SHADOW
“You could use a nap, honey.” Eleanor sat next to me.
“I could, but not until he’s back on his feet.” I stared up at the ceiling. I was exhausted. Even if I tried to look okay and hid it from them, a blind could see it.
I hadn’t slept in three days and was losing my mind. I could barely breathe, let alone stand and eat, but I needed to be strong for Califf, the pack, and these guys with me.
It had been three agonizing days for me and everyone, and it wasn’t the right time to give up when I saw progress. Now he was in the bathroom, and I was here, counting every second in my head. I let go of a long sigh of relief.
“I’ll go knock and check if he needs something.” Zack hadn’t taken a step. Lyon was already gripping his arm to stop him.
“I know this has been tough for us, but we should give him time. I’m sure he can link Shadow if he needs anything, and they can share thoughts. So, just relax, man. You’re making me anxious.”
“Who wants tea?” Zarah broke the silence.
“I’m good,” everybody said in unison.
She stopped, staring at us, but didn’t look offended. “Not my tea. Just the regular tea. You know how I live a long life? Because I care what I put in my stomach. Unlike you guys and humans, you breathe on McDonald’s.”
We all agreed we couldn’t swallow the tea she made yesterday. Since then, they have avoided her offer.
“You’re a witch. You’re immortal.” Lyon groaned. At first, I thought they had sparks, but now I saw they were like siblings who liked to throw banters and annoy each other.
“I’m not immortal.”
“Well, close to immortal.”
She shook her head in annoyance. “Very well. Feel free to get out and get coffee from Starbucks. That’s what you all drink, right?”
Apparently, Aira was the one who bought the coffee machine in her kitchen since Zarah only drank tea and coffee once in a blue moon.
“I’ll have the English tea.” Waylon got up from the couch. “I will have tachycardia if I drink another cup of coffee.”
“Make one for me, honey,” Eleanor told her mate before she touched my knee. “How about you?”
“I need my mate.”
Zack scoffed.
“What?” I glared at him. “I need him, not what your dirty mind is thinking.”
“I wasn’t thinking about something dirty. We all need our Alpha. Defensive much? And besides, he’s your mate, and it’s normal-”
“Shut up.”
“Okay.” He shrugged and joined Lyon. “When is Dr. Sallie gonna be here? Doesn’t she need to put fluids to Alpha?”
“Do I need one?”
We were all on our feet the moment we heard his voice. And there he was, standing on his feet, cleaned up and in a shirt and pants, his mesmerizing tired silver-gray eyes fixed on me. He may have lost some weight, but he stood straight like a powerful alpha with the embodiment of authority in his stance. He was still frighteningly beautiful. He took my breath away.
“Appreciate the love, guys.” He smiled, the same smile I missed, and fell in love.
I ran towards him and hugged him tight because I really missed him, and it was killing me not to be with him for the last three days.
“Hey, honey.” His mother came, so I stayed aside so they could have a chance to have their mother-and-son moment.
“You look great, Alpha.” Zack and Califf did a brotherly hug, and so did Lyon.
“You scared us.”
“When I shifted?”
“No. You scared us. I thought we lost you.” Lyon patted his shoulder. “Glad you’re back, Alpha.”
“I’m tougher than I look, Lyon. They can’t get rid of me easily.”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Language. You’re in my house.”
Everyone chuckled.
“My apology, witch.”
“Son.” Waylon hugged his son tight. “You have no idea how relieved we are that you’re finally recovered.”
“Still recovering, Dad.”
“Let our patient sit down,” Zarah said. “He still needs rest. You can have tea. Wait until Dr. Sallie comes back for her order.”
We stopped and grimaced when Califf took the tea from Zarah.
“What?”
“Oh, they haven’t tasted what I gave you. So they think my tea is the worst.”
He took a sip of the steaming tea, making us hold our breath. He grimaced but swallowed it down.
“What the hell, man? How can you stomach that?” Zack reacted, examining Califf’s expression.
“It’s not bad. It’s just bitter and tastes like-”
“Dung.”
“So you tried dung?” Zarah glared at Zack.
“The smell, it’s how it probably tastes.”
“This is actually way better than what you gave me. What was in that concoction, Zarah?”
“You don’t wanna know, dear.”
“Hey. How are you feeling? Really.”
He smiled at me. “Better. How’s the pack?”
“Rest, son. Don’t worry. Duke is handling pack business while you’re recuperating. What you need right now is to get your strength back.”
“Your father is right, Alpha, or I will knock you down this time.”
“I still owe you. We’ll get to that later.” His smile was meaningful, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“They’re here,” Zack announced, going to the door.
Seconds later, Kindra and Dr. Sallie joined us.
“Oh, my! I can’t believe you’re on your feet.” Kindra was smiling ear-to-ear as she came to hold Califf’s hand.
“I’m actually sitting, Kindra.”
“Glad your wit is still intact,” Kindra joked.
“My, my. How’s the patient?”
“I’m feeling good, Dr. Sallie. Thank you, and Kindra, I can’t thank you both enough.”
“Well, it’s team and pack effort, really,” Dr. Sallie said.
“I know I can count on all of you. Thank you for being here for her when I couldn’t.”
“Enough with the drama,” Zarah said. “Dr Sallie will need your blood, and she needs to give you fluids. Sebastien will be here shortly.”
“Can’t it wait?”
“Your father is a busy man, Shadow.”
“Right.” I couldn’t watch as Dr. Sallie took a blood sample from Califf, and then she inserted a line and connected it with intravenous fluid.”
Lyon went to get the coat rack so he could hang the fluid bag on it.
“You can have some soup, small but frequent.”
“Thank you, doc.” He looked at the guys and his parents. “You guys can go home, and I have to go home. I can’t stay here longer.”
“Why not? You wanna make out with your mate?” Zarah arched a brow at him.
Califf chuckled as he turned to look at Zarah. “Are you gonna stop me?”
“I can, and I will.”
“I will send someone to fix your room. I’m sorry if I’ve caused you so much trouble, and I will pay for your services. I know you value your privacy, secrecy, and witchcraft. I won’t stay here longer.”
“Is that how you see me?” Zarah asked, unflinching.
He paused, thinking. “Why are you upset?”
We just watched them exchange banters, and none of us wanted to interrupt or wouldn’t try to interrupt.
“I’m not upset, but I don’t want your money, Alpha.”
“Then what do you want?”
“Ten years of your life.”
Everyone gasped, including me. My jaw dropped. My blood turned to ice. I did not expect it from Zarah. How could she?
“Okay. How does it work?”
My jaw was still dropping, and I thought I’d fallen through a crack in the universe or pulled into a wormhole.
“You’re giving me ten years of your life without hesitation?” Zarah asked in shock.
“Yes. You cured me and gave me my second chance to be with the people I love. I won’t hesitate if I can spend the rest of it with them. I know you understand that.”
“Wow.” That was all she said while we barely breathed. She then looked at us one by one and tipped her head. “What’s wrong with all of you? Cat got your tongue?”
I shut my mouth when I couldn’t find the right word to say.
“Touche. Really, guys? That’s how you see me after I saved your Alpha? The judgment in your eyes is disgusting. Of course, I was kidding.”
“Wait. You’re joking?” Califf looked incredulously shocked.
“Yes. I don’t do black magic if I don’t have to. Summoning the dead pays a huge price, and it’s the same thing as taking a portion of life from someone.”
“Oh.”
Everyone breathed out slowly and sagged against their seats.
“Jeez.” She shook her head. “But I’m glad you’re okay. Shadow’s family is my family. If you need me, all you have to do is text or call, but not in the middle of the night, and no love potion for Goddess’ sake.”
Lyon smiled.
“Why are you smiling, Lyon?”
“You mentioned love potion. Is that really a thing?”
“It is. If you want someone to fall in love with you, please find another witch. I can’t help you with that.”
“I don’t need one.”
“Good.” She turned to Califf. “Stay as long as you want. You’re safe here. And I can tolerate you better than your mate.”
“Well, thanks, Zarah.” I rolled my eyes.
A sudden portal opened in her house. My father walked in with his well-tailored gray Italian suit. His air tied behind. He knew how to make an entrance.
“Your house is protected, but how come a portal can get through your house?”
“It’s my portal. I created it, but dark magic and unwelcome parties can’t come in.”
“Hello, father. Thanks for gracing us with your presence, Your Majesty.” I got up, making it a little more dramatic as I did curtsy, and then I went to kiss him on the cheek. To be honest, Sebastien wasn’t that terrible, and he was helpful as well.
“Daughter.” His gaze found Califf. “Well, you’re recuperating well, Califf.”
“Yes, Alpha King.” They shook hands. “Thank you for coming.”
“You should sit down. I won’t be here long. Oh, where are my manners? Eleanor.” He kissed Eleanor on the cheek and did a handshake with Waylon and everyone. “I see, he’s in good hands.”
“Why are you here?”
“I heard he woke up. I want to see my son-in-law. So you two have no luck? And you look tired, child.”
“Jeez. Thanks. No luck in what?” I blinked.
“Offspring.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s a threat out there, and you’re considering having a grandchild? Seriously. They got to us, father. So they know his identity or mine.”
“Easy, daughter. I’m optimistic and eager to hold your child. That’s all.” He waved his hand. “That can wait. Has Elder Aciano been able to contact you?”
“Why? Should he?” Califf squeezed his eyes as if he remembered something. “Baby, check my phone, please?”
“Yes, of course. I connected it to the charger. It’s fingerprint and Face ID protected.”
“I’ll go get it,” Lyon volunteered.
“If he hasn’t reached out to you, then he could be dead.”
“Father,” I scolded him, widening my eyes to be a little compassionate.
“He may have found something in the archives. I have a contact in the council. He said Aciano was there two days ago.”
Lyon came back with Califf’s phone.
The wait was excruciatingly painful as he scanned through call logs, text messages, and emails.
“Anything?” Sebastien asked.
“He sent me gibberish messages.”
“That’s all?” Waylon asked.
“Show me,” Zarah said.
Califf showed her the phone screen. “It’s scrambled, but it’s not gibberish. It’s an old way to communicate- only council members know how to crack-like cryptic codes, encrypted in the modern day. Lucky for you, I know how. It’s an address.”