Page 79 of Witch's Wolf

Idiot.

My town’s future is on the line, and I’ve been out by the lake, stealing moments with Erica. I never should have left. Hell, I should be up in the hills with my pack, scouring every inch of the land. Or should I?

Roberta left a disaster in her wake. Worse than the vampires we faced last winter. Back then, Dawson stood united. Pack member or not, every single resident knew exactly what the enemy was capable of. Now? They have no clue how far that witch will go. They’ve had a taste of her wrath, sure, but they don’t truly understand.

And the truth is, we can’t find her. A creature like her doesn’t stay hidden unless she wants to. We could spend weeks tearing apart every cave, every crevice in the mountains, and still come up empty. Roberta Connors will resurface when she damn well pleases. Despite it all, by the time we pull into Dawson, the guilt eases. Regret won’t do a damn thing to help us now.

The town is quieter than I expected. No mob, no chaos, just Raul and Helena deep in conversation, Ray and Nora standing close by. Something’s… off. I figured the pack would be gathered around my brother, waiting for his next command, but they’re nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s everyone else? Are they lost or something?” I ask, striding up with Erica at my side.

“No,” Raul says, trading a look with Helena. “She’s got an idea.”

I narrow my eyes, suspicious despite my trust in Helena. The way Raul presents this makes it clear I’m not going to like it.

“And what idea is that?”

“It’s not exactly an idea,” Helena corrects. “It’s a course of action. The correct course of action, if I must say. I’ll face Roberta in battle. Alone.”

“What? Alone?” my voice cracks with disbelief, and both my eyebrows shoot up. “Where the hell is this coming from? Why? The pack can handle her.”

“This is why none of your packmates are here,” she says. “Your brother and I told them about my plan while you were away. They agreed to stay out of this and let me handle Roberta.” She stops two paces from me, eyes sharp and unyielding. “Listen, Samuel… two of your kind charged her the night she set fire to the woods, and she took their heads. I wasn’t there, but every single witness agrees, they didn’t even get close. The thickness of your bones, the thing that saved your life when your car went off that cliff? It didn’t mean a damn thing to her. She decapitated them in one clean strike.”

“I don’t care!” I snarl, glaring at her before shifting my fury to Raul. “This is my fight!” I pound a fist against my chest. “That bitch wants me, not you. Not Helena.”

“It’s true. You’ve been her primary target,” Helena acknowledges, absolutely calm and collected like she’s discussing the damn weather. “But this is a fight you cannot win, my dear Samuel. You’ll be dead before you even hit the ground.”

“She’ll kill you!” My words are raw and furious. “She almost did the first time! What makes you think you’ll survive this round?”

“I’m ready for her,” she says, calm and unshaken. She’s made peace with this decision.

“What does that even mean?” I ask, voice low, almost growling.

“I wasn’t ready before. This is my territory, Samuel. If Roberta Connors thinks she can waltz in here and take it for herself, trust me, she’s got another thing coming.”

A flicker of something unreadable crosses her face.

“And?” I ask, latching onto that fleeting thing. “What aren’t you saying Helena?”

“There’s another reason I want to do this, but I’d rather keep it to myself for now.”

“I’m not letting you do this,” I argue, shifting my attention to Raul who’s stood silent through this entire argument. “It’s suicide. Why are you even considering this?”

“Sam,” Erica says, speaking for the first time as she places her hand on my arm. I look over at her but her agreement with Helena is written all over her face. “She’s pow?—”

“No,” I growl, looking at each of them in turn. “No fucking way. Alone? Our best chance is that we all take this bitch on.”

“No, second-born,” Helena says, steel in her voice. “I cannot allow that.”

“Then tell me your reason,” I demand. “The one you’re holding back. Tell me, Helena, why I should stand by and let you walk to your death without lifting a fucking finger?”

Helena sighs and shakes her head. It’s clear she expected me to fight her but she’s also certain I’ll lose.

“Very well. I’ve lived a long life, Samuel. Longer than most. I’ve seen and done nearly everything. And yet, I’ve spent years wondering, what will I leave behind? What will the people of Dawson and Shandaken remember me for?” Her eyes darken, and for the first time tonight, she looks… human. “I’ve done my part in living, but what about my legacy? Right now, it’s small. This is my chance to change that.”

I grind my teeth. She’s not just doing this for the pack. She’s doing it for herself.

“Maybe I won’t kill Roberta,” she continues. “You’ve seen her. You know how powerful she is, but I will weaken her. And when I do, the pack will be ready to strike.”

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