Chapter 33

Chapter 33

As soon as Andrew disappeared, so did the forest and lake surrounding Layana. The coven witches were now visible standing patiently in the great open room they were beckoned to come to. Layana closed her as she took a deep breath, in hopes to calm her raging heart, opening her eyes to see, coven Mothers Lina, Cora, and Evelyn before her.

“Ladies. Thank you for coming at such short notice.” Layana said, giving a slight nod to each one to show her respect. Even though Layna is the Mother Mistress, her mother always told her to be respectful to those who have power even if she didn’t like them. Her mother would say, “Layana, always show respect to those in power or have great numbers behind them. You never know when your enemy will be your biggest ally and asset in times of trouble.”

“We are assuming you called us here because of the attack on the smaller covens, did you not?” Mother Lina spoke first.

“I did, actually.” she said, confirming their suspicion was accurate. “As you all may know, Queen Elder Shamira of the werewolves, has been gathering rogues from various species of the supernatural communities to aid her in her quest to rule over all supernaturals.” Layna paused briefly, placing her hands behind her back pacing in a small circle. The coven Mothers looked at each other in concern as they were unaware Shamira was wanting to take over the entire supernatural community.

“I thought she was trying to protect her throne? Something about another Elder wanting to take it over?” Mother Lina said in great concern of what this new development might mean for all supernaturals.

“She was Mother Lina. From what I was able to gather, she has a lost, presumptuously thought dead, twin sister.” gasps were heard at this comment. Holding up a hand, Layana continued, “apparently, when her sister came of age, the gifts she had also came to light causing a stir in the werewolf community. I am unsure exactly who this person is and where she resides as it had nothing to do with us per se. At least not until now, it didn’t.”

“As you all have heard the rumors, my family has never cared for the werewolves due to… personal differences, and have always done what we could to help get rid of them.” Layana said, stopping her pacing, looking directly at them at the open confession, waving her hand in around like it’s common knowledge.

“If I may be honest, my immediate coven has been assisting me in pushing their little war forward, magically with them unaware. After, however, the attack on the covens, Shamira has made it impossible for us to help push her war forward, yet to help stop her as she has taken children hostage.” She said folding her hands now in front of her neatly as her eyes turned a shade darker with the latter comment.

“What is the plan then to stop her?” Mother Cora spoke up.

“I am so glad you asked…” Layana smiled wickedly as her eyes slitted with devious intentions, leaving her statement open.

~~~~~~

‘Luna? Would it be possible to speak with you privately please?’ Andrew mind-linked Timber.

‘Of course. Are you sure you do not want the Alpha too? You know how he gets with me being around males without him alone.’ Timber responded back. She of all people knows how possessive Johnathon can be, and it didn’t matter if she was with his Beta.

‘I’m sure. You can tell him after we speak. I just need… some advice. It’s about my mate. I saw her, Luna.’ Upon hearing those words Timber stopped everything she was doing before asking Magda to watch the boys. Transporting herself urgently to Andrew.

“Andrew? What happened?” She questioned as she materialized in his room without thinking if he was decent or not. Taking in her surroundings, she gave an audible sigh being thankful he was. She would have hated to see him die because she appeared in front of him half naked… or worse. Andrew lifted his head from his hands when she entered. Still feeling defeated.

“I saw her, Luna.” He said with unknown emotions filtering through his eyes. She couldn’t tell if he was happy, sad, in pain, confused or what. He was a swirl of emotions intertwining within themselves.

“When? Where? I thought you hadn’t left your room since earlier?” Timber now a little confused herself of his confession.

“I don’t know how. I… I just… found myself by the lake in the forest where I first found her scent.” He finally got out, pausing to gather even his own questionable thoughts. “I thought I went to sleep when I closed my eyes, but I don’t think I did. I think she took me there?” confusion and doubt was evident. So was love?

“Well. Doesn’t that show she is trying to figure you out as well? Maybe she needed to… see you by yourself in a neutral place?” Timber said, trying to fill in some unsureness in his mind. “What did Rusty do or say when that happened?” she continued prompting.

“He didn’t believe it at first, but then grew anxious and wanted to mate and mark her right then!” Andrew laughed at the thought of Rusty always being the predictable beast he was. “I had to remind him… to be patient and not scare her!” he continued chuckling at the memory.

“So the encounter went well then?” Timber continued to probe. Andrew shook his head smiling bigger than Timber had ever seen, causing her to smile widely as well at his joy.

“So? What is the problem then? Why did you need me?” She prompted again wanting to know why she was called there.

“I think you are right about her being the hybrid witch.” he must have seen the confusion on my face because he continued without her prompting this time. “Her name is Layana.” another huge grin spread across his face as he said her name out loud again. “I could smell her wolf, although I do not know who she is. Layana mentioned something about being unsure of being with a mate because of family issues? Also something about, never thinking that mates was a good idea. Well, something like that. I could tell her wolf was already feeling the bond’s pull though.” Sadness, then a smile of contentment etched over his face at the latter statement.

“Well, it could be very possible it is her Andrew. Just remember to be patient with her. If she is who we think she is, then she is not going to jump at the chance to follow the mate bond at all.” Timber reassured him with a smile and squeezed his shoulder gently before turning to leave.

“Thank you Luna.” Andrew said standing up. “Umm Luna?” he said, making her stop to turn back around and look at him. Her brows arched waiting for his next words. “I think something bigger is happening with this war than just Shamira.” Timber c^ocked her head to the side furrowing her brow at the comment.

“Why would you say that Andrew?” Timber questioned, concern evident on her face.

“Before I left the lake and found myself back here… well someone showed up. I couldn’t see them and I don’t think they could see me, but it was obvious someone else was there. I could smell them. Rusty even pushed for control before I could stop him in protection of her.” Timber placed her hands in front of her resting inside the other taking in his words.

“Who do you think they were? Do you believe they were there to cause trouble?” She questioned trying to gain understanding of what he confessed.

“I’m not sure Luna. Layana said they were part of the coven and not to worry.” Andrew said, pausing looking down, shaking his head slightly before looking back up at her. “But honestly? I don’t know. She didn’t seem as if they were a surprise. So, maybe she invited them for something? The reason I do not know, but I have a feeling there is something she didn’t tell me. That’s why I wanted to see you and not tell the Alpha right now. She’s my mate Luna… I’ve waited too long for her to come and to have something happen to her.” He stated, with heavy emotions lacing his words.

“Hmmm. That is interesting for sure. I understand Andrew. For now let’s tell him what he needs to know about her, and wait to see if something happens with the witches before we get paranoid and do something that we could possibly regret.” Andrew smiled and nodded his agreement in appreciation. Timber smiled back, nodded and turned to leave, stepping out of the room.

~~~~~

“What’s that noise!?” Shamira shouted just as Jonas stepped into the grand throne room. A loud bang and screaming was heard from outside causing her to get up and head towards the front of the palace, where Jonas stepped in front of her. Red energy engulfed her as anger rushed over her quickly and without warning.

“The witches have come for the young ones. I told you that was going to be a bad idea!” Jonas yelled at her, but she wasn’t listening to him after he said the words the witches have come. This was her chance to show them who she really was and they couldn’t bully her into doing anything she didn’t want to do.

A devious smile etched over her face knowing who was here. “Tell the men to attack them… and Jonas?” he looked at her with the sound of his name waiting for her next words. “All of them.” she said calmly and chuckled to herself. ‘Let’s see how you do against all the warriors I have accumulated, Layana.’ Shamira snickered to herself as Jonas transported, to tell everyone available to fight.

Walking out of the room she was in, Shamira made her way to the dungeons where she kept the young witches she took prisoner. The room illuminated as she walked down the corridor letting her know no one had gotten down there yet. Just as she reached the cells encasing the girls a wild breeze filtered throughout the area causing Shamira to turn around. Trying to find the source, Shamira didn’t see anyone except the girls in front of her.

“You better let us go. I know you felt that. It means nothing good is coming your way.” one of the young witches said with confidence to Shamira, whose head turned abruptly looking at her. Giving a sly smile, peering at the one who spoke from the slant of her eyes, Shamira said, “That’s exactly what I hoped it meant.”

The wind started to die down when three witches appeared in front of Shamira. Her smirked got bigger as the red energy elongated out of her. Shamira’s eyes turned ruby red while her hatred flooded every ounce of her being. The three witches stood there watching her unfazed by what they were seeing.

“They’re here. See? I told you not to worry. We won’t be staying here anymore.” was all that was heard from the young witch trying to calm the others in the cell with her whispering, knowing help had arrived. Being the oldest of the taken, she wrapped her arms around them protectively.

No one standing outside the cell turned to look at the girl talking. Eyes were all on Shamira as her eyes never left them. In one swift movement, red energy was thrown outward towards the rescuing party. All three ladies just held up a hand as the energy rushed them like wildfire, causing it to move around them down the sides of the walls.

Shamira seeing it be diverted increased her strength pushing it harder into them. “If that’s all you go Shamira… then you may as well give it all up now.” Layana taunted with a smirk, although they now had both hands up holding it back.

“Oh, Layana. You’ve yet to see what I can do.” Shamira sneered back.

“What are you waiting for then?” Layna taunted some more. The others snickered at her comment. They hadn’t even used full force yet, as she threw her energy at them.

Rage filling her more at their taunting, Shamira felt herself being lifted off the ground, red hair flowing behind her as the energy took over her life force. Continuing to push them back, the force increased making the witches push back with both hands while leaning into it.

Layana looked over to Mother Evelyn and nodded before pushing back more. While Layana and Mother Cora barely held off the red energy from penetrating their force field that Shamira was pushing at them. Mother Evelyn had disappeared. Shamira, consumed with the elemental energy, never noticed one of the witches had vanished until it was too late.

Mother Evelyn materialized in the cell with the girls holding her finger over her mouth as a signal to be quiet. The girls did as they were instructed. Mother Evelyn motioned for them to quickly grab hold of her before she closed her eyes, calling on all the power she had as well as drawing from some of the other coven Mothers who were waiting for her to, and disappeared with the girls in hand.

Shamira was still fighting the other two women who came to the rescue, unaware the rescue was over and had been completed. All of a sudden, the women put their hands down after closing their eyes, reopening them once their hands crossed over their chests. Shamira looked shocked at their blatant mocking. None of her energy was touching them.

Layana blew a kiss at her before they both vanished into thin air. Calling the energy back into herself, Shamira looked to her right noticing the prisoners she had were no longer in the cell. At the sight of them missing, she let an ear piercing howl that echoed throughout the palace. All who were fighting no longer saw witches as they stood shocked at what had happened.

Shamira was so blinded in her rage for Layana, she didn’t think about the warnings Jonas had given her about the witches. Now declaring them her enemies.