Page 74 of The Alpha's Fated Destiny

I’m quiet. There’s nothing I can say to that.

“Let’s hope that’s not the case.”

“There’s a village over there.” Alex’s voice reaches my ears. I look over my shoulder to see where he’s pointing, and I follow his gaze.

There is a village. And it’s bustling with activity.

“Is that the coven you were talking about?” I ask Logan.

He studies the village, his forehead creased in thought. “Possibly. We should go and check.”

“If I get close enough, I can tell whether they’re witches or shifters,” I say. “But are you sure these people are not anything like the dark witches we encountered before?”

“There are no dark witches in the Central Alliance,” Logan tells me.

“He’s right,” Alex adds. “The Central Alliance drove out the dark witches years ago. And if any appear, they are hunted down and killed off. They avoid this place.”

I feel somewhat relieved.

“Let’s go find something to eat, and see if these witches can help us get back to the South Alliance,” I murmur.

It’s time to go home.

***

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Alex is it resistant to the idea of running into another coven.

“We have no choice,” I reply irritably. “Do you know how to get out of here, then? Because I don’t. I have no clue where the border of the Center Alliance is. We came here through a portal. I don’t know how to create a portal. We need the help of witches.”

“The last time we trusted witches, it didn’t end well for us,” Alex argues.

I turn around and face him. “Fine. Do you have a better idea? Let’s hear it. Because I don’t. We cannot go back to the Silver Mist Wolf Pack to ask them to send us home. Their Alpha will probably kill you and imprison me. Our maps are useless since we don’t know where we are. We need a portal. I don’t know how to create one. That leaves a witch. Unless, of course, you’ve suddenly developed magical abilities, and can get us home…”

I can hear the ugliness of the words I’m spewing, but I can’t stop myself. It’s like all the hurt is bubbling inside of me and Alex is the most convenient target right now. I want him to get angry. I want him to yell at me so that I don’t feel guilty for unloading on him. But he does nothing. He just watches me so calmly that I want to shake him and tell him to react.

“That’s quite enough.” To my surprise, it’s Logan, who steps between us. “Go cool down. Take a walk. He’s not trying to aggravate you. We are all stuck in the same situation.”

I glare at the two of them. “Why are you even taking his side? He doesn’t even want you here.”

“That’s besides the point. He’s not being a little shit right now. You are.” Logan narrows his eyes at me. “There’s no reason to be rude to your mate. Especially when he’s not done anything to deserve it.”

Clenching my jaw at being called out so bluntly, I storm off, down the hill, toward the stretch of forest. Of course I know I’m being a little shit. I’m behaving like a jerk. Walking through the trees, I suddenly feel short of breath.

Stumbling to a stop, I close my eyes and crouch to the ground, trying to calm down. I can’t get my emotions under control right now. I always thought I was mature and that I knew how to process my feelings but I feel like a child right now, lashing out at everybody. I want to hurt everybody. I’m not thinking straight, and I know it.

Slumping down on the ground, I know they will give me some time to cool off. Alex is probably just as pissed at me. I don’t blame him.

I let out a shaky breath and lean my head against the tree, closing my eyes again.

“You look like you’re having a hard day.”

My eyes fly open and I see an older woman standing before me, a small basket in her hands.

“Something like that.”

She’s a witch. I can tell. Her skin has tendrils of magic attached to it.

“Want an apple?” She plucks out avibrant red apple from the basket and holds it out to me. “I’ve learned that food is often the best source of healing for a troubled mind.”

---