Page 22 of Midnight Deception

Taking a deep breath, I reach for my wolf to borrow her strength to help me stand, needing her steadfast loyalty and support. When I reach for her, however, something is wrong. I’d been so overwhelmed by the strength of my bonds returning to me I hadn’t realised until now that I was still missing one key thing—Star.

“Why isn’t Star here?” The question comes out panicked as I frantically look around. “My wolf, where is she?”

Luna’s expression is sad as she watches me, but she doesn’t try to stop me as I stand on shaky feet and grab her arms, needing her strength. I can feel Atlas’s shock, though he stays stock-still where he’s waiting by the door. Honestly, I don’t care if he thinks I’m crazy, I need my wolf.

Constance is the only one who doesn’t seem concerned. Humming, she rubs at her chin. “Your wolf is part magic, so she must be cut off by the other block that’s containing your power,” she theorises, nodding her head to the glass beaker that contains the clear liquid. “Drink the second potion.”

I don’t hesitate as I grab the beaker and drink the potion in four large gulps. My face twists into a grimace, the liquid bitter and burning. That’s soon forgotten though, as something shifts in my chest and a rush of power blasts through my body. Star rushes to the surface and bursts from my chest, manifesting beside me in her usual glowing splendour. The pain that racks my body makes me fall forward, and I rest my hands against the table as I let my head hang, my hair covering my face as I take deep breaths.

A low whine catches my attention, and I see Star sitting at my feet, staring up at me through the wall of my hair, her big eyes wide. She knows she caused me pain, and she feels guilty about it, her head hanging low in shame. Forcing a smile on my face, I coo to her and kneel down, taking her face in my hands.

“I missed you,” I whisper, my smile turning genuine when her tongue flicks out and licks my nose. The pain is fading now, but I would go through it a hundred times if it meant that I could still access my wolf.

Now that both my mates and my wolf have been returned to me, I slowly start to realise how powerful I feel. Energy flows through my body, and I feel stronger than I ever have before. This sort of feeling could become addictive. I’ll need to be careful with how I use it, because right now I feel like I could destroy a building.

Of course, in the process of releasing the blocks over me, something else has been awoken. The presence within me stretches, pushing against the boundaries I’ve placed around her. She doesn’t seem too upset, though, purring in pleasure at how strong my magic is now that my power’s been unlocked.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always felt a presence within me, whispering to me and taking control of my actions when I was in danger. As a teenager, I thought this was normal and everyone had this. When my father found out, he made me promise not to tell anyone about it—I’d never seen him so upset before. Over the years, she’s become stronger and stronger, her whispers becoming more seductive. She helped me several times during the trials, but when she does take over, it leaves me with little or no control.

Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I realise that the room is in complete silence. I blink and see their gazes flick from me to my wolf and back again. Wanting to see Atlas’s reaction, I turn to look at him. Shock is written all over his face. I thought he’d seen Star before when he turned up during my trial to steal me away, but he’s staring at her like he can’t believe his eyes. Disgust, wonder, and confusion flicker in his eyes as he battles with himself and his beliefs.

“By the great goddess,” Constance murmurs, breaking the silence in the room. She walks around the table and moves towards us, her hands held out to show they are empty. She looks completely awestruck as she takes in my glowing wolf made of stars.

“May I?” she asks, and it takes me a moment to work out that she’s asking permission to touch Star.

Glancing down at my wolf, I take in her relaxed posture as she sits beside me, not worried about the woman approaching us. The fact that she asked permission puts her up in my estimation. I know many who wouldn’t, and I know most of the witches here don’t trust or respect me, so the fact that she offers me this pleases me. Now that I look back on it, in the short interactions I’ve had with her so far, she’s never been disrespectful. She’s gruff, but I’m beginning to see she’s like that with everyone.

Kneeling, she gazes at Star, holding out her hand to the wolf. Star sniffs her palm before licking it and nudging her head against the witch’s hand, wanting head rubs. Constance obliges with a chuckle, her hand ruffling Star’s fur. Her eyes widen at the physical sensation of my wolf while being able to see through her thanks to her unique body.

“I only ever saw your mother use her power once, and that was miraculous. This, however…” She trails off, shaking her head. “We always thought that witch and werewolf genes were incompatible, but not only are you here to prove that wrong, but your magic hascombinedwith your wolf gifts.” Pulling her eyes from Star, she looks up at me in wonder. “You’ve created a sentient being out of starlight that you can control at will. What else are you capable of?”

I know the question was rhetorical, her eyes going distant, but it’s something I’ve been wondering myself. Standing and using the table for support, I give her a timid smile. “That’s what I’m hoping you can tell me.”

ChapterNine

Enjoying this little moment of mutual respect with Madame Constance, I actually feel a little hopeful that I can do this and return to my mates as soon as possible. Whether I like it or not, the only way out of this situation is to learn control of my magic, and if I can gain the respect, or even better, the support of some of the witches at the same time, then perhaps my forced participation doesn’t have to be all bad.

Of course, there’s one issue I’ve not yet figured out, and he chooses this exact moment to remind me.

Clearing his throat, Atlas pushes away from the doorway, his eyes scanning over me as I turn to face him. His gaze sticks on my face for a moment, then his eyes harden. “I can see you’re fine now and no longer need me. I’ll leave you in peace.” Nodding his head in Constance’s direction, he quickly leaves, striding away without giving me a chance to reply.

What was all that about? Was seeing my wolf too much for him? I’d hoped that once he’d seen her and how different I am to a normal werewolf that he’d start to come around, not to mention our little moment this morning after I’d slept on his lap for the entire night. However, clearly I was wrong. I just can’t get a reading on him, and it’s driving me mad.

“Don’t take it personally,” Luna calls softly. I turn to face her and find her watching me with understanding in her eyes. “He’s had a difficult life, and it’s made it hard for him to trust. Add to that his hatred of werewolves and the fact his mate is one…” She trails off, her expression uncharacteristically vacant as she rubs at her breastbone. She seems… sorrowful, like an old grief is making her heart heavy and pulling her down.

That’s the thing with grief, it never goes away. Sure, the pain of losing someone fades over time, but it never disappears. Every happy occasion they should be at, and the highs and the lows where they would comfort you, all carry the weight of their loss. Even years on, something will remind you that a loved one is no longer there, and it will stir up that old pain once more.

Seeing the look on Luna’s face reminds me of when my adoptive mother died. It’s a look I know well, having seen it on my father’s face many times. What I want to know, though, is why this conversation is evoking that sort of reaction from her.

Constance hums from the other side of the table, pursing her lips as she clears some of the detritus from the workspace before her. “You can’t really blame him after the attack.”

I lock onto the last word, tilting my head like the predator I am as I watch the witch. “Attack?” I keep my voice light, like I’m just making conversation, and I don’t care either way if she tells me. Internally I’m cataloguing every move and word she says, trying to gather more information about this mysterious mate of mine. Parts of my dream from this morning return to me. It can’t be a coincidence, it has to be linked.

Madame Constance doesn’t seem to notice anything and is frowning at an open book and a pile of dried plants beside it, distracted by her task. “Yes, a rogue werewolf snuck into his family home and—”

A wave of magic hits the room, the scent so strong and sudden it makes my nose wrinkle. My head jerks around and I stare at Luna, but she’s not looking at me. Instead, she wears a look of authority, her silver eyes flickering in the light. “Constance,” she barks, stopping the other woman in her tracks. Constance raises her brows, and I think she’s about to snap at the younger witch, but she just lowers her eyes and concedes.

I’ve never heard Luna’s voice so sharp before, and it shocks me how quickly she can switch from light-hearted and friendly to commanding. It also reminds me that I still know next to nothing about this woman, nor why or how she seems to hold a position of power in Haven.

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