52 - ra


    After spending an excessive amount of time in the bathroom-plucking, trimming, brushing, and applying lotion until I run out of things to do―I finally step out. The room is cloaked in darkness, and I can hear Ben''s steady, soft breathing. It''s even enough that I''m almost certain he''s asleep, or perhaps he''s just exceptionally good at pretending to be. I slip under the covers, but restlessness clings to me. I toss and turn, unable to find afortable position, and my mind refuses to quiet down. Thoughts dart around like frantic fireflies, bouncing from one worry to the next, pounding in my head. Rogues infiltrating my pack, peddling drugs to the pups. Witches spiraling out of control, aiding those rogues in an attempt to seize power. My parents, the coven I allowed onto ournds, pack members betraying me without hesitation while secretly working with my father. And then there''s the mate I desire but simultaneously reject. Why can''t I catch a moment''s peace to gather my scattered thoughts? I silently plead to the moon goddess above. A sting of tears pricks behind my eyelids. If this is the weight of being an Alpha, why did my father never warn me? Why didn''t he share how grueling it truly is? I''ve spent half my life fighting, bargaining, negotiating, but this... this burden was never discussed. I inhale deeply, my breath trembling, and then a soothing warmth begins to flow up my legs like golden honey, enveloping my entire body. The tightness in my chest loosens with another slow breath, and my eyelids grow heavy. What is this strangefort? Before I can look around to figure out why I feel as if wrapped in a soft, cozy nket, darkness overtakes me.


    I awaken to an empty room. The faint scent of Ben lingers in the air-he was here not long ago. I know he''s still upset with me for not speaking to himst night. How do I exin that I don''t want to force anyone to follow me to someone who has no issues with it? I want to lead my pack my way, and no one—not even my mate—can dictate otherwise. I roll my eyes and rise from the bed. Let him be mad; I''ll deal with itter. He''s already made it clear he isn''t going anywhere. Meanwhile, I have a thousand other pressing matters, and I''m not even sure what exactly he wants from


    me.


    This morning, in line with my mother''s expectations, I take care in choosing my outfit. When meeting the leader of another group, it''s important to show respect by putting effort into your appearance. It''s a gesture both for their sake and mine. I would have done so yesterday had I known who we were meeting. I hope our conversation will be brief so we can quickly focus on the business of removing whatever hexes or spells are guing my pack. Brianna does not disappoint—she arrives fully prepared, matching my energy with her own.


    Apanying her is another woman, positioned just to Brianna''s right, in the same way Ben sits beside me. I don''t think witches refer to their second-inmand as ''Betas,'' but this woman must hold a simr rank within the coven. Brianna makes no introductions, and I choose not to press. Perhaps their customs differ from ours.


    I spread arge map across the grand dining room table, outlining the general borders and details of our territory. Ben adds notes on areas where we''ve observed the most activity, and together we describe the cave we discovered at the water''s edge near Junior''snd.


    After several long minutes of scanning the map and exchanging silent nces with the woman beside her, Brianna selects a region she wants to inspect in person.


    "Will you be removing any wards or hexes today?" Ben asks.


    “If possible, Beta,” the woman finally replies. “Until we identify the nature of the magic involved, we can''t determine the necessary countermeasures.” Her name is Marietta, and I sense a certain sharpness in her tone. "I hope you didn''t expect an immediate fix to your problems."


    I feel Ben tense beside me, though his face remains unreadable. I gently touch his forearm under the table—a subtle warning, as much to calm him as to reassure.


    “Easy, Marietta. Not everyone is looking for a quick solution. They''re inexperienced with our ways but seem eager to learn. Extend them the same patience you''d offer a witchling discovering her powers for the first time." My words seem to unsettle Marietta. She doesn''t appear hostile, but there''s a flicker of hesitation. I wonder what might have caused her to challenge her superior. Then again, perhaps this is just how witches operate.


    “We will assess the situation thoroughly and bring you up to speed on what magic we believe has been cast on your pack," Brianna exins. "Only then can we determine the best course of action to assist your pack—and, by extension, our covens."


    "Covens? As in more than one?" Ben interrupts before I can respond.


    "Yes, pup. More than one," Marietta replies sharply but quiets when Brianna ces a calming hand on her arm.


    "We merged our covens when it became clear our members were being targeted specifically," Brianna adds more gently. A brief, unreadable exchange passes between the two women. I''m sure Ben caught the ''pup''ment, and I know neither of us is viewed as mature in their eyes. Though they don''t seem much older than me, the way they speak suggests otherwise. Even if they were in their thirties, Ben, at neen, would still be a pup. At twenty-five, I''m hardly more seasoned, but Brianna at least tries to treat me as the leader I am. Marietta, however, seems more guarded. I can''t tell if it''s because of our species, our age, or simply us in general that has her on edge.


    "We should start with a tour of your pack, beginning here," Marietta says, pointing delicately to the northwestern corner of our territory, tracing the border we share with Red Fang.


    "We should notify Junior and introduce you. His pack is experiencing simr issues, though not as severe as ours. Unfortunately, I believe that''s a gender-rted factor,” I add, watching the two women''s eyes sh at myment. Good—at least someone understands the struggles I face.


    Once we finalize our n and everyone has eaten, I instruct Mnie and the other Omegas to assist the coven members in settling in. I want them to have full ess to the guest wing for showers and any personal needs. I''ve also granted them use of the kitchen, gym, andundry facilities. I know they''re ustomed to being one with nature, but sometimes modernforts help boost morale.


    I insist that Jax and Dev join us. As my lead warriors, they need firsthand knowledge of the types of magic we''re dealing with. They assign a few warriors to support the coven, ensure patrols are aware of our movements, and inform Junior about the situation. He agrees to meet us at the shoreline where the most activity has been observed. Brianna and Marietta don''t request additional coven members to apany us. Whether that''s confidence or a sign of trust we''ve earned remains to be seen.