Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Returning back from the Southern Border, I filled Johnathon in on what’s going on there. Now that I have been spending some extended time down there preparing the new stealth uniforms, he hasn’t had to go as much. Leaving him more time in the other border areas and training the men at home.

He and Andrew have also been able to move warriors around for optimal and more enhanced training with those new suits. Andrew is doing better teleporting with Johnathon touching him. Poor guy kept getting queasy at first, but now he’s a pro.

We were walking towards the training grounds when I felt a shift in the air. Slowing my pace just a little, I looked around trying to determine its source. “What’s wrong Timber?” he asks, noticing the change in my pace.

“I’m… not sure. But the air changed. Like something or someone’s here?” carefully using my words as I myself do not understand it fully. Reaching out to him I placed my hand on his before opening myself up to him. I was hoping he could detect the shift through our bond. “Can you feel it? The shift in the air?” shaking his head no, he looked uneasy about my words.

“Shamira?” he says, but I shake my head no. It didn’t feel like her. But something, or someone else. “A witch maybe?” he questions again, trying to understand.

“Maybe? I… I don’t know.” turning my head to look into his eyes. ‘Let’s be careful what we say in the open just in case, ok? I’d hate for something to get out to Shamira we don’t want her to know.’ smiling at him as I send the link over. “I’m sure everythings fine.” I said kissing his lips. He snaked his arm around my waist pulling closer as he deepened the kiss. ‘Baby, you never need to worry about talking to me. I love you, my little Luna.’ he linked to me as we kissed passionately out in the open.

Letting me go, he still held onto me as my footing was a little unsettling. He could always knock me off my feet. “Let’s go see about training, shall we?” he said, smiling lovingly, causing me to nod like a lovesick puppy.

As we continued to walk towards the training grounds, Johnathon mind-linked Andrew to let him know we thought we were being watched by a possible witch and training with the elemental powers were going to need to be done in a discreet location for a while.

Approaching the men, Johnathon looked them all over. ‘Good they are all in the new uniforms. If someone is watching they won’t notice uniforms being different.’ he linked to Andrew and myself. It was weird how Andrew didn’t respond back like he normally would. I could only feel a mind nod from him.

“Alright men! Today we are going to train like usual. You will be paired up with a partner or possibly two. Andrew and I will be your overseers. Like normal. Any questions?” he barked out to the men standing at military rest.

“No Alpha!” was heard in unison, before they formed their groups.

“The time is near Timber. Luna of the Graves Pack. Your preparations will be futile when we reach you.” Shamira penetrated my thoughts. ‘She’s just trying to taunt and bait us Timber.’ Karin said. ‘I know Karin. Don’t worry.’

“Bring it Shamira. Your threats and games are getting a little… old.” I spat back.

“Rest assured, this is no threat or game. Although, I will thoroughly enjoy playing this one. See you very soon… Timber.” she declared back, popping my name at the end before leaving my mind. I always feel the need for a good mind scrubbing after she leaves it. Ew gross. I thought to myself, shivering a little.

That feeling of being watched came back. This time stronger. Looking around to find something, anything out of place. But nothing. Only training. Then I spotted Andrew. He stiffened before searching for something himself, sniffing the air around him. I watched as he slowly walked around the men he was supposed to be observing. Barely glancing at them.

‘Andrew? What’s wrong?’ I asked him. His eyes fell on mine. I could see Rusty trying to force himself forward.

‘She’s here Luna. I can smell her, sense her. Do you see any new wolves Luna? Please I need to find her.’ he was adamant she was there. Pleading for me to help him locate her. But how could I do that when I myself couldn’t see anyone who didn’t belong. Then, realization hit me instantly.

‘Johnathon, The air shift I felt earlier is back… and Andrew swears his mate is here but I see no one who doesn’t belong. Could she be a witch?’ I watched as he started inspecting the area around us as well.

‘I don’t see anything. She could very well be, love. Has she done anything? To provoke an attack?’ he questioned, keeping his eyes trained on the men giving them pointers. He was trying to not look suspicious to whoever was cloaking themselves from us.

‘Nothing. But Andrew seems tense and uneasy.’ I replied back, still watching the training walking around slowly.

‘Andrew, how close do you think she is, in proximity to everyone and you?’ I hear Johnathon ask in our now three way open link.

‘Like it was at the lake. She’s gotta be right on top of this area. I can smell her like she’s standing beside me. Rusty is trying to force a shift, the scent is so strong.’ he was starting to fall apart from the inside. Rusty is a strong beast. Just as equally brutal as Bane but not as strong since he’s not an Alpha wolf. I can only imagine the control Andrew is fighting with right now.

‘Let me try something. Nobody do, anything. Not yet understand?’ I heard them agree through the link before Andrew asked me to hurry. I could hear his struggle with Rusty, and it was deeply real. Teleporting myself to the back of the house where the boys and I practice together preparing for a persuasion release.

Focusing on everything around me, allowing the elements to take over, I entered into a dream-like state as I was lifted off the ground. It felt like it did when I reached out to Johnathon that first time. When I was trying to merge them all together. Only difference now, I can call on them whenever I want.

I reached out my mind to persuade whoever it was I could not see to become transparent. Whoever it was didn’t want to be seen, I needed to know why and if they were a threat. The energies released from me in clear waves to not draw attention. My control has greatly improved as now no one’s mind is affected by their intensity except the ones I want affected.

I reached out looking for anyone not of my pack. That’s when I saw her. She was illuminated in an opaque transparency walking around Andrew. She must not have felt me yet as she hasn’t looked away from him.

‘Who is that?’ I heard Karin ask cautiously.

‘I don’t know but she sure seems rather interested in Andrew.’ I said. Pushing myself further, now that I know whom I am looking for, I sent myself to her. She turned her head and looked at me with an expression I could not quite read. Was it shock, curiosity, or irritation? I wasn’t sure. But she saw me, and now she knows I saw her.

‘Who are you and what do you want with Andrew?’ I petitioned her. She said nothing. Just co^cked her head to the side before waving a hand disappearing.

‘That was weird?’ Karin voiced my own thoughts. All I could do was draw myself back in and nod mentally at her words.

Teleporting myself back to Johnathon, with Andrew finding his way to us, started spilling out questions. “What happened? She’s gone. Did you see her? Who is she? Please Luna, you must tell me!” Andrew threw his questions out one by one without giving me a chance to respond. His frustration, evident in his voice.

“Watch your tone Andrew! I know you are getting frustrated, but she’s still your Luna, Beta.” Johnathon growled at the way Andrew was firing his words at me. Touching Johnathon’s arm he calmed down pulling my closer pushing his nose into my hair inhaling my scent.

“I’m sorry Andrew. I do not know who she is, or where she came from. She was indeed surrounding herself around you though. She didn’t even recognize my attempt to reach her at first. She was engrossed in only you. She does seem to be a witch, that’s one thing that’s true.” speaking slowly and deliberately hoping it will appease him for now.

Andrew had a smile move across his face knowing she was only interested in him. I could see curiosity and questioning behind his eyes though. He was struggling with his thoughts and there wasn’t anything else I could help with right now. My heart went out to him. He was so close to getting his mate, yet so far from her too.

“Do you think she was the same witch who helped Kronin capture you?” Johnathon spoke his concern out loud causing Andrew to look at him.

“I don’t know. When I asked who she was and what she wanted with Andrew… well she looked confused, then something flashed across her face, like realization maybe? Before she waved a hand and disappeared. She didn’t seem to want anything or anyone. Except a considerable interest in Andrew.” look at him when his name left my lips.

“Whoever she is, she must be the one Andrew is mated to. Maybe she’s unsure of the mate bond with her being a witch? Werewolves do not normally have mates outside their kind. It keeps our bloodline pure. Possibly a hybrid?” stating the possibilities so help keep Rusty calm for Andrew.

“Maybe. But if she followed me here, she must be feeling it too. There’s a chance for us then. I just got to get her to talk to me. How could she be a hybrid though?” Andrew finally spoke up. Seeing the wheels turning in his head through his eyes. He’s determined more than ever now to talk to her.

“Possibly?” I answered back. My own curiosity getting the better of me about it as well.

“What Timber? I know that look.” Johnathon pushed.

“When I visited the Elders, they mentioned that the Dragon Shifters were attacked by rogues… and that a witch was caught cloaked in the tree line. Could it have been her? They said a hybrid could potentially have been born from Alpha Dirk’s bloodline.” They both looked at me with surprise.

“How? He was never unfaithful to his mate” Jonathan questioned.

“No, but he was with a witch before finding his destined mate. He wasn’t always an alpha, Johnathon. There has been speculation about her child seeking revenge on the were community for how her mother was treated.” filling them in on what I know and its relevance to our present situation.

I am hoping this isn’t the case for Andrew. If she is the hybrid, she may not be willing to be with the species she hates. I watched them contemplate the information I laid out before them before Johanthon spoke up.

“Well, the next time you sense her Andrew, try talking to her. Maybe that will help. Be cautious, but patient. This could all be new to her, being mated to a werewolf. She may need time to fully understand what’s happening. If anyone can win her, Andrew it’s you. Just be patient.” Johnathon said, patting him on the back reassuringly.

~Layana POV~

‘Who was that?’ I heard Mayra say, as I paced back and forth.

‘I don’t know, but she has the gift of persuasion for sure. How did I not sense her?’ I questioned myself. It had to be this stupid mate thing. I was distracted by that beautiful specimen of man. UH! Get it together Layana. I thought to myself.

‘But he was glorious wasn’t he?’ Mayra purred.

‘Yeah, you’re not helping here Mayra.’ I said back annoyed.

‘She called him, Andrew. That must be his name.’ Mayra purred again. Goodness I wish she’d stop swooning over this man-wolf.

“Andrew.” saying his name out loud, liking the way it moved on my tongue. Such a masculent name for a fine specimen. Thinking to myself again.

“We can’t go see him again. This whole ‘mate’ thing is going to mess everything up.” saying aloud more to myself than anyone in particular.

“Excuse me, Head Mistress Layana for intruding, however there have been developments among some of the smaller covens.” Strella said as she entered the great room.

“What is it, Strella?” not bothering to look directly at her still pacing slightly.

“Some of the smaller covens have concerns about Elder Queen Shamira of the were community abusing her power.” getting impatient with her over use of pauses, I turned to face her, looking at her like she had better hurry up and get to the point.

“Yes, well Mother Mistress, some of the covens have been invaded by rogues of various species kidnapping the younger upcoming witches.” my face turned furious at her words.

This was not supposed to happen. Shamira has gone too far and will ruin all my plans. I cannot allow this to happen. The witches are not to be held captive to this war, only those I allow. She needs to be put in her place.

Thinking about what to do I started pacing again. After a few minutes I got my answer. Turning to address Strella I said, “prepare the older, more powerful covens. Shamira will learn what she can and cannot touch. That selfish child will learn her place.” With those words, Strella nodded, disappearing to do as I asked.