Bad timing

Evie.

“This is not a good time,” I told the woman. She wore dark clothing from head to toe. Long black hair framed a strikingly beautiful face and gave her dark eyes an evil catlike look.

Cora shook her head. “This is the best time actually. I know you want to go and fight for your son but you can’t go after Rodney alone. Trust me you won’t win.”

“What do you want?” I asked.

“How did you know about this?”

“That’s not important.” she said, walking in to the house. Her voice was smooth and soft. Her lavender scent spread across my living room as she looked around. “I came because I believe I can help you.”

“You’re afraid Alpha Rodney will take your son from you. That’s why you’ve been crying. I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

I didn’t know whether to trust her or not but I was desperate and willing to accept all the help I could get. Despite being cursed, Rodney was a very strong alpha. Attempting to take him down alone wouldn’t guarantee any results.

“How will you do that?” I asked.

Cora’s expression softened. “There are many ways to fight an Alpha.”

I closed the door and went to sit on the couch, feeling slightly hopeful. Cora was an ancient witch and one of the most powerful in the world. She belonged to Cots coven, a coven feared by all supernatural creatures.

Rodney had always invited Cora to do the hard tasks our resident witch couldn’t manage. I’d only talked to her once before this but she’d always succeeded in whatever she had to do.

“I don’t know what to do,” I confessed. “I wish I hadn’t let him drag me back to this city. I should’ve known he’d try to control me again.”

Cora stepped close. “I can only imagine what you’re going through. This man has hurt you before and continues to hurt you. He has to be stopped but you don’t have to face this alone.”

I felt overwhelmed after hearing those words. I had been alone for so long and it was becoming unbearable. Ethan had been nice to me but sometimes I still felt alone. Ever since my mother died, life had been a series of disappointments. When I found my mate, I thought I could get better but we all know how that went.

“Where is the child?” she asked. “Do you have any idea where Damien took him? We should move quickly before Rodney acts first.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. Rodney summoned Damien through mind link. They’ve probably already spoken and met up.”

“You’re his mate. If you try hard enough, you could figure out some things like where he could be.”

“But we’ve been apart for so long. Do you really think that can still work?”

He bond had weakened the moment I left crescent pack. Even though I was back, it wasn’t fully restored.

“Don’t worry about that. I have magic that can get us what we want. Carry something that belongs to Tommy and come with me to my house.”

I didn’t even think about it. I went to the bedroom and threw some of Tommy’s things into a backpack.

Before I left the bedroom, I stared at his bed for a while and felt sad. But hope returned when I remembered that Cora was going to help me get him back.

A small navy blue car waited outside the building. Cold wind blew through the darkening streets while Cora opened the passenger door for me. When I climbed into the car and closed the door, a heavy smell of lavender hit me.

Cora slid into the driver’s seat and started the car. I was too lost in thought that I barely noticed the city lights. My heart ached as I thought of Tommy and wondered where he was. Was he happy?

Ever since he was born, we had never been apart for long. The only time we spent apart was during school days. I couldn’t imagine being away from him for more than a day, and didn’t think he could handle it.

“You still love him.” Cora suddenly said.

I looked out the window immediately like someone who just got caught doing something wrong. My heart was now beating faster.

“No, I don’t. I stopped loving him a long time ago.”

“Lying to yourself won’t help you.” Cora said.

I didn’t reply immediately. Instead I just stared at the busy city streets as we cruised past.

“I hate him.” I blurted out after some time. “I cannot love someone who doesn’t care about my feelings. Rodney doesn’t care who he hurts as long as he gets what he wants.”

The witch hummed. “There’s a thin line between love and hate.”

Oh please, I wanted to say. But a part of me feared she was right. We were still mates after all. There was something there, maybe attraction but not love. Rodney loved himself. Loving such a person only leads to heartbreak.

Suddenly my head felt heavy. The car seemed too hot. I frowned, wondering what was wrong with me. Was it because of overthinking?

I rubbed my temple as everything in the road outside began to blur.

“That’s strange…” I began. “I’m feeling weird.”

Cora glanced toward me briefly. She didn’t seem overly concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel…”

For some reason, I felt very dizzy. Realization dawned on me and I sat up straight. “What did you—?”

Panic stricken, I reached for the door handle but my hands suddenly felt extremely weak.

“Sleep, Evie.” Cora’s voice was calm.

“You drugged me!” I said, fear taking over my entire body. The words barely came out properly and my heart pounded wildly. I couldn’t see well, darkness was taking over. No, no, no. I tried to move but my body seemed to be paralyzed. It wouldn’t budge.

The last thing I saw was Cora’s reflection in the windshield. She was smiling.