Thank you so much for reading! All constructive comments and gems are appreciated. I can’t interact here. If you would like to join in the conversation you can find me on the socials, the clock app is where I frequent and the Fbook is where I post publishing updates. Miss. L. Writes. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact Miss L Writes.
51 - ElaraI let my rage at being forced to Alpha command one of my own simmer under my skin. I know Ben can feel it, but he isn’t asking any questions. That is what I have been fighting against my whole life. Our pack is too small, there is no reason to have to force anyone to listen if you lead correctly. That is the training of my mother and she had the respect of the whole pack. My father lead with graciousness and understanding. I should be able to do the same. Clearly we missed some lessons on how to do that.I finish introducing Ben formally to the pack. Most of the members have met him and the rest of the Silver Crescent guys in their time here. They are good at mingling and making friends. It doesn't escape my notice that more than one female eye lingers on him for too long, and I can admit to myself that he is very handsome in his too strict, uptight way. If he were just human he would fit in well with their military officers with his hair always cut neat, clothes clean an
50 - ElaraI was hoping I would see Melodie first, she at least would have pretended to be calm and civil.“Hello Deacon, I wanted to introduce our new Beta…”He cuts me off, “So, now that your dad is gone, you’re just going to throw Richard and the rest of them to the side?” He huffs out, and Ben flexes next to me, but doesn’t move.“My team is not my father’s team and frankly none of your business. This is the new way.”“Well, maybe you’ll be able to get her to do her damn job.” He growls, looking over my shoulder.This time, Ben doesn’t stay put. He walks right up to Deacon, nose to nose. “You will not disrespect the Alpha in my presence.” His aura blasts through the room. Deacon tries to fight it, but he can’t, Ben is strong. I know that; he’s confronted me enough times to be aware, but this is a whole other level. Deacon’s head is forced down and to the side in submission. “Your Alpha is doing you a favor, by introducing me herself. She’s too polite to use her aura on you, has to
49 - ElaraBen wasn’t wrong. Melanie isn’t mad at me, and she jumped at the chance to show her loyalty by taking personal care of the coven’s meals. Once she was in motion there was no stopping the tornado. I gave her the freedom to choose five Omegas to hel her with the task and to get whatever is needed for the coven.We heard from Jax and Dev a few hours after our meeting that all of the coven members were accounted for and settled in the clearing near the packhouse. I sent them to brief the rest of the warriors and prep all of them for learning new scents so we can differentiate friends from enemies.“Now to tell the pack that I brought witches into our home and they have to play nice.” I grumble more to myself, but of course Ben is in earshot.“Is it really that bad?” I stare at him for a second before I realize. He’s never gone into the pack with me before. He wasn’t here when I had my head chewed off after Jeff manipulated some of the shopkeepers with his rumors. This is going
48 - Ben“If we choose to work together, what does that mean for you? No offense High Priestess, but I’m not handing over what little pack territory we have to an unvetted ally.”“We do not wish to take what is not ours or to form permanent residence here. As for lodgings, we have capital to build and would be more than happy to invest in properties that you can use later for new pack members. This could be a down payment of sorts. Until then we are content to camp in the forest temporarily.”“How many coven members will be in your camp?”“There are thirty left in our coven, and we are not seeking to increase that number under the current circumstances.”“We believe there are wards or spells cast among the pack that are being used against us. Can you help remove them?”“That is a more difficult answer.” Elara stiffens in my arms at Briana’s answer. “I will not lie to you and tell you my magic can undo all other magic. That is not how it works and anyone who believes that will get duped
47 - BenIt would probably be better if I had more answers, but I don’t and the disembodied voice isn’t helping my case. If I were the type to make a bet I would say the witch was listening in and having fun with us. I am not one to make bets I am not guaranteed to win.I feel Elara stiffen next to me at the phantom’s explanation. I snake my arm around her waist, not dumb enough to try to shield or restrain her, or make her feel like I am restraining her, but the need to have her close with the unknown is overwhelming.Pulling her back to my chest gently, I call out, “Briana? My name is Ben. Alpha James asked me to meet with you. He said you might be able to help us with our drug problem.”Silence fills the thick air around us. I can feel Jax and Dev move in on either side. They are smart and can read a situation easily. We are all on high alert. No matter how many times I have been told that Briana is friendly, I’ll believe it when I see it. I won’t sit here and get ambushed like a ne
46 - ElaraWe drive Northwest in comfortable silence. After twenty minutes, he still hasn’t said anything, but he is more relaxed the further we get from Richard and Sebastian.“You gonna tell me what we are doing, or should I be worried that you are taking me to an unknown location in the woods?” His focus snaps to me, completely appalled and serious. I raise an eyebrow, waiting.He takes in a lets out an exasperated breath, “I got a text from Tommy and Alpha James, we have a meeting.”“Were you going to say something, fill me in, heads up, anything? Or did you want me to go in blind, looking like a dumbass?” I lean on my hand as I propped my elbow on the window.“I wasn’t sure if you would go along with it.” He shrugs. “Well…I’m in the car with you, clearly I trust you. Maybe, give me the same respect.” I say frustrated with him. I cross my arms and face out the front window again. I thought we had come to a kind of understanding. He’s here, he’s a part of my pack now. I took a very