“Then what about you? Always behaving so high and mighty, you’re just a witch, don’t forget,” Jackson growled, having had enough of this woman.
Though he didn’t like her from the start when she came to the pack, why was a witch even needed? But then again, she helped with healing and other things, so he let it be.
But he hated her whenever their paths crossed.
“You’re angry because you were rejected, and your whole life went to hell after your wife died, and me, just a fucking witch, rejected you as a second chance mate,” Lima spat her words venomously.
Maya and Priyank’s eyes widened in shock.
Mostly Maya was stunned. Of course, she knew how Jackson lost his wife in the attack, but she never knew that Lima was his second chance mate and had rejected him too.
It made sense why she didn’t know, because she was away for 18 years, but this whole situation was quite strange. He showed no sign of discomfort while they talked and decided to come here.
“I don’t want a mate like you. I had only one mate, that was my dead wife. Other than that, I don’t need a witch like you. It’s better you rejected me; without a second thought, I would have done it first.” Jackson gritted his teeth.
“So why are you behaving like a sore piece of shit? You can get out of my house if you have an issue,” Lima smiled, rubbing salt in Jackson’s wounded ego.
“Please, you both stop. Here we are having a necessary discussion; this can be talked about another day,” Maya recovered from her shock and decided to steer them back to the main topic they should discuss.
She had a lot of things to ask Jackson too about this second chance mate and rejection, but this was not the time or situation to bring it up.
Priyank cleared his throat, shooting Jackson a pissed look before turning to Lima. “Maya is right, just shut this up.” His tone brooked no argument. “The key and the vanished building is the main topic.
Lima’s lips thinned, but she gave a grudging nod. “Very well. I’ll do what I can, though my abilities may prove… limited in this matter.” She shot Jackson a withering glance. “No thanks to certain distractions.”
Jackson’s jaw tightened, but remained silent, seeming to realise further provocation would only undermine their purpose. Maya shot him a grateful look before focusing on Lima once more.
“So where do we even begin? Some kind of locator spell to trace the key’s origins?” Maya asked.
Lima shook her head, idly running a thumb along the ornate etchings.”It won’t help, because I can feel the magic is way stronger on this key.”
“You believe there was a building too, right? No one believed me, and now you can feel the magic in the key, so you can believe that the building existed there and then vanished,” Priyank said with hope.
He just wanted to prove his point, not wanting anyone to think he had lost his mind when he was telling them about the building.
“I didn’t see the training grounds, but I won’t deny that this key has something special about it. It’s definitely not normal,” Lima answered.
“Then you do believe it or you don’t?”
“Of course I believe you about the building,” Lima said, fixing Priyank with a level stare. “The evidence is right here in my hands – this key, I can’t deny the building thing too.”
Maya exchanged a worried glance with Jackson before turning back to Lima. “So now what?”
“You have to wait until I find something about this Key.” Lima’s voice was grim.
Jackson snorted, his earlier anger seeming to have subsided, but still he kept his mouth in check and said nothing.
“How long will it take?” Maya’s expression is filled with confusion and stress.
“Can’t define exactly, but it will take some time for sure. I need to seek help from other witches, which I don’t know how long it will take for me to get a reply,” Lima continued. “You see, usually I don’t help much, but it’s because Priya’s mother was once our saviour. Although I’m repaying that by being in this pack and helping with healing, I can still try with this key. I can’t promise anything.”
Maya nodded, though the uncertainty made her anxious. “We appreciate any help you can give. It’s crucial we find out what’s going on with this key and the building.”
Lima sighed, slipping the key into her pocket. “I’ll start my research tonight.”
Priyank exhaled heavily, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Lima.”
Lima’s gaze softened momentarily. ” I’ll do my best.”
With that, they left Lima’s house, and settled in the car, with tension lingering in their heads.
“Maya, about Jackson…” Priyank whispered but was cut off by Maya raising her hand.
“I know. We need to talk to him, but not now. Let’s focus on the key and the building for now. We’ll address Jackson’s issues once we have more clarity on this situation.”
Priyank nodded, understanding her words. Although he was quite interested in the rejection matter, especially since Priya didn’t want to be with him, he had always believed the mate bond was unbreakable.
Now, learning that anyone could reject it was concerning for him. He had felt secure in the bond, but this revelation shook that belief.
‘You did so many things. Of course, she will leave. Why would she stay?’ his conscience remarked, confirming his anxiety.
“We need to stay on alert,” Maya said, her voice steady despite the anxiety gnawing at her. “Report any unusual occurrences immediately. Lima is working on the key, but we need to be prepared for anything, Jackson.”
“Don’t worry about that, I will double the security around this area,” Jackson stated.
“We need to prepare for whatever comes next,” Maya said quietly, her voice. “I know the pack is safe, but still this building thing is enough to jolt things up.”
“I think it’s better if Priya and the others train in the garden. I know it’s a small area, but the training ground doesn’t seem safe anymore. If there was a building there, it’s best to avoid it at all costs.”