Page 61 of Curvy Alpha Bride
Since I came here, my instincts are keener. If I focus on them, maybe I’ll get stronger, and I can use these dreams, visions, and spooky feelings to guard against the witch.
The place in my mind where I lock up the most frightening thoughts is now overflowing with the experiences I’ve had with the witch, and the stories I’ve been told. I focus on the feelings, tuning my senses into them instead of pushing them away.
I hear an icy cackle of laughter, and a sound like nails scraping on cold stone. Between the specter of the witch and us, I see a barrier of golden light.
She really is trapped beyond the valley at noon. The light would weaken her too much, and she’d lose her chance. It shouldn’t take much longer to starve her enough that we can move around again.
Letting my thoughts linger on the faint connection, I try to explore it a little. I wouldn’t dare to do this at night, but at midday, with the bright sun suppressing the witch, I feel safeenough to open myself up to the strange, mystical powers that have manifested in me since I became luna.
Keeping my eyes closed, I try to picture the witch and get an understanding of how strong she is.
If she can reach me and Xavier in dreams, can I reach her? Does it work both ways? Can I find out why she has withdrawn from the cabin?
Even though I can picture the witch and sense her presence, a barrier still exists between us. The longer I linger on it, the more I feel that Ivarra has lost her psychic link with me.
And there has only been one real change, one possible cause.
I leave the fire and go to the front window, looking down the dirt track that leads to town. I’m truly and utterly trapped here now, and it doesn’t even bother me. Before, I was seeing everything from a purely selfish standpoint, but now I know being a luna means putting your pack before your own wants and desires.
I’ve fallen in love with this valley, and these people. I understand Xavier’s decision now. I really do, and I wish I could tell him.
Xavier has not come with the others over the last two days. Even though I’ve been ignoring him, when he didn’t show, I felt a stab of disappointment. And painfully guilty.
What if something happens, and I never get to tell him how I feel? I have so many things I need to say, and there could be a catastrophe any day now. I feel like such a fool.
I realize I’ll have to get up the courage to give one of the others a message for Xavier, asking him to come out if he doesn’t visit.
I put my fingers lightly on the glass, my heart aching fiercely as I remember the time we spent together, right here in this cabin. Back then, I thought it was torture. Now, I’d do anything to have it back.
I need you, Xavier. I need you like I’ve never needed you before.
I’m still afraid to see him. I have no idea how I’m going to tell him all the things I need to say. But I understand that he didn’t mean to betray me.
I just have to try. Please, give me that chance!
Sighing, I look down and stroke my belly. On top of everything else that’s changed, there has been a major change in me. Even though the circumstances aren’t perfect, I can’t hold back my joy. All I want to do is share it with the man I can’t stop myself from loving.
In my mind, I summon the moment again, trying to imagine it in detail—what I’ll say if the universe lets me see him again.
Xavier, my love. I’m pregnant.
Chapter 22 - Xavier
As the full moon approaches, the town begins to relax. The witch is always active in full darkness, and the new moon, the truly blackest night, is the most dangerous time.
In contrast, werewolves are strongest under the light of the full moon, which is also when the witch is at her weakest. Sure enough, as the days pass, Ivarra’s attempts at attack wind down until finally, a whole night passes without a single sign of her.
When we come out of the bunker the next morning, Terrence and Shaw are waiting for us with the small band of men who have kept watch over the town every night since we were forced underground.
“What happened last night?” I ask anxiously. I’m desperately hoping that the witch is gone, but struggling against the dread rising from my soul.
She’ll never be done. We can’t ever be safe.
“There was nothing, my alpha,” Shaw answers. “For the past two weeks, we have seen her descend on the town in full darkness. Nothing solid, only a blue cloud with an occasional glimpse of limb or claw, but always with the stench of death. Last night, there was no sign at all.”
“We must be careful, Xavier,” Serra cautions, putting a hand on my arm. “This could be a trick.”
“I know,” I answer, nodding. “We can’t give her any opportunity to feed.”
