Page 31 of Night with a Gamma
But the sounds of battle are a cacophony, and my heart sinks as I hear Wren’s scream pierce through the fray. I turn, horror flooding through me, to find Lenore using her magic to extinguish Wren's fire, nearly drowning her in the process. Time stretches as I fight off the other two wolves, muscles screaming in protest as I tear into them with primal fury. My gaze flicks back to Wren, her eyes wide with fear, and my heart shatters for her.
Poppy, fierce and unwavering, steps into the fray. “Lenore!” she yells, her voice laced with anger and heartbreak. Roots burst forth from the ground, snaking their way around Lenore’s legs, binding her in place as if nature itself wished to see her brought to justice. Lenore screams, a sound that reverberates through the air, chilling me to the bone.
Wren collapses, sputtering water and shaking, and my heart races as I break free from the last of the rogues, shifting back into my human form. I rush to her side, wrapping her in a tight embrace, my hands cradling her face, brushing her hair back from her eyes. I feel her trembling, the fear coursing through herlike ice, and I whisper soothing words, trying to calm the storm within her.
“My mate, Little Bird, I’ve got you,” I murmur, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, a spark of hope igniting within me as she leans into my touch.
But the moment is shattered as Agatha’s voice cuts through the chaos, addressing her daughter with a fierce authority. “Lenore, silence your screams. They are unnecessary. Calm yourself before I make you.”
Lenore falls limp, her screams fading, a trance settling over her as the roots hold her captive. Agatha turns to Poppy, a proud glint in her eyes. “You are amazing, Poppy. If you ever seek a coven, you are welcome among us.” The words hang in the air, a lifeline thrown to a girl who has long felt like an outsider.
Poppy stands stunned, and I can see the impact of Agatha's words on Wren too. This is a moment of hope, of belonging, for Poppy, who has always felt the weight of being half-bear shifter and half-witch. Wren’s eyes glisten with emotion, and I hold her tighter, grounding her as the aftermath of battle settles like ash around us.
The warriors of the Waterton Pack bring me a pair of basketball shorts, a welcome distraction from the chaos. I slip them on, my focus still on Wren. The tension in her shoulders eases slightly, and I can feel her breathing begin to steady.
Eventually, they take Lenore away, bound by magic and the weight of her choices. She will be interrogated, and the truth behind her dark ambitions will unfold. The pack knows that Lenore is not working alone; there are deeper currents at play. The rogue attacks have been orchestrated for over ten years, a shadow that looms over our lives.
As the dust settles and the sounds of battle dissipate, I pull Wren closer, my gaze scanning the perimeter for any lingeringthreats. “We’ll get through this, Little Bird,” I promise, my voice steady. “Together.”
Wren nods, her eyes meeting mine, and in that moment, I know we are bound not just by fate but by choice, by love. Whatever darkness lies ahead, we will face it together, stronger than the sum of our parts.
But as we stand there, enveloped in the aftermath of the battle, I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. The darkness that Lenore has unleashed is more than just an attack; it is a challenge, a call to arms, and our fight is far from over.
17
TALKS WITH A SISTER-IN-LAW CAN BE DAUNTING
Harrison
I can still feelthe echoes of the battle reverberating through the clearing, a haunting reminder of what we’ve just faced. The air is thick with tension, and the smell of scorched earth and blood lingers, a testament to the violence that has transpired. I know I should feel victorious — we’ve thwarted the initial attack, and Lenore is captured — but a gnawing sense of dread clings to me like a shadow.
Wren pulls away slightly, her crystal blue eyes searching mine. There’s a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze, and I can see the storm of emotions raging beneath the surface. The bond we share — strengthened by the chaos — feels electric, but it’s also burdened by the weight of her sister’s betrayal. I can’t imagine the pain she must feel, knowing that the very blood that runs through her veins is capable of such darkness.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice low, laced with concern.
She nods slowly, though I can tell the uncertainty still lingers. “I just… I didn’t expect it to be Lenore leading the attack.I thought she was lost to us entirely.” Her voice trembles, and I reach out, cupping her cheek with my palm.
“Wren,” I say gently, “this isn’t your fault. You did what you had to do to protect yourself and our pack. Lenore made her choice, and that’s on her.”
“I know,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper, “but she was my sister. There’s a part of me that wants to reach out to her, to try and bring her back. But then I remember what she’s done, and the people she’s hurt. I’m not sure someone can heal after having their heart ripped out by someone who was supposed to love them for all of time.”
I can feel the turmoil within her, the duality of love and anger warring for dominance. It strikes a chord within me, reminding me of my own family — of the things I’ve had to reconcile within myself as a wolf shifter. “Sometimes, our loved ones make choices we can’t understand. It doesn’t lessen the bond we once shared, but it can change the nature of it. You have to protect yourself, Wren. You have to protect us all.”
She takes a deep breath, and I watch as she steels herself, the fire in her eyes flickering back to life. “You’re right. I can’t let her darkness consume me, or us.” There’s a resolute strength in her voice now, and I can’t help but feel pride swell within me. She is a warrior, a witch with power that rivals the fiercest of beings, and I will stand by her side no matter the cost.
“Let’s regroup with the pack,” I suggest, glancing around at the warriors who are tending to the aftermath of the battle. “We need to make sure everyone is okay and figure out our next steps.”
Wren nods, and together we walk through the remnants of the chaos. The clearing is littered with signs of the struggle — a few fallen rogues, remnants of spells that fizzled out, and the lingering energy of the confrontation. The air is still heavy, butI can feel the pack’s resilience rising as we begin to assess the damage.
As we approach a gathering of our warriors, I can see Wyatt, Poppy, Octavia and Dalton standing together, their faces marked with determination despite the scars of battle. They’re discussing the next course of action, and I can sense the urgency in their voices.
“Harrison, Wren!” Wyatt calls, his voice cutting through the noise. “We were just talking about what to do next. We can’t let Lenore’s capture be the end of this. We need to find out who else is involved in these rogue attacks.”
Octavia nods emphatically. “I know we’re all shaken up, but we can’t afford to be complacent. Lenore is just one piece of a much larger puzzle, and we need to uncover the rest before it’s too late.”
I can feel Wren stiffen beside me, the reminder of Lenore’s actions weighing heavily on her heart. “I’ll speak with her,” Wren says, her voice firm. “I can try to reach her, to understand why she’s done this. It can’t be just because her mate left her. Maybe there’s still a chance to bring her back.”
Dalton raises an eyebrow, concern etched on his features. “Wren, you know she’s dangerous. She used powerful magic against you, and she’s allied with rogues who have no qualms about hurting anyone to get what they want.”
