Elaine POV
“Which way did he go?” Azaire demanded as he helped me up off the ground.
“I didn’t see. Rae went after him. I’m worried about her.”
“I’ll end him, I swear.”
He couldn’t do that. It would destroy him.
“Lucas thinks I’m poisoning his Pack.” I stared at the water stain on the rug. “He tried to make me drink.”
Azaire ran both hands through his hair. “This can’t be happening. Not to Lucas. He’s a good kid.”
“Something’s clearly wrong with him!”
“I don’t know how to fix things, Elaine. I don’t. What am I going to do?”
I took his face in my palms and willed him to look at me. “You don’t have to fix things alone.”
He wrapped his arms around me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine… no I’m not Azaire.”
He held me tighter. “Tell me.”
“I can’t feel you the way I normally did.”
He stiffened. “Neither can I. Elaine?”
“Mom’s gone. She gave me back my magic because she’s convinced Avena’s back. Lynn’s missing too!”
“This can’t be happening. Doesn’t matter, I’ll gladly kill that witch all over again.”
“The point is not to let her gain physical form. When she appeared in our mirror it was to show she was strong enough to play games. I don’t think we have much time.”
“What do we do? I trust you.”
“Protection magic. That’s all we have.”
“Wait, Opal called me and she was frantic. I think Richie’s with her right now.”
“You have to get Leon. I think your Mother put something in his bottle. Rae and I both agree it wasn’t good.”
“What if it was medicine?” Azaire asked.
“Rae suspects protection magic but it’s least likely to be effective because Janet isn’t a witch.”
Azaire paced to the fireplace and back to me. “Where are they?”
“I don’t know… her room, possibly.”
“Wait, here mate.”
“But-” Azaire ran off before I could finish my sentence.
If Janet didn’t like me now she would definitely hate me. As soon as Azaire left the temperature in the room dropped. That wasn’t a good sign. I rubbed my arms as the atmosphere turned icy. I felt a dominant magical presence in the room.
“If this is Avena, I’m not scared of you.”
The presence swirled in the room mockingly.
“You’re still dead and I’m not.”
A picture frame fell of the fireplace mantle. It shattered. I picked it up. It was a picture of Azaire’s entire family in front of Shaw mansion.
“I won’t let you hurt them. Are you doing this to Lucas?” tears filled my eyes.
If black magic was controlling Lucas, then he really needed help. I darted out of the room. I needed to get a hold of Rae before anything happened to her. I walked out of the front door and nearly collided with Oliver.
“Going somewhere?” he asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry. No, I just think I know what’s wrong with Lucas.”
Oliver looked better than the last time I saw him. He was still skinny but his clothes were cleaner and she smelled bathed which was a good start.
“Lucas is hurt. He feels betrayed by his brothers for taking women from the pack that killed his Father.”
“There’s no proof that your Uncle was killed by my Pack,” I frowned.
I always thought Luna Bianca was killed by the Blood Moon Pack but it was an inside job!
“I know my Dad thinks the same thing but that’s what Janet has believed ever since Lucas was a kid. That’s all the kid knows.”
“It could be black magic too.”
Oliver shrugged. “If you say so. I just think Lucas is a spoiled brat who needs a good beating. Where’s Azaire- we need to talk.”
“Getting Leon from his Mother.”
“The kid’s here? I have to see him.”
“I’m sure Azaire won’t mind.”
“You don’t know him like I do. I really have to see the boy, Elaine. It’s important.”
Azaire walked out of the front door with a sleeping little boy in his arms and the baby bag around his shoulder.
“Oliver, what are you doing here?” Azaire asked.
“Is that him?” Oliver asked, his eyes glued on the little boy. “Does he have green eyes?”
Azaire frowned. “Of course he has the family eyes. He’s my son.”
“Are you sure?” Oliver asked. It was almost like he was in a daze.
“What the fuck?”
My jaw dropped. Did Oliver really ask that. I slipped closer to my mate just in case he did something crazy.
“Of course I’m sure! Holly was my girlfriend.”
Oliver nodded, snapping out of his trance. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I know you’re still looking for Lucas. Do you need help?”
I rubbed Azaire’s back but that did little to ease his temper.
“We’re good. We’ll catch him and his girlfriend.”
“Is Zoe on the run too?” I asked.
Azaire nodded. “Holly says they’ve been looking for her for a week.”
“I think I can help. I know where these kids hang out.”
“Is that where you get your posion?” Azaire snapped.
“I’m trying, Azaire. I really am. I’ll let you know if I hear anything,”
Oliver turned to leave but I called him back. “Maybe you could speak to Chase. He’s in the same group trying to destroy the Pack house.”
Oliver nodded. “I doubt Chase would want to help us, but he did have a crush on Fran, so maybe hearing she was attacked might soften him.”
“Thank you,” I said wholeheartedly.
Once Oliver was gone, I turned to Azaire. “Give him a chance.”
Azaire scowled. “He’s got to earn it. Mom’s upset with me for taking Leon, but Holly’s coming to pick him up. A car’s coming to take Opal to a safe house. We can’t risk anything happening to her at this stage in her pregnancy.”
“She won’t like that,” I said.
“She has no choice. Lucas has declared war on us. I don’t recognize him. He’s not the brother I grew up with and it fucking hurts.”
There’s magic in the house as well. It’s not a good idea for Opal to be here, but what about the rest of them?
“This house needs protection magic. I’ll get started on it.”
Rae marched towards us, panting and growling. “He got away! He was heading to neutral territory. I told Ross, and I asked Lawrence to be on the lookout for anything suspicious just in case they try to attack him again.”
“You did good. Don’t follow a crazed wolf again, okay?” Azaire raised a brow.
Rae rolled her eyes. She focused on baby Leon and absolutely melted.
“He’s adorable!” she picked up his little hand and stroked it. “Oh, this baby has a lot of magic around him. What are you giving him? It’s too much for a child this young.”
“What? What are you talking about?” I growled. “I haven’t given my son anything.”
Janet…
“You should talk to your Mother,” I commented.
“I’m tired of talking to her,” Azaire growled.
“Azaire,” Richie called.
He had Opal’s hand secured in his fist. “She has to go now.”
“I don’t want to leave you. This baby could be here any day!”
“Opal, I know, but if anything happens to you, then I’ll die. I need to make sure you’re safe. It won’t be long, I swear. We’ll be together again soon.”
A tear rolled down my friend’s cheek. She’d been with me through everything. Opal wasn’t disgusted with me when she found out I was a hybrid or that I was mated to our great enemies; if anything, she followed my lead. I couldn’t leave her now.
“Richie, I’ll go with her. I just have to place protection magic around the house so you’re all safe,” I said.
“Don’t worry about that, Elaine. I’ll handle it. Both of you should leave,” Rae said.
“Do you want me to take Leon?” I asked Azaire.
“He’ll be fine with his Mother. I’m glad you volunteered to go because I wasn’t comfortable with you staying here.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “How lucky for you.”
He kissed my forehead. “You’ll be safe, and that’s all I want.”
I hugged him. I loved this man. Avena wouldn’t have her way this time. I was determined to bring her down for good.