Chosen Witch

by Rae Hendricks

  “I think you’re right,” Tamara said, boldly standing on her tiptoes. She had to if she wanted to reach him. Isaiah was tall, the second tallest of the brothers, but the tallest still living. She let her lips land sweetly on the tip of his nose, feeling like they were young teenagers discovering each other. It could easily end up as a moment in one of those cheesy young adult films if they weren't way beyond the appropriate age. Tamara knew her body looked nothing like a 13 years old’s.

  As if to prove that point, Isaiah used the leverage of his arm on her back to pull her in tight, slamming her body against his. Isaiah was not playing around, and Tamara was finally getting the impression of why he might have been waiting out there in the rain for her. Tamara’s heartbeat began to race as Isaiah’s lips touched hers. His strong lips moved hers, crushing them and opening them to make room for his warm tongue.

  His tongue plunged into her mouth, making war and love with her own tongue in that moment. She may not have been madly in love with Isaiah, not yet. But she would have had to be dead, not to feel anything for that man. Other women would kill for that kiss.

  Tamara slid her hand up his neck and around, cupping it and feeling the little wet hairs there that were trying to stand on end; despite the rain having soaked them thoroughly. This was having an effect on him too, which only fueled her fire. Were they finally going to get what they had been trying to accomplish this whole time? She didn't dare ask or do anything that would break that moment.

  Isaiah’s hands were now snaking all over her. Tamara let the umbrella drop, abandoned on the muddy ground in front of the cabin. Isaiah’s teeth grazed against her lip, and she let out a sigh that was the last even breath she was able to take. Her breathing became rapid and shallow as her hands trailed down his wet shirt, finding the place where some of his skin was allowed to peek out of the top button.

  Before she knew what was happening, Isaiah had scooped her up into his arms. The both of them were now soaked as he carried her into the house. Tamara was too engaged in Isaiah’s eyes to notice if Hector or anyone was inside, watching as he carried her to the bedroom. It was a bit embarrassing sometimes to have her life on display to everyone, including their problems. Maybe this time, it wasn’t so bad if someone knew. Something was actually going well.

  Her umbrella entirely forgotten in the mud, Tamara was ushered into their bedroom by Isaiah. The door shut swiftly by a kick of his foot. The room had a dim glow from the lamp by the bed, so that she could see his body and him, hers. It was not the brightness of the light that hung above them or the sun that was missing from the dismal spring sky.

  He placed her on top of the sheets and blankets. Tamara noted that they would have to put it all in the dryer later, but the thought flew right out as he began to remove her clothes, one bit at a time. Isaiah took off her shoes, throwing them to the floor with a clunk before going for her shirt, which was so wet it clung to her curves.

  Tamara sat up and pushed Isaiah forward to the edge of the bed, tugging at his shirt trying to unstick it from his abs so she could worship them. They looked like they belonged to a god. Finally, his shirt and hers were in a pile in the floor at the foot of the bed. Isaiah turned around to reach for the hook on her bra, then unfurling her D-cups.

  Tamara began to kiss up and down his wet skin, tasting his Earthy flavor on her lips and tongue. She felt drunk on his lips as she kissed back up to them. He lowered down on top of her, forcing her to lay against the soft bed again.

  Tamara couldn’t believe her luck. They were finally going to mate! No one would question their bond anymore, and it was only going to be going up from there. Just as she thought it and reached to undo his jeans, a knock came at the door.

  Isaiah pulled away and looked at it angrily before going to his dresser to find something dry. He knew no one would be disturbing them unless it was serious. He could feel the disappointment dripping off of Tamara, along with the rain that had soaked them both through and through. “What is it?” he called a little too angrily, as he turned to change out of his wet clothes. He didn’t want to spoil the surprise for when they finally did get to mate, wherever that would be.

  Hector’s voice came through the door. “One of the hybrids has come because it’s a bit of an emergency. A few of the hybrids, mostly the ones that are going back to the coven, have become angry and somehow turned early. We need your help to calm them down.”

  Isaiah turned to Tamara with a question in his eyes. The full moon wasn’t for another two days. How was it possible that they turned involuntarily? He didn't like the sound of that and was afraid he would be in over his head. Regardless, he had to handle the situation.

  “I will be right there; go get Roman to help as well,” he hollered to Hector and heard him walking away. Isaiah tugged on his dry clothes and looked to Tamara with sad eyes. He could tell she was feeling down about the interruption. “I will be back as soon as I can,” he said softly, caressing her cheek.

  “There’s always something in the way, isn’t there?” Tamara asked darkly. “It’s okay. This sounds serious. Just go.”

  Isaiah didn't wait to hear or see anymore. He ran out the door right away. He was afraid of how badly this would escalate. It would not be a good way to start the new treaty with the coven, if they had to deal with cleaning up a mess a hybrid wolf, under his care, had made.

  When he arrived, he saw that many of the hybrids and other pack members were trying to round up the wild wolves. Some of them were acting more like feral creatures than anything that had ever been human. Isaiah broke through the circle that was being formed around the four wolves in question. He turned, growling, and dipping low in threatening manner as he circled around them. He begged them to back down. He ordered them to change back. Nothing was happening. He had a bad feeling it was something to do with the fact they had already chosen not to be part of the pack. Giving them only three days had been a bad idea on Hyacinthe's part, even if her intentions seemed good.

  He heard the growls of two more wolves and found Roman and Hector were barreling through the crowd, as well. Roman would at least scare them into behaving. He was a formidable force. Isaiah spoke into his brother’s head. “I don't know how this is happening, but the alpha's orders aren’t working. We’re going to have to do this the old-fashioned way for now,” he warned.

  Roman gave an affirmative answer. “I can do that, but I hate to say this seems like something that can only be fully solved by magic.”

  Isaiah growled at the thought, knowing what that would do to any progress that he and Tamara were making. It would take powerful magic to help, and that would most likely mean inviting Annalise over there again.

  “Isaiah, you know you need her.” Roman’s correctness frustrated him as he continued to circle along with the other two, hypnotizing the young hybrids to their spot. It was better than nothing. He doubted the rest of the hybrids would stick around to help much longer, though.

  “Hector!” he screamed into his guard’s head. “I need you to go get a message about this to the coven. See if you can get someone to come over here to help, probably Annalise or Hyacinthe.”

  Isaiah could feel an attempt at Hector's resistance. He wasn’t usually so difficult. Isaiah had a feeling he knew why. “Only if you agree to talk to me tomorrow. You set a time, and I’ll tell you what you need to know.” Isaiah growled, not appreciating that someone was telling him what to do. “I am a guard, not a messenger,” Hector reminded him.

  “Fine,” Isaiah growled. Hurry.” Hector took off like a bullet as Isaiah and Roman dealt with the four, crazy, wild wolves. These hybrids were turning out to be much more trouble than they were worth. There was no choice now but to follow through with them. He hoped that help came swiftly, so they could get to the bottom of things.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Should I know who you are, wolf?” Hyacinthe asked, looking up and down at Hector as if he was a bug she was planning to squash. She had not expected to see anything like a w
olf in her territory again for a long time. Hopefully, that is, none other than those who had been forced against their will to become hybrids; the ones who had chosen to return to the coven. Now living on her own, with her best friend, like a woman her age should, relaxation had been nice. She had been able to have the time to grow some of her favorite herbs. Suddenly, here was another wolf, ready to start trouble again. She could feel it.

  “I am Hector, the alpha's guard. I wouldn’t be the one who was here if he wasn’t trying to keep the hybrids that belong to you from killing everyone and destroying everything in sight. This is complicating the treaty for both sides!” Hector announced angrily.

  Hyacinthe did not like his attitude and hoped he would not be the regular visitor with messages. He was not good at relations. “I do not take well to that tone, nor am I the one that can help you. Annalise is in charge of a good portion of our operations now, and she can assign someone to help you. If you go through that patch of trees to the west, you will come across the home she now shares with a friend.”

  Hector glanced through the woods where she said to go, with more annoyance. He knew he needed to get back quickly, to help with the turned wolves. He should not have been the one trying to ask the witches for help. He had nothing against them as a whole, but he was not always a people person. He was a young introvert who had been turned because he had been attacked and bitten. It seemed he almost immediately became the guard for the alpha. He wasn’t used to dealing with people he didn't know, in a friendly way. On top of that, he was holding onto a secret he didn't feel it was right to any longer. He hadn’t deciphered the secret when he first heard it. Now, with everything else that had come out about the Young family, it was clear Isaiah needed to know what had gone on.

  Sure enough, as Hector broke through the patch of trees, he found himself walking up a path of orange flowers and tiny mushrooms. It clearly was made by someone who had magic. He could see the charm, though it wasn't exactly his style. It was like something out of a kid’s fantasy novel. He followed it towards a house that fit the bill perfectly as well. It made him think of the story of Hansel and Gretel. It reminded him of the description of the house in the woods, minus the candy. It was covered in vines and this was a cute little cottage. He could hear the sounds of female voices coming from around the back and followed them.

  He noticed Annalise and a blonde, laughing it up and approached. “Excuse me!” he called out to get their attention.

  “Hector?” Annalise asked in confusion. Clearly, even she thought it was strange that he was in witch territory. He didn’t plan on doing that again. However, he got the feeling with Annalise and Isaiah at the helm, it might just happen again. “What are you doing here?” Annalise came up to him, the blonde following behind. As a counterpart to Annalise’s brilliant blue eyes, the blonde had stunning green ones that were almost alien-like.

  “I was sent here by Isaiah.”

  “Uh-oh,” the blonde commented, looking between them. Annalise gave her an unforgiving look.

  “Hector, this is my best friend, Diane. Diane, this is Hector, Isaiah’s guard.” Annalise thought it appropriate to introduce them to each other, in this situation. She hadn’t expected to be having werewolf visitors at her new property, though.

  “Nice to meet you, Diane, but this is an emergency. Thus, why Isaiah did not come himself. He needs you to send help. Somehow, a few of the hybrids that chose the coven have turned involuntarily. They have gone feral, two days before the full moon. He’s holding them off with Roman and some of the other hybrids. He suspected only magic could fix whatever was going on,” Hector explained.

  Annalise looked to Diane, not exactly knowing what to say. It was highly unusual for it to be possible. She supposed that their magic and the high stress was making the call of the wolf even stronger than was typical. It would take magic to control them, and she couldn't imagine Roman and Isaiah being able to hold them off for long. They would cause damage, even if they couldn't technically cause any to the two brothers. They would hurt someone, and that would be a serious problem for both the pack and the coven.

  “Diane, can you come help me?” she asked, knowing she was the best bet. She wasn’t really ready to see Isaiah again, but it was an emergency.

  “I think I can handle it. I am good with emotions. Maybe I can help calm everyone down, if nothing else.” Diane’s voice was husky. Not at all what Hector would have expected to come out of the mouth of a short blonde woman with a purple cloak. And that was when he recognized her. She was the one that performed the funeral ceremony for the alpha. She must have been powerful to be hanging around Annalise and having been sent for such an honor. She probably could help.

  “The more the merrier,” Hector said sarcastically before being ripped away from the scene. He figured that it was magic, seeing as who he was with. It didn't help his equilibrium, as they suddenly ended up right back in the thick of the fight with the hybrids.

  Hector shifted immediately, finding a brown wolf leaping at him, not looking unlike himself. He was about to take a hit, but then the hybrid who had leaped for him was frozen in the air. This was magic at play, and he had to admit it was a pretty awesome trick. Annalise had frozen the hybrids, and it looked like Diane was calming them, as well as the crowd. The crowd of the other hybrids, those who had not suddenly turned into feral wolves, backed away. They went inside to safety, leaving the professionals to deal with things. That was, at least, the way Hector liked to think of it.

  He stood his ground and let out a hacking laugh, or as close to a laugh as a wolf could have. He sounded a bit like a hyena in his head. He couldn’t help but find it funny that there was a hybrid hanging in the air above him, looking confused as hell. Gently, as if they were being floated in a bubble, they were let down to the ground. Hector could feel the power of the alpha in his head as he worked with the two witches to get the wolves calm. Hector wondered if there was even a way to use magic to change them back to human, for now.

  He soon got his answer, watching as the feral wolves were quickly replaced by four shaking and dirty bodies. He decided to shift back as well, followed by Roman and Isaiah. Hector knew his job was done and went up to Isaiah before he again became preoccupied with talking to the hybrids in question, or to speak to Annalise. “So, don’t forget we have to set a time to talk.” Isaiah looked annoyed. Hector knew he was pushing his luck. Still, he couldn't wait any longer to tell Isaiah. It was eating him alive inside. He knew too much.

  “Fine,” Isaiah answered through gritted teeth. “But I have other business to worry about and attend to, this evening. We will meet tomorrow evening at seven. I will make sure the place is empty.” Hector nodded, satisfied with the time and promise. Isaiah was not one to go back on something he said.

  Isaiah turned back to the task at hand. He hated that he had to drag Annalise there again, especially thinking back to what was happening with Tamara, when the message came to him about the hybrids. He should not have felt guilty about any intimacy he was having with Tamara. In fact, he had every intention of finding the right time to complete what they had started. As he stood there in the mud, looking at the wet, muddy hybrids, he couldn't help but keep glancing at Annalise. Did she notice there was any difference in him? Was there a difference in her? He really shouldn’t care, but a part of him always would.

  “Do you have any idea what is going on with these hybrids?” he asked the two witches, hoping they would have some insight. He could hardly believe they had been able to get the wild wolves to shift back, but it had been a lifesaver. The way they were acting had made it a certainty they would attack someone.

  “The only thing I can think is their emotions ran too high which did something to their magic and forced them to change early,” Annalise answered. Isaiah could tell she was avoiding eye contact. It was a good thing she had brought a buffer this time; a young blonde he recognized as being Diane. She had helped honor his father at his funeral. “Did you feel anything sp
ecific, Diane?” she asked, looking to the blonde with the strikingly frightening green eyes.

  “There was a lot of fear and anger there. Other than that, it was just completely wild. They were hardly even werewolves. They are going to need to learn to control that. I think this is harder for some of them than you thought it would be,” Diane answered in a husky voice, looking to Annalise.

  Annalise nodded. “I hate to ask you to stick around to help Isaiah, Diane, but you are the best witch I know when it comes to emotional control. I am afraid that the next two full moons will be crucial to getting these four hybrids under control and getting them back to the coven,” Annalise said apologetically, looking down on the poor shaking witches.

  “You two figure that out, but it would be nice to have you around to help. We are ill equipped here. We have muscle, but not much else,” Isaiah admitted. “Roman, let’s see if we can help get these hybrids cleaned up and clothed while the two women decide the best course of action.” Roman nodded and began to walk away with his brother.

  “Isaiah,” Annalise called, stopping both of them. “Are you sure that is a good idea to leave the decision up to me? Sure, these hybrids have chosen the coven, but they are with you right now in your territory. You are the alpha.” There were other words there she was choking on. She didn't think she belonged there anymore. Though, there was a large part of her that still felt like that grey wolf, that had become part of her so easily. It was not her place. She had a coven to rule. Yet, the pack still kept holding her back from doing it.

  “I trust you,” he told her, before starting to help the four hybrids off the ground. The words sent unexplainable chills down her spine. Her body always betrayed her mind when it came to Isaiah. She was looking forward to the day, far in the future, when none of her would react anymore. Maybe by then they would both have their happily ever after, with no reason to cause each other awkwardness and pain.