Chapter 1 #2
But Livvie and I were both pure-blooded witches. Both of our parents had been magical. Did that mean we’d done the same thing to Grove Holler in twenty minutes that I’d done to Bluewater in twenty years?
No. That was a little farfetched. Still, we hadn’t even had time to tap into the magic and here was my damn mate. A damn dragon. Dammit. An involuntary tremble traveled up my spine as I watched Blaze. He didn’t seem to be affected by all this in the least.
Was I wrong?
I kept trying to convince myself this wasn’t real, that I’d just imagined it all, but I knew better. I only wished it wasn’t real. This was just a little too much drama for me. I wanted nothing to do with it, though I knew there would be no way to avoid it.
Ugh.
We stepped into a clearing, and something in the air put me on edge. I stopped and stiffened, looking around warily.
“It’s okay. I promise, you’re safe.” Blaze beckoned us closer. “Follow me.” When I didn’t move, he stopped and fully turned toward us. “My pack is just a little different, that’s all.”
Different. That wasn’t always a good thing. I readied myself to poof back to Bluewater as we continued across the clearing. We went through another small patch of woods, and when the path opened up again, a large building was in another clearing. It looked like some sort of meeting hall.
A powerful energy was inside. Whatever it was, it was very alpha and very strong.
Livvie shivered. “Do you feel that?” she asked.
I nodded. “Be ready to port out if anything takes a turn.”
“I’m ready,” she murmured.
Blaze held one side of a big double door open. As soon as we stepped inside, both Livvie and I froze. I didn’t have to look at her to know her expression mirrored mine.
The man inside the room was bigger than Blaze, and though I found Blaze to be more attractive, it was likely only because he was my mate.
Alpha energy oozed from the giant man. He was six-five, at least. Maybe more like six-seven or eight. Shit.
A growl from the man beside me jerked me out of my shock at seeing the shirtless, hot alpha. I glanced at Blaze out of the corner of my eye to find him clenching his jaw.
Well, then. He felt the mating pull as much as I did. And he did not like me ogling his alpha. Good to know.
I returned my attention to Mr. Hulk. He smiled and strode forward. “Hello.” His deep voice had a hint of welcome. “I’m Gage Matthews. I’m the alpha of Grove Holler.”
“Sammy.” I inclined my head, then nodded toward Livvie. “And Olivia.” They didn’t need to know her nickname. Not yet.
Gage looked toward Blaze. “I sent Blaze to find you the moment we felt your presence on our pack lands. It felt familiar.”
I opened my mouth to say hello, but he turned his gaze to Livvie. “I remember you,” he murmured, his eyes narrowed in a soft expression. “I knew your parents.”
Her eyes widened and she glanced from Gage to me. “Oh?”
“Yes.” He dropped his gaze for a second, looking somber before he spoke again. “You were supposed to be our pack witch. But that was before Leonard. He ruined everything for us. Obviously, his actions led to him being removed as alpha, but still, he did enough damage before he was ousted.”
Gage stepped back and motioned toward the pews. This was obviously where they held their clan meetings. Not unlike a church, really. I held my head high and strode toward the front, then sat delicately, as if receiving my court.
I’d learned one thing. If I acted like the world belonged to me, people treated me as if it did.
And the big bad alpha was no exception. Livvie followed me, emanating me, giving off the same regal attitude. Good girl. She learned fast; I was so proud. Gage pulled up a couple of chairs from the side of the room and he and Blaze sat across from us.
While Gage’s attention split between me and Livvie, and he looked back and forth, Blaze had a single mind. His gaze was stuck on me.
It didn’t irritate me as much as I’d expected it to. Odd.
“We had another alpha in the time between Leonard and me,” Gage said. “But we’ve been without a witch this whole time.” He sighed. “Most of our witches came from your old coven. But after what Leonard did to them, nobody wants to give our pack a chance.”
Blaze sniffed. “We’ve managed to borrow witches here and there to put up wards to keep us safe.”
“But we need a witch.” Gage nodded. “Desperately.”
I’d realized where this conversation was headed as soon as we sat down. “You’re barking up the wrong tree. We already belong to a clan.”
Gage furrowed his brow and flexed his pecs. I had to force my gaze not to wander to his big chest. “I’ve never heard of a clan having two witches. I can only imagine the magic there.”
I tried to change the subject. “Is this a mixed pack?” I asked. “I know most of this pack was wolves before, if not all. But you two are clearly dragons. And I sense…” I sucked in a deep breath as my senses wandered. “A bear?” Shifters all had a different magical feel to them.
Gage inclined his head but wouldn’t be deflected from his purpose. “Do you think your alpha would be opposed to a meeting?”
I cringed at him calling Anthony my alpha, but externally, I didn’t let it show. Keeping my regal posture and smooth facial expression in place, I smiled wanly. “I’m sure he’d get a kick out of it.” He’d really get a kick out of someone thinking he ordered me around.
Gage grinned broadly and turned to Blaze. “Excellent. I’d like for you to accompany Sammy and Olivia here back to their home. Speak with their alpha on my behalf.”
“Now, hang on,” I said, breaking my regal persona.
But Gage held up one hand. “I’m afraid I insist.”
Oh, he insisted. Well, that made a big difference.
Not.