Wolfsbane: The Wolf Within

by Bethany Shay Porteous

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Grace asked, sounding hurt. “I could have helped… somehow.”

  “No one could have helped,” Lucy told her. “Hannah brought me some time and Evelyn kept her mouth shut. I wasn’t happy about it Grace, I really wasn’t. But I’ve had some time to think it through and I’ve talked to my mother and to Geoff and I feel better about it now. I’m going to be a mommy.”

  “Wow,” Grace gushed. “I—I can’t believe it! I mean, congratulations!”

  “Thank you,” Lucy laughed.

  “So, I mean… what now?” Grace asked.

  “Well I’m moving in with Geoff,” Lucy said. “And I’m taking an online fashion course—so I’m still going to be able to study what I want. I’m still going to achieve the goals I set for myself… it will just take a little bit longer, that’s all.”

  “Evelyn,” Hannah interjected. “You’re looking flushed, you okay?”

  I had grown hot throughout this entire conversation and I could feel my gums aching again as my head began to feel sore. “Symptoms,” I tried to shrug it off. “What can you do?”

  “It’s occurring a lot closer together,” Hannah commented. “You can’t be too far off.”

  “Well I still can’t hear my wolf,” I shrugged. “So, I’d say I’m going to be stuck like this forever. Randomly sweating and having a sore mouth. What a delight.”

  “It will happen when you least expect it Evelyn,” Lucy said. “And your emotions have to be high as well. I remember I shifted the first time when I came home drunk from a party at the Falls and mom got in my face. I was already angry because I’d had a fight with someone else and I just lost it and snapped.”

  “It’s exhausting just waiting,” I groaned. “Why can’t it just happen already?”

  “Try to ignore it,” Grace told me gently. “I know it’s easier said than done, but if you treat it with the same contempt as period cramps eventually you get moments where the symptoms don’t feel so powerful.”

  “It feels a lot worse than period cramps,” I grumbled.

  “Yeah,” Lucy agreed. “But it’s the use of your mind ignoring it that will help. It isn’t going to take how uncomfortable it is away, but it will make it less aggressive.”

  “Wait for when she finally comes through physically,” Hannah said. “It is the most amazing feeling.”

  The room went silent as we all absorbed Lucy’s information fully and I went back to focusing on seeing if my wolf was anywhere in my head. It felt like I was sifting through a filing cabinet, trying to find an important document but I kept coming up empty. How could I have these symptoms and still nothing? How much damage had I done to myself?

  “What time do we need to get here tomorrow?” Lucy asked tiredly.

  “If you arrive here about five, it will give us enough time for photos.” Grace turned to face her mirror. “Is Geoff chaperoning the dance?”

  “Yes,” Lucy mumbled. “Can’t even dance with my mate at prom.”

  “Well you could,” Hannah started. “We’d just have to wipe the human’s memories after… but it’s possible.”

  “That’s a lot of effort for everyone,” Lucy grumbled. “I’ll survive.”

  “How hard would that be?” I asked Hannah. “To wipe their memories?”

  “Not hard really,” she shrugged. “The gym is a small space and they’d all be compacted. Between the two of us we could do it together. Your dad could probably do it by himself. Memory wiping magic isn’t hard.”

  “I’ve never wiped a memory before,” I told her.

  “Well you would do it differently to us witches. We have all our fancy charms and incantations, you would simply need to picture wiping a certain part of their memory clean and fill it with something new.” Hannah bit her lip thoughtfully. “We still have so much more you need to practice.”

  “I know,” I sighed.

  To be honest, I didn’t feel like I was ever going to get a handle on all this witch stuff. I always felt like I would use it when I needed it, practicing would do nothing. When I fought in the battle last time, I hadn’t practiced any of that, I had just done it. Morgana told me to trust in my magic, that anything I wanted to do I would do.

  Could I freeze time? Probably. I had already made myself invisible, driven a car with no skill whatsoever. I had burnt the flesh of my enemies and ripped them in two. I had cast a sleeping spell on The Luna and the other wolves when I had needed to escape… I could do everything, I had the power to be everything.

  All I needed was my wolf.

  My mind drifted back to the morning where I had thought I had seen the Rosewood sisters… had I seen them or was I being paranoid? My mind had gone through so much this year, I had to have a cracking point and if seeing them was that point… It couldn’t have been them. If it was them they would have tried to kill me.

  I did wonder what was taking them so long to attack, what were they waiting for? Did they want to get me alone? Did they know I needed my wolf and the more time they gave me, the more likely it was I’d be able to kill them?

  They were messing with me, I knew it. They would know by now that I knew what I had to do with them.

  I was going to come out of this dead or alive, preferably the latter but it did scare me that I may very well be dead soon. My friends would go on with their lives and I would be eight feet under…The very thought made my stomach turn and I sighed loudly into the quiet room, trying to expel the feeling as I felt Lucy’s head turn to look at me.

  What was I going to do?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Oh, my Goddess!” Grace whispered at me. “Evelyn… you look like the Moon Goddess—well, not that I’ve seen her but I’m sure that is what she would look like.”

  I did not look as ethereal as the Moon Goddess, but I flushed from her compliment all the same. “Thank you, Grace, but most of this was your handiwork. I never would have been able to get my hair done properly if you hadn’t helped.”

  She waved her hand at me. “You know I like playing dress up with you. I can’t wait for everyone to see how gorgeous you look. Aiden will have a meltdown!”

  I laughed nervously. “Well go and put your dress on so we can get downstairs. The others will be here soon!”

  “Okay!” she squeaked, darting off behind her dressing screen.

  I turned to face myself in the full-length mirror, admiring the beautiful gown and its silvery tones and the way it seemed to glint like it was lightly jeweled. My hair was in a low bun, looking both messy and neat at the same time—only Grace could have achieved that look. She had kept my makeup light and soft, not wanting to overdo it.

  “Alright!” Grace announced. “I’m ready!”

  She stepped out from behind the screen in a deep blue strapless dress, a silver diamond shape made up in sequins in the dip of her breasts. She turned and allowed me to see the way the dress tied up like a corset at the back, before she fluffed her big waves and took a bow.

  “Grace,” I told her seriously. “You look amazing.”

  “Oh, I know,” she laughed proudly. “This dress is amazing.”

  “Always one for modesty,” I teased.

  “Oh, you know it,” she winked. “I hope Trey likes it.”

  “I think he’ll be struggling to keep his hands off you Grace,” I told her dryly.

  “Good,” she said with a glint in her eye. “That could be fun.”

  “We better get downstairs,” I told her just as The Luna shouted at us to come down. I scooped up my clutch from the bed, checking I had my ticket before Grace and I got ready to make our debut.

  The foyer was loud, so I knew everyone must already be here. We began our descent of the stairs and a chorus of wolf whistles and clapping broke out from Trey and Josh while Hannah rolled her eyes and Lucy gave me a wink.

  Where was Aiden? I thought with a frown.

  “You girls look beautiful,” my father told me as he took my hand at the bottom of the landing. “
I have to say Evelyn, you definitely get your good looks from your mother.”

  “I look more like you and you know it,” I laughed at him.

  “Well,” he shrugged. “I don’t want to look like I have a big head.”

  “But you do,” Sienna jumped in with a smirk. “Evelyn, you look really beautiful. When you wear your hair like that you remind me so much of Jasmine actually.”

  “That’s true,” my father said thoughtfully. “Now Evelyn listen, with everything that’s going on—”

  “I don’t want to even think about it dad,” I told him quickly. “I just want to have this night to myself, because I will never get it back again. I don’t want to think about what it is I have to do, if I’m going to fail or not—I simply want to be a young girl, going off to her prom with no care in the world, so can we not talk about it?”

  He gave me a small smile and squeezed my hands. “That’s all I was going to tell you to do, love. Have fun and be young.”

  “Okay, pictures!” The Luna announced loudly, and I watched as the Alpha winced beside her.

  “Where’s Aiden?” I asked.

  “He’s just finishing upstairs,” Trey told me.

  At that moment Aiden began a half jog down the stairs and I sucked in a breath at the sight of him in a full tux. I hadn’t seen him this dressed up since the night I first met him, and even then, he hadn’t really been overly done up…. but this… my heart may have skipped a beat at the sight of him at the base of the stairs.

  “Looking good son,” The Alpha clapped his back.

  “Thanks dad,” Aiden grinned at him before turning back to look at me. I very much enjoyed the way his eyes ran over my body, taking in the outfit, the hair—well all of me and when his eyes flashed amber the slightest bit, I knew his wolf was close to the surface. My mouth dried as he approached me, and he surprised me by lightly kissing my cheek. “Can’t smudge your lipstick,” he explained with a smirk.

  Smudge it, I willed him with my eyes. All I wanted to do was kiss him.

  “I got you something,” he told me with a grin. He pulled the silvery looking flower from his jacket pocket and he took my wrist. “May I?”

  “Yes,” I said a little breathlessly.

  Aiden had the corsage on my wrist quickly and I didn’t miss the odd camera flashes here and there.

  “You look amazing,” he whispered in my ear. “Truly.”

  “Thank you,” I blushed and held onto his hand. “So do you.”

  “If I have to demand pictures one more time,” The Luna started, and everyone quickly turned their attention to her. “Thank you! Now I have enlisted the help of Jeremy here, who wishes to be a photographer. I’m sure some of you kids have seen some of his work. He’s going to take the prom photos for us.”

  “It’s a real honor,” Jeremy said, his lanky teen arms trembling with excitement. “I’m sure we’ll get some amazing shots.”

  “I was thinking out the front yard, where that large hedge wall is, it would make a nice backdrop,” The Luna started.

  Everyone began getting ushered outside and I felt Aiden’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the front door. I felt hyper-aware of him tonight, everything he did or every move he made… it was a new and strange feeling, but I loved it.

  The excited chatter was contagious, and I found myself laughing along with everyone as we were made to pose this way and that. We each had individual photos and couple photos taken, and I had photos taken with my father and siblings, as well as The Luna and Alpha. A few big group photos were taken where Trey was told off a lot for making stupid faces at the camera—until we all started doing it.

  By the time the limousine rolled up my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much.

  “What time will you be back for the after party?” the Luna asked.

  “About midnight,” Grace told her. “We’ll see you then!”

  “Have fun!” Sienna called.

  We all got in and the doors were shut, and I felt an easy coolness floating within me. Tonight was going to be amazing.

  ∞

  The gym was decorated so nicely you could hardly tell where we were. Grace was preening from all the attention and compliments she received on her hard work, along with the awed gasps of other girls who admired her beautiful dress.

  Lucy looked particularly on fire tonight and I noticed she had bought the red dress she had called ‘too busty’ and I saw more than a few humans admiring the long slit up the side of the dress. I also caught the looks Geoff was giving her from across the room playing chaperone and I felt bad for the two of them, having to hide their relationship tonight.

  Hannah danced around with Josh already, owning the beautiful ivory gown she had made specially for tonight, her long blonde hair piled into delicate curls that hung down her back like a shimmering waterfall.

  “Hey,” Aiden whispered into my ear and I quickly turned to face him. “I love you.”

  I felt the silly grin slip onto my face. “I love you too.”

  “Do you want to dance?” he asked me. “Because I want to dance.”

  “Okay,” I laughed. “We can dance.”

  We joined Hannah and Josh on the dancefloor to some upbeat song I had never heard but Hannah seemed to know the words. There were bodies everywhere getting into the music and the gym became hot quickly and windows needed to be opened. The humans were in their element and more than a few were tipsy, it was easy enough to tell.

  Lucy was dancing as close to Geoff as she could, and my heart panged for the pair of them again. It must be awful, not being able to touch each other in public—and now, with a baby on the way? It was unfair.

  The Prom King and Queen were announced, and I was pleasantly surprised when Hannah and Josh went up to accept their crowns. I hadn’t even heard the voting was open. The two were made to dance to a corny love song in front of everyone and Hannah’s face was bright red as she and Josh awkwardly danced under the spotlight. Neither one liked to be the sole focus so when Aiden pulled me out onto the dancefloor, their relief was evident.

  Everyone slowly began milling out back onto the floor and I allowed myself to be swept up with Aiden as we danced together.

  The song soon switched to Perfect by Ed Sheeran and I quirked my eyebrow at Aiden, surprised I even knew it but how incredibly apt it was.

  I rested my head against his chest and we swayed along with the other bodies, all having their own moment, but I felt mine was one I would remember forever. I could feel his hands on my back and it sent shocks through my body, nearly making me dizzy. His breath was warm on my neck and I pressed my palms more firmly on his chest, my heart nearly stopping when his lips pressed themselves into my neck.

  This was perfect.

  A strong gust of air ghosted through the room and at that exact moment the sounds of shattering glass echoed, followed by a chorus of shocked screams. I was surprised when I scented blood and Aiden was on alert instantly, pulling me behind him, holding on tightly. People began falling over out of nowhere and that was when the chaos really struck.

  The lights began to blow and break, glass shattering on our heads and a chorus of eerie cackles echoed in the gym. People began screaming, from fear or pain I wouldn’t know, but the smell of blood became more pronounced.

  “What’s going on?” I panicked to Hannah and her eyes were wide as saucers.

  “Witches,” she gasped. “A lot of them.”

  “What?” I cried.

  The attack happened faster than I could be prepared for it. Out of nowhere golden orbs of light were being thrown, at the buffet, at the DJ stand—items were going flying and people were screaming in terror, trying to get out of the gym, but the doors were sealed and wouldn’t budge. People were shoving, and tripping and Aiden grabbed me tighter, holding me to him as people slammed past us, nearly wiping out Hannah.

  “Is that smoke?” Aiden choked and when I saw the glint of orange flames dread, seeped into every pore of my body and the sc
reams only became louder and more frantic as efforts to get the doors opened became more forceful.

  I watched in dismay as the glass shards from the broken window lifted themselves from the floor and set back in place, effectively boxing us into a smoke box room.

  This had to be Danyeela and Tatiana.

  “We have to do something!” Hannah gasped at me. “Before it gets too smoky!”

  “They’ll have charmed the windows,” I panicked, trying to wrack my brain. “Aiden call your mother, tell her we’re under attack, get my father here!”

  Aiden nodded quickly, not looking like he wanted to leave me, but he still rushed back to our table to get his phone.

  “We need to find Grace and Lucy,” I said.

  At that exact moment the sprinklers began going off from the roof and the screams if possible increased and the room began to grow hotter. My lungs felt tight as I shouted for my friends, hoping their werewolf hearing would pick up and they would be able to find us in this crowd of mayhem.

  “Grace!” Hannah shouted. “Lucy!”

  “I see Trey!” Josh pointed through a crowd of people where a girl was lying on the floor, and in the briefest of glimpses I spotted Grace hovering over the girl who wore a red dress with a high slit… and blood was gushing from her leg.

  “Lucy!” I cried out.

  I ran on auto-pilot toward them, shoving people out of my way and working through the crowd, horrified at the sight in front of me. Lucy’s leg had a thick piece of glass wedged into it, and Geoff cradled her head, trying to keep her calm as her hands shook from the shock, her hands clutching at her stomach.

  “Something hit her head!” Geoff panicked.

  “It’s okay Lucy,” Hannah told her quickly. “I can still hear them. They’re okay.”

  “M-my l-l-leg,” she stammered hurriedly, her lip trembling. “B-baby…”

  “The smoke is getting thicker!” Grace gasped.

  I quickly stood up, closing my eyes. I’d have to do this in front of the humans, there was no other way or we’d all die from being burnt alive or smoke inhalation. I decided to use the energy of the room, it was running high enough that I knew whatever I did would work.