Page 18 of Beta Hybrid

‘The pups are fine. They were frightened, but I calmed them as Mordecai arrived. They were smiling again as he led them home. They’re tough creatures. Don’t worry.’

I sigh, staring around at the ruins of the trees I felled. ‘I didn’t know I could do something like this. It feels odd.’ I reach out a hand to brush the wrecked root of a tree.

‘Your powers will grow,’ Divina says calmly. ‘You control nature and all sorts of things. There are bound to be… errors.’

I face her fully. ‘What do you know of fae magic?’

Divina lifts a delicate shoulder. ‘Fae magic has a long and complicated history. All you need to know is this. Picture your two powers like weights on a scale. You have to keep them balanced. Even. Or one will tip.’ She gestures to the ruins. ‘And this happens.’

Zenna. Where are you? Cai growls.

I glower.

‘Him?’ Divina asks.

‘He wants me to meet him.’ I move to stand, but she puts a hand on my arm. ‘Don’t. He’s being unreasonable.’

Despite everything, I crack a smile. ‘I thought men were just like that.’

The Dark Witch chuckles, a surprisingly light sound. ‘Perhaps alphas more so, yes. But as his mate, you need to know when to stand your ground.’ Divina leans back. ‘Hell, screw that. As a woman, you need to know when to stand up for yourself.’ She shakes her head, neat black hair dancing in the sunlight. ‘Zenna, being a mate, a beta, someone’s other half, should not ever make you less than.’

‘Someone said something like that to me recently.’ Aidan’s words, talking about my vines.

Divina smiles. ‘Smart woman.’

I smirk at her. ‘It was a man, actually.’

She cocks a brow.

‘A witch,’ I add.

‘Ah. Well, he’s right.’ The Dark Witch shrugs, leaning back to bask in the warmth of the sun. ‘Don’t go running to him. He’s being an asshole. You did not harm, nor did you mean to.’ She smirks. ‘What more can you ask of a witch.’

‘You sound like Jana,’ I admit.

Divina’s lips purse, but she nods. ‘Irritating as your friend can be, I admire her… spirit. Her fight.’

I smile. ‘I do too.’

‘That’s something you need more of. Don’t spend every minute with your mate. You need to be around people who encourage you. Who help you be yourself. Like Jana, or even Sarah.’

‘Or you.’

Divina chuckles. ‘Obviously me. I would be the first choice. Clearly.’

We laugh together. And it’s nice. Easy. ‘You know, I never feel bad about myself around you.’

‘I should hope not.’

‘I don’t want to at all. I need to know more about… this.’ I gesture to the mess I’ve caused. ‘I want to learn. More. Better. Cai’s been “training” me, but I just end up with my butt kicked. It’s not fair.’

‘That’s ego. He knows he can beat you, so he does.’

‘Can you teach me to fight?’

Divina snaps her head to me, eyes black. ‘What to do you think?’

I cringe. ‘You’re hired.’

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