Page 15 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
THE GODDESS’ PLAN
Wren
I stand amidst the chaos that has just settled over the Waterton Pack, my heart racing and thoughts swirling.
The air still crackles with the remnants of the fight we just endured, and I can’t help but steal glances at Harrison.
My mate, the Gamma of this formidable pack, but right now, he looks utterly exhausted.
His broad shoulders are slumped slightly, and fatigue hangs heavy beneath his sapphire eyes.
I want to reach out, to offer him comfort and strength, but he’s always so strong — my rock in this volatile world.
As I move closer to him, a strange warmth fills my chest. I never would have imagined that my future would lead me here, among these wolf shifters, but a whisper of the Mother Goddess tells me this is where I’m meant to be.
I grasp Harrison's hand, feeling the calluses and strength that come from fighting for his pack. “Let’s get you some rest,” I say softly, hoping to coax him away from the lingering tension.
But just as I turn to lead him away, a sudden realization strikes me: where is Octavia?
The pack’s Luna, Wyatt’s mate, and one of my best friends has been conspicuously absent.
I glance over at Wyatt, the alpha of this pack, whose eyes are filled with a mix of concern and relief.
“Wyatt,” I ask, my voice threading through the quiet, “where’s Octavia? ”
He lets out a breath, his expression shifting from relief to mild annoyance. “She’s visiting Poppy,” he replies, shaking his head slightly. “Thank fuck she wasn’t here for that fight. I’ll have to call her and explain what happened. She’s not going to be happy with me for not telling her sooner.”
I can’t help but snicker at the thought of Wyatt trying to navigate the storm that is Octavia’s displeasure.
Harrison pinches my ass, a playful gesture meant to shush my laughter, but I can’t suppress my smile.
“Maybe you should remind her of the old saying: ‘Happy Luna, happy pack,’” I tease, straightening my features.
“Easy for you to say,” Wyatt mutters, his lips quirking into a smile despite his exhaustion. “You’re not the one who has to face her wrath.”
I glance at Dalton, who is watching the exchange with mild amusement. “Wren’s coven will be arriving soon,” Harrison informs him. “We’ll need rooms ready unless they want to camp in tents by West Creek.”
I nod, my thoughts already drifting to my coven — a mix of powerful witches, each one unique in their abilities. “They’ll want to stay close together, and blocking off the creek is perfect. We can set up a barrier to ensure their safety.”
Just then, a warrior approaches, his gaze steady as he calls my name.
I turn, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of my mother, Agatha, the coven leader and High Priestess, flanked by a group of six others.
I step forward, excitement bubbling within me.
“Mom!” I exclaim, rushing to embrace her.
The warmth of her presence envelops me as she pulls me into a tight hug.
“I’m glad to see you, my dear,” she whispers, her voice smooth like the flowing waters of our sacred waterfall. Her eyes flicker toward Harrison, and I feel a rush of nerves as I realize this is the moment I introduce them. “This is Harrison,” I say, squeezing his large hand tightly. “He’s?—”
“Your mate,” Agatha interrupts, her tone sharp yet laced with curiosity.
She studies Harrison for a moment, her expression softening slightly.
“I wasn’t happy when I found out that my daughter was mated to a wolf, but…
” She trails off, her gaze locking onto the connection between us.
“I can see your aura glows when you’re near her. ”
Harrison shifts slightly, a hint of nervousness creeping into his posture, but he stands tall beside me. As my mother pulls back, she looks at him with a mix of scrutiny and acceptance. “Just don’t screw it up,” she adds, a playful glint in her eye.
“Mom, please,” I murmur, feeling my cheeks heat. Harrison chuckles, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, pulling me gently against him. I melt into his side, comforted by his strength.
“Now,” my mother says, her tone growing serious as she glances around the gathering crowd, “we need to speak privately. Alpha Wyatt, you should be there as well.”
With a nod, Wyatt leads the way to his office in the packhouse, the tension hanging in the air thicker than before. I can feel my heart thumping against my ribcage, a mix of anticipation and dread swirling inside me. Once inside, Wyatt hangs up his cell phone, having just spoken to Octavia.
“Priestess Agatha,” he says, his tone respectful yet cautious as he makes the introductions. “What do you need to speak about since I’m guessing it’s business, not friendly chatter?”
My mom takes a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room. “I recognize the magical tracer left behind on the battlefield,” she states, and I feel my stomach churn. I realize, with a sinking feeling, that I should have noticed it myself. “It’s tied to my oldest daughter, Lenore.”
My heart drops at the mention of Lenore. She’s been missing for years after her mate rejected her, plunging her into despair. Mom continues, her voice steady but heavy with emotion. “The heartbreak turned her dark. She left the coven, and we haven’t heard from her since.”
“Oh, no,” I whisper, my knees feeling weak. Harrison’s grip tightens around my waist, anchoring me as the weight of my mother’s words settles in. “I should have known the signature. I’m so sorry.”
Wyatt speaks up, his voice calm and reassuring. “Wren, you can’t blame yourself for not recognizing something that was hidden. I’m just glad we know one of the players in this messed-up game.”
Mom nods in agreement. “The darkness and apparitions we’ve been fighting — they’re just sent by Lenore to scout our weaknesses. The real fight will come later.”
Her words send a shiver down my spine. Fear grips my heart, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “What do we do?” I ask, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.
My mother’s gaze sharpens, her voice firm. “We prepare. I had a premonition of three main players in this. Lenore is one, but there are two more — the familiar foe and another we have yet to identify.”
I glance around the room, meeting the eyes of my friends and allies, and wonder if I’m strong enough to help keep them all safe.
The thought of failure hangs heavy in the air, but I refuse to crumble under the weight of it all.
“We’ll find a way,” I say, determination lacing my voice. “Together, we can face whatever comes.”