Lawrence POV
My sister and her mate left an hour ago. I’d been an only child my whole life I was still getting used to saying I had a sister and two brothers. My entire world was flipped upside down as if it wasn’t bad enough before.
After Azaire and Elaine left I shifted into a wolf and disappeared into the forest. Rae was asleep so I didn’t have to worry about her being concerned about me. I needed to clear my head.
I was stuck at a crossroads. If I wanted to live I had to give up my wolf or my vampire side. I was tempted to give up my wolf to spite my Father. He betrayed me. He was going to kill me! I thought we were cool.
I never felt like a vampire growing up. My wolf was too strong and dominated my vamp side. I never had outlandish cravings for blood thank goodness but it sucked when everyone around me was a vampire.
Dad always made me feel like I belonged to something bigger. I never questioned why he didn’t bring me to his Pack because, in the werewolf world, it’s forbidden for wolves to mate with other creatures. He said it was too dangerous for me. He asked me to trust him and I blindly did so.
If I gave up my wolf that meant I’d be a full vampire and that came with a blood lust I wasn’t sure I could tame besides, I’d lose my fated mate. I would still have feelings for her and hurting her was the last thing I wanted. Rae’s been through enough.
Rae and Lynn are slowly patching up their relationship. I saw the light in her eyes when she spoke to her sister as if the world around us wasn’t in jeopardy.
After my run, I shifted back to human form and walked back to the safe house.
“I need to make a choice,” I mumbled.
Whatever happened I would choose Rae.
My thoughts were with her when I got dressed in the pair of pants and t-shirt I hid in the plants. I didn’t need anyone to see me wandering around naked.
“Are you an early raiser, Lawrence?”
Gail caught me by surprise. I quickly put on my shirt and straightened myself out.
She had a piping hot cup of coffee in her hands.
“I am. I love seeing the sun wake up with nature but couldn’t sleep with Elaine’s trip.”
“She’s in good hands. Azaire or Richie won’t let anything happen to her.”
She cracked me a small smile. I didn’t know what to make of her. My Dad made her suffer in ways no woman ever should and he kept in contact with her throughout the years as she mourned her daughter. Dad did the same with my Mom. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if my parents were together or not-Laiken’s a psychopath. I can’t wrap my head around how demented he is.
“I hope your Mother’s not too worried about you,” she said softly.
“My Mother knows I can take care of myself,” I mumbled.
“Yeah, but it doesn’t stop us from worrying.”
I blew out a breath. “Did you know about my Mother and her relationship with Laiken?”
She sighed. “Laiken barely kept anything from me. I knew about all his children. However, he told me there was no relationship between him and the Mothers. He was very proud of you Lawrence. It seemed he protected you more.”
“It doesn’t make up for what he’s done.”
“I know. Nothing can.”
The scent of smoke irritated my nostrils. Must be Blazer trying to make toast again but it wasn’t food. The scent was out there in the open. Was someone burning something?
“Is something wrong?” Gail asked.
“Yeah… something’s burning.”
She gasped. “Oh, I hope no one left the stove on.”
“No, it’s out here.”
I followed the faint smoke smell but it was strong enough to irritate me. I marched around the house and discovered patches of burnt grass and an entire bush of roses burnt to a crisp.
“What the hell?”
“This isn’t good,” Gail said from behind me. “Can you smell anything else?”
I knelt and picked at the dead grass. The patches resembled oddly shaped footprints, extra large They smelted like pine from the North and charcoal. I couldn’t get a scent but I think Gail had an idea.
“Lawrence!” Rae cried.
I stood just as she threw herself into my arms. I tangled my fingers in her hair and held her to my chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“You were gone and Lynn said she sensed danger but I can’t feel anything. I’m sorry, she’s probably overacting.”
She attempted to pull away but I dragged her back to my body.
“No, no, don’t do that,” I chuckled.
She looked away. After all we’d done together, I couldn’t believe she was still shy around me. I spent hours exploring her body last night. She was a different person when it was just the two of us.
Lynn joined the group as she rubbed her eyes and yawned. If she sensed danger shouldn’t she be more alert?
“I don’t overact, Rae,” Lynn said. “You just can’t sense the danger because your powers aren’t as strong as mine.”
“Lynn’s right. These are dark witches. They found us… but this feeble attack is nothing to worry about. I need a few things.”
“Do you want to borrow my spell book?” Lynn offered.
Gail smiled. “Sweet. I don’t use a spell book.”
Gail walked off and Lynn followed behind her with a look of astonishment.
Rae tried to march off too but I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her back.
“Where do you think you’re going, Rayna?”
She gasped and swatted me. “I didn’t tell you my full name so you could use it!”
I barked out a laugh. “I love your full name.”
“Ugh!”
“Hey, were you worried about me?” I asked, raising a brow.
She bit her bottom lip. “Of course not… I was just… okay, I was worried a little bit.”
“I can take care of myself, you know that right?”
She looked away and I knew she was thinking about the death of her ex.
“I know you need time but I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
“No one plans on dying, Lawrence.”
“Now I had a chance at life I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’m giving up my vampire half.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“More than sure. Let’s go inside.”
I took her hand and escorted her into the house. Gail was in the kitchen trying to cast a spell while Isaura was chatting her ear off. I saw Elaine in her.
“I want to help you cast the spell!” she protested.
“Your magic is still growing. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“How about we play a game of cards like you did with Blazer yesterday,” I said.
“She cheated!” Blazer called out.
“Wimp,” Isaura said under her breath.
I might regret my actions later.
“I heard that. I’m a wolf remember? I challenge you to a rematch,” Blazer said, appearing behind me.
Gail smiled at us and nodded.
A couple of minutes later Isaura beat us both in a game of poker but the only thing we’d lost was our dignity and some candy.
“You guys are horrible at this game. I want to help Mom catch the bad guys,” she protested.
“No, not until you admit to changing the cards with your magic!” Blazer demanded.
Isaura rolled her eyes. “That’s not how magic works. Bye Blazer!” she hopped off the dining room chair and abandoned us.
I tossed the cards aside. “We tried.”
“I still say she cheated.”
“Was Elaine like that as a kid?” I asked.
Blazer puffed out his cheeks. “I don’t know. Bianca always kept her at a distance from us. She hated Elaine more than me. Could be because she’s a girl and girls are their dad’s princesses. I regret not being closer when we were younger but it was just easier… not to interfere.”
It hurt to hear that but it also made me grateful that I grew up with my Mother.
“Have you thought about what happens when all this is over?” Blazer asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Nik will face charges for being Dad’s accomplice. There’s a chance he won’t be Alpha.”
I balled my hand into a fist. “One of us will have to step up.”
“That’s scary…”
“No shit!”
We burst into laughter.
“Gail!” Rae cried.
Blazer and I quickly got to our feet.
“It’s Isaura. She’s burning up,” Rae said.
“What? She was fine moments ago,” I counted.
Rae, Gail and Lynn were in the living room. It smelt like parsley and pepper. I hated pepper.
“It happened so fast. She can barely talk now,” Rae said frantically. “I took her to my room to show her my spell book so you two could work.”
“It could be a magical sickness. We have to finish this spell,” Lynn said.
“No, it’ll banish the witches but they won’t take their sickness. They came here for Elaine but they’re too late,” Gail said.
She didn’t let the worry show on her face but I saw the way her limbs stiffened and her breathing changed.
“I won’t let them have any of my daughters,” she said defiantly.
“What are you going to do?” I asked.
She met my gaze. “If they want someone. They’ll take me instead.”
“What? You can’t leave. Don’t you have other spells or something?” I questioned.
“Magical sicknesses are the most deadly. I can’t risk Isaura’s life. I’m going.”
“Gail, think this through. You’re a damn good witch you can stop this,” Blazer pressed.
“Your Father wouldn’t kill me. I know he wouldn’t. Everything will be fine. Finish the spell and stop Laiken.”
Things just got more complicated. What would I tell my sister now?