Page 16 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)

THE PLAYERS IN THIS GAME

Wren

The atmosphere in Wyatt’s office shifts, the air thick with a resolve that binds us together.

I can sense the collective strength of the Waterton Pack surging alongside my coven’s magic.

We are here for a reason — to confront the darkness threatening our lives, our loved ones, and our very way of existence.

“Agatha,” Wyatt says, breaking the silence that lingers like a heavy fog, “do you have any idea who the other two players might be?”

Agatha shakes her head slowly, her brow furrowing in concentration. “The familiar foe is someone within your pack. I have my suspicions, but we need more information. As for the third, it’s someone I cannot yet identify — a friendly foe who has been watching us from the shadows.”

Harrison shifts beside me, his body radiating tension. “A traitor in our pack?” he asks, his voice low and dangerous. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.”

I nod, feeling the unease ripple through the room. “What if we set up wards to detect any malicious magic? We can use my coven’s energy to strengthen the barriers around the pack’s borders. If anyone tries to infiltrate,” I suggest, “we’ll know.”

Wyatt considers my proposal, his gaze flicking between Agatha and me. “That might work. We can fortify our defenses while you’re here with your coven.”

“High Priestess, do you think Lenore will come after us directly?” I ask, my voice tinged with worry. “Or will she continue to send her apparitions?”

Mom’s eyes narrow, the weight of her knowledge weighing heavily on her. “I believe she will test our strength first. She’s fallen to the dark, but still cunning and strategic. If she senses weakness, she’ll strike when we least expect it.”

Harrison’s grip on me tightens, and I lean into him, drawing strength from his presence. “Then we’ll have to show her that we’re stronger together,” he declares, his voice steady. “We won’t give her the satisfaction of seeing us falter.”

I can’t help but admire the fiery resolve in his tone. It ignites a spark within me — a determination to protect the family I’ve found among the wolves, to fight alongside my coven, and to confront the darkness that looms over us.

“Let’s gather the pack,” Wyatt says, his authority commanding immediate attention. “We need to inform everyone about the situation and prepare them for what’s to come.”

As the words resonate throughout the room, a sense of urgency fills the air.

I can feel the weight of responsibility resting on my shoulders, but with each passing moment, I’m reminded that I’m not alone in this fight.

Harrison stands steadfast beside me, and the members of the Waterton Pack share a bond that’s deeper than blood.

Wyatt turns to me, his expression serious. “Wren, I want you and your coven to prepare the wards. We’ll need every ounce of magic you can summon. If Lenore is as powerful as you say, we can’t take any chances.”

“Of course, Alpha Wyatt,” I reply, my heart racing with both fear and determination. “We’ll get to work immediately.”

As we move to leave the office, I take a moment to glance back at my mother, who watches me with pride and concern in her eyes. “Mom, I’ll do everything I can to help,” I assure her, wanting to ease the worry etched on her face.

She nods slowly, her expression softening. “I know you will, my darling daughter. Trust in your strength. You have a gift that can change the tide. My only sunshine.”

With those words echoing in my mind, I step out of Wyatt’s office and into the bustling packhouse. The atmosphere is charged, the air thick with purpose. I can see members of the pack gathering, exchanging hushed words and concerned glances.

Harrison walks beside me, his presence a steadying force. “We’ll need to make sure the coven knows what they’re up against,” he says, his voice low and serious. “They should be prepared for anything when they arrive.”

I nod, my mind racing with thoughts. “I’ll gather them in the main hall and explain the situation, if that’s okay with you. We can strategize together. If we work as one, we’ll stand a better chance against whatever Lenore has planned.”

As we reach the main hall, I see the pack members forming a semi-circle, their faces a mixture of concern and resolve.

I step forward, taking a deep breath to calm the flutter of anxiety in my chest. “Everyone, thank you for coming,” I begin, my voice ringing out in the tense silence.

“I know things have been chaotic, but I have important news.”

Wyatt stands beside me, his presence reassuring as he gestures for me to continue.

“As many of you know, we’ve faced rogue attacks recently,” I continue, glancing around the room.

“But there’s more to this than we realized.

The magic we encountered on the battlefield is linked to my estranged sister, Lenore. ”

A murmur ripples through the crowd. “Lenore?” someone from my coven whispers, their voice filled with disbelief. “I thought it was said she left and was to never return.”

“She was,” I confirm, my heart aching at the thought of my sister. “But she’s returned, and she’s not the same. The darkness she’s embraced has made her powerful and dangerous. She’s been sending apparitions to test our defenses, looking for weaknesses.”

Wyatt steps forward, his voice strong and commanding. “We need to fortify our borders and prepare for what’s to come. Wren’s coven will assist us in creating wards to protect the pack. We cannot let her catch us off guard.”

I watch as the pack members exchange glances, their determination hardening. “We stand together,” one of them calls out, their voice ringing with conviction. “We’re a family, we're a pack, and we’ll fight for each other.”

“Yes!” I reply, feeling a surge of hope. “Together, we can face this darkness. But we need to be vigilant and ready for anything. We’ll gather our resources, strengthen our defenses, and prepare for the battle ahead.”

As the meeting wraps up, I swear I can feel the energy shifting in the room. The pack is rallying, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead. I glance at Harrison, who watches me with pride, as if he knows the storm brewing inside me.

“Let’s get to work,” he says, his voice steady. “We have a lot to do, and I want you by my side, Little Bird.”

His words ignite a fire within me, and for the first time since everything began, I feel a sense of purpose. “Let’s do it,” I reply, determination flooding my veins.

We head to the outdoor training grounds, where I can feel the presence of my coven approaching.

I can sense their energy, the magic swirling around them as they draw closer.

A familiar figure emerges from the forest — a tall, confident woman with long, flowing hair and an air of authority.

It’s Poppy, one of my closest friends and a powerful witch in her own right along with a half bear shifter. Yeah, that’s a story for another time.

“Wren!” she calls, her voice filled with excitement as she rushes toward me. “I heard what happened. Are you okay?”

I nod, pulling her into a tight embrace. “I am now. We need to prepare, though. There’s a lot at stake, and Lenore’s return changes everything.”

Poppy’s expression shifts from concern to determination. “We’ll do whatever it takes. I see your coven is here for you.”

As my coven members gather around, I feel a wave of comfort wash over me. Each of them brings their unique strengths to the table, and I know together we can stand against the darkness Lenore has unleashed.

“Listen up, everyone,” I say, raising my voice to capture their attention. “We’re dealing with a serious threat, and we need to work together to protect the pack and ourselves. Lenore has been sending apparitions to test our defenses, and we need to fortify our borders.”

“What do you need from us?” Poppy asks, her eyes gleaming with determination.

“I need everyone’s help to create wards around the pack’s perimeter. We can draw on the energy of the land and channel it into protective barriers. If we work together, we can make them strong enough to withstand whatever Lenore sends our way.”

My coven members nod, their expressions resolute. “Let’s get to it!” they shout in unison, and I can’t help but smile at the unity we share.

With a sense of purpose, we set to work. We gather in a clearing near the edge of the pack territory, where the trees stand tall and proud. The air is thick with magic, and as we form a circle, I can feel the energy buzzing around us.

“Close your eyes,” I instruct, “and take a deep breath. Focus on the energy that flows through you and the earth beneath your feet. Find your element.”

We breathe together, the rhythm of our hearts syncing as we draw on the natural magic that surrounds us. I can feel the pulse of the earth beneath us, a steady heartbeat that resonates with our own. The fire simmering just beneath my skin, and I hold it back from bursting free.

“Now, envision the barriers,” I say, guiding them through the process. “See them rising from the ground, shimmering with protective energy. Picture them forming a shield around the pack, strong and impenetrable.”

As we concentrate, I can sense the wards beginning to take form, flickers of iridescent light dancing in the air as our collective magic intertwines. The energy is intoxicating, and I smile as I watch my coven members channeling their power.

Suddenly, a surge of energy explodes from the center of our circle, and I open my eyes to see the air shimmering with a radiant light. The wards are manifesting, glowing with a brilliant citrine aura that wraps around us like a protective cocoon.

“Keep it steady!” I call out, feeling the energy shift as we focus our intentions. “We can’t let up until it’s finished!”

The ground beneath us thrums with power, and I can sense the wards solidifying, forming an impenetrable barrier around the pack. I glance at Poppy, who grins with excitement, her honey brown hair billowing with energy.

“We’re doing it, sista!” she shouts, her voice filled with exhilaration.

“Yes! Just a little more!” I encourage, pushing my magic forward, intertwining it with theirs. The barriers begin to expand, reaching out to encompass the entire pack territory.

With one final push, the wards snap into place, a shimmering wall of iridescent orange energy surrounding us. I can feel the weight of the protection settle around me, and I can’t help but laugh with joy.

“We did it!” I exclaim, feeling the rush of triumph wash over me.

As the light fades, I look around at my coven and pack members, their faces glowing with satisfaction. Harrison steps forward, his eyes alight with pride. “That was incredible, my Little Bird. You’ve rallied your coven and forged a powerful defense to protect us all.”

I can’t help but beam at his praise, but the reality of our situation weighs heavily on my mind. “This is just the beginning, baby,” I say, my voice steady. “Lenore will come for us, and we need to be ready.”

“Then we train,” he replies, determination sparking in his eyes. “We’ll prepare our fighters for whatever she throws at us.”

I nod, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. “Let’s gather everyone and get started.”

As the pack begins to assemble once more, I can feel the energy shifting again. Together, we will train, prepare, and stand ready against whatever darkness Lenore brings.

The sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the clearing. I take a moment to breathe it all in, the scents of pine and earth mingling with the magic in the air. There’s a sense of hope building within me, and I know that as long as we stand together, we can fight the shadows.

“Sista!” Poppy calls out, snapping me from my thoughts. “Are you ready?”

“Always, Pops,” I reply, my voice steady. “Let’s show Lenore that the Waterton Pack and my coven are not to be trifled with.”

With that, we begin our training, the energy of the pack surging around us as we prepare for the challenges ahead.