Page 55 of The Worst Mate Ever

“Come in,” I snapped, my blood pressure rising now as I felt the coming news of the pack beta would not be a positive one. The only thing I could think that he would have reported to me had to involve Tristan or the vampire Thorne.

If there was anything less than that, Edwardo would have handled it himself. He wouldn’t feel the need to involve me unless it was absolutely necessary to do so. Especially since he knew I was busy with coven business all day today.

The messenger entered the room. His face paled as he looked between me and my coven’s librarian. The man known as the keeper of history and spells. The man known to all was tasked with researching the dark witch who lurked on the city’s outskirts.

“What is it?” I pressed.

The young witch jumped, his eyes widening as he extended his hand with the written message from Edwardo. I snatched it quickly and read, my eyes scanning the words before I leaped to my feet.

They’ve spotted Tristan with John Thorne near The Brew this morning. They were stalking around some of the younger witches and almost succeeded in taking one of the newly awakened witchlings.

“Why would they suddenly go after the witches again?” I asked myself aloud.

Marlin tilted his head and frowned. “Could they be trying to turn us as they tried before with the rogue attack?”

I shook my head, though uncertain why I felt so confident in what I was about to say. “No, it doesn’t make sense for them to do so. It has been so long since that attack, and they haven’t tried or even given the coven a second glance since then. None of this feels right to me.”

“Perhaps the others may offer new insights,” Marlin said. “I will bring the books to the meeting with us and let the others have a look. Maybe a set of fresh eyes will help us unravel this mystery.”

I looked up at the clock and nodded. The coven council would need to know about this attack, especially since it now involved the coven directly.

My only solace in this sighting was knowing that Madie and the baby were safe. I know she hated feeling bound to the packhouse, but it was for the best. The knowledge that she was safe and sound while Tristan and Thorne roamed the city’s borders allowed me to focus on protecting both the pack and the coven with a clear mind.

Marlin and I left my office and walked to the meeting room together. Upon entering the small room, we discovered we weren’t the first ones there. At the small round table, my mother was seated, her laughter blending with the vibrant conversations of the coven’s elders. When they saw me enter, all but my mother rose to their feet and greeted me with a respectful bow. Mom, on the other hand, remained seated and smiled at me as I joined her, taking the seat on her left.

“You look worried,” Mom commented. “Is everything all right?”

I shook my head. “A report from the Rigel Pack’s beta has come in,” I began. “He has reported that he and his men fended off the rogue wolf Tristan and the former headmaster of Pacific Academy John Thorne from attacking a young witchling barely thirteen years old. This happened just before the lunch hour near The Brew.”

Chatter erupted around the room as the elders demanded answers to their questions. Their words all jumbled together to the point I couldn’t understand one word from the other as their voices rose with fear and frustration.

“Gentlemen, Ladies,” Mom said, her voice rising higher than all. “You have every right to be upset, but Brady and I cannot answer your questions if we cannot understand what it is you are saying. Please, calm down.”

“How can we remain calm? A witchling is our most treasured resource. You know just as well as we do what happens when an enemy takes advantage of that resource.”

I looked at Mom, who nodded sadly in response.

“Yes, I know firsthand the terrifying reality of being used in that way. However, this child was spared thanks to the quick work of the Rigel Pack. Our alliance with the pack remains unwavering, as they continue to protect the bar, even though it’s located outside the city limits and is a shifter-free establishment.”

“Diana, what does this mean? Why would the dark witch suddenly send her men to attack our children?”

Mom looked at me for a moment, then turned back to the council. “I don’t believe that they have any intention of actually coming after the coven. I know that in the battle with the rogues, they had seemed to target the witches and hybrids. However, I don’t think that is the case in this situation.”

“Tristan holds a deep grudge against Brady. Brady has received a vision from The Fates that warns of his desire for revenge against my son. It is my belief that they are attempting to draw Brady out into the open, especially since they are unable to reach his pregnant mate to use her for his revenge.”

“That is certainly an interesting speculation,” Marlin said, skepticism lacing his tone. “But how can we be sure that’s the case? How do we protect our people?”

“We will order extra patrols around The Brew until the threat of Tristan and his revenge has been removed. We will not allow these monsters to harm our people. I personally will set a protective boundary around The Brew as well to ensure that no enemies of the coven may enter.” Mom promised, her green eyes filled with determination.

Everyone’s gaze then turned to me, as if waiting for my approval. I exchanged a glance with Mom before nodding to the council and feeling the collective sigh as they all relaxed with the promise of that added protection from my mother and the pack.

“Marlin,” I said then. “Tell everyone what you were just showing me in my office.”

“Right,” Marlin stood and began to hand out the books he had spilled over my desk before.

The others looked confused before they opened the books and realized what it was Marlin had discovered.

“We had this many books on this woman and are only now realizing this? Why?”

---