Page 35 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
MYSTERY WITCH BITCH
Wren
The sun climbs higher, casting its golden light across the landscape, but a shadow looms over the pack house — a foreboding reminder of the chaos we’ve just unearthed.
Harrison and I sit in silence, the warmth of his body a comforting shield against the chill creeping into my bones.
I know we can’t stay in this moment forever, and that reality will soon demand our attention, but for now, I savor the peace, allowing the chaos around us to fade into the background.
“Do you think Poppy will be okay?” I finally ask, breaking the silence that has settled between us like a heavy blanket.
Harrison glances toward the door. “She’s strong,” he replies, his voice steady. “But tapping into someone else’s mind like that — it takes a toll. I’d like to think she’ll bounce back, especially with Dalton looking after her.”
I nod, but a sliver of worry still gnaws at me.
Poppy’s ability to read minds and dive in their memories is a gift, but it also makes her vulnerable to the weight of others’ emotions and memories.
I can’t help but wonder how much of Fredrick’s darkness lingers in her mind now, seeping into her aura like ink on paper.
“Wren?” Harrison’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You okay?”
I lift my gaze to meet his, finding warmth and concern mirrored in his deep blue eyes. “I’m just thinking about everything. About Octavia, about Poppy, and what this means for us moving forward.”
Harrison’s grip tightens around me, his thumb brushing softly against my shoulder. “We’ll figure it out together,” he reassures me. “Just remember, we’re not alone in this. We have the pack, and we have each other.”
His words bring me comfort, grounding me in the present.
But something in the back of my mind whispers that our journey is just beginning.
We have a mystery to unravel, and the threat of Fredrick’s machinations still looms large.
I pull away slightly, looking into his eyes, hoping to convey both my gratitude and the weight of the uncertainty hanging over us.
“Let’s head back inside,” I suggest, pushing off the railing. “I want to make sure Octavia is okay, and I need to talk to Wyatt about what my mother said.”
Harrison nods, standing and offering me his hand. As we walk into the formal living room area in the Pack House, I can’t shake the feeling that the air around us is charged with anticipation, as if the walls themselves are holding their breath.
Inside, the atmosphere is starkly different from the serene balcony.
The tension is thick, palpable. Wyatt and Octavia have returned, and she sits on the couch, curled into Wyatt’s side, her face still glistening with tears.
The sight of her so vulnerable tugs at my heart, and I feel an overwhelming urge to comfort her.
“Octavia,” I say softly as we approach. “How are you holding up?”
Her eyes meet mine, shimmering with unshed tears, and I can see the pain etched into her features. “I don’t know,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “I feel so lost. Everything I thought I knew about my past was a lie.”
I sit beside her, reaching for her hand. “It’s okay to feel that way. You’ve been through so much. But you’re not alone. We’re all here for you.”
Wyatt presses a kiss to the top of her head, murmuring soothing words that I can’t quite catch. I can see how much he loves her, and it gives me a small measure of hope. If anyone can guide Octavia through this darkness, it’s him.
Poppy enters the room, looking a bit more color in her cheeks but still weary. Dalton follows closely behind, his expression serious. “I think we need to talk,” he says, glancing at everyone in the room. “About what Fredrick’s plans were and what this means for the pack.”
Wyatt nods, shifting his focus to the group. “Poppy, you’re feeling better? Can you share what you found out?”
She takes a deep breath, looking around at all of us before she speaks. “Fredrick’s obsession with Rosemary wasn’t just personal. It was strategic. He wanted to create chaos within the pack, and using Octavia as a pawn was part of that plan.”
Octavia stiffens beside me, and I squeeze her hand in silent support. “He knew that if he could take her parents away, it would leave her vulnerable,” Poppy continues, her voice gaining strength. “And in that vulnerability, he believed he could manipulate her into becoming his mate.”
“Which is why we need to act quickly,” Dalton interjects, his brow furrowed with concern. “If there’s a witch in play, she could be a threat to all of us. We need to find out who she is and what she wants.”
Harrison leans forward, his expression serious. “And we need to ensure that Fredrick’s influence is completely eradicated. If the witch is still out there, she may not be done with her plans.”
Wyatt nods, determination etched into his features. “I’ll gather the pack. We need to form a strategy, but first, we need to ensure Octavia’s safety. She’s the target here, and we can’t allow him to get anywhere near her.”
Octavia looks up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude and fear. “What if they try to come after me again? I don’t want to be a burden or a target for anyone.”
“You’re not a burden, baby girl,” Wyatt assures her, his voice soft for only her. “You’re part of this pack, and we will protect you with everything we have. We’ll ensure that you’re safe, no matter what it takes.”
As the conversation continues, I feel a sense of urgency building within me. The pieces of this puzzle are aligning, but I know that we haven’t uncovered the full extent of Fredrick’s plans. I glance at Harrison, who catches my eye and nods almost imperceptibly, as if he can sense the same thing.
“Wyatt,” I say, interrupting the discussion. “What if we could use my fire magic to track down that witch? If she’s connected to Fredrick, maybe I can find her energy signature.”
Wyatt raises an eyebrow, considering my suggestion. “It’s worth a try. But we need to be cautious. If she’s truly as powerful as Fredrick, we don’t know what we might be walking into.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” I insist, feeling the fire within me flicker to life. “Tavia has lost too much already. I want to help.”
Harrison shifts closer, his presence anchoring me. “We’ll go together,” he says, his voice steady. “Whatever happens, we face it as a team.”
The room falls silent, and I can feel the weight of everyone’s gaze on me.
Octavia’s eyes are wide with a mix of admiration and fear, and I can sense the respect from the others.
I take a deep breath, gathering my courage.
“Let’s do this. We need to find out who this witch is and stop her before she can cause any more harm. ”
Wyatt nods, his expression resolute. “Then we’ll prepare. Poppy, I think you should join them. Your abilities might help in locating her.”
Poppy straightens, a spark of determination igniting in her eyes. “I’m in. I won’t let that dick-hole Fredrick or that witch bitch destroy any more lives.”
As plans begin to form, I can feel the air shifting around us — a sense of purpose binding us together. We may be facing an uncertain future, but one thing is clear: we are stronger together.
With every moment that passes, I feel my resolve hardening, and the flicker of fire within me intensifying. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my friends, my pack, and the life I’ve chosen alongside Harrison.
“Let’s get to work,” I say, feeling the flames of determination spark within me, my heart beating in sync with the rhythm of our shared purpose.
The air is thick with tension as we gather our resources and prepare for the next steps.
I can’t shake the feeling that we’re standing at the precipice of something monumental, a battle that could change everything.
The pack house, once a home filled with laughter and camaraderie, now feels like a fortress bracing against an impending storm.
Harrison stands close by, his presence a steady anchor in this turbulent sea of emotions. I can feel the heat radiating from him, a constant reminder of the bond we share — a bond that strengthens with every challenge we face.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks, his voice low, a hint of concern lacing his words.
I nod, though my heart races with the weight of what lies ahead. “I have to be. We have to stop whoever this is before she can do any more damage.”
“Then let’s go,” he replies, determination lighting up his eyes. Together, we slip out of the pack house and into the crisp morning air, ready to face whatever awaits us.
The woods surrounding the pack house are dense, the trees standing tall like sentinels guarding secrets of their own.
The Whispering Woods, a place steeped in magic, holds many mysteries, and I can feel the energy pulsing through the ground beneath my feet.
I take a deep breath, centering myself, tapping into the fire that courses through my veins.
Poppy walks beside us, her aura glowing softly, a beacon of strength and resolve. I can sense her determination, and it gives me hope. Together, we can uncover the truth hidden within these woods.
“I think we should start at the outskirts,” Poppy suggests, her voice steady. “If this witch is as powerful as we suspect, she might have left traces of her energy.”
“Agreed,” I respond, glancing at Harrison. “Let’s stay close and keep our senses sharp.”
As we delve deeper into the woods, the trees seem to close in around us, shadows dancing as the sunlight filters through the leaves. The atmosphere grows heavy, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.
“Do you feel that?” Harrison murmurs, his voice low.
I nod, my heart racing. “It’s almost like… a weight in the air. Something is definitely off.”
Poppy stops, closing her eyes, and I watch as the violet mist begins to swirl around her fingertips. “I can sense her,” she says, her brow furrowing. “But it’s faint. She’s hiding her presence well.”