Chapter 4

Xavier’s POV        

I mind link Saxon. Parker can explain everything to the Alpha at the River Valley Pack. “Tell him that rogues are in his territory and kidnapping the female wolves from the ceremony. Make sure the girls get to the pack house safely. I am going to follow the red head. I won’t be long.”  

I followed her scent into human territory. I had to be careful to stay out of sight. Where was she going?   

“Alpha is aware, he is going mad as the border patrol should have spotted them. The girls are safe.” Saxon mind links me. “We also have the caged rogue in the cells. The Alpha of this area will sort him out. He is livid at the situation.”           

“Get some rest, Saxon. I have a feeling this isn’t over.”         

I caught up with the red head and hid in the shadows behind a bush near the house she ran into. The house is in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbors. It is also far away enough that no one can see inside from the roadside. She pulled a shirt from under the steps and put it on, then walked into the house casually, as if nothing had happened.        

The lights were on, and the curtains were open. I saw her sitting down at a table. A middle-aged woman, probably her mom, brought something up behind her and placed it down in front of her. Giving her a kiss on the head and a side hug. She started to eat. It seemed like a normal family interaction. I just feel it in my stomach that this is not a normal household, but I see nothing to tell me otherwise.        

Another young girl with blonde hair sits opposite her. They are laughing, looking like they hadn’t a care in the world. The red head drags the blonde girl away from the table. They both walk outside the front door, out of view of the older woman, I guess. But I have a clear view. She took off her shirt and the bandage around her arm. The blonde girl looks at her arm and shakes her head, laughing. She places both her hands around the wound.       

A few minutes later, the blonde girl removes her hands and the red-haired girl smiles, while stretching out her arms. There was no wound to be seen. I knew this wasn’t a normal household. “Possibly witches?” I said to Maddox. But a witch wouldn’t have attempted to save the girls. In fact, the red head didn’t use any magic at all, nor did she fight or smell like a wolf. Is she a human living with witches? Maybe she was kidnapped as a child or she has been brainwashed. I knew there was more to this simple family interaction than met the eye.        

Red gives the blonde a kiss on the cheek and they both go inside, running up the stairs, giggling. All the lights went out around 1am. I watch the dark house and I was about to leave when a window opened. Red was climbing out of her window. How was she not exhausted? She had been rescuing girls only hours earlier. I had to admire the girl’s stamina.        

She jumped from her window and landed on the ground. She walked over to a rosebush and curled up next to it. I waited until her breathing was heavy before I started creeping forward. She didn’t move, so I crept a little closer.    

I heard the sound of electricity before something zapped me, making me growl. She jumped up into a fighting position, looked at me directly, and smirked.         

She kept eye contact with me as she walked over to where I was and told me, “Don’t come any closer. The place is booby-trapped.” I ignored her and stepped forward. I got zapped again, stronger this time. “The current will only get stronger.” She says, warning me. “I thought you were a good boy. What are you doing here? You shouldn’t have followed me. My mom will not be happy if she finds a wolf on her doorstep.”         

A voice broke the silence between us, followed by a light being turned on. “Lot, Lottie, Lottie, where are you?” We both turned our heads to the house. “Am just outside mom, something hit the barrier. I was checking it out.” She shouted back.       

“Fine, but get back to bed afterwards. You have school tomorrow.”          

“Yes, mom.” She says unhappily.     

She turned her head to me. “Look, if my mom finds you here, she will not be happy. I am already in trouble for being home late. Now stop being a bad boy and go home.”          

I should be fuming at what she was saying to me. She was dismissing me like a pup, but I wasn’t. I am more intrigued about who she is now more than ever. Why is she here living with witches? What is going on in that house? She ran toward the unlocked door and up to her room.      

I watched as she closed her window. With a grin, she was shaking her head at me.   

I stayed hidden, watching the house. The sun rose and eventually I saw the blonde and Lottie leaving.    

What was she wearing? Oversized pants and a large sweatshirt. She looked terrible, the total opposite of last night. She looked like a pile of clothes had swallowed her. They both carried backpacks, so I assumed they were off to school. I left my position and headed to the pack house in the River Valley Pack. I shifted before entering.    

      

Maddox’s POV     

Parker was walking down the stairs as I was walking in. “You look like crap,” he said to me.         

“Thanks. Some of us did not sleep last night.”         

Parker smiled. “Did the big bad Alpha get some action last night?”         

“I followed her last night. She went to the human village. Where she lives with witches, I think. I am going to get some rest and go back later.”        

“Witches?” Parker questions.     

“Yeah, but I don’t think she is one. Which is why I am going back.” I told my brother. I will solve this mystery.