Tasting The Enemy

Elaine

“I’m surprised you are an Alpha Female, Elaine. Hybrid children don’t have strong wolves. It’s the moon goddess’ curse,” My Mother said.

It was weird thinking I was talking to my Mother. It was something I had to constantly remind myself of. I’d never had a Mother and here my real one was sitting across from me drinking ginger tea.

“She cursed me differently, I guess.” I shrugged and smiled.

“I want to help you. It’s the least I can do.”

“We’ve spoken to witches from almost everywhere. There’s no cure.”

“You’ve also spoken to Avena and she’s a piece of work.”

I grimaced. “Yes, she is.”

“How did your boyfriend take it when he found out?” she asked.

“I guess he’s cool with it, but only my brothers can help when my curse acts up. Dad gave me some of his venom but what am I going to do when the venom runs out?”

“I’m sure he’ll give you more,” she said taking a sip of her tea.

“He’s not the loving Father type.”

“Sometimes I don’t understand that all this is possible. You’re supposed to be dead, Elaine. He was such a good Father figure to Isaura. He supported me when she was born yet he kept you hidden from me all this time. Isn’t he insane? He’s some sort of psychopath.”

“I’m sorry.” I lowered my head.

Her soft hand lifted my head. “Don’t apologise. I wasn’t there to protect you.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “There isn’t much you could have done.”

“Unfortunately.”

“I just wonder where he kept me for six years before I went to live with him,” I said.

“I wish I knew as well. It’s no use confronting him. He won’t tell me anyway. What we need is a powerful witch and I happen to be one.”

“Can you get out of a blood promise?” I asked.

Her features drooped. “I can’t.”

“Dad made me make a blood promise too.”

She gripped her head and exhaled in frustration. “No, Elaine. You shouldn’t have agreed to that.”

“What’s he going to do?” I begged, my heart slammed forward.

“I can’t tell you. He’s bound me too.”

What had I done? I might have made us an even bigger mess than we were already in.

***Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

After spending time with my Mother I went back to the Bed and Breakfast. I still hadn’t spoken to Isaura. She was at school and I anticipated this conversation with my Mother to be too sensitive for her young ears. Gail insisted my Dad was crazy but his plan was possible and he had all the tools in place. She couldn’t give me specifics because Dad made her swear not to tell. Azaire and I had to find the magic to undo what I foolishly did and if the magic could free my Mother then that was better.

Richie’s car was parked in front of the Bed and Breakfast. A few other cars that weren’t here yesterday were parked beside his car too. I walked through the front door and met laughter and cheer.

“Remember when Azaire drove through Alpha Ken’s living room?” Ross asked.

Another round of laughter. “You made my Dad so mad! He would never let me date you after that.” A soft feminine voice fluttered above the deep masculine voices.

“You were crazy about her why the hell would you ruin your chances like that?” Richie said.

I grimaced. Dove didn’t like the idea of Azaire being crazy about anyone else.

“Like you said, I was crazy. It was an accident anyway,” Azaire replied.

“He didn’t see it that way,” the foreign female said.

They burst into laughter.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I was torn between backing out or making myself known.

I felt awkward. More importantly, why was Azaire’s ex here?

I wouldn’t find out if I kept standing here like a weirdo. I gathered my courage and strolled into the dining room where everyone was. Azaire spotted me first. He straightened his spine and he went slightly pale.

Why? What was he nervous about?

“Elaine, why didn’t you call me to pick you up?” he asked.

The room went silent.

“Because I don’t mind taking the bus,” I replied.

Richie cleared his throat. “Elaine, this is Winter. Standing Luna of the Waxing Moon Pack.”

The petite woman with pale blue eyes and ginger hair stood at equal height with me. She took me in without judgment or malice. She stuck out her hand.

“So you’re Azaire’s mate. I’m his ex-girlfriend.”

Ross silently slipped out of the room.

I bit my bottom lip. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Winter’s helping us take over the Pack. Her army is one of the biggest in the werewolf community. If we put ourselves together we’ll definitely kick some ass,” Richie added.

“Yeah, Dad’s been bedridden for months now but he gives me full control of the army. I’ve done a pretty good job since then.”

“Yeah, you’ve made a great Luna, Winter,” Azaire said.

Okay, time for me to leave.

“Well, you guys must have a lot to talk about. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Where are you going?” Azaire asked.

“It’s a beautiful day, I’ll take a walk.”

Azaire’s brows furrowed but he made no move to stop me. I wasn’t jealous, I thought. I wasn’t jealous that his ex-girlfriend was here though I hated that I couldn’t contribute to their conversation. Dad kept me out of the military work. I knew how to fight but that’s where it ended. My job was to get married to a strong Alpha and I couldn’t even do that.

I looked back at the Bed and Breakfast and thought, I hadn’t done too bad with Azaire. I didn’t want any other man.

There was a forest behind the bed and breakfast. I could smell the stream water and hear the birds ruffling in their nests. The songs of nature were majestic. I found myself walking deeper into the forest. I got lost in the smell of moisture and pine.

“Want to go for a run, Dove?” I asked using our link.

“Male,” she replied.

I turned around and gasped. My heart slammed against my ribcage.

The male wolf jumped out of a bush. His bright blue eyes bore into me. His black fur coat was damp as if he’d just come out of the stream. The black wolf just stared at me.

“I didn’t mean to intrude,” I said.

He dipped his head to the side. The wolf was massive. He was an Alpha wolf but surprisingly calm for an Alpha. I backed up and the wolf got up on all fours. Just when I thought he was going to attack he shifted into a six-foot-two man.

“You,” he said.

The hybrid, I thought.

He stalked forward and backed me into the tree.

“I know you!” he barked.

“I’ve never seen you before in my life!” I blasted.

“Then why the hell do you seem so familiar?”

He is definitely not calm. He’s just as hot-headed as every Alpha male I’ve met. Though, I agreed he felt familiar too. Why did he smell like my brother? A lump formed in my throat and sweat dampened my palms.

“This might sound weird but who’s your Dad?” I asked.