A Different Way #2
“Yeah, your age is catching up on you,” Uncle Leo shoots back, making Uncle Rayhan chuckle. Mama smiles, shaking her head.
Theo is snickering, drawing my attention, and I notice he’s looking at Ahren, who is frowning at him. I remember Theo calling Ahren ‘diaper boy’, and I’m curious what nightmare he had conjured in his mind.
“The grimoire you have, does it have protection spells?” Mama asks.
There’s one, though I don’t know if it’ll work, but if there isn’t, we can make our own spells, I write.
“Heaven, creating spells is a skill long forgotten. We use the grimoire to make sure we practice magic safely,” Mama says.
“But they were also created by witches of the past…” Sienna points out softly, and I nod.
“And Heaven’s already created some pretty successful ones,” Allie adds.
I don’t want to mention the grimoire that Hecate has given to me quite yet. I can feel its presence, just waiting close by for me to summon it.
“These girls are something else,” Renji says with a grin. “A badass witch trio, I like it.”
“Well, if Heaven thinks there’s a way, let’s try it. The bunkers won’t be ready even if we try to move people now; we need time,” Uncle Leo says quietly, and we will still have to come out for supplies and other things.
Where’s Tatum? I ask, thinking everyone is here but him.
“On a mission,” Jaddati explains. “In the last few weeks, there’ve been more missions for squads to be called out on.”
I nod. I see…
“There’ve been some traitors,” Uncle Liam says with a heavy sigh. “And that’s caused more damage and attacks.”
“Why doesn’t Old Man Alejandro over here go around and Alpha command everyone into admitting if they are traitors? Even alphas can’t deny that shit, right?” Theo says, I see the flicker of irritation from his brothers at that.
“We are not going to misuse power like that,” Uncle Leo says, his eyes cold.
“Why the fuck not? Is it immoral?” Theo demands with a challenging smirk.
“It’s insulting,” Ares growls.
“Without proof of their crimes, it’s fucked up,” Uncle Leo counters. “We aren’t going to treat our people like that without reason.”
“You’re the boss, but sometimes shits got to be done regardless of whether it’s right or wrong. I mean, I’d do it.” Theo shrugs.
“Leo is right. We can’t do something like that without proof. It will break the bond and trust with the allies we do have,” Uncle Liam says.
There’s silence in the room, and I know some of them might agree with Theo somewhat, but no one sides with him.
Theo looks between the elders before chuckling dryly. “I would do it, who cares if I’m hated?”
“And that’s why you aren’t King,” Ares says.
I want to say something, but I don’t know what, so I remain silent, feeling guilty, but I’m not sure why.
“And you’re favoured by Hades, that makes you questionable,” Katara adds, frowning at him.
That’s not fair. Goddess, I wish I could speak right now. Instead, I remind myself to remain composed. I don’t care what she says to him… right? Right.
“Katara, that was uncalled for,” Uncle Liam says, his voice is calm, but there’s a warning hint to it.
She shakes her head. “Well, I’m not wrong. Hades isn’t good.”
“Neither are other gods. Hades is the reason we got back safely,” Allie points out.
Theo mocks shock. “Damn, am I hearing this right? Is Zombilesandra defending me?”
“Don’t make me hurt you,” Allie snarls at him.
Katara shrugs. “Well, whatever, but the idiot does have a point; we’ve been betrayed by those we considered friends, it might not be a bad idea.”
“The Rossis and Westwoods are not traitors,” Grandpa Alejandro says with full conviction.
“But we do have bad blood in the family… I get where Theo and Leo are coming from; both are valid points. But I wouldn’t shut down Theo’s point just like that,” Mama says. “Endora? Zidane? Are we forgetting theirs is the blood we come from?”
“And my biological father,” Aunty Delsanra adds.
Uncle Liam looks at Mama, who looks right back, and there’s almost a silent tension between them, two strong minds who don’t see eye to eye. Their original fight was over right and wrong, too…
Mama raises an eyebrow, almost challenging him to debate, but he simply looks away, remaining silent.
“Thanks,” Theo says to Mama with a smirk, earning a frown from Uncle Liam. “I like you.”
“I think it’s been a long night, and we should all just sleep on it,” Jaddati says. “Trust and faith are vital to building bonds, and we have to respect our subjects.”
“And Sienna will need to be initiated into a pack,” Grandad Elijah says. I look over at Sienna, realising what he meant. Since Jayce marked her, she wouldn’t have automatically rejoined her pack.
“Ah, yes, we can do that first thing in the morning,” Uncle Rayhan says.
Sienna looks up at her father, nodding slowly.
I wonder if she would rather join Jayce’s pack.
.. The way Grandad Elijah worded it made me think he was subtly putting the option out there if she wanted it. Or maybe I am reading too much into it.
Ahren frowns, but he’s deep in thought before he blinks and looks at his dad. “So, you staying Alpha or am I going to be Alpha again?”
“The title is yours, so rest, and tomorrow we’ll do that. You aren’t going to run from your responsibilities so easily.” Uncle Rayhan smiles slightly, and Ahren nods.
“Agreed,” Grandpa Alejandro says.
“Well, children, you should get to bed. Your punishment will be shared tomorrow, and I also think we need a celebration for Sienna’s return,” Jaddati says with a smile, looking at Sienna.
“Great, punish those who bring her back and a celebration for her, not fair,” Theo grumbles as he stands and stretches. Those pants look so good on him…
Urgh, stop it, Heaven!
The guy’s fit, and I hate that.
I roll my eyes, looking away as we all get up, and I hug Mama.
“Sienna, will you come home?” Aunty Delsanra asks.
Sienna nods. “Yes… I’d like that. I miss Kaden, but I do want to re-enrol in the Academy again. I want to complete my training here,” she says, looking at Uncle Leo.
Uncle Leo nods. “Welcome back,” he says.
She smiles as I lead the way to the door. I need to see that grimoire. I’m just at the door when suddenly, my vision blurs.
My eyes prickle, and then there’s fire. It’s spreading everywhere.
I’m on the floor, and I can see someone walking towards me, black boots, crunching the burning pieces of embers from the fire beneath their feet as they approach me with slow steps, but something about their calculating footsteps sends a sliver of fear through me.
I blink, my heart thundering.
“Heaven?” Mama says sharply. “Are you ok?”
I’m exhausted. I need rest, I write.
Mama opens her mouth, but Jaddati speaks.
“Let them go, they’ve had a long night,” she says, and I smile at her.
Thank you.
Mama sighs. “Alright, but this conversation isn’t over. Make sure you go straight to bed.” I nod as I head to the door, feeling Theo’s eyes burning into my back, but I refuse to look back. What I just saw is still reeling in my mind.
Who was that?