unite against the real enemy, or we shall perish. I rule that the one who shall mete out Gloria’s punishment is the one who was most affected by Gloria’s actions: the witch.”

A loud gasp ripples across the space.

“You will not touch my daughter.” Jonas, Gloria’s father moved forward. “We grow tired of the chain you’ve placed on us. The wolves are not as strong as they used to be, and now you make a mockery of us by bringing her kind here and forcing us to accept her!” He spits at my feet and whips out a gun to point it at us. “You’re no Alpha of mine.”

The hairs on the back of my neck lift. I want nothing more than to rip out his throat and spit it back at his dying corpse. Until I see Seraphina step forward with her chest puffed out and her chin extended. I try to push her away, but instead she grabs my hand. Her simple touch soothes me. There have always been those who vied for my place, my power, but if I rise to their bait in anger, then it won’t be right for me to lead.

“I choose grace,” Seraphina whispers. “Whether anyone agrees with me or not, I choose grace. Compassion. And love.”

Words I don’t understand whip around me in a slow-moving wind. The amulet under my shirt warms against my skin until a heat rushes through me, from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I watch as the gun Jonas brandished quickly turns to ash. Jonas’ look of shock must reflect my own.

“She shall remain a part of the pack,” I say.

Gloria stares at us, her jaw dropping open and her eyes flat. Her fiery passion has extinguished. She must have wanted revolution, something to fight for, but how can you go up against someone who wishes you only good? And Jonas… the weight of dejection pulls those once proud shoulders forward, until he no longer holds his head upright.

Defeated by love.

Gloria glances to her father, sees his reaction, and detonates.

“No!” she screams. She places her hands on each side of her head, and drops to her knees, staring balefully up at me. “Why didn’t you kill me? You knew she wouldn’t seek my demise?”

“Yes, I knew,” I reply. “Because that is what Fate has given us, a benevolent mistress. Just because your father has sought to undermine the pack doesn’t mean you have to be a part of his plan.” I face the crowd. “Let’s hear it for my mate, Seraphina. Hip Hip.”

How did she do it? She squeezes my hand in silent acknowledgment of my thought.

“Hooray,” the crowd joins in.

The people around us part, letting Jonas lead Gloria away and as we all cheer at the end of this day, I can’t help seeing Jonas, Gloria, and three other teenage wolves wander off.

I narrow my gaze and watch them depart. They’ll pose a threat. I’m sure of it. And one day they’ll return. Until then?—

I turn to Seraphina, to celebrate this moment, and she bats those long eyelashes at me.

“Did you mean it?” she asks. “When you said you love?”

“Yes, I love you, my Seraphina Rose.” I touch her chin and lift it to meet her gaze. “I think I always did. Your soul called to mine, even in high school. I was just too stupid to act on it. Our night together only proved those feelings were still there, after all these years.”

“I love you, too, Kieran.” Then I lose my breath, watching her eyes flutter backwards as she goes limp in my arms.

“Seraphina, Seraphina? Are you okay?” I asked, holding her in my arms. Worry lines my words.

She comes to a few seconds later. “Yes, it is about Gloria,” she replies with a groan, pressing her fingers to the side of her head.

Her eyes are clear again when they meet mine but it does nothing to stem my concern. “Don’t tell me more problems?” Did she just have a vision?

“No,” Sera giggles. “You’ve just created a sentinel in the pack, which will lead to protection from a growing threat. Those who will return to challenge you will be stronger, Kieran. But so will the family we create together.”

“Family?” Those words mean so much to me.Does she have any idea?

“Yes, and I will ensure we are ready for what will be coming, all of us.” She cups my face, and in that light touch, for a brief moment I see what she saw—the two of us standing together, with two kids, and a third on the way.

“Then I think we should get this handfasting done tonight. I’ve wasted so many years wondering what might have been. Now that you’re here, I’m not ready to waste any more time.” I call Mortimer back. “Mortimer, can you marry us tonight?”

“What about all of the traditions?” Mortimer asks.

“We only need to gather the pack,” my father comes up to my side. “I can call them all. Give us an hour to prepare. We’ll get it right.”

“Okay then,” Mortimer agrees. “1 hour and not a minute longer in waiting. I need my beauty sleep.”