47 - Ben


    I wish I had more rity, more concrete answers to hold onto, but all I get is this disembodied voice that only deepens the mystery. If I were the kind to gamble, I''d bet that the witch lurking somewhere nearby is eavesdropping and enjoying our confusion. But I''m not one to take risks without a sure win.


    I notice ra tense beside me as the phantom voice speaks again. Without hesitation, I slide my arm around her waist-not to confine her or make her feel trapped, but because the unknown surrounding us makes me crave her presence. Holding her close feels like a shield against the uncertainty pressing in on us.


    Gently drawing her back against my chest, I call out, “Briana? My name is Ben. Alpha James sent me here. He said you might be able to help us with the drug problem guing our pack.”


    The heavy silence that follows is almost suffocating. I sense Jax and Dev shifting on either side of me, ready for whatever mighte next. They''re sharp, quick to read the tension in the air. Despite being told Briana is friendly, I''m not about to let my guard down and get caught off guard like a rookie.


    "If you tell your guards to stand down, I will lower my wards," the voice offers again, though I can''t pinpoint its origin.


    ra''s voice is steady but firm. "Why don''t you keep your wards up, but show yourself? No offense, but we''re done with magic being used against us in the dark. I want to see who I''m dealing with before I lower my defenses."


    Throughout, she stays connected to me, her eyes shing a mix of impatience and determination. I know she''s not in the mood for games-and honestly, I can''t me her irritation on anyone but myself.


    Usually, when ra asserts herself or takesmand, she steps away to im her space. But right now, with her pressed close, I feel stronger, more alert. Maybe she feels it too.


    "I have not harmed your pups, nor do I intend to," the voice replies, "but I do hold some of the answers you seek."


    “That''s a good start,” ra responds, her patience thinning. “But I''d prefer to speak to a face, if you don''t mind." I can sense her frustration growing through our bond-if this witch keeps toying with us, I''m afraid ra might just walk away.


    "As you wish, Alpha," the voice concedes.


    "Well, at least she got the title right," I mutter under my breath, scanning every direction. The voice seems toe from everywhere at once, as if the very trees around us are speaking.


    “You''re not far off, Ben," the voice says crisply to my left. Suddenly, I notice a shimmer before thergest tree in the clearing. A tall, slender woman steps out, her form blending seamlessly from the rough bark.


    Her face is young, but carries the weight of deep knowledge. Chocte brown hair flows down her back, nearly grazing her knees. I wonder if witches age like werewolves or fae-slowly, almost timelessly. Briana looks to be in herte twenties, yet something about her suggests she''s lived far longer than that.


    “ra''s right again,” I think, surprised to realize Briana is responding to my thoughts.


    "So, you have telepathy too?" I ask aloud.


    "No, but the forest senses the energy your thoughts emit. You''re as curious as your Alpha is hot-tempered. You don''t blurt out the first thing that crosses your mind. Your Alpha questions my motives. You don''t trust easily, child," Briana says, shifting her attention from me to ra, who remains coiled and ready.


    "Are you going to tell us something useful, or just stand there analyzing our auras all day?" ra snaps.


    Briana smiles softly, stepping in front of us. The forest seems to ripple around her, each de of grass reaching out as she moves past.


    "You''ve been caught in the middle of a dangerous game," Briana begins.


    “Our teens and pups dying from overdoses isn''t a game,” ra interrupts sharply. "High Priestess," Briana corrects gently.


    "Excuse me?" ra''s head snaps back, her tone sharp.


    "I used your title because it is yours. I am the High Priestess of the Verdant Coven," Briana exins calmly.


    "Do you know who''s behind the harming to ck w''s pups?" I ask, eager for


    answers.


    "I believe I do. Magic has its own ''vor.'' Each witch leaves a unique signature


    when casting a spell. It''s difficult to hide or disguise, even for me.”


    "So, who exactly are we hunting? And how do we stop her? My pack isn''t a yground for some rogue caster''s agenda."


    "She was once part of my coven," Briana reveals. "Until someone convinced her she should lead. When I refused to step aside, she left with a group of witches and


    warlocks loyal to her. Now, she''s trying to overthrow me by force."


    "By controlling my pack''s minds to take you down?" I ask, incredulous.


    "Something like that," Briana confirms.


    "How do you know all this?" I press. "That''s a lot of specific information. Why didn''t youe to us sooner?"


    "I didn''t realize ck w was the target until I spoke with Alpha James. As for knowing who she is—she left with a clear threat and since then, several of my coven members have been found dead or gone missing. I suspect she''s turning them against me."


    "Why not strike first and deal with her yourself?" Jax steps forward, his strategist''s mind racing. "Why wait for the worst to happen when you know it''sing?"


    "This is something you''ll have to understand about witches," Briana answers quietly. "I am a Green Witch. I work with the earth, feeling its pulse. I don''t seek conflict. Like your pack, leadership and power are passed down the matron''s bloodline. But unlike you, we can choose to ept or pass on the mantle. Not everyone is meant to lead or care for the coven. I choose peace and negotiation. I will fight if I must, but I strive to avoid it. It''s simply who I am."


    "Alpha James mentioned you want to relocate your coven to ck w''snds. Why?" Dev''s voice breaks in, her tone probing but calm.


    She continues, "You''re giving us answers, but they don''t feelplete. We need to talk about what this means for us and your coven."


    "Like I said, my members are disappearing at an rming rate. Even with wards and protections, I can''t keep them all safe. But with your pack''s physical strength and our magical wardsbined, I believe we can protect what matters most— together."