Elaine POV
“You’re Lynn,” I said.
“You’ve been hanging around my sister I see.”
I nodded. “She’s been helping me out. Rae’s a great teacher.”
Lynn snorted. “Oh please. Rae could barely turn on the light.”
“Maybe the last time you saw her but she’s been battling Avena on her own!”
Lynn paused. “What?”
I was still shaken by nearly killing her but I needed to get my A-game on because she did not come in peace.
“Never mind. I’m not here for Rae. I come in peace.”
What? I thought.
“I don’t believe that,” I said. “You do realize I could have swerved off the road and died because of your stunt.”
“Well, you didn’t and besides if something went terribly wrong I would have saved you.”
“Am I supposed to believe that?” I grumbled.
“Don’t care.”
How was she related to Rae? They were polar opposites. Light and darkness, good and evil. However, they shared the same facial features. Like their noses and the roundness of their faces.
“What do you want then?” I asked.
She stepped closer, eyeing me closely. “You’re strong. Stronger than we anticipated.”
“Who’s we?”
“The coven. You’ve grown up without a coven it’s not good for a witch. I must say if you’ve grown this much under my sister’s watch imagine how amazing you’ll be with the coven!”
“Uh… but I have a Pack.”
She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “What significant role do you have in the Pack?”
“Uh… well…”
“Exactly. The six elders want a strong witch to lead the coven into greatness. They want Avena out and you in.”
My jaw dropped. “Avena?”
Lynn nodded.
“She’s the head of the coven?” I asked.
“She’s the leader of the strongest witches in the city. We’ve silently destroyed countless others under her but all reigns must come to an end.”
The urge to yank my hair out was immense. “This woman wants my head on a plate and you expect me to go against her for a seat that rightfully belongs to her? Are you insane!”
“The seat belongs to whoever is more powerful. Avena now has a challenger.”
“I am not challenging her. Azaire said you’re super powerful why don’t they ask you to be the leader?”
Her face twisted with horror. “I don’t want to!”
“Neither do I. I have enough on my plate. When she finds out she’s going to murder me.”
“She already knows. After you countered my magic a second time the elders started talking.”
“Damn it. I’m not far from where she lives. I have to get out of here.”
“Think about what I said. This could be great for you.”
My phone rang. It was in my back pocket I fished it out. It was my Mom.
I picked up immediately.
“Hey, is everything okay?”
“Elaine, honey, something’s wrong.”
“What do you mean? Are you and Isaura okay?”
“I don’t think so.”
I looked over my shoulder. Lynn stared at the bright blue sky.
“What’s going on?” I lowered my voice.
“Your dad came to visit us the other day. He wasn’t too happy with me because we’ve been in contact. He’s worried about his big plans. I tried to take Isaura and run but we couldn’t leave the town. I swear I think I’m going insane.”
“How’s that possible?”
“I don’t know, honey. We can’t leave this town. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
“Hold on. We’ll figure this out. It’s a spell have you tried to counter it.”
“Of course, but it’s too strong for me.”
“Do you think Avena had something to do with this?”
“I don’t doubt it. Be careful, honey. Please. I can’t lose you twice.”
“We’ll figure this out. Don’t worry.”
I hung up and turned around. “Alright, you-”
Lynn was gone. She vanished into thin air.
“Lynn?”
Was it a coincidence that Mom called when Lynn offered me the opportunity to thrive under her coven? I couldn’t deny my Father’s hand in this. With Lynn gone, I climbed into the car and drove off.
***
“Azaire!” I called when I burst through the front door.
I didn’t know what to tell him first that I met Lynn or Mom was trapped in the town they wanted to invade.
“Slow down, Elaine what’s going on?” Richie met me in the foyer.
My shoulders slumped. I knew what to tell Richie and he didn’t like it.
“What?” he blasted.
“I think you should let her handle it. Opal knows her Mother better than anyone.”
His face reddened and he clenched his jaw.
“That’s not going to work. I’m going to get her.”
“You can’t! That’s Black Claw territory.”
“So? That didn’t stop Azaire.”
“What didn’t stop me?” Azaire found us in the foyer. He gingerly walked towards us, hair loose, dangling above his shoulders. Did I mention he was shirtless? He was shirtless. I took in the scars on his biceps and the tattoos on his chest. I hadn’t noticed the images inked on my mate’s skin.
He came closer and stopped in front of me. He smelt like sweat and dirt.
“Where are you coming from?” I asked.
“I’ve got betas to train.”
Richie folded his arms. “Yes, like a good right-hand beta.”
Azaire brushed his brother off. “What are you yelling about? What’s going on?”
“Mom can’t leave her town. She’s trapped and she’s sure Dad had something to do with it.”
“Whoa, Elaine, you didn’t mention that,” Richie said, running a hand through his hair.
“We’ll fix this. It sounds like a spell. We’ll send our strongest witches to handle it.”
“Are you sure it’ll work?”
“Of course, mate. Our guys will leave tonight and your Mom should be free by morning.”
I bit my bottom lip. If it doesn’t work, then I’m going to break the spell on my own. I don’t know how but I had to try. I quickly filled Azaire in on Opal’s parents banning her from seeing Richie again.
“Don’t lose your head, bro. Call her first,” Azaire said.
Richie grumbled as he dialled Opal’s number. He didn’t look confident she would answer he just shot us dirty stares. He wanted to barge into the Black Claw Pack, toss Opal over his shoulder and leave. In his mind, we were wasting his time.
“Opal,” he breathed a sigh of relief. He forgot about us the second Opal answered. He walked out the front door and left us alone.
Azaire snaked his arm on my waist and pulled me to his sticky chest.
“Whoa, there.”
“Don’t want me?” he teased.
“How is that possible? I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Your Dad’s little stunts won’t ruin our day. I have something for you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.” He stroked my cheek gently.
“How about you and I shower first?”
“I’m not getting into a shower unless you’re next to me. I want you pressed against me, naked and wet.”
I traced a finger on the moon tattoo on his chest. “I won’t argue with you on that one.”