Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Siobhan
I leave tai chi on Monday feeling extraordinarily pleased with myself.
Tell Aury how I feel? Check.
Kiss him for the first time? Check.
Nail each form we learn? Check.
Flirt until he’s red in the face? Check check check.
He insisted on walking me out, and I was hoping for another kiss, but we didn’t have any privacy so I think that’s why he didn’t push it.
I swing through my front door feeling as light as air.
Everything is going as it should be. The alphas have another date planned for tomorrow, and I’m going to tell them about Aury.
They can get on board or kick rocks. My head is feeling much better and I can hopefully take this splint off my wrist tomorrow.
The injury has given me a lot of sympathy engagement online though, so I’m not too furious about having to wear it.
Other than the fact it’s put a damper on my normally flawless shuffling.
I pop some fake chicken nuggets into the air fryer and slice up a red bell pepper, then dump a glob of ketchup, mayo, and a couple spoonfuls of pickle juice into a dip bowl to make fry sauce.
It’s my favorite girl dinner. I don’t care what anyone says about it.
I pull up my social feeds while I eat, only half-paying attention as I scroll.
I reply to comments and return engagement. Send my auto-reply to requests for readings, directing them to my website. Then I notice that a bunch of the notifications tagging me are all on the same post again, so I click to open it.
It’s a carousel with screenshots from both my account and Hels Spells.
Somehow, the internet sleuths have figured out that we both live in Michigan and want us to collab.
I shake my head as I scroll through the comments, thankfully not finding anything alarming.
Just a bunch of fans hoping for some cross over content.
If it was with anyone else, I’d absolutely consider it.
I comment on the post, saying I’m injured and won’t be able to make it work. Toss in a couple sad face emojis and a witchy sparkle, then hit the arrow to publish it.
My phone vibrates in my hand right as I’m about to set it down.
Jayce: Looking forward to tomorrow. How was your Monday?
I grin and bite my lip, deciding how to respond.
Me: What’s the plan for tomorrow, anyways? My Monday was good. I got some more content posted, did my usual readings. I also take tai chi classes at the community center on Mondays so that was fun.
Jayce: That’s cool, I didn’t know they had tai chi classes. Maybe we should check it out with you sometime.
Jayce: Do you like surprises? I’m happy to tell you, but I think it would be more fun as a surprise.
I lower my phone and stare across the kitchen into the living area, considering it. Do I want it to be a surprise this time? They seem like good guys, but I don’t really know them yet.
Me: I do like surprises, for future reference, but I think I’d rather know this time since this is still so new.
Jayce: That’s a smart call. How do you feel about a foraging date?
Foraging? Like… for mushrooms? Or for witchy things? My heart skips at beat, because either way, it’s such a unique date idea. Before I can reply, he messages again.
Jayce: We wouldn’t be alone. Figured taking you into the woods for date two might not feel the safest for you so we found a local guide who offers group foraging expeditions. So it would be with a group of about 8, plus the guide.
Me: That sounds amazing, thank you! I love this idea.
Jayce: Glad to hear it. Weather says it’ll be cooling down fast tomorrow evening, so make sure to bring layers.
I roll my eyes. Freaking alphas. As though I’m not a twenty-eight year old woman who grew up in this town.
Me: Yes, alpha
Jayce: Don’t tease me like that, pretty omega
Me: [smile emoji] How was your Monday?
Jayce: Started layout on a new project at work so that’s always a lot to navigate, but it went well. And now I’m chatting with you, so pretty good for a Monday
I’m grinning at my phone like a fool, laughing when a message from Hayden pops up accusing me of playing favorites already. We banter in the group chat, and it’s another insight into their dynamic that I’m happy to see. I hope they let this side out in person next time.
When lunchtime rolls around on Tuesday, I get a knock on my door. I check the front door camera, seeing a delivery person leaving a small package. My phone pings only a moment later.
Hayden: There’s a gift for you on your porch for our date later. Hope you like it
I immediately whip the door open, causing the delivery person to jump right as they were turning away.
“Ope, sorry!” I say with a small wave. “Thank you!”
Are they courting me? Is this a courting gift? Giddiness tingles through my fingers. I snag the package and tear it open as soon as I’m back in the kitchen, unwrapping a rolled up piece of cloth. A card falls out that says “Proudly made in Pure Michigan.”
My brows pinch together, confused about what it could be.
I unroll it, spreading it out along the countertop.
It’s a belt of some sort? I survey it, taking in the supple faux leather.
It has two cotton, tear-drop shaped pockets, one big enough for me to shove both hands in, and the other only big enough for one.
They’re both dark green on the outside, lined with a sage green waxed fabric.
Between them is a loop with a hook on it.
On the opposite side is a rectangular shaped pouch with a snap closure, perfectly sized for one of my tarot decks.
I don’t know if that’s what its purpose is, but it’s probably what I’ll use it for.
I look back at the package, noticing a pair of dark purple gardening gloves with sparkling stars on them and a tiny pair of scissors. That’s when it clicks: a foraging belt.
I grin and elation bubbles in my chest. I snag the belt, and the leather pouch clinks faintly.
Curious, I open it to find three small jars, leather straps wrapped around them and connected to a ring.
I pull them out, loop the belt around my waist, and clip the ring of potion-sized bottles to the hook on my hip.
A grin pulls at my lips as I explore the gift.
I shove one hand into each of the pockets, then twirl in a circle in the middle of my kitchen.
The bubbly joy in my belly bursts out as a silly laugh.
I feel spoiled, seen, treasured. Intention and thought were put into this gift, and I don’t entirely know how to handle it. I immediately pull out my phone and strike a pose in front of the mirror, then snap a quick selfie.
Me: I love it! This is such a gorgeous gift, thank you so much. How does it look?
Jayce: Stunning.
Hayden: It compliments you perfectly
Me: Can’t wait to use it later
“Basic rules of foraging!” Our guide—wearing a wide brimmed straw hat, denim overalls, and galoshes—claps their hands to get everyone’s attention.
I’m bouncing in my sneakers with nerves and excitement.
I’ve got my belt slung around my waist and am wearing a loose, navy blue jumper, fringed scarf, and my cute new gloves.
Hayden’s hand settles on my back, and I stop fidgeting long enough to listen.
“Don’t harm any plants or animals. Don’t leave any human waste or products behind. Only take a small amount when harvesting, and always, always double check your plant ID’s. Got it?”
I nod, then grin up at Jayce when he lets out a booming, “Yes, sir.”
Besides the three of us, there are two sets of couples, all betas, plus the guide, and we set off after them as they start down a trail into the woods.
“We’re gonna be finding some edible mushrooms today,” they say, “and hopefully a few berries if any are left this late in the season. Now, we’ll start off here in the forest, but we’ll be passin’ by a bog so mind your step.
Anybody done any foragin’ before?” They glance back at the group, and one of the betas raises their hand.
The guide nods in approval, then turns ahead again.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’ll point out anything worthwhile. You can go off the trail but always stay within sight of it. I’ll charge ya double if I have to call a ranger on ya’s.”
I bite my lip to stop my laugh, glancing at Hayden to see their brows pulled together. “Do people get lost out here often?” they ask.
“Nah, haven’t lost anybody yet,” the guide says, then laughs. “There’s a first for everythin’ tho!”
Hayden frowns harder and looks down at me. I roll my eyes, then whisper, “Oh stop, I’ll be fine.”
I let my eyes wander as we get further into the woods, and the dappled light of early evening plays across the forest floor.
The guide points out different trees, mostly maples and oaks interspersed with various pines.
Patches of bright green ferns and deeper green moss carpet the area between the trees, with what I’ve just learned is ‘wintergreen’ dotting the sides of the path.
“They’re small plants, so don’t take more than one leaf from each. You can snap it in half to smell it, or even stick the whole leaf in yer mouth and chew it. Like gum.” The guide does exactly that, and I shrug, then do the same.
“Oh,” I gasp. “It’s minty!”
“I don’t recommend swallowing it. Won’t kill ya, but your insides might not like the oils. The berries make a great tea, though,” the guide chuckles like they made a joke, and I exchange a questioning look with Jayce.
He shrugs, then pops one of the leaves in his mouth. His hazel eyes widen at the flavor, and I grin up at him.
Our guide points out various mushrooms and plants along the way, and I carefully pick a small amount of each, tucking them into the pockets on my foraging belt.
I take a handful of pine needles and snag a few other ingredients they mention that can be made into tea.
A fluffy feather gets slipped into one of the glass jars, while a small animal bone—picked clean—goes into a second one.
Hayden side-eyes me at that, but I don’t let his skepticism deter me.
I’m living my best witchy life on this hike, and I can’t believe I haven’t thought to learn more about foraging before now.