Chapter 13

Alpha Wes has deep green eyes with speckles of black and yellow. Reed and I stand together in the the middle of his stone chamber. Why did I agree to enter this man’s basement? It’s beyond me. Maybe this is where he sacrifices people. Shit. What if he can he hear me? Can you hear me? Alpha Wes says nothing. Either he’s got quite the poker face or he can’t hear my thoughts.

Aster stay calm it’s going to be okay.

I look at Reed. Does Alpha Wes know that we hooked up? Reed nods. I roll my eyes. Great. That’s just what I need. This guy is just gonna think the worst of me. I’m just some whore from the streets to him. Now he’s gonna think I’ll make a great pack slave for sure. Might as well just break out the shackles already.

Aster!

The energy in this room is dark. I nonchalantly move my eyes all around. I’m looking for my escape route. “What’s your name?” Alpha Wes is just a few feet in front of me. “Aster.” He steps a foot closer, “Where are you from?” Breathing in slowly, “Massachusetts.” He crosses his arms and looks to Reed, “You disappoint me. You not only took her to bed but also marked her before I even had the chance to meet this rogue.” Reed looks at me exposing his neck.

Here we go, “I marked him right back.” Sometimes the words I say come out like a true masshole. I’m not afraid of him. More scared of what he will allow his entire pack to do with me. “She’s my fated mate.” Reed says to Alpha Wes who’s expression expands in curiosity. “On your knees.” The Alpha has spoken. We fall to our knees instantly without a choice. Can he do magic too?

Reed shoots an intense look my way. We can talk about that later. I wonder what they’ll put on my tombstone if I die here today. Would I even get one? “You broke the rules.” Alpha Wes says to us. “Beta Reed you know better than to bring someone into the pack without my approval.” Reed apologizes, “Alpha Wes please let us up. The pain is almost unbearable.” I don’t feel any pain.

“You may rise.” Reed and I help each other up. “Look I’m sorry. When I smelled her scent in the bar last night it hit me like lightning. I knew she was mine. I couldn’t wait. Something came over me and I’m not sorry for that. However I am sorry for not abiding by your rules. But I beg of you. Please allow Aster to be mine and mine alone.” Alpha Wes crosses his arms, “Is that what you want as well Aster?” I fumble, “Yes sir. Sorry, Alpha Wes. Sir.”

He begins to pace back and forth occasionally looking at Reed and I. My heart is thumping. I’m not sure what to think in this moment. Does he know that I’m a-

A what?

Useless waste of skin. Alpha Wes stops in his tracks and locks eyes with me. He walks towards me and sniffs. “What are you?” He asks. “I’m a hybrid shifter. I say.” What does that mean? His lips aren’t moving. I can hear only what he allows me to. “It means that I can shift anytime. Not just by the moon.” Is that so? How peculiar. I wonder why that is. “I can also half shift.” Show me.

Reed speaks up for me, “She shouldn’t have to prove herself to you.” Alpha Wes glares at Reed, “I call the shots here. Not you.” I step forward, “It’s alright.” I close my eyes and stretch my hands out in front of me. Visions of Ava flash through my mind. The flesh on the ground. All of that blood. My tarot cards. I take a deep breath and allow my claws to fire out of my hands like a loose cannon. My fangs unlock and I feel my eyes glowing.

Alpha Wes circles me slowly as Reed watches in awe. “Go all the way.” Alpha Wes demands. I peel my clothes off and sweep them aside with my feet. The pain shoots from deep within my spine and spreads over my entire body. I growl as my wolf takes over. I stand taller than both men until I fall on all fours. “Isn’t that something.” Alpha Wes says to Reed who is rendered speechless.

I love him. I don’t even know how or why but it happened and it’s very real. I’ve never been more sure of anything in all my life. What I need is for you to understand that I won’t survive as the pack slut. It will tear both Reed and I apart at the seems. I’m a hard worker and I’d be happy to prove my loyalty to you.

The Alpha crouches down and looks me in the eyes. “You shift like a werewolf but you don’t smell like a wolf.” He says to me. Alpha Wes gently places his hand on top of my head. Which causes the most intense pain I’ve ever known and everything in my mind went white. I fall to the floor. “Aster!” Reed yells and runs to my side. “Change back to your human form and stand up.” He snaps at me.

Alpha we turns his back to give me privacy. Reed watches me shift back. He covers my naked body as I put my clothes on. “Are you okay?” Reed asks. “Yeah. I’m okay.” He holds me in his arms for a moment.

“Get out.” Alpha Wes yells to us. Reed takes my hand and leads me towards the stairs. “You will work with Ava in the bar.” I turn back to him, “That may be a problem for her Alpha Wes. We sort of-” He interrupts me, “It’s not going to be an issue for you is it Aster?” I shake my head, “No Alpha Wes.”

We walk downhill back to the packhouse. That was close.

“What are you hiding from me Aster?” Reed is worried and I feel that I owe him an explanation. “You have to promise me you won’t tell any of the others. This has to be kept a secret for my safety. And now yours as well.” Reed questions me, “My safety? What the fuck are you talking about?”

I hold his hands in mine, “Reed, I’m a witch.”