Elaine POV
“You live here?” Rae asked, looking around the quiet yet dark neighbourhood. There were a lot of stray cats strolling around, hanging on front laws and crossing the street carelessly.
“It’s a normal neighbourhood,” Lynn replied.
“Yeah, too normal,” Rae added.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, I just thought dark witches lived in cemeteries.”
“Yeah, me too. It only made sense,” I replied.
Lynn frowned. “Maybe a hundred years ago.”
“How much time do we have?” I questioned.
It was cold out here despite Azaire’s jacket covering me. I breathed it in and temporarily got lost in the scent. It smelled so sweet and masculine. I missed watching him walk out of the shower, dripping wet and smelling fresh and his hair curled up and dangling over his shoulders.
We’d been apart for a few days but it felt like forever! I felt a nudge from my wolf. The effects of Dad’s spell must be wearing off. I hoped it wouldn’t trigger my curse though.
“Come on, Elaine,” Rae said.
I didn’t realize they opened the door and walked in.
“I doubt we have much time. Just help me grab some books,” Lynn said as she disappeared into the hall.
“Don’t forget clothes!” I called.
It seemed like a normal house with a TV, expensive furniture, a nice plain grey rug and a bookshelf full of books. No picture frames or spices or burning sage anywhere. The room smelled of lavender and jasmine.
“So you’re really walking away, huh?” Rae asked as she examined the books on the bookshelf.
“I have no choice. That’s what I get for getting involved with you guys,” Lynn grumbled a response.
“We’re not all bad. I can give you my brother to make up for it. Seems everyone finds my brothers attractive these days,” I sighed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rae gasped, her cheeks turned beet red.
“Oh I see how you look at Lawrence or how he looks at you,” I grinned mischievously.
“What? There is nothing going on! Not on his part anyone. He’s so distant and cold.”
“Like Nik. Maybe Lynn will like Nik! You might thaw his icy heart,” I winked.
Lynn rolled her eyes and rolled a few books off the shelf and into her backpack.
“I’m not thinking about men right now. Especially not werewolves. If you have any warlock brothers you haven’t discovered yet I might consider.”
I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of that.
“Wait, what’s that smell?” Rae paused.
I stopped and took in the air. I smelt like smoke.
“Oh no-”
The living room window exploded and shards of glass flew everywhere. Angry flames burst into the house, engulfing the curtains and eating the couch closest to the window.
“Please tell me you have a backdoor,” Rae said.
Lynn froze, staring at the flame.
“Lynn!” Rae blasted.
She trembled. “In the kitchen.”
We stumbled into the kitchen where a ferocious flame ate the door and quickly spread to the window about the sink. This house was a ticking time bomb.
“Wait,” Rae said. She extended her hand, muttering something under her breath. Power flew from her palm and hit the door but the spell bounced off the door and hit the ceiling. The fire spread and we screamed and rushed out of there.
“Nice going!” Lynn scowled.
“Got any better ideas I’m all ears!”
We were trapped. My powers were dormant but my wolf slowly rose. It wasn’t enough through. The fire was magic-proof. Or maybe it needed stronger magic to defeat it. If the three of us combined our powers, it would be strong enough but I was as useful as a rock.
“Don’t you have anything to wake my powers in this house?” I asked.
“It’ll take hours to work,” Lynn responded.
Smoke quickly filled the house. I didn’t want to go out like this.
“Wait, do you have wolf enhancers? Avena spread them around the packs with help from her witches?”
The smoke burned my eyes but I held Lynn’s watery stare.
“Richie’s going to kill me,” she responded.
She marched into her room and returned with a small packet of destruction.
“Azaire’s going to kill us,” Rae mumbled.
“He’ll have to understand,” I whispered.
As the room filled with smoke and fire at the same time the roof caved in parts of the house my wolf broke through the mental block and my powers coursed through my veins like blood. I took my sisters’ hands and channelled their magic.
***
“I can’t believe we’re alive!” Rae squealed.
“Sad for them though,” I cringed, looking at the three chard witches in the driveway.
“Sad my ass. They came here to kiss us. It was either them or us and I’m glad it was us. No more wolf enhancers for you though. I don’t need Azaire on my ass.”
I snickered. “I won’t tell him if you don’t, Lynn.”
“Ugh, agreed. Let’s get out of here,” Lynn groaned.
I could feel my wolf again which meant I could feel my mate! It didn’t feel like he was worried about me in the slightest. What was he up to?
I found out what Azaire was occupied with when the girls and I tracked him and my brothers to a field on the outskirts of the Blood Moon Pack. The Shaw family had property a few miles away.
They were in wolf form running around like wet dogs playing in the sprinklers. They were so huge it was ridiculous. Is this what entertained their simple minds?
“You decided to join us?” Azaire said as he zipped up his pants.
He had a damp and sexy look going on. I blushed.
“While the girls and I were out in the wilderness you and my brothers had a race?” I crossed my arms.
“And I won, you forget to add,” Azaire said.
“We don’t know about that,” Lawrence called.
I shook my head and smiled.
“What did you get up to? I see Dove decided to wake up,” he said.
I sucked in my bottom lip. “Uh, nothing.”
He stared at me. “Nothing?”
I nodded.
“Fine, let’s go do stuff.”
He grabbed my arm and led me away but I think I knew what he wanted.