Chapter 68
Wednesday 23rd September, 2020 (Continued)
Harper’s POV
Holly was half Fae and half human. There was no way she would be faster than the wolf guards. She was probably not even faster than the Fae guards. I ran at werewolf speed after the guards chasing Holly. I found them in the corridor, standing around, confused.
If you are reading this on any app other than Dreame or an associate of Dreame, the story has been plagiarised. The author of this story is Joanna J on Dreame. Sorry for not changing the text here. I don’t want it to look different from the rest of the chapter.
“Where is she?” I demanded in my Alpha Voice.
They all trembled.
“We’re trying to find her, Alpha Harper!” Said one of the werewolves.
“Make sure every person, Fae and werewolf alike, know she’s not to be harmed under any circumstances!” I growled.
My words made the walls quake. The guards all nodded emphatically. I left them in that corridor, tailing Holly’s scent. Her scent just seemed to disappear right in the middle of the next hallway. This was what they were probably confused about.
“Holly?” I said.
I looked around the wide hallway. There was a life-size statue in this hallway of the Winter Fae Queen. I drew a sharp intake of breath when I looked to the Queen’s right. There, carved in stone, was my mother. It had to be a depiction of her. Star looked so much like our mother, so beautiful. I sighed. I could only imagine how my Dad probably felt living on without his mate. Now that I had found Holly, being separated from her even for a moment was anxiety-inducing especially when I wasn’t sure if she was safe. I heard a little squeaking sound. I glanced around the hallway. Something made me look up. Holly was literally hanging from the high ceiling, holding onto a rafter for dear life.
“How did you get up there?” I asked, chuckling as relief washed over me.
“I had some levitation powder,” she said, her voice strained with the effort of holding herself up.
“Let go,” I told her, laughing.
“What?” She squealed. “It’s a long way down! And I’m out of powder!” She whined.
“Trust me, Holly,” I said.
Holly seemed to be hyperventilating.
“Holly, that’s an order!” I tried. Lunas could not be commanded and Holly was my fated Luna but I knew she would be too frightened to disobey.
“Ok,” she said shakily. “If you wish it, my Lord, I must oblige you,” she said.
She let go and screamed as she fell. I caught her easily in my arms, carrying her bridal style down the hallway.
“My Lord?” She said, stunned and blushing because of the way I was carrying her.
“My Lady,” I replied, grinning.
Her blush deepened. She hid her face in my collar again.
“I’m a peasant, my Lord,” she mumbled into the fabric.
“Not for long,” I told her. “I will make you royalty,” I said with a wink when she peaked up at me. She hid her face again.
“Would you like that?” I asked her.
“Yes, my Lord,” she said so softly I wouldn’t have heard her if I hadn’t been a wolf.
“I would like that very much,” she continued. “But I am not a suitable Luna or Queen for you. I am what they say. I am a thief. I stole the lingering Lotus from one of the Queen’s gardens and she will have my head for it,” said Holly, her eyes downcast and brimming with tears.
I chuckled softly, drying her eyes with my hand.
“My Lord?” She squeaked, shocked at my reaction.
“Holly, are you insane? No one would lay a hand on you now that they know you are mine. The Queen is in the process of handing over this kingdom and pack to me and to Star,” I explained.
She looked up, her eyes narrowed. “Who is Star, my Lord?” She asked.
Was she jealous?
“Why does it matter who she is?” I asked, taunting her.
“My Lord, I will not be your concubine,” she said brazenly, showing me a little of the sass she had given me before she discovered I was royalty.
I chuckled.
“No, Holly, you will not. You will be my wife and Queen,” I said reassuringly.
Her blush deepened.
“But what of Lady Star? You just said the kingdom belongs to the two of you!” Said Holly, looking more upset than ever.
“My twin sister, Star, will welcome you with open arms, don’t worry,” I said soothingly to my little mate as she clung to me.
Her frown faded. She smiled shyly at me and then returned to hiding in my collar.
“Where are we going, my Lord?” She said softly.
“To our bedroom,” I said nonchalantly.
“My Lord!” She said indignantly.
“I just want to talk,” I said, half-lying.
“Do you think me a seedling my Lord?” She asked, narrowing her eyes again.
Was that the Fae way of asking if I thought she was born yesterday?
“Um, no, you’re a…tree, I guess,” I said.
She burst into a fit of giggles.
“You are so strange, your Highness,” she mumbled into my collar.
“I’m just foreign,” I said defensively.
“Why were you not raised here?” She asked, regarding me with curiosity.
“My father couldn’t bear to raise me himself after my mother’s death and with her gone, my position here would be precarious. He wanted me to come of age safely away from here,” I explained.
She looked shocked. She stared at me, her mouth agape.
“What is it?” I asked her.
She fidgeted in my arms.
“Nothing, my Lord,” she said.
She was lying. I would press her for more later.
“Say my name. Call me Harper,” I said as if it were a command.
She obliged me again.
“Nothing, my Harper,” she said softly.
“If you say so, my Holly,” I said as I gently pressed my lips to her forehead.
Jessie’s POV
I was exhausted. We essentially hadn’t really slept last night. The sun had come up on a new day and Jamie wanted to go to the new alleged burial site of Alpha Alto. She needed rest if we were gonna tango with Georgianna later. I hoped retrieving his body from the church would not require any magic. I was wrong.
“I’ll teleport everyone to the base, rather than driving there,” announced Jamie.
“Little Witch, you must be exhausted,” I protested.
“Jessie,” said Jamie, her eyes brimming with tears. “I need to know this is fixed and done.”
She pressed her forehead to mine.
I can’t lose you! She told me privately.
I nodded. I kissed her passionately as though we were alone, leaving her breathless. I nuzzled her. She wrapped her arms around me and the mausoleum disappeared from view. We hurtled through darkness for a split-second and then we found ourselves at the base of Mount Viper. I spotted an old stone church in the distance, its walls covered in vines and its yard overgrown with tall grass and flowering weeds. Jamie disappeared. I didn’t have to agonise about if she was safe for long as she soon returned with Zaya and Eli. Fox appeared with Noah and Jonah. Fox went back for Quads’ Dad, Alpha Quaid.
“I mind-linked the members of the team who helped with the excavation of the tomb. They’ve shifted and they’re running here,” said Alpha Quaid.
“Oh, we would have went back for them,” said Jamie.
“Save your strength please, Luna Jamie! You’ve done a lot!” Said Alpha Quaid.
Good. She needed to hear that from another Alpha for once.
“I could meet them somewhere,” offered Fox.
“They’re werewolves. They’ll be fine!” Insisted Quaid.
“We don’t actually need too much help,” said Jamie more to herself than to us as she sauntered towards the old abandoned-looking church.
It had a haunting sort of beauty.
“Where would his body be?” I asked her.
“I’m not entirely sure,” she said. “I can’t actually step foot on the grounds but I can divine a more exact location for you all from here,” offered Jamie. “You and the Quads and Alpha Quaid should be able to dig the coffin up.”
“And more help will be here soon,” added Quaid.
“How many Alphas does it take to screw in a light bulb? There’s six alphas here. We’re wolves. We can dig. Jamie find those coordinates and let’s go!” Said Zaya.
I growled. I didn’t like his cheeky tone. Quaid glared at his son. Zaya looked apologetic for once.
“Um, please, Jamie. Thank you. Sorry, I’m just tired,” Zaya mumbled.
“Yeah, just you,” I snapped sarcastically.All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
“You’re right, we’re all tired,” admitted Zaya.
Jamie sat cross-legged on the floor. Fox sat opposite her. They held hands. My wolf snarled within me. I quieted him. He was being irrational. He couldn’t help it. He was very possessive of his little witch as was I.
I looked into Jamie’s mine though our mate-bond. I saw what she was seeing in her mind’s eye. She pictured herself able to walk through the church grounds, through the tall grass. The air dry, the sun hot. Inside the church was cool. Her mind took her across the church tiles towards the altar. She approached one of the confessionals. She entered the Priest’s side. There was a trap door! Her mind easily glided through the floor, seining the stairs underneath the trap door. Cool and damp. A cave of some kind. Down there was a marble platform like the ones back at the mausoleum!
“He’s under the church!” Blurted out Jamie and Fox in unison, both pairs of eyes snapping open.
“On the Priest side of the confessional box,” said Jamie.
“There’s a trap door and then some stairs,” continued Fox.
“Descend the stairs and you’ll find a marble platform like the ones in the mausoleum!” Said Jamie.
“Break it and dig up the coffin!” Instructed Fox.
Zaya was already stripping and shifting. I did the same.
“I’ll stay in human form to open the trap door,” said Eli.
“Dad, maybe you should let the pack warriors go home. We won’t really need them,” said Jonah kindly.
“They’re probably tired,” added Noah.
Alpha Quaid nodded.
Everyone shifted with the exception of Noah and Alpha Quaid.
There was a fence surrounding the church yard with a gate that creaked as we opened it. I looked over my shoulder at Jamie and Fox.
Stay put! Don’t come in no matter what happens! I told her.
Witches and wizards could potentially die if they stepped foot on hallowed ground. The six alphas present entered the church yard. We looked around as we waded through the sea of tall grass. We reached the stone steps and ascended the short fight of stairs to a fine set of double doors. Aside from the overgrown foliage, the church was surprisingly well-kept, especially inside. The floor tile gleamed. There was a heavy silence in the church. We walked towards the confessionals. I was not sure which side was the priest’s side. We checked both. The second side had a small carpet on its floor. I ripped it from the floor with my teeth and spotted the trap door. It was a tight squeeze for huge alpha wolves in this small confessional but we were so eager to get to the task at hand. My heart raced. I could hear the five other wolf hearts beating wildly. Noah pried open the trap door. It was a bit stiff but it opened with moderate force. We descended the stone steps just as Jamie had told us to do.
I always get nervous when things are too easy, said Zaya in hushed tones over mind-link to everyone.
I did too.
We found ourselves in a high-ceilinged but small cellar with a marble platform in the middle of it. Alpha Quaid punched the marble with his bare hands cracking it. Noah helped his Dad remove the slabs of marble, revealing the soil beneath. Noah and Alpha Quaid shifted so that we were all in wolf form. We all began to dig. I could only remember digging faster than this once in my life. It was back when Jamie’s so-called best friend had buried her alive. I had never been so scared in my life. I pushed that awful memory away and focused on the task at hand. We unearthed a magnificent coffin like the ones from the Alpha Mausoleum. Alpha Quaid shifted back and lifted the lid of the coffin. I held my breath, terrified this one would be empty too. It wasn’t.
Yes! Yes! Finally! Yelled Zaya over mind-link.
Let’s get him to Georgianna immediately! Said Jonah.
I could feel everyone’s relief including my own. Alpha Alto was here. Perfectly unmarred by death. No decay whatsoever. He looked as if he were merely sleeping just like Georgianna’s body. Was this strange phenomenon Georgianna’s doing? Had she done something so their bodies would be preserved. We all shifted back. It would be a little difficult to get Alto’s body out of the coffin and transport him six feet upwards, then up the stairs and out of the church.
Suddenly the body of Alto levitated hovering in midair.
“I knew it! This was too easy! Something is happening!” Bellowed Zaya.
Jamie looked into my mind.
It’s me. I’m helping remotely. Fox too. We’ll carry the body out ok, said Jamie through our link.
I was too tired to protest.
“It’s Jamie and Fox,” I told Zaya reassuringly.
“Oh,” said Zaya, looking visibly relieved and a tad embarrassed. We followed the levitating body outside and dressed while Jamie inspected the body.
“All clear?” I asked, looking at Jamie who had her palm on Alto’s forehead.
“It’s him, I can feel it,” said Jamie softly.
“Finally!”muttered Zaya. “I was worried this was a decoy or something.”
“No definitely not!” Said Jamie.
“Now let’s reunite the bodies,” Eli said eagerly.
Jamie glanced at me and then back at Alto, looking worried. Fox looked concerned too.
“What now?” Demanded Zaya angrily.
Jessie growled.
Jonah tapped Zaya on his head and Zaya tapped him back.
“Sorry, Luna Jamie, it’s not directed at you,” said Zaya quickly.
“I know that, Zaya,” said Jamie softly with a small smile on her face.
“Ceremonially-speaking, Star and you four should be the one to reunite Alpha Alto and Luna or Mother Georgianna. We didn’t need Star for the seance with Alpha Oleander but to ensure Star escapes Georgianna’s wrath, Star should offer Alpha Alto to her,” explained Fox.
“Does it matter?” Zaya asked desperately, his face falling.
“Yeah, it does,” said Jamie softly. “Unfortunately. Witchcraft is all about symbolism. This offering should come from Star and you four but especially Star. Curse-wise, she’s exchanging her life which the curse would have claimed for Alpha Alto’s body. A mate for a mate. She’s bargaining with Georgianna. She needs to be present when we reunite the bodies. I don’t fully trust Georgianna to absolve Star and exclude her from the curse if she doesn’t help return Alto,” explained Jamie.
“Oh,” I said. “You’re thinking Georgianna might be tricky…with her wording.”
Jamie nodded.
“Like a genie you mean?” Asked Noah.
“Exactly,” said Jamie eagerly. “I know I’m a witch but truth be told witchcraft is comfortable enough with deception. Georgianna could break the curse for everyone after Star if we’re not careful. Star not being present would be a bit of a slap in the face to Georgianna. I don’t think we should take that risk after everything we’ve done to save everyone!” Jamie explained.
Jonah nodded. “We need to get Star here, pronto,” he said.
“Her Dad’s seven day ban,” said Zaya pointedly.
“He obviously doesn’t know about the curse, does he?” I asked.
The Quads weren’t too upfront. They were still Alphas in training technically.
“He doesn’t know,” admitted Eli.
“Tell him,” I instructed. I thought of my little girl at home. “Any father would change his mind about something that could save his daughter’s life.”
“Or he might just ban us from Star forever?” Worried Zaya out-loud.
“He’s a grown man. He knows that’s not realistic. He would want the safest and surest course when it comes to his daughter!” I explained.
Zaya thought about it for a moment. “Ok,” said the youngest Quad. “Eli, he likes you best.”
“He won’t after this…but I’ll tell him,” said Eli sadly.
“We can call the Ice Moon Castle mirror,” offered Jamie.
Noah nodded. “What’s that vibration?” Said Noah.
“My phone,” muttered Jonah. “Angie.”
All of his brothers g*****d.
“Just find out what she wants,” said Noah.
Jonah’s POV
Angie had been blowing my phone up ever since we left the Viper Moon Pack. I had been allowing the calls to go to voicemail and ignoring the messages. We wouldn’t have gotten good reception when I was up north anyway. I finally answered.
“Hello!” Said Angie, her voice annoyed.
“Hey,” I said.
“Where have you been?” She hissed.
“It’s a really long story. Pack emergency,” I said.
“Well, what’s her face isn’t here either,” barked Angie.
My wolf snarled.
“So what am I supposed to think,” snapped Angie.
“I’ll be back at school soon,” I promised.
“You don’t care about anything do you? Not even your best friend, huh?” Said Angie snidely.
“Chet?” I said, confused.
“Yes,” hissed Angie.
“Why, what happened?” I asked softly.
My stomach was doing backflips. Angie’s tone sounded a bit smug as if she relished relating this awful news.
“Well, the whole school is buzzing. Toby is the one who told everyone. Toby came back from his trip early because he had a near-death experience or whatever but he’s fine. He’s just dramatic. He, Chet and Gillian were gonna go to some random place together, a restaurant or something and Toby decided to stay home because he was still freaked out about his near death experience. They went ahead without him. He was trying to reach them and he couldn’t so he called Gillian’s Mom,” said Angie.
“Please, get to the point, Angie,” I begged her. I was tired and now I was anxious.
“I’m doing that. Gillian’s Mom was sobbing. Chet’s car ran off the road and crumpled like paper. It was such a bad accident,” said Angie dryly.
My heart was pounding.
“Jonah?” Asked Noah. “What’s going on?”
Eli came over and put a hand on my shoulder.
Zaya looked pale.
“Don’t worry, Honey,” spat Angie snidely. “They’re alive. Barely. Both Jillian and Chet are in ICU on life support according to Toby. He’s beside himself, thinking it’s his fault cause he would have been in the car and it would’ve been his second near-death-experience,” snorted Angie. She was stifling her laughter. “Toby thinks he’s like cursed or something. What a lunatic!”
I hung up.
This was all my fault.