Page 54 of Night with a Gamma
“Maybe,” he replies, his brow furrowing slightly.
I chew on my lip, curiosity mingling with the need to focus on the present. “I need to call my mother,” I say, the urgency bubbling to the surface. Agatha, my mother, the High Priestess of our coven, will know how to navigate this chaos.
As we make our way back to our Beta suite, I dial her number, my heart racing at the thought of sharing the truth about Fredrick’s betrayal. Harrison settles on our balcony, the outdoor heater crackling softly, creating a cocoon of warmth against the chill of the morning air.
“Wren, my darling girl,” mom answers, her voice a calming melody. I recount the story, skimming over the details but emphasizing the extent of Fredrick’s deceit. She listens intently, her silence coaxing me forward.
“I’m not surprised,” she finally says, her tone thoughtful. “Fredrick has always had a reputation for being self-centered. But this… this is beyond what I had imagined. He’s crossed lines that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Lenore’s voice cuts in from the background, and I can’t help but smile, knowing she’s there with my mother. “Hello, Sissy,” she chirps. “I’ve encountered a rogue woman before, one who followed orders from someone with an Alpha aura. It sounds like Fredrick might have been the main hand in this after all.”
“Exactly!” I exclaim, the pieces falling into place. “He may have orchestrated everything from the shadows, but the bond with the witch is troubling. How do we deal with this?”
“Stay vigilant,” Agatha advises, her tone serious. “There’s more to uncover, and you’ll need your strength and wits about you. I’ll consult with the coven and see what we can gather.”
We exchange a few more words, and soon I hang up, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. I step onto the balcony, the crisp air filling my lungs, and lean against the railing.
Harrison opens his arms, and I fall into his embrace, relishing the warmth radiating from him.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his voice low and soothing.
“Just a lot to process,” I admit, resting my head against his chest. “But I’m grateful to have you by my side.”
He kisses the top of my head, a gesture that sends a ripple of comfort through me. “We’ll figure this out together. And whatever comes, I won’t let anything happen to you, Little Bird.”
I look up at him, his ocean eyes filled with determination and love. In this tumultuous world where darkness lurks in every shadow, I feel a flicker of hope igniting within me. With Harrison beside me, I know we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.
As we sit together on the balcony, the sun continues its ascent, illuminating the path before us. We are warriors in our own right — each wielding our unique powers, bound by love and purpose. Whatever comes next, I’m ready to face it head-on, with my mate at my side.
For now, though, we simply breathe together, anchored in this moment, preparing for the storm that is yet to come.
27
MYSTERY WITCH BITCH
Wren
The sun climbs higher,casting its golden light across the landscape, but a shadow looms over the pack house — a foreboding reminder of the chaos we’ve just unearthed. Harrison and I sit in silence, the warmth of his body a comforting shield against the chill creeping into my bones. I know we can’t stay in this moment forever, and that reality will soon demand our attention, but for now, I savor the peace, allowing the chaos around us to fade into the background.
“Do you think Poppy will be okay?” I finally ask, breaking the silence that has settled between us like a heavy blanket.
Harrison glances toward the door. “She’s strong,” he replies, his voice steady. “But tapping into someone else’s mind like that — it takes a toll. I’d like to think she’ll bounce back, especially with Dalton looking after her.”
I nod, but a sliver of worry still gnaws at me. Poppy’s ability to read minds and dive in their memories is a gift, but it also makes her vulnerable to the weight of others’ emotions and memories. I can’t help but wonder how much of Fredrick’sdarkness lingers in her mind now, seeping into her aura like ink on paper.
“Wren?” Harrison’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You okay?”
I lift my gaze to meet his, finding warmth and concern mirrored in his deep blue eyes. “I’m just thinking about everything. About Octavia, about Poppy, and what this means for us moving forward.”
Harrison’s grip tightens around me, his thumb brushing softly against my shoulder. “We’ll figure it out together,” he reassures me. “Just remember, we’re not alone in this. We have the pack, and we have each other.”
His words bring me comfort, grounding me in the present. But something in the back of my mind whispers that our journey is just beginning. We have a mystery to unravel, and the threat of Fredrick’s machinations still looms large. I pull away slightly, looking into his eyes, hoping to convey both my gratitude and the weight of the uncertainty hanging over us.
“Let’s head back inside,” I suggest, pushing off the railing. “I want to make sure Octavia is okay, and I need to talk to Wyatt about what my mother said.”
Harrison nods, standing and offering me his hand. As we walk into the formal living room area in the Pack House, I can’t shake the feeling that the air around us is charged with anticipation, as if the walls themselves are holding their breath.
Inside, the atmosphere is starkly different from the serene balcony. The tension is thick, palpable. Wyatt and Octavia have returned, and she sits on the couch, curled into Wyatt’s side, her face still glistening with tears. The sight of her so vulnerable tugs at my heart, and I feel an overwhelming urge to comfort her.
