Page 5 of Night with a Gamma
I take a moment, gathering my thoughts. “Kind of like you said earlier. It’s… complicated.” I chuckle softly, trying to lighten the mood. “Not everyone gets it, you know? There’s a primal instinct that comes with it — an urge to protect, to hunt, to connect with the pack. But it’s also a burden. You have to control it, or it controls you. There’s a constant battle between the man and the wolf.”
Wren nods, her expression serious as she absorbs my words. “And the mate bond? Does it feel different?”
I can’t help but grin at that. “Oh, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt. It’s as if every fiber of my being is drawn to you. The need to keep you close is overwhelming, and it only grows stronger the more time we spend together.”
Her breath hitches, and I can see the realization dawning in her eyes. A thrill runs through me at the thought of what’s to come. The bond we share isn’t just a simple connection; it’s a promise, a deep-rooted commitment that spans beyond our understanding. I can see it in the way she looks at me, the way her pulse quickens when I inch closer.
“What if it’s too much?” she asks, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice.
I reach out, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against her skin, savoring the warmth of her presence. “Then we’ll navigate it together. I promise you, I won’t let this bond scare you. I’ll protect you, Little Bird. Always.”
Her gaze locks onto mine, and in that moment, the world outside fades away. It’s just the two of us, bound together by something far greater than either of us can fully comprehend. The air is thick with unspoken words and promises, and I can’t help but lean in again, capturing her lips with mine, igniting the fire once more.
2
MOTHER KNOWS BEST…
Wren
The sun dipslow in the sky, casting a warm hue over the glimmering leaves that line the path ahead. I take a deep breath, inhaling the earthy scent of moss and wildflowers that blanket the forest floor. Each step I take down the magically hidden path feels like a step into my own destiny, yet there’s a heavy weight on my shoulders, the kind that comes from knowing my mother’s expectations, her dreams for me that I don’t quite share.
As I walk, the whispers of the trees seem to echo my thoughts. I can’t shake the feeling of dread that clings to me like a shadow. My name is Wren Archer, and I’m a witch, the daughter of Agatha, the High Priestess of our coven. The air hums with magic, and I can feel it thrumming through my veins — a sweet, intoxicating power that pulses in time with my heart. But today, my heart is filled with something else entirely: hope.
Harrison Grey, my fated mate, waits for me back at the Waterton Pack. I can’t help but smile at the thought of him. Harrison is strong, fiercely loyal, and the Gamma of his pack.There’s an undeniable connection between us, something that pulls at my very essence. I long to know him better, to explore the bond that fate has woven between us. I want to dive into the depths of our connection, to discover what it means to be with him, to truly be together.
The cottage, where my mother and I have lived for as long as I can remember, comes into view. Its wooden beams are intertwined with ivy, and the smoke curling from the chimney beckons me home. But as I approach, the warmth of the place is overshadowed by my mother’s stern gaze. She stands at the door, arms crossed, a storm brewing in her deep sapphire eyes.
“Wren,” she says, her voice thick with concern. “We need to talk.”
I swallow hard, my heart sinking. I know exactly where this is going. “Mom, I?—”
“Not now,” she interrupts, stepping aside to let me in. The familiar scent of lavender and sage envelops me as I cross the threshold, but the comfort of home feels distant. “You’re not just a girl who can run off with her mate. You have responsibilities, Wren. The coven is counting on you. I’m counting on you.”
“I’ll still be here,” I protest, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m just going to stay with Harrison for a couple of weeks. I’ll come back and help out in the coven. I promise.”
Mom shakes her head, her expression hardening. “You don’t understand the weight of this. Your sister was supposed to take over, but she’s lost to darkness now. I can’t lose another daughter to amate.” Her voice cracks slightly, revealing the fragility beneath her fierce exterior.
My heart aches at her words. Lenore, my older sister, was once the shining star of our coven. But after her mate rejected her, she fell into despair, and with that despair came dark magic. I can’t imagine the pain my mother felt watching her firstdaughter slip away, but I won’t be like Lenore. I refuse to be defined by heartbreak.
“Mom,” I say softly, stepping closer to her. “I’m not Lenore. I’m not going to let this break me. I want to live my life — I want to be happy. And Harrison… he makes me happy so far.”
My mother’s eyes soften for a moment, but then the steel returns. “You think this is easy for me? That I want to see you run off to some ‘smelly dog’ because you think you’ve found love? You have a duty to your coven, Wren. You need to prepare to lead.”
“I didn’t ask for this!” The words burst from my lips before I can stop them, a rush of frustration and fear. “I didn’t ask to take over the coven. That was supposed to be Lenore’s path, not mine! I just want a chance to be free — to love and to explore who I am outside of this place.”
She stares at me, and for a moment, I see the flicker of a deep sadness in her eyes, a pain that transcends the argument. I take a step closer, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug.
“I’m not going anywhere forever, Mom,” I whisper, my voice muffled against her shoulder. “I’ll come back every few days. I promise. Just give me this time with Harrison.”
Mom sighs, her body relaxing against mine. “I just don’t want to lose you too, my little hatchling. You’re all I have left.”
As I pull back to look into her eyes, I see a mixture of love and fear. “You won’t lose me. I’ll always be your daughter, and I’ll always be here to support the coven. I just… I need to figure out who I am first and explore the bond I share with Harrison.”
Her expression softens, and I can see her resolve wavering. “You’ll come back and help out, won’t you?”
I nod, my heart swelling with a mix of relief and determination. “Of course, Mom. I promise.”
With a resigned sigh, my mother finally nods, a small smile creeping onto her lips. “Alright, but you must keep yourpromise. I want to see you back here every few days. No excuses. Also, you need to take Shadow with you because he won’t want to be away from you for long.”
