Page 18 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)

“Thank you all for being here,” I say, my voice steady as I gather their attention once more. “We’ve faced challenges before, and we’ll face them again. But as long as we stand together, we can overcome anything.”

Cheers erupt once more, their voices ringing out in affirmation. I feel the warmth of their support surrounding me, and in that moment, I know we’re ready to face Lenore and the darkness she brings.

The flickering flames cast dancing shadows, and I can’t help but feel a sense of hope blooming within me. Together, we can face anything — even the shadows that threaten to tear us apart.

Eventually, I find myself sitting close to Harrison, the firelight reflecting in his eyes, the warmth of his body grounding me as we share quiet moments away from the laughter. I lean my head against his shoulder, feeling a sense of peace wash over me.

“Little Bird,” he says softly, his voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t want you to worry about Lenore. We’ll deal with her together. You’re not alone in this.”

I look up at him, gratitude swelling in my chest. “I know. I just… I can’t help but think of my sister. She was so different once. I want to believe there’s still a part of her that can be saved.”

Harrison’s gaze softens, and he brushes his fingers against my cheek. “We’ll do everything we can to bring her back. But if she’s too far gone, we’ll protect you and the pack at all costs. I promise.”

His words resonate within me, a reminder of the strength we share. I nod, feeling a sense of resolve building within me. “I won’t give up on her. But I also won’t let her hurt anyone I love.”

As the night wears on, we share stories, laughter, and the bonds that tie us together.

The bonfire crackles, and I glance around at my pack, my coven, my family.

In this moment, I know that whatever darkness lies ahead, we will face it together, united in our strength and love.

I find solace in the knowledge that we are ready to confront whatever challenges Lenore and her darkness may bring.

But as the embers of the fire flicker and fade, a sense of unease settles in my gut. I can’t shake the feeling that Lenore is watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. And when she does, I need to be ready.

The stars twinkle above, and I gaze into the vastness of the sky, feeling a connection to the universe that surrounds us. I lean my head against Harrison’s shouldering myself before we transition into the next phase of our training.

“Alright, everyone!” I call out, my voice ringing with authority.

“Now that we’re warmed up, we’re going to split into pairs.

I want each of you to practice your combat skills — both physical and magical.

Remember, we’re not just fighting against Lenore; we’re preparing for whatever dark forces she may summon, along with whoever else is involved. ”

The pack members move quickly, forming pairs and spacing out across the training grounds. I can see the camaraderie among them — the playful jabs, the competitive banter. It’s a sight that fills my heart with warmth; despite the looming threat, they’re united in spirit.

Harrison steps beside me, his brow furrowed with focus. “I’ll take the lead with the fighters,” he says, his eyes scanning the pairs as they begin their sparring. “You and Poppy can help with the coven member pairs. We’ll incorporate defensive magic into their training.”

“Good idea,” I reply, feeling the adrenaline surging through my veins. “Let’s show them how to blend their magic with their physical skills. It’s all about finding that balance.”

As we separate, I lead Poppy toward a group of my coven members who are standing together, their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension.

“Alright, everyone,” I say, clapping my hands to grab their attention.

“We’re going to work on enhancing your magical defenses.

I want you to feel the energy around you and channel it into your spells. ”

Poppy stands beside me, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Let’s start with a simple shielding spell,” she suggests, and I nod, appreciating her initiative.

“Everyone, focus on your breath,” I instruct, demonstrating how to ground ourselves. “Feel the earth beneath your feet, the air swirling around you. Visualize a protective barrier forming around you — something strong and shimmering that can repel any attack.”

The coven members close their eyes, and I can sense the energy beginning to shift in the air. I join them, focusing on my own magic and visualizing the barrier. I can feel the warmth of our collective energy, a pulsing light that radiates from each of us.

“Now, let’s channel that energy outward,” Poppy encourages. “On the count of three, we’ll all release our magic together. Ready?”

“One… two… three!”

As we release our magic, I feel the air crackle around us, a brilliant magenta light expanding from our circle.

The wards shimmer and pulse, creating an ethereal barrier that wraps around us like a cocoon.

I can hear gasps of awe from my coven members, and my heart swells with pride as I watch them embrace their power.

“Great job, everyone!” I exclaim, beaming at them. “That’s the kind of magic we need to protect ourselves and the pack. Let’s do it again!”

We repeat the exercise, each time the energy growing stronger and more vibrant. I can feel the bond between us deepening, the magic weaving together like an intricate tapestry. The more we practice, the more confident I become in our ability to face whatever Lenore has in store.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the training grounds, I can see Harrison leading the fighters through a series of drills. He’s demonstrating moves with precision, his body moving fluidly as he shows them how to combine strength and agility.

“Remember to stay light on your feet!” he calls out, his voice booming over the sounds of sparring and laughter. “You need to be able to react quickly. Anticipate your opponent’s moves!”

I can’t help but admire him — the way he commands respect and inspires confidence in the pack. He’s a natural leader, and I feel a rush of pride knowing he’s fighting by my side.

As the training continues, I move between different groups, offering guidance and encouragement, relishing the opportunity to teach and learn from my coven. It feels good to be proactive, to channel our fear into something productive.

After a while, I catch sight of Wyatt, who has been observing the training from a distance.

He approaches me, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Wren,” he begins, “I wanted to commend you on how you’ve integrated your coven into our training.

It’s not easy bringing two different groups together, but you’ve done it seamlessly. ”

“Thank you, Alpha Wyatt,” I reply, feeling a rush of gratitude for his support. “I believe that by uniting our strengths, we can create a formidable force against Lenore. We’re all in this together.”

He nods, his gaze shifting to where Harrison is leading a sparring match. “You and Harrison make a good team,” he observes, a hint of admiration in his voice. “He’s fiercely protective of you, and it shows. By the way, you can just call me Wyatt when it’s just us. Family doesn’t use formalities.”

I glance at Harrison, who’s currently demonstrating a particularly tricky maneuver to one of the younger pack members. My heart swells with affection. “He is,” I confirm. “He’s been my rock through all of this, and I’m grateful for his support.”

Wyatt’s expression grows serious. “Just be cautious. The bond between mates is powerful, but it can also be used against you. If Lenore knows how much you mean to each other, she may try to exploit that.”

A chill runs down my spine at his words. “You’re right,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be careful.”

“We all will,” he assures me. “We have each other’s backs, and we’ll protect one another.”

As the training session continues, I can feel the bonds of family and friendship strengthening around us. The shared laughter, the competitive spirit, and the determination to stand together against the darkness — it all builds a sense of hope that I cling to.

I gather everyone together for a final huddle. “I’m proud of each and every one of you,” I say, my heart swelling with pride. “Tonight, we’ve taken a significant step toward preparing for what lies ahead. Remember, we’re stronger when we work together.”

The pack members cheer, their voices rising in a chorus of unity. I can feel the energy coursing through us, a palpable sense of hope and determination that fills the air.

“Tomorrow, we’ll train again,” I remind them, my voice steady. “But for tonight, let’s rest and recharge. We’ll need our strength for the battles ahead.”

As the gathering disperses, I feel a sense of accomplishment wash over me. We’ve come together as a family — pack and coven alike — and I know that whatever darkness Lenore brings, we’ll face it united.

Harrison approaches me, a proud smile on his face. “You were incredible out there, baby. You inspired everyone.”

“Thank you,” I reply, feeling a blush creep to my cheeks. “But it was a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without you supporting me.”

He steps closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me against him. “We’re in this together, remember?”

I nod, resting my head against his sweaty chest, comforted by the steady beat of his heart. “Always.”

Later that evening, as I prepare for bed in our suite at the packhouse, I can’t shake the feeling of anticipation building inside me.

I sit on the edge of the bed, my thoughts swirling as I reflect on the day.

The training, the laughter, the sense of purpose — it all feels like a fragile thread weaving our fates together.

I glance out the window, the moonlight illuminating the forest beyond. A sense of unease creeps in as I think about Lenore and the darkness she embodies. But then I think of my coven, my pack, and Harrison. They are my strength, my reason to fight.

Just as I settle into bed, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it, surprised to see a message from Poppy.

Poppy

Hey! Just wanted to check in. How are you feeling? We’ve got your back, you know!

I smile, my heart warming at her words.

I’m okay, just a bit anxious about what’s to come. But I know we’re ready for this!

A moment later, my phone buzzes again.

Poppy

Absolutely! Together, we’ll face whatever Witch Bitch- Lenore throws at us. Sleep tight, Boo

I set my phone down, feeling a sense of comfort wrap around me. I close my eyes, allowing the exhaustion of the day to wash over me. I drift off to sleep, knowing that tomorrow will bring new challenges.