69 - ra


    "Hey, Junior. You seem like you''re feeling better..." I begin, but he interrupts me sharply.


    "I was attacked by my own pack during a run, then locked away in my home-and trapped inside my own mind—for an entire month," he growls, his voice thick with anger. "Feeling better isn''t even on my list of concerns. How dare you bring them here with you?"


    I let out a breath, trying to keep calm. “You need to calm down, baby Alpha," I say, letting the jab hang between us. "You''re not the only one who''s been targeted by magic. Right beside you are two coven witches-the leaders of their groups." I nod toward Marietta and Brianna, ready to say more, but before I can, my mate steps forward from behind Malcolm, his protective presence almost tangible.


    "What happened?" His voice is low but charged with concern.


    There''s a wave of protective energy radiating from him, and I''m caught in a swirl of conflicting feelings I hate it, yet I crave it all at once. No one has ever given me this kind of undivided attention before. It''s overwhelming and yet strangelyforting. I don''t even notice when he moves directly in front of me. When I finally meet those warm brown eyes, my heart softens just a bit, but I quickly straighten up, reminding myself we''re not alone. He ces a gentle hand on my shoulder, and we both catch our breath. It''s not the familiar pull of the mate bond-it''s something else entirely, but it feels incredible. Suddenly, Ben stumbles, and I reach out instinctively to steady him.


    "Why didn''t you tell me you were attacked?” he whispers, concern thick in his tone.


    "What are you talking about?” I ask, unable to let go of him. A buzzing sensation returns to my mind, but this time, it''s light and soothing rather than painful.


    My arms are suddenly wrenched away from Ben, and my wolf growls low in warning. She does not like being separated from her mate.


    "The two of you can deal with your feelingster," Malcolm snaps, his voice sharp with authority. “Right now, I want to know what the hell is going on in our packs. And I want answers-NOW!"


    Turning to face him, I adopt a defensive stance, letting my wolf''s aura re in warning. No baby Alpha is going to bark orders here. Malcolm hasn''t been in this role long, barely started training when he took over.


    "Stop!” Brianna''s voice cuts through without shouting, firm andmanding. “Alpha Malcolm, don''t let anger cloud your judgment. We''re all here to work together-to protect the people we''ve been entrusted to lead and care for. ra, what just happened with Ben?"


    "I don''t know," I admit. "He touched me, and all the pain and nausea I''d been feeling just... vanished."


    "Look at your mate,” Brianna urges, nodding toward Ben, who now looks pale and queasy.


    "Did he take the pain from me?" I ask, the only exnation that makes sense. "How could that even be possible?"


    "I believe Ben is siphoning your pain and injuries," Brianna exins. "He can pull away whatever is meant to harm you." My heart skips a beat at her words.


    "Neither of us are marked," I say slowly. "How can such a connection even exist?"


    "No one knows for sure," Brianna replies, "but I have some theories. Let''s start byparing what your packs have inmon and go from there. But stay close to your mate."


    I shake my head at the thought of touching him again if that''s what happens. If he can absorb my pain or injuries during a fight, I know without a doubt he''d do it, even if it meant risking himself. That''s the kind of man he is. But I can''t let him get hurt.


    "For once, we agree about something concerning our mate," my wolf grumbles. "But stay close. I feel better just being near him."


    "I can do that,” I answer, following the group to a clearing where someone has arranged a circle of stones for a firepit. One of the coven witches brushes her hand over a log inside the pit, and mes spring to life. I see magic performed every day, yet it never ceases to amaze me.


    "I know you don''t need it, but it might make our coven members morefortable,” Brianna says, her tone more diplomatic than Malcolm''s. "Would you mind if we cast a warding spell around the group to keep out the cold?"


    Malcolm looks at me for permission. "It''s fine. They''re affected by the colding in, and the fire can only do so much. You can step outside whenever you want.”


    "Fine," Brianna agrees, "but I want your word you''ll remove the ward if anyone asks -no questions."


    "Agreed. And ra is right—you''re not trapped inside. Think of it more like arge invisible tent. Our bodies are still human and feel temperature changes."


    With everyone amodated, Malcolm leans forward, sitting stiffly by the fire, surrounded by his warriors. “Now, what the hell is going on? Why was I locked in my home for a month? Why does ra''s touch weaken Ben? They''re mates—the opposite should be true."


    Ben and I take turns updating him on everything that''s happened in our pack since west saw him. Marietta and Brianna fill in the gaps about magic. That part seems to frustrate Malcolm even more.


    "What do you mean you don''t fully understand what this rogue witch can do? Aren''t you both elders and leaders? Don''t you have a connection to your Goddess? Ask her what the hell is going on and how to stop it! Wolves and witches are dying because of this bitch''s cause!"


    "Chaos magic is exactly that-chaos," Marietta exins. "It manifests differently in every witch who wields It can be a curse, a blessing, or both. We know it''s fueled by emotion, and those witches can manipte spells cast by others without needing herbs, positions, or incantations. That''s what makes them dangerous but also invaluable in a crisis."


    "They''re a threat to everyone," Malcolm growls. "Why not eliminate them as soon as you discover their chaotic magic?"


    I''m halfway to standing up when Brianna speaks softly but firmly, "Because killing our own for being different isn''t our way."


    He wants to wipe out the unknown? What the hell is wrong with him?