Page 34 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
OUR PAST TENDS TO COME BACK AROUND
Wren
The morning sun spills through the high windows of the pack house, casting warm beams against the cool metal of the spiral staircase.
Each step I take down feels heavier than the last, my heart thumping with an unsettling mix of dread and curiosity.
I can’t shake the image of the charred body from last night, the remnants of a life extinguished by my own powers — and yet, it was necessary.
It was either him or Harrison, my mate, and I chose love over darkness.
As I reach the bottom, the air thickens, charged with an electric tension.
I step into the first room I see, and the sight before me grips my heart in a vice.
There, sprawled on the floor, lies the man I killed last night — his body twisted in death, the stench of burnt flesh mingling with the metallic tang of blood.
My magical signature lingers in the air, a reminder of my fiery retribution.
I shudder, my breath catching as Wyatt, the alpha of the Waterton Pack, looks up from the scene, his expression a mix of grief and determination.
“Wren,” he greets, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding us.
The others are here, too — Harrison, my steadfast mate, stands protectively nearby; Octavia, the Luna, her eyes red-rimmed and glassy; Poppy, her best friend, looking resolute; and Dalton, the Beta, who seems caught between duty and concern.
Wyatt’s gaze shifts back to the body, and he explains the gravity of our discovery. “This is Alpha Fredrick Leaver, from Octavia’s old pack. We need to know why he did this.” He glances at Poppy, as if she alone holds the key to unlocking the remnants of the past.
Poppy steps forward, her aura shimmering with violet hues, a signal of her readiness to delve into the depths of Fredrick’s mind.
Harrison moves closer to me, wrapping his arms around my waist as if to anchor me amidst the swirling emotions.
My heart races at the sight of Poppy’s determination; she’s always had a way of getting to the truth.
“Be careful,” I whisper, though I know she can handle herself. Poppy places her hand above Fredrick’s charred body, and a mist of violet energy escapes her fingertips, swirling and sinking into his lifeless form. The room falls silent as we all watch, our breaths held in anticipation.
“I see him,” Poppy whispers, her voice trembling.
“He’s… he’s obsessed with Rosemary, Octavia’s mother.
He wanted her to be his chosen mate, despite her already being bonded with someone else.
” The revelation hangs in the air, thick and heavy, as she continues.
“He pursued her relentlessly, but she wouldn’t yield.
When he realized he couldn’t break their bond, he turned his sights on Octavia instead. ”
My heart sinks as I begin to understand the gravity of what Poppy is revealing. The pain etched on Octavia’s face is palpable, and I can feel the wave of sorrow crashing over her. Harrison tightens his hold on me, a silent promise of support.
Poppy’s eyes are wide as she continues, “He made a deal with a black magic witch. He wanted power, and he was willing to kill for it. He thought that if he eliminated Rosemary and her mate, he could have Octavia.” She pauses, the weight of her words causing a collective gasp from the group.
“But it backfired. Octavia was left without her parents, and Fredrick’s twisted plans only deepened her grief. ”
Tears begin to spill from Poppy’s eyes, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.
She’s taken on the burden of revealing these dark truths, and I can see how it drains her.
As she pulls her magic back, her eyes flutter open, glistening with unshed tears.
She looks directly at Octavia, who is now cradled against Wyatt’s chest, her sobs muffled by the fabric of his shirt.
“Octavia,” Poppy whispers, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”
Wyatt holds Octavia tighter, whispering soothing words that I can’t hear but can imagine. In this moment, comforting words feel inadequate. I want to say something, to reach out and ease her pain, but I know that right now, she needs her mate more than anything I could offer.
Harrison brushes his fingers through my hair, planting a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “We’ll be here for her,” he murmurs, his voice a soothing balm against the storm of emotions swirling within me. “But Octavia needs Wyatt right now.”
Wyatt lifts Octavia effortlessly, cradling her in his arms as he carries her out of the room, presumably to their suite.
The moment is heavy, the air thick with grief and resolve.
I glance at Poppy, who looks pale and drained; the energy she expended takes a toll on her, and I wonder how she can bear the weight of such dark memories.
Dalton, ever the attentive Beta, steps forward, concern etched on his face. “Come on Cupcake, let me take you to the kitchen. You need something to eat, maybe a snack before you rest.”
She nods, her expression distant, and as they exit the room, a strange tension lingers, an unspoken connection between them that I can’t quite place. I turn to Harrison, my thoughts racing. “Do you think they’re…?” I trail off, unable to voice the thought that’s creeping into my mind.
“Maybe,” he replies, his brow furrowing slightly.
I chew on my lip, curiosity mingling with the need to focus on the present. “I need to call my mother,” I say, the urgency bubbling to the surface. Agatha, my mother, the High Priestess of our coven, will know how to navigate this chaos.
As we make our way back to our Beta suite, I dial her number, my heart racing at the thought of sharing the truth about Fredrick’s betrayal. Harrison settles on our balcony, the outdoor heater crackling softly, creating a cocoon of warmth against the chill of the morning air.
“Wren, my darling girl,” mom answers, her voice a calming melody. I recount the story, skimming over the details but emphasizing the extent of Fredrick’s deceit. She listens intently, her silence coaxing me forward.
“I’m not surprised,” she finally says, her tone thoughtful. “Fredrick has always had a reputation for being self-centered. But this… this is beyond what I had imagined. He’s crossed lines that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Lenore’s voice cuts in from the background, and I can’t help but smile, knowing she’s there with my mother.
“Hello, Sissy,” she chirps. “I’ve encountered a rogue woman before, one who followed orders from someone with an Alpha aura.
It sounds like Fredrick might have been the main hand in this after all. ”
“Exactly!” I exclaim, the pieces falling into place. “He may have orchestrated everything from the shadows, but the bond with the witch is troubling. How do we deal with this?”
“Stay vigilant,” Agatha advises, her tone serious. “There’s more to uncover, and you’ll need your strength and wits about you. I’ll consult with the coven and see what we can gather.”
We exchange a few more words, and soon I hang up, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. I step onto the balcony, the crisp air filling my lungs, and lean against the railing.
Harrison opens his arms, and I fall into his embrace, relishing the warmth radiating from him.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his voice low and soothing.
“Just a lot to process,” I admit, resting my head against his chest. “But I’m grateful to have you by my side.”
He kisses the top of my head, a gesture that sends a ripple of comfort through me. “We’ll figure this out together. And whatever comes, I won’t let anything happen to you, Little Bird.”
I look up at him, his ocean eyes filled with determination and love. In this tumultuous world where darkness lurks in every shadow, I feel a flicker of hope igniting within me. With Harrison beside me, I know we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.
As we sit together on the balcony, the sun continues its ascent, illuminating the path before us. We are warriors in our own right — each wielding our unique powers, bound by love and purpose. Whatever comes next, I’m ready to face it head-on, with my mate at my side.
For now, though, we simply breathe together, anchored in this moment, preparing for the storm that is yet to come.