“I know,” Tamara said, knowing she looked and sounded as nervous as she was. “And I am sorry to bombard you with this now. It’s just that, I meant to tell you when I burst back in here, after I was with Roman, but the information you received, I knew you needed to work through it first.” Isaiah nodded as if he understood, but she didn't know if it would continue that way once she told him. She was afraid for herself and for Roman, in this situation. If Isaiah’s anger got out of control, what would he do? He had every right to punish them for the incident, if he wanted or felt the need to. Even if she trusted the typical Isaiah not to do such a thing, it didn't mean there wasn't a small chance this distressed Isaiah would react differently.
“You seem to be really worried about what this is, Tamara. Should I be worried about it? I have enough on my plate here, and I know that you know that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have talked about waiting. Can this not wait a little longer?” Isaiah rubbed his eyebrows and sighed with the stress he was holding in his shoulders, waiting.
“I wish it could, Isaiah,” Tamara expressed, with her hand on his shoulder blade. “But if I don’t talk with you about it now, it will come up with Roman, and I know you are going over there now. It has to do with why I came back here and why we were fighting. I think, as the alpha, it’s something you must know.” She was trying to explain it and appeal to his logic, in this case.
“As an alpha?” he asked, looking confused as he turned his head sideways, to lock eyes with her. Isaiah had no idea what might have happened. He must have had no inkling that Roman had any feelings for her or was having any qualms about the way Isaiah was running the pack.
“Yes.” Tamara was not going to hold back any longer. She wanted it off of her chest, and she wanted to rip the band-aid off, so to speak. “When I went for a walk with Roman, I was telling him about our plan to get married. I thought he would be happy about it; happy for us and the pack. He didn't react that way, though,” Tamara began. “He was angry about it, and he expressed some things in the heat of the moment I didn't expect, and I don't even know if he truly meant them. I think he is still dealing with his feelings about everything with Orson, and I don't know what you’re going to be walking into today, when you go to tell him about Orson.” Tamara dropped her hand to on top of his, trying to convey her heart, through it. She knew she could love this man if she kept trying. She already admired him so much, and she had been so excited about their decision to get married. It had made everything feel more hopeful. Now, everything was threatening to ruin it all.
“Is that all, Tamara? He badmouthed me? I think it’s something I can handle as his older brother.” Isaiah went to get up, not understanding that it was so much more than that. Tamara grabbed his leg and pulled him down, back onto the couch.
“No, that's not all, Isaiah. I am trying to tell you gently, but you don't seem to want to let me. He doesn't want me to marry you, and he kissed me. He actually kissed me, on the lips. I pulled away and slapped him for it. I couldn’t believe he did it, and I ran back here, not knowing what else to do. And then I found out your other brother killed your mother. Is that clear enough for you?” Tamara told him angrily with a childish huff.
“You kissed?” he asked in that quiet but deadly tone.
“I said that he kissed me, Isaiah, but if you’re wanting to be mad at me as well, then I cannot stop that. I can only tell you that I made it clear to him that it was wrong, what he was doing. I don't want him to suffer too much, because of this, since he is handling so much right now, just like you. I also have to be honest about that. I did not kiss him. I did not give him any indication that there would be a reason to kiss me,” Tamara explained, feeling like she might be coating it on pretty thick; also, worried that she was wrong. Why did Roman kiss her, or even think about kissing her? Had she ever shown him anything other than friendship? Sure, they had been very close, the closest emotionally out of the three brothers over the years. They told each other everything, but wasn't that what best friends did? She had no idea he felt anything for her.
Isaiah sighed, his body visibly drooping. He wasn't angry, but he seemed defeated and sad. “As far as it goes for you, Tamara, you did the right thing by telling me. I believe you that you didn't kiss him, but even if you had, you would be in the clear because we have not mated yet. Though, we would have had to reveal that to the pack if it came down to it. However, since Roman would have no way of knowing that, he will be considered at fault in this. With his heightened emotional state and the fact that he is a Young, I don't have to be too harsh. However, I will have to do something. I am sorry my brothers have been running us through the ringer this whole time. I keep wondering if they weren't acting the way they were, we would be solid right now. We would have already mated.”
Tamara shook her head. “You can't think like that about things you can’t control. If I have learned anything with all of this, that is it; and Roman is not Orson. He just got angry and made a mistake. Maybe you can talk with him today and wait on the whole Orson killed your mother thing,” she suggested.
“I will see how I feel when I get there,” Isaiah said, standing up and pulling away from her. He just needed his space to deal with his brother. At least, that was what she told herself anyway. Then, after Tamara thought he was just going to walk out the door, Isaiah turned back around to her. “Tamara, do you still want to get married? I just have to ask because of all of this. I don't know how you feel about that kiss or about all the drama that has surrounded us. I want you to be certain because I believe it's serious to both of us.”
Tamara was taken aback, but she guessed she could understand where he was coming from. “Yes, I think it will help us a lot. It will feel more natural. I want to give us a real shot, Isaiah, as long as you do.” All he gave her was a nod before leaving, seemingly going to a meeting, with both fate and his brother.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Isaiah was on a mission, a mission to see his brother, to find out what in the hell he had been thinking when he tried to kiss Tamara. Why would he put Isaiah in this situation again, trying to choose between his brother and his duty as alpha? Sure, it didn't involve the kind of betrayal that ended in an execution, at least not on his end, but Roman knew he was supposed to be marrying this woman. This wasn't like his brother at all. It frustrated him that the pack still could not just be at peace because something always had to come up. His father should have gone completely mad, ruling the Olympia pack, not become strict and ruthless. It was a tough job to handle.
As Isaiah walked towards the home, he used to share with his two brothers, which was now occupied by Roman and Annalise, he felt some kind of pull, tugging him in a different direction. He had never felt anything like it before. It was stronger even than fate, like a magnet, forcing him to connect with it, as if he were the metal.
Without wanting to, his path turned, and he followed the sensation into the density of the trees. He wasn't sure why he should be there, or what he was looking for. Well, he wasn’t, until a female form, he knew well, materialized before him. Magic like that should really have not surprised him anymore, but it was still disturbing, watching what these witches could do.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Hyacinthe?" Isaiah asked, both bitterly and amused. It figured that Hyacinthe wouldn't walk up to his home and knock on the door. She would use magic to reel him in, for whatever conversation she wanted to have with him. No two encounters were ever the same with her, and he didn't know how Annalise or any of the other witches could stand it.
There was something different about her this time. Hyacinthe always held the air of superiority and tons of power. Instead, she looked a little worn out and needy. The conversation they were about to have was probably going to be very important and serious. Isaiah did not know how many more times he could stomach such topics. It was getting entirely out of hand.
"No need to pretend like this visit is a friendly one. You may not be worth hating like your father, but it is not as if we are best friends
. I like you as a leader for the pack. I think you are growing into it nicely. But you have an opinion about me that is not just going to go away." Even through what she said, she was maintaining a smile, a cheeky one at that. It figured.
"I will give you credit for being a smart woman. I have other reasons for not wanting to see you right now, though, that I would rather keep private. The life of the alpha has been tumultuous the past few days, to say the least. I do not know if I want to hear whatever it is you need to say. Though, I am positive it does not matter what I want, in this situation. Otherwise, I would not be standing here," Isaiah told her.
"You are an intelligent wolf as well, Isaiah. It is a special kind of wolf that can understand when magic is being used against him. I wonder where you learned that from," she told him. There seemed to be a hint of a secret hidden underneath. He always had the feeling Hyacinthe was the keeper of many secrets that he would probably not like to know, not even one of them. "I assure you that while what I am going to tell you weighs heavily on myself and the other witches, it is simply a small favor I ask of you on your end," Hyacinthe told him.
Isaiah didn't believe her to be a liar, so maybe this wouldn't be as painful as he suspected. "What kind of a favor?"
"It actually involves going to the same place you were headed already but just adding in a particular task for me." Isaiah nodded. She meant Annalise. He needed to do something with her or talk to her about something. It was always about her. He should have known. "The truth is that there are some problems in the coven, ones I would rather not admit to just yet. These problems stem from the fact that Annalise is of age to be the leader now. She is the rightful leader of the coven, and nothing I nor anyone else does, other than her, can change that. I know she is of value here, Isaiah, but I think it is time she comes to take her place. Time is needed to heal the wounds of the heart, and her presence is needed to heal the wounds of the Earth," Hyacinthe explained.
Isaiah could not pretend to understand anything about magic or what Hyacinthe meant. Although, he guessed healing the heart had something to do with the repressed feelings he and Annalise had always had for each other. Time apart would easily help the both of them. Even if he hated the idea, he agreed with it. On top of that, Hyacinthe would not be coming to him as humbly as she could, asking him for his help. She must truly be needed in the witch’s territory. It was time to let her go for now. She could come back after the dust settled. "You want me to convince her to go back to you, is that it?" Hyacinthe nodded, confirming that suspicion. "You know, I can try all day, but Annalise is strong-willed. I can’t make her do anything she doesn't want to do, Hyacinthe."
Hyacinthe chuckled. "Well, I am sure you will find a way, considering you are just as strong-willed as she. Funny how that works, isn't it?" she asked with a pointed tone. Isaiah did not enjoy being mocked for being so damn transparent. Annalise had mentioned once or twice that Hyacinthe was a bit of a know-it-all, when it came to futures and feelings. It was one thing to hear it, and another thing entirely to experience it for himself.
"I am not sure there is anything funny about any of this, but I will take that into consideration as I fight with her, yet again, about returning to the witches. Is there anything I can tell her about the coven that might make her come running? I am not an expert on all things about stubborn witches, and the more time I spend with her, the more my new engagement suffers," Isaiah admitted.
"Yes," Hyacinthe said pensively. "I think I did hear something about that. You have decided to turn your mating ritual into a human ceremony?" Hyacinthe asked, sounding a bit judgmental. Isaiah knew it would do him no good to get defensive, however.
Instead, he hit back with his own question. "Do you not believe in the human marriage ceremonies? How do witches handle relationships?" he asked her, watching her face and knowing he hit her somewhere where it might hurt a little. She had no one ruling by her side, man or woman. Maybe she presented herself as a strong and intimidating woman and leader, but that didn't mean, somewhere inside there, she didn't have a heart. He began to wonder if she had loved anyone in a romantic way.
Hyacinthe gulped, not liking the picture of the woman with blonde hair flashing before her eyes. After more than 20 years, why would she still not leave that behind her? Shaking it off, she looked back up at Isaiah, trying to think of what the right words were, to explain the way the witches believe in romantic connections. "Human lives are so fleeting, unlike ours. Not that we live forever, but we live much longer and feel things very differently. Your setup suits the animals inside of all of you, always wanting to be free and wild. I do admire what you are trying to do for your mate. It seems much more civilized than the alternative, but for witches, our very soul is wrapped up in the love of someone. Not that we cannot ever have multiple loves, but that love for whoever there was before will stay there. Love is a kind of magic that becomes a part of us."
"Wow, I have never heard you be so sentimental." Isaiah was only half teasing on that one. It was the absolute truth. It made him think of Annalise, though, and that was a dangerous place for both his mind and heart to go. He needed to get out of there and finish what he started. Then, he could figure out what to do about all this Annalise nonsense. How had he become the workhorse of the leader of the Olympia coven? He didn't know. He knew for certain, she would owe him for this, if it worked. Even though there was only the slightest of persuading Annalise of anything.
"I do have feelings sometimes, Mr. Young," she said condescendingly. "I will let you get back to your business now, but please, anything you could do would help. The witches need her more than she knows."
Isaiah bowed his head respectfully, no longer feeling that magnetic pull that had held him there. He was free to go. "I will do my best." Isaiah was about to walk away when a thought came to him. If Hyacinthe can see the future, then maybe she could also see the past. It was a long shot, but before she disappeared, he had to ask her for his own sanity.
"Wait," he stopped her, making her turn to look at him.
"You have a favor to ask." It wasn't a question.
"I have learned more things about my family lately, and I thought about your powers. I have done much for you, and in return, I would like to know if you have the power to see the past; to show it to me," Isaiah told her, hoping she had something to say; something he wanted to hear. It might be something Roman could use as well.
"That is something I am willing to talk about when you and your brother are truly ready to see what I have to offer," Hyacinthe told him cryptically. He got the feeling she knew more about his brother's transgressions than she had ever let on. Yet, she had never made a move to hurt or kill him. Surely, she could have convinced Annalise to remove the spell; to do her bidding in that regard, when she was younger. He had a feeling there was much to be grateful for, from Hyacinthe, whether he liked it or not.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Isaiah awkwardly knocked on the door of his brother's home, not feeling as welcome there as he used to. It should have been Roman feeling awkward and guilty, after how he had treated Tamara, and in turn, Isaiah. But Roman had not shown up to confess anything. He could be embarrassed, but he could also be smug and self-righteous about it. Roman had become a wild card with all of the emotions that were bursting out from under the surface, where he had kept them locked up, for far too long. Isaiah had always warned him about that, but he never listened. It was a trait that ran in the family.
Isaiah felt like an idiot standing out there, especially when no one came to the door. Where was everyone? That was when he heard the screaming; the screaming of a woman coming from the direction of where the hybrids were still camped out. Rather, the ones who were left; those of them who had to stay. One by one, many had been able to integrate into the pack or go back to the coven, the exceptions were a few that were having a harder time controlling their emotions. That was why Annalise was still around, or at least, it was her excuse to be there.
Isaiah took off running,
wanting to find out what chaos was happening in his territory, this time. He was ready to kick out some of those hybrids if they were causing trouble again. There was no excuse for their continued bad behavior.
As he approached, though, nothing could have prepared him for what he was seeing. Annalise was the one screaming. She was tied up and being attacked, forced to heal herself, bit by bit, each time one of the two hybrids took a chunk out of her. Much of it was superficial; pieces of skin, her hair, but it was still torture. They also seemed to be trying to use their magic on her, in some way. Isaiah could feel it somehow, though he didn't know what they were doing. The worst part of all, though, was that Roman was right in the middle, letting it happen.
Annalise screamed again. "Don't make me have to use magic on them, Roman. You know what I can do."
"Yes, I do, and then you would get sent home where you belong. You are not a wolf, Annalise. You are a witch. You don't belong here anymore, batting your eyes at an engaged man."
Isaiah was about to lose it, rage filling him up to the brim. Roman had lost his mind. But Annalise took care of things, busting out of the ropes and forcing the wolves to become human again, lying on the floor, naked and whimpering with blood in their mouths.
Isaiah came up, fists out and ready. "Hold up, Isaiah," Annalise said, putting her hands up. “I'll be fine. They just got a little carried away with their training, and I think Roman had some repressed anger that’s rearing its ugly head." As she said it, she gave Roman the stink eye.
"Do not defend him, Annalise. Not only did he put you in direct danger, but he had been up to no good in many other ways, lately. That is what I came to deal with, calmly, as your brother. Apparently, that is not going to be happening here," Isaiah told Roman, turning to face him before he motioned for the two hybrids on the ground to get up. "I do not care if he is a Young, he is not the alpha. I will not have members of the pack who are not loyal to me; who cannot respect those that are trying to help them. You are banished from the pack. Seek mercy from the coven or be gone from Olympia for good," he warned them, as they whimpered away.
Chosen Witch Page 12