Page 55 of Night with a Gamma
“Octavia,” I say softly as we approach. “How are you holding up?”
Her eyes meet mine, shimmering with unshed tears, and I can see the pain etched into her features. “I don’t know,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “I feel so lost. Everything I thought I knew about my past was a lie.”
I sit beside her, reaching for her hand. “It’s okay to feel that way. You’ve been through so much. But you’re not alone. We’re all here for you.”
Wyatt presses a kiss to the top of her head, murmuring soothing words that I can’t quite catch. I can see how much he loves her, and it gives me a small measure of hope. If anyone can guide Octavia through this darkness, it’s him.
Poppy enters the room, looking a bit more color in her cheeks but still weary. Dalton follows closely behind, his expression serious. “I think we need to talk,” he says, glancing at everyone in the room. “About what Fredrick’s plans were and what this means for the pack.”
Wyatt nods, shifting his focus to the group. “Poppy, you’re feeling better? Can you share what you found out?”
She takes a deep breath, looking around at all of us before she speaks. “Fredrick’s obsession with Rosemary wasn’t just personal. It was strategic. He wanted to create chaos within the pack, and using Octavia as a pawn was part of that plan.”
Octavia stiffens beside me, and I squeeze her hand in silent support. “He knew that if he could take her parents away, it would leave her vulnerable,” Poppy continues, her voice gaining strength. “And in that vulnerability, he believed he could manipulate her into becoming his mate.”
“Which is why we need to act quickly,” Dalton interjects, his brow furrowed with concern. “If there’s a witch in play, she could be a threat to all of us. We need to find out who she is and what she wants.”
Harrison leans forward, his expression serious. “And we need to ensure that Fredrick’s influence is completelyeradicated. If the witch is still out there, she may not be done with her plans.”
Wyatt nods, determination etched into his features. “I’ll gather the pack. We need to form a strategy, but first, we need to ensure Octavia’s safety. She’s the target here, and we can’t allow him to get anywhere near her.”
Octavia looks up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude and fear. “What if they try to come after me again? I don’t want to be a burden or a target for anyone.”
“You’re not a burden, baby girl,” Wyatt assures her, his voice soft for only her. “You’re part of this pack, and we will protect you with everything we have. We’ll ensure that you’re safe, no matter what it takes.”
As the conversation continues, I feel a sense of urgency building within me. The pieces of this puzzle are aligning, but I know that we haven’t uncovered the full extent of Fredrick’s plans. I glance at Harrison, who catches my eye and nods almost imperceptibly, as if he can sense the same thing.
“Wyatt,” I say, interrupting the discussion. “What if we could use my fire magic to track down that witch? If she’s connected to Fredrick, maybe I can find her energy signature.”
Wyatt raises an eyebrow, considering my suggestion. “It’s worth a try. But we need to be cautious. If she’s truly as powerful as Fredrick, we don’t know what we might be walking into.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” I insist, feeling the fire within me flicker to life. “Tavia has lost too much already. I want to help.”
Harrison shifts closer, his presence anchoring me. “We’ll go together,” he says, his voice steady. “Whatever happens, we face it as a team.”
The room falls silent, and I can feel the weight of everyone’s gaze on me. Octavia’s eyes are wide with a mix of admiration and fear, and I can sense the respect from the others. I take a deepbreath, gathering my courage. “Let’s do this. We need to find out who this witch is and stop her before she can cause any more harm.”
Wyatt nods, his expression resolute. “Then we’ll prepare. Poppy, I think you should join them. Your abilities might help in locating her.”
Poppy straightens, a spark of determination igniting in her eyes. “I’m in. I won’t let that dick-hole Fredrick or that witch bitch destroy any more lives.”
As plans begin to form, I can feel the air shifting around us — a sense of purpose binding us together. We may be facing an uncertain future, but one thing is clear: we are stronger together.
With every moment that passes, I feel my resolve hardening, and the flicker of fire within me intensifying. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my friends, my pack, and the life I’ve chosen alongside Harrison.
“Let’s get to work,” I say, feeling the flames of determination spark within me, my heart beating in sync with the rhythm of our shared purpose.
The air isthick with tension as we gather our resources and prepare for the next steps. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re standing at the precipice of something monumental, a battle that could change everything. The pack house, once a home filled with laughter and camaraderie, now feels like a fortress bracing against an impending storm.
Harrison stands close by, his presence a steady anchor in this turbulent sea of emotions. I can feel the heat radiating fromhim, a constant reminder of the bond we share — a bond that strengthens with every challenge we face.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks, his voice low, a hint of concern lacing his words.
I nod, though my heart races with the weight of what lies ahead. “I have to be. We have to stop whoever this is before she can do any more damage.”
“Then let’s go,” he replies, determination lighting up his eyes. Together, we slip out of the pack house and into the crisp morning air, ready to face whatever awaits us.
The woods surrounding the pack house are dense, the trees standing tall like sentinels guarding secrets of their own. The Whispering Woods, a place steeped in magic, holds many mysteries, and I can feel the energy pulsing through the ground beneath my feet. I take a deep breath, centering myself, tapping into the fire that courses through my veins.
