Her Wolf’s Demands by Rachel Medhurst

Chapter Twelve

 

Whispering an extra protection spell, I braced myself as I climbed out of the car. Malone was beside me, taking my hand and leading me across the road.

The streets in Brighton were packed with tourists and children, all swarming the shops and heading to the pier. My brain was on high alert, my gaze checking everyone.

There. Two witches walked past, chatting happily together and ignoring me completely. Good, I could relax knowing that I couldn’t be seen by witches from my own coven.

“Through here,” Malone muttered, pulling down his black baseball cap.

We entered a small cobbled walkway, not dissimilar to the Lanes. Luckily, we were the other side of the park, away from my shop.

Shit, I missed my shop. The longing to smell the incense and feel safe in my sanctuary intensified as we neared several wooden doors, hidden behind a small wall.

Manual brought up the rear, checking around to make sure no one saw us enter the small house. He wore blue jeans with a red check shirt and brown boots. He looked like an English cowboy, all pretty and confident.

Knocking on the door, Malone stood back and put an arm around my waist. Awkwardly trying not to look awkward, I kept my arms at my side and resisted the urge to pull away from him. It was strange, standing on another witch’s doorstep with a wolf’s arm around me. Wouldn’t she instantly get the wrong idea about me? Although I knew I shouldn’t care what others thought, I couldn’t help but shift uneasily on my feet.

“Okay?” Malone asked me, nudging me in the side with his hip.

Nodding, I plastered a smile on my face as the door unlocked from the inside of the house. I gripped my shaking hands together, frightfully nervous for some reason. I was more comfortable in the company of wolves nowadays. It had been a while since I’d spoken to a witch I trusted.

“Hi,” the lovely witch greeted, gesturing for us to come inside.

Her waist-length mousey hair brushed against a pretty floral maxi-dress, swinging when she tucked it behind her ear. The light of her grey eyes brightened when they landed on Manual.

“Come in!”

Standing back, she gestured enthusiastically, smiling at me as I passed her. I smiled back, catching her infectious energy. There was no judgement, no scowls, and certainly no jealous glares. Maybe there would be a chance for me to have a witch friend outside the coven, after all.

Malone led me into the living room, quickly making himself comfortable on the huge grey corner sofa. It looked like he’d paid the witch a visit or two in the past.

“Been on that sofa a lot, have you?” I asked, ignoring his invitation to join him.

A very slight pang of annoyance made me avoid his questioning gaze. Instead, I inspected the living room, admiring the cosy cottage style and brick fireplace. There were several dreamcatchers and fairies decorating the room.

“I’ve never had any untoward dealings with Laura. I told you, her and Manual… You know.” He waved his hand, hissing the last part as their voices grew louder.

My cheeks grew warm as the pair walked in. She looked up at Manual, giggling as they made small talk. Oh shit, she was besotted with the wolf. And on the journey, Manual had been talking about another woman he’d just started to see. Poor girl.

“Laura,” Malone said, “this is my mate, Della.”

A grin spread on her pretty face, brightening it as she came over and threw her arms around me. I patted her back, laughing stiffly.

“It’s so good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about the infamous hybrid-witch. What’s it like living with these mongrels?”

Yep, I liked her instantly. “It’s okay. Except, they have this incessant need to puff their chest. Why do wolves do that?”

Chuckling, Laura shook her head. “Because they need so much space for their wolf brawn, there’s no room left for a brain.”

The men watched on, bemused expressions lifting their eyebrows as we fell about laughing. It was good to be light-hearted and less serious. I hadn’t felt that in so long.

“As entertaining as you are,” Malone started, “no really, you should start a double act…” It was their turn to laugh. “… We need your help, Laura.”

Tilting her head to the side, she smiled at me before rolling her lips together. “I’ve heard what’s happened with your coven. I’m sorry about that.”

Unexpected emotional pain gripped my chest so hard, I couldn’t breathe. Instead of replying, I nodded, unable to find the words to thank her for her compassion.

Going to the coven headquarters as an enemy had been easy in the moment, but sensing how hard they were trying to keep me away, fucking hurt. A lot.

“Anyway,” Laura went on, “how can I help you?”

She moved to Manual and draped her arm over his shoulders. He winked at her, playfully tickling her under the arm.

Malone glanced at me, a small smile lifting the corner of his lips. So the wolves did have intimate relationships with other paranormals. I hadn’t expected that. I’d been too busy setting up my shop and being a sister to pay much attention to the romantic relationships of others.

“This isn’t usual,” Malone said, clearly reading my thoughts. “Manual…”

“He has a taste for women, however they come,” Laura interrupted. “The rules don’t apply to you, do they?” She winked at the Casanova. “I call him a wolf-aniser.”

Her tinkling laughter warmed my chest. Okay, so it wasn’t really that funny, but they were cute together. And for once, I didn’t feel weird being the only witch attracted to a wolf.

My gaze roamed to the alpha as he sat back and shrugged, getting comfortable as the others joked between themselves. They were easy together, sparking off of one another, instead of being full of angst.

Laura knew that she wasn’t the only woman in Manual’s life, and yet, she didn’t seem to mind too much. Unless she was hiding her true feelings from him.

Malone watched them before looking at me, a nostalgic expression crossing his face. Did he miss being free to be intimate with other women? Or was it the easy way they interacted, laughing without a care in the world?

My stomach knotted as I swallowed, not sure if we’d ever get to that place. Emiliah had insisted that as soon as the bonding ceremony had been completed, all my doubts and insecurities would ebb away. I almost wished I’d agreed to go ahead with the damn thing now.

“Right!” Laura blurted, jumping up from where she’d been perched on Manual’s knee. “I’m being rude. What can I get you to drink? Wait…” Holding her fingers to her temple, she closed her eyes briefly, clapped her hands and smiled. “… No need to tell me.”

Three steaming mugs appeared on the small table in front of the couch. The smell of coffee slipped up my nose, soothing me like a balm. No matter how dire a situation was or how stressed my brain got, coffee fixed it.

Almost grabbing up the mug, I thanked her. A witch who served coffee without being asked? I was comfortable already.

I was about to pull out the painting when I hesitated. Could I trust the witch? She might be friends with the Brighton Pack, but I didn’t know her other associates. Maybe she was friends with Ertha, too?

“I don’t mean to pry,” I said to Laura, sitting in the armchair next to the couch.

Frowning, Malone tightened his jaw, clenching it tight. I didn’t blame him, I had just snubbed him in the most obvious way.

My own chest heated as he sat forward, tapping the wooden table with his finger.

I wasn’t quite sure what he was trying to communicate to me, but I understood why he was pissed. If the situation had been reversed, I would’ve screamed like a banshee, decrying the fact that he wasn’t showing solidity by being beside me.

Almost tripping to my feet, I trotted around the table. I had to pass Laura, who stood nearby, and squeeze past Manual without knocking his knees. Ugh. Awkward.

“Your coven…” Sitting down, I almost fell into Malone, whose arm came around me, catching me against him. “… are you… from around here?”

My stuttering question might have been framed innocently but everyone knew what I was asking. I should’ve just been more direct. Directness had never been my strong point, I’d been too afraid to upset anyone. However, I was no longer the cowering child who was shy and only wanted to play with my brother. I had to make friends in order to defeat my enemies.

“Oh, bollocks,” I swore, shaking my head. “We need your help, but I need to know whether I can trust you. Now, I can pussyfoot around the issue at hand – namely if you’re in league with my ex-bitch elder, Ertha – or, I can just ask you outright.”

“Which will it be?” Laura’s lips twitched, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

“Erm… the latter. Are you in anyway associated with Ertha and the Brighton Coven?”

That tinkling laughter stroked my skin, washing my nerves and worries away. Throwing her hair over her shoulder, Laura tossed her head, shaking it vigorously. “No, I’m not. I’m a free spirit. I’m originally from the South West. However, I got bored of hiding who I was. Especially when I couldn’t help but predict everything that happened in the village long before it did. People soon grew suspicious, and you know, I couldn’t face a witch trial. I hate water. The dunking would have ruined my hair.”

Manual’s eyebrows creased up and the corner of his eyes wrinkled as he stared at my new best friend. Well, second new best friend. Wow, I had more friends than ever before. And it wasn’t even the end of the day.

“They don’t do that to witches anymore, do they? I thought it had been outlawed way back when,” Manual added with a grin.

“Anyway,” Laura said, tapping him on the nose. “No, I’m not in league with Ertha. She has requested I visit the coven many times, but I’ve refused. You can trust me, I swear.”

Inclining my head, I glanced at Malone, who nodded his agreement. He’d clearly been friends with the witch a while and she was probably the one he was going to ask to bind my wolf. The thought of it scared me suddenly, gripping my chest and forcing me to cough.

What had happened to my plan to bind the wolf once Drake was safe from Ertha’s wrath? Had it gone out of the window? I kinda didn’t know anymore. Being a wolf was amazing. And yet, my mind kept returning to Drake. I would never leave him behind. But Malone saying he would protect him… sure put a new spin on things.

Taking a deep breath, I dug the painting out of my bag and placed it on the coffee table. Laura’s eyes instantly traced the brush strokes and a smile came to her face.

“Ah, Drake’s Mason’s painting.”

“You know Drake?”

She barked a laugh as her cheeks turned bright red. “I do. Very well.”

Er, okay. So, my brother hadn’t told me about his past girlfriends. If her reaction was anything to go by, she was no doubt one of his exes. Would he appreciate me talking to her about his painting? Or would he get angry at me for getting someone he clearly knew involved.

“Why is the pentagram painted on the stones?” Laura asked, picking up the picture and almost dropping it. “Shit, it’s got Drake’s magic running through it.”

“Running through it?”

Okay, now my ignorance was going to embarrass me. I knew that the painting was imbued with Drake’s magic, but I had no idea what Laura meant. I’d never been a great witch, or even a very good one. Just average, getting by with the spells I knew. I supposed my mother might have taught us had she been alive. My throat tightened as a grainy image of her popped into my mind.

“Yes,” Laura went on, interrupting my thoughts and wiping the image away. “He’s somehow connected to the stones. So, their magic is running through him and the painting. It’s probably not grounding anywhere… Is he okay? How is…?”

Glancing at the others, she licked her lips and pointed to her head. I swallowed the rush of emotion that burst through me. About to surge to my feet, I froze when Malone’s hand rested on my knee, calming me instantly.

I glanced at him, grateful to have him by my side. I had been quick to dismiss him, unused to having someone to fight for me. To be there when I needed them.

“Drake has been struggling.” I coughed to clear the frog in my throat. “He’s doing better now.”

Laura’s concern was etched in her features as she nodded and bent over the painting. “Wait, what’s this? Look…” Pointing at one of the standing stones, she traced a circle with a roman numeral painted in it.

“That’s the full moon,” I blurted. “Tonight.”

My insides curdled, my stomach twisting. Did the witches have something planned for my brother tonight?

“There’s more,” Laura said, tracing other symbols that I hadn’t spotted before. “The spell isn’t complete. On the Solstice, in three days’ time, the witches will finish the spell. I’m not sure what it is, but it most likely has something to do with using Drake as a channel to ground the magic.”

“He said,” I muttered, glancing at Malone, “something about standing on a stone and ancient witches are channelled through a tree. To poison plants?” Raising a questioning eyebrow at Malone, I bit my lip. He nodded to confirm that I’d remembered what Drake had said correctly.

“Not sure about the plants and trees, but it looks like Drake is the witch being channelled. Maybe they plan to use the ancestors’ magic in some way?”

Clenching my hands into fists, I bit my lip. “Fuck!”

“What does that mean?” Malone asked, sitting forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “Is Drake in danger?”

Nodding, I stared at the picture, my mind spinning. My stomach rolled as I choked back the tears that threatened. “It means that the witches don’t want to kill Drake for being mentally unhinged. They want to use him as a conduit to channel more magic than he’ll be able to handle, which will kill him anyway.”

“So,” Manual said, sitting forward. “The witches need to be stopped. Otherwise, they’ll fry your brother and gain more magic than they can possible handle. Am I right?”

My chest squeezed as I nodded and ran my hand through my hair. The witches could probably use Drake to channel the stones without him being in the pentagram circle in Devil’s Dyke. What I didn’t understand was why they were so desperate to use the magic. What did they have planned?

“Right,” Malone said, sitting forward and taking my elbow. “This is the plan. You get to Drake and help him if he becomes weak or whatever during their full moon ritual tonight.”

“That’s a good idea.” I smiled at him. “I can help channel the magic if it gets too much for him. On the Solstice, though…”

“It will be too strong for him,” Laura said, “even with your help.”

“I’ll have to try and control my own shift,” I added quickly, remembering that I too would be effected by the moon’s movement.

Frowning, Malone shook his head. “I stupidly didn’t think of that. It’s not safe.”

“I can help,” Laura piped up. “I can go with Della, who can go into a separate room to shift. I’ll look after Drake. He’s my friend, after all.”

My heart fluttered as I looked at Malone, afraid that he would refuse. Yes, it would be hard to not be with him for my second forced shift. However, being near Drake would put my mind at ease. I could check on him as soon as I was able to shift back. Dr Amel would allow me to use a nearby room. He had done it before.

Malone cleared his throat and shared a look with Manual, who nodded. Warmth spread throughout me as the alpha looked me up and down before licking his lips. “I’m your alpha,” he said quietly, “your mate.”

“You are,” I whispered back, drawn to lean closer as he reached out and stroked my cheek.

“So,” he said. “The pack will go to the stones and see what the witches are planning.”

Opening my mouth to protest, Malone shushed me, placing his fingers over my lips.

I swallowed down the rising panic that rose up my chest, making it tight. He was right, he was my alpha. I had to trust that he could take care of himself and the pack.

“You’ll be risking your life for Drake.” I took his hand, threading my fingers through his. “You would do that?”

Everything in me wanted to protest, to tell him to stay away from the witches at all cost. If they caught the wolves, there was no telling what they’d do.

Ertha was losing her mind, clearly doing something against the witches’ code of conduct. Similar to wolf laws, witches lived by a set of morals and codes that kept the Earth’s magic in balance. It was obvious Ertha had lost sight of her true purpose, compromising everything we stood for. And the other witches in the coven were being taken along for the ride. Did they even know what Ertha had organised?

“I would do anything for you. Which means I’ll protect you and your brother until there’s no breath left in me.”

Gasping, I bit my lip and ducked my gaze, suddenly shy in front of the others. My neck flushed, going hot as Malone’s hand that gripped mine. My insides were quivering with a mixture of excitement, fear and desire. No one had ever dreamt of being my rescuer, and here Malone was, still being my wolf in shining armour. In fact, his armour couldn’t be shinier if he tried.

“Thank you,” I breathed. “Just… thank you.”

“Right then,” Manual said, getting to his feet. “We’d better prepare the pack. No witch is going to take over our land to perform some messed up ritual. I’ll kill them before they threaten my alpha’s mate or her brother.”