Gula: The Oswald Witches

by Mathew Ortiz

  Curiosity piqued, he questioned Ming and Karina. Both were evasive with him to the point that he almost lost his temper with Karina. Reining his temper, he suspected they were all in on a secret, and Elizabeth was the ringleader. In all the years together, the two of them had never had secrets. It hurt his feelings, and he demanded answers.

  The door handle clicked, and she strode into the kitchen. Her eyes went wide as she saw him sitting at the head of the table. It was late, past ten, and all the other servants were in bed.

  “Oh! You startled me, Mohamed! Why are you up so late?” She twitted about the kitchen, getting herself a glass of water from the fridge.

  “Elizabeth, how long have we worked together?”

  She paused to think. “I think about twenty-two years, give or take. Why?”

  “In all that time I’ve never known you to lie to me.” Flat, bold, and out there, Mohamed was done with these shenanigans.

  All the color drained from her face, and she grabbed the counter with her free hand to keep herself steady. “Mohamed, why would you say such a thing?”

  “Please, Elizabeth. Do not take me for a fool. I may be getting old, but I’m not senile.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She sipped her water and dumped the rest in the sink, turning to leave. “It’s been a long day. Goodni—”

  “Bennett Mimieux never left the Oswald Estate, did he?” His tone was low and flat. Mohamed held his breath, waiting to see if she would tell the truth. She stumbled at the door. Facing it, she didn’t turn to look at him.

  “No. No he didn’t, Mohamed.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “I want the truth, Elizabeth. I’m the head of staff and more importantly, your friend. I deserve the truth.” Steel crept into his voice. He also tossed in a helping of guilt.

  She spun to face him, her hands clenched to fists at her side. “It doesn’t only affect me. It affects others—”

  “What others?” he demanded, rising to his feet.

  Fear was written all over her face. She pressed her eyelids closed and spoke. “Ming, Karina, Ms. Grace, Ms. Jaime, myself….even young Mr. Mills.”

  “Dear God, all of them? What happened, Elizabeth? I know Mimieux could be difficult at times—”

  “He was a monster.” The ferocity in her voice startled him. “A wolf amongst the lambs. Biding his time, picking his next meal.” She was shaking as she spoke. Mohamed darted around the table and grabbed her arms.

  “You’re scaring me. What happened?” He saw her waver. “Tell me!”

  She flinched at his raised voice. He was sure she would back out, the indecision written all over her face. Then…

  “You’d better sit down, Mohamed. I’ll get the scotch from the cupboard.”

  “I don’t really drink.”

  “You’ll need one for this.” She hurried from the kitchen, returning moments later with two glasses and a full bottle of scotch. Splashing him a hefty glassful, she did the same to her own glass. “What I’m about to tell you is horrible. Events have been going on for years, right under our noses. You may disagree with the outcome, but in the end, justice was served.” She took a long drink, coughing from the potency of the scotch. As she spoke and told her tale, Mohamed blinked in disbelief. Sorrow came next, and rage followed. Oh, so much rage. With shaking hands, he downed his drink as Elizabeth continued to speak. Only the gentle chimes from the old clock counted the hours as they sat up way into the early morning.

  ***

  Air rippled, and he popped into existence. Teleporting was getting easier. He was also able to increase his distance. Each jump was longer than the last. The freedom of his power was heady, and he was the only one in his family with the World Power, under Conjuration. It gave him the ability to flee his overbearing and unkind siblings. He never felt at home among the others, all swans to his ugly duckling. His mother said to be patient. His father didn’t understand at all. He was alone among many. A bead of sweat trickled down his back. Looking around, he searched the darkened pier, looking, pleading for a man, the one who made him feel desired, wanted, and whole.

  A hand clamped over his mouth, and he nearly ported out until a voice, masculine and sensual, whispered in his ear.

  “Don’t scream. It’s me.”

  Melting into the firm body behind him, his body surged with desire. Warm lips touched his neck. “You smell incredible.” More kisses.

  He moaned under the sensual assault. Breathless, Mills arched into the strong hands. Hands that wanted him and only him.

  Chapter 12

  The morning was sunny and bright. The breeze ruffled the oak and maple trees, making their leaves sway. Oliver sat on the bench in an open window of his bedroom. He was nervous. Nervous, anxious, you name it, he was feeling it. Dathan Temple was due to arrive in an hour. Oliver was still upset that Donovan hadn’t told his brother they were mated and bonded, and it was the cause of their current argument as he accused Donovan of being ashamed to be mated to a witch.

  “Ollie, nothing could be further from the truth!” Donovan had snapped. He was pacing in Oliver’s bedroom…naked. Whenever they were in Oliver’s room, Donovan shed his clothes, preferring to be nude. Part of him loved watching his beautiful bondmate in his birthday suit. Other times it was damn distracting. At this moment, he was annoyed and turned on. Damn sexy shifter!

  “Why haven’t you told him, then?” Hurt, Oliver demanded an answer, he got up off the bench and found a spot on the bed.

  “I’m afraid.”

  “Afraid? You think he would turn his back on you?”

  Oliver patted the bed, and the handsome shifter plopped down next to him on the bed.

  “Maybe. No. Yes. I don’t know. I love him so much. It’s been him and me against the world, and meeting you changed all that. You’re my world. What if he can’t accept us?” Crestfallen, Donovan’s shoulders slumped.

  “My family and I will be there for you.”

  “But they’re not my brother. I mean, can you imagine not seeing William, Duncan, or Jaime ever again?” The bleak look in his eyes made Oliver’s heart ache.

  He thought of never seeing his family again made a panic rise in his throat. “I--it would be awful. William may be a jerk, but he’s a great older brother. He always looks out for me. Duncan was my rock. I’m a terrible student, and he tutored me all through school. I’d have failed out if it weren’t for him. And Jaime, ah Curly, she reminds me of my mom so much. I was little kid when she and dad died. Her face is getting blurry in my memory. Jaime is so much like my mom. Kind, loving, and sharp as a tack. Mostly loving. At times they’ve disappointed me, angered me, brought me to tears, and could make me laugh a laugh from my toes to my head. I love them. Not having them would be…I don’t even want to think about it.”

  And he didn’t. The loss of his parents had shattered his young life. Only his brothers, sister, and his aunts kept him going. For that he was eternally grateful.

  Donovan had slid off the bed and crawled over on his knees, pushing himself between Oliver’s knees. “Ollie. You are my breath. My soul. I’d do anything for you. So is my brother, in a different way. Please tell me you understand.” He hugged Oliver close, so tight it almost hurt.

  “I do.” Oliver had kissed Donovan’s shoulder. “Whatever happens, I’m with you… forever.”

  Donovan shuddered in his arms. Wetness touched his shoulder, and Oliver realized Donovan was crying. Silently, he cried while Oliver held him.

  Dononvan lifted his face, gave Oliver a weak smile, and disappeared into the bathroom to blow his nose as Oliver patiently waited. His bondmate struggled to relax and was failing miserably, finally flopping down on the bed beside him.

  More like a case of the nerves, in Oliver’s opinion. Waving his hand, he opened the remaining windows. The day was gorgeous, and he hated the stale smell of the air-conditioned room. The breeze raced about, tossing up the curtains. If he was right, Elizabeth would have the girls open up
the rest of the house. Warm as it was, the temperature was maybe seventy-eight degrees. Perfect weather to air out the house.

  Donovan stiffened suddenly beside him. “He’s here. I can smell him.” Donovan scrambled to get dressed and Oliver sighed. He hated seeing Donovan clothed.

  Oliver held out his hand as he slipped off of their bed. “Come. The truth is all the power we have.”

  Donovan nodded and took his mate’s hand. They dressed in silence and left Oliver’s chambers, hand in hand.

  ***

  Dathan sat in the library chatting with William, Rush, and Jaime as he waited for his brother to come down. The trip back to Oswald House had been quiet. His enforcer, Nakajima Jackson, had driven him. She insisted on going, pointing out an Alpha should never go anywhere alone. He gave in because one, he knew she was right, and two, she wasn’t going to budge on the subject. He did get some satisfaction when his smug enforcer’s jaw dropped at the sight of Oswald House.

  Dathan chafed at waiting for Donovan. He had missed his littermate, but more importantly, he missed his brother. His mother, Joy, reminded him to tell Donovan she loved him, and oddly enough, she hugged Dathan and reminded him that he loved his brother, too. Confused, he rode the entire way to Oswald House trying to figure out what she had meant by that statement.

  He found it hard to concentrate as the enticing scent of Jaime Blackthorne invaded his senses. Tamping down his reaction to her, he focused on talking to William and Rush. If the young woman aroused him, Nakajima would scent it, and his secret would be out.

  Brushing off idle thoughts, he sat sipping the fragrant hibiscus tea he had been served. Nakajima stood behind him, ramrod stiff, guarding him. He had tried to get her to sit, but she refused, pointing out that as enforcer, she had to be on guard at all times. He observed her casing out the library, taking note of all the doors and the windows. Her dedication to him comforted him and only confirmed he had made the right choice in making her one of his guards.

  “I hope the drive was pleasant, Dathan.” William said conversationally. Rush sat next to William, their fingers intertwined. That got a raised eyebrow from Nakajima; however, she remained silent.

  “Very nice.” Dathan smiled and stretched his legs. “I have to admit, though, I do like traveling with your cousin Mills. Teleporting is less taxing on the body than being cooped up in a car for hours.”

  “I totally understand,” William conceded. “I—”

  The door opened, and Oliver walked into the library, followed by Donovan. Dathan rose to greet his brother when a scent smacked his nose. He inhaled sharply, and shock crashed over him. A gasp beside him confirmed what he suspected. Nakajima smelled it, too!

  “What the fuck is going on here, Donovan?” Dathan charged his brother. Donovan flinched and halted, and Oliver placed his body between the Alpha and his brother.

  “I--I was going to tell you…” Donovan began lamely.

  “Tell me what?” Dathan shouted. “That you mated a fucking witch? A solid? Mother of fuck!” Dathan railed. “You stink of magic and solid! You reek of Oswald!”

  “Hey, now!” William barked, and Nakajima turned toward William, growling. Rush shook his head at her and waggled his finger.

  “Don’t even think it,” he warned, and her lips curled nastily.

  “Dathan, please listen.” Donovan pushed around Oliver and lowered his neck in supplication. “He is my mate. My one. I didn’t plan this, but I can’t deny fate. He is my other half.”

  Angrily, Dathan slashed the air with his hand. “I forbid this. No brother of mine is mating a solid, much less an Oswald.” Dathan spun and growled at William, who stood and scowled at him.

  “What is that supposed to mean, Alpha Temple?” Jaime demanded.

  “You planned this, didn’t you?” Dathan accused William, pointing his finger at him. “You enchanted or did some kind of witchy shit to make my brother mate with yours. No self-respecting wolf would mate a solid! I demand you break your spell and release him. Now!”

  “Alpha Temple, ours is a true mating,” Oliver said and linking fingers with Donovan. “And a bonding. We are one.”

  “No!” Dathan raged. “Get your stuff, Donovan, you’re coming back to the pack.” He turned and was about to leave when Donovan replied.

  “No.”

  Dathan spun and closed the distance between himself and his brother. Grabbing Donovan by his hair, he shoved him hard against the library door. “You fucking dare to disobey me? I’m your Alpha.”

  Donovan lowered his eyes but his voice was firm. “You are my Alpha, but Oliver is my mate. My place is with him.”

  “Your place is with me!” Dathan roared.

  Donovan shook his head in the negative and Dathan snarled. He flung his brother to the side and Donovan crashed into the bookcase. Oliver shouted in alarm and ran to his mate, putting his body between Dathan and Donovan.

  “Don’t you ever fucking touch him like that again!” Oliver screamed, and Nakajima made a move toward Oliver before the click of a gun stopped her short. All heads turned and saw Rush level a 9 millimeter Glock at her head.

  “Bullets can’t stop me, human,” she smirked.

  “True, regular bullets can’t,” Rush countered. “But silver-laced bullets can. Now back down, or I’ll take you down.”

  “Good luck trying, solid,” she glanced at the gun for a moment and then snarled. “I’ll rip you to shreds.”

  “He won’t be the only one putting you down, wolf.” Jaime purred as power swirled around her. “Give me a reason to summon a lake around you.”

  The air suddenly crackled, and all heads swung to William. A green glow emanated from his body, and sparks crackled around his fingers. “Stand down, all of you.”

  “This alliance is over!” Dathan seethed. “Donovan, if you don’t come back with me now, you’re exiled from our pack.”

  Donovan paled, visibly shaken, and Oliver gathered up his mate and held him tight. Oliver whispered into Donovan’s ear, making the shifter jerk. He bumped heads with the shifter and a moment later, Donovan nodded. They released each other and Donovan stumbled to his feet. He kissed Oliver passionately and held him close before letting him go. Bright tears shimmered on Oliver’s face as Donovan walked over to join his brother.

  “We’re out of here,” Dathan commanded, “and we’re done here.”

  “No.” A feminine voice halted him. “No, you’re not.”

  “Mother?” Dathan blinked in shock as his mother entered the library followed by Margaret Oswald.

  She breezed past her oldest and Alpha and drew up close to Donovan. She palmed his face, and he leaned into her hand, sighing.

  “You never cease to amaze me,” she murmured. “A witch for a mate and an Oswald. Oh, your Grammy Moon will be tickled pink.”

  “Mother, what are you doing here?” Dathan demanded, earning him a withering look from his mother.

  “Stopping you from destroying your brother’s happiness and ruining a true mating.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed Donovan on his cheek. “Haven’t I taught you better manners than this, my son? Introduce me to your mate.”

  Donovan shot his brother a quick look and motioned to Oliver. The witch hurried to his side and clung to Donovan.

  “Mother,” Donovan voice was thick with emotions. “This is Oliver Oswald Blackthorne, my mate…and I’m his bond mate.”

  “No. You. Are. Not!” Dathan bellowed.

  “Shut up, Dathan!” Joy shouted, and Dathan blinked and snapped his mouth shut.

  “I’m so glad Donovan found his mate.” She took Oliver’s hand in hers, patting it. “My, you are beautiful. My son is lucky to have you.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Temple.” Oliver replied.

  “Please, call me Joy.” She suddenly reached out and hugged Oliver.

  Dathan made a strangled noise. I can’t believe this is happening. He stared in shock at his mother.

  “Mother, he is a solid and an Oswald witch. You can’t serio
usly approve of this?” Dathan ground out from between clenched canines.

  “Of course I can.” Her melodious voice held amusement. “What better way to herald in a new alliance between our clans than the bonding and mating of my son to Mia Blackthorne’s.”

  “No, I forbid this,” Dathan said.

  “You cannot.” She turned to face him. “A mating, like a bonding, is sacred. Nothing can supersede it.”

  “Mother!”

  “Silence!” she yelled, and the room grew very quiet. She addressed Margaret first. “Thank you, Margaret, for alerting me to this development. If you all don’t mind, I’d like to talk to my sons and Oliver alone.” She arched a brow at Nakajima, who had the good grace to acknowledge the order.

  William, Rush, Margaret, and Nakajima left the library, and the door closed behind them. Jaime tarried at the end of the group and looked to Dathan. He refused to meet her gaze, but his heartbeat sped up as the scent of her concern wafted over to him.

  Joy alighted on a chair and motioned for the men to join her. Dathan stomped over to a chair opposite her and sat stiffly. Donovan gave his brother a wide birth and sat in another chair across from his mother. Oliver sat on the chair’s arm, his hand linked with Donovan’s.

  “First off, congratulations, Donovan and Oliver. May you have a thousand moon rises together.”

  “How can you congratulate them?’ Dathan snarled. “It is an abomination!”

  “Hold your tongue, pup!” Joy snapped. “It is not an abomination. It is just life.”

  “No witch can mate a wolf shifter!” He wasn’t going to budge on this.

  “Why not?” Joy countered mildly. “Your Grandpa Temple’s mother was a witch.”

  “What?” Dathan, Donovan, and Oliver all said at once.

  “Grandpa Temple’s mother, Tilda Temple, was a witch. She died long before you pups were whelped, but I remember her. She was a kind soul, and she had dominion over plants.” Joy smiled gently. “Our forest is as lush as it is because of her magic. It is also because of her magic that our line is so powerful. No other wolf family has Wiccan blood in it. It enhances our powers.”