12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

-Reese-

“ Y ou want me to… do what?” I asked incredulously as the witch returned, facing my father, my Beta, and me, the only people in the office. The witch stood confidently in the middle, outlining the course of action she proposed. To me, it seemed utterly absurd. “How would that even help?”

“It would provide you with answers,” she replied calmly.

“Answers? No! She’s clearly doing something to me!”

“There are no magical traces, and based on what she’s told me, I suspect there’s something preventing you from fully connecting,” she explained.

“Connecting?” I scoffed. “You think we’re a second pairing?”

“Yes, I do.”

“That’s utterly insane!” I protested.

“It’s not unheard of. It happens,” she maintained.

“She’s not a Luna!” my dad interjected.

“She doesn’t necessarily have to be. If the Goddess believes the wolf can offer enough emotional support and physical satisfaction to the Alpha, then she doesn’t need to be a Luna,” the witch countered.

I squirmed uncomfortably at the thought. What if she was right? When I had been with Naomi, I hadn’t felt dissatisfied. In fact, I craved more of her. My wolf yearned for her deeply, so physical satisfaction didn’t seem out of reach. But what about the emotional aspect? Memories of her finding me in the kitchen years ago resurfaced, hinting at the possibility that she could fulfill that role too.

“But what about the difference in power dynamic? You know as well as us that Alphas and Lunas are paired to prevent power abuse. A Luna can withstand my power. That little wolf might not,” I pointed out.

“There’s only one way to find out,” she countered.

“No, I’m not going to spend my time with her. I have a mate. What would it say if I were with another woman?” I challenged.

“Nothing, if she’s your second mate,” she replied.

“But what if she isn’t?” I pressed.

“Then you’ll find out why you’re drawn to her. Perhaps you two shared a deep bond before your travels?” she suggested.

“No,” I responded firmly.

“So far, I have no other suggestion for you. There’s no magical trace on her, and she seems to be grappling with the same issues as you,” she disclosed.

“She said that?” I queried, intrigued, and the witch noticed, a smile playing on her lips.

“You seem to relish hearing that.”

I glanced at my dad, clearing my throat. “No,” I denied.

“Yes, you do, and yet you’re hesitant to entertain the idea of having a second mate,” she chuckled.

I sighed. “A second mate who is low-ranking. It might be seen as an insult to Rosa’s family,” I pointed out.

“Yes, that could pose a problem, which is why you should probably keep it under wraps while you sort out your feelings for what you call the ‘little wolf’. Cute nickname,” the witch added, and I felt a pang of awkwardness. I hadn’t realized I had used it as an endearing term. It was meant as more of an insult, but it hadn’t come across that way.

“Isn’t that risky if magic is at play?” my father interjected. “Spending time with Naomi.”

“If you’re very concerned, have him watched. But since I can’t find any magic at work, it shouldn’t be dangerous,” the witch reassured.

“How would we even manage that? Our lives are completely different,” I remarked.

“Why don’t you start by spending your evenings with her? She should be off the clock, and so should you. But Alphas, I don’t work here in your pack. You’ll know how to sort out your schedules. Now, I’ll take my leave. If you need me again, you know where to find me,” she said, making her way toward the office door. However, her departure didn’t alleviate our concerns. We were all still troubled by my condition, as it made no sense why Naomi remained an object of attraction to me.

“What am I going to do?” I muttered, leaning forward and covering my face.

“It seems we have no choice,” my father responded.

“What?” I turned to him in surprise.

“You’ll be spending time with Naomi.”

“No!” I exclaimed. “I have a mate.”

“You might have two, and we need to figure out if that’s true to prevent any sudden... incidents that could make you seem like a cheater. Then we’ll certainly have problems,” he reminded me.

I understood the potential complications, but it felt like I was already betraying my mate by spending time with Naomi. Yet it seemed I had little say in the matter, and my father began planning immediately.

-Naomi-

The kiss wasn’t demanding, just a fleeting connection between our lips, but when Thomas pulled back, he wore a persistent smile.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he confessed.

“Oh, um, I...” I faltered, uncertain how to respond, and he chuckled softly as he brushed his fingers against my cheek.

“You don’t have to answer right now. I understand your situation is quite perplexing at the moment.”

“A bit...” I admitted.

“But I want you to know, if you find out you’re not mates with the Alpha, there are other options,” he reassured me.

“I-I see,” I murmured, another chuckle escaping him before he released me, maintaining his warm smile.

“How long do you think you’ll be here?” he asked, shifting the conversation away from the kiss to dispel the lingering awkwardness.

“I suppose that depends on what the witch said.”

“Well, then,” he said, settling onto the ground and smiling up at me. He gestured for me to join him, and so I did, reaching for the food.

As I unwrapped it, I shot him a grateful smile. He continued to talk as I ate, his presence comforting even though his confession had caught me off guard. Yet, I didn’t want him to leave, and so he remained with me until darkness settled in.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a dim glow through the room, we heard footsteps approaching. I wondered if it was the execution party or if I was fortunate enough to receive a trial first. However, when the door swung open, it wasn’t guards. It was the Alpha. He froze at the sight of us sitting on the ground, and we quickly rose, recognizing it was impolite not to stand when he entered.

His gaze flicked between us, a displeased expression clouding his features.

“Go,” I whispered to Thomas, sensing his reluctance. He nodded, bowing his head respectfully to the Alpha as he passed by. Reese watched him leave, a fleeting look of anger crossing his face before he dismissed it.

“What is that wolf to you?” Reese inquired, turning his attention to me.

“To me?”

“Yes, to you. What significance does he hold?”

“Um, he’s a friend,” I replied.

“Friend?” Reese questioned, skepticism evident in his tone.

“Yes, just a friend.”

His narrowed eyes betrayed his disbelief as he drew closer, crossing his broad arms over his chest as he halted in front of me. I swallowed nervously, uncertain of his intentions. For the first time, a slight fear ran through me as I looked at Reese.

“Is he a friend who’s seen you naked?” he probed, and I sighed, growing weary of the interrogation.

“No...”

“I’m not convinced,” he countered sharply.

“Well, that’s not my problem!” I snapped, my patience wearing thin as I met his steely gaze.

He appeared taken aback by my outburst, but I was exhausted, still nursing some pain, and tired of being interrogated. All I desired was my freedom.

“What do you intend to do with me?” I whispered, attempting to steer the conversation away from my heated response.

Reese sighed, his anger dissipating.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

“So, am I to remain here?”

He shook his head. “No,” he replied, retrieving a key from his pocket and holding it up. “You’re going home.”

“I’m... being released?” I questioned, disbelief coloring my words.

“Yes, but don’t think I’ve dismissed my suspicions about your involvement in this. However, as of now, I lack evidence,” he grumbled before unlocking my cell.

Even as the door swung open, uncertainty lingered within me. I hesitated, casting a lingering gaze at the Alpha. He gestured for me to leave, his expression urging me forward.

“I’m... truly free?”

“Yes. You’re free,” he affirmed.

Feeling a mix of apprehension and relief, I took tentative steps forward, passing him as he closed the cell door behind me. The proximity forced an intense moment of connection as our eyes met, his scent enveloping me, simultaneously dizzying and intimidating. We both seemed to experience a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, attraction, and perhaps a hint of anger.

“You may go,” he directed, gesturing ahead.

“O-Okay,” I stammered, starting to walk away. Glancing back over my shoulder, I ensured he made no sudden movements to detain me, finding him still rooted in place, watching me intently. With a racing heart, I hurried toward the opening of the old stable, breaking into a run, praying that no one would come to apprehend me once more.