Chapter 34

Chapter 34

‘Timber, Andrew, I need you both to come to the training grounds right now.’ Johnathon’s voice echoed in their minds just as she stepped out of Andrew’s room heading down the hall. ‘On our way.’ Johnathon heard back in unison.

Timber turned around going back to Andrew’s room. If we both were being called, something must have happened. Timber thought to herself. Andrew almost bumped into her at the door when he approached it as she was already halfway through the door frame. Grabbing hold of his arm, she transported them both to the training grounds in hopes to find what was so urgent.

Without warning they appeared next to Johnathon. Timber let go of Andrew’s arm as soon as they did. She didn’t need Bane losing his cool in front of unknown guests. Timber reached up to grab hold of his hand, when he squeezed hers gently, before releasing it pulling her to him by the waist.

“Now that we are all here. What do we owe the pleasure…?” he raised an eyebrow at his own comment, unsure if the women before him were friend or foe, before continuing. “Of your… unannounced presence.”

All four women stood before them with the same stance. Hands folded neatly into the other in front of them. Each woman wore a singular color that covered them from their neck to their feet. The presumed leader who was in front, wore all black while the woman to the far left wearing similar attire but in all royal blue, the next to her left the same yet in all green, and the woman to her right in all red.

Timber looked at the women in front of them curiously because of their clothes choice of color. Why do they all seem to be wearing an elemental color except the first one? Timber thought to herself as she studied them studiously.

It was then when she studied each of the women, she realized she thought she knew one… or at least had seen her before. Looking over to Andrew seeing his wolf trying to take control, she knew exactly who she was standing in front of. Andrew’s hands kept making and releasing fists while fighting to keep control of Rusty.

Just as Timber thought her name, it was spoken aloud by someone else.

“Layana.” Andrew’s whispered voice was heard, although more rustic due to Rusty forcing himself forward, before any other words could be spoken.

But why? Timber questioned her being here.

All eyes went to Andrew, then to Layana at the sound of her name being called. Even the other women standing before them seemed shocked that a werewolf would know her name. Especially since Layana was not known for hanging around werewolves.

Layana didn’t acknowledge her name, at least not how Andrew had hoped for. She only looked at him without expression momentarily before diverting her eyes back to Johnathon.

No smile. No nod. Nothing.

Nothing in confirmation she knew him. The breaking of his heart was evident on his face at the lack of response from his mate. Andrew’s eyes grew darker, knowing Rusty was taking her lack of recognition as she was rejecting him. Causing a growl to escape. All eyes turned back to Andrew.

“Stand down Rusty. That’s an order.” Johnathon used his alpha tone on him, knowing if he didn’t trouble would brew. Andrew looked at his Alpha, eyes black as night before Rusty receded enough to give Andrew back full control again.

“So, would you like to tell me why you are here, and… why it’s causing my Beta’s wolf to show himself in an aggressive manner?” Johnathon spoke clearly and authoritatively to Layana who was standing in front of the others.

“Our apologies, Alpha Johnathon, Luna Timber for disrupting your day.” she started holding her hands up speaking for the women with her and nodding slightly, before resting her hands back in front of her.

“I am Layana. Mother Mistress of all covens. These women with me are, Mother Lina…” directing their attention to her far left. “Mother Cora…” directing their attention to her immediate left, “... and Mother Evelyn.” to her right.

“Well, now that you’ve introduced yourselves, and knowing who we are. What is it you want? Witches do not normally come to wolf territories?” Johnathon questioned. His arms folded tightly against his chest making his muscles look even more prominent, as his face stayed stoic.

“Again. My apologies Alpha. We are not here to cause trouble.” She started taking a quick glance towards Andrew, hoping no one noticed, but it was by Timber and Johnathon alike. They both looked at Andrew slightly, before turning their full attention back on her.

“Then, why exactly… are you here?” raising an eyebrow in question.

“We are here to help you with your impending war.” Layana spoke.

“And what makes you think we have an impending war?” Johnathon questioned her, not fully trusting her motives of being there.

A small smile moved slowly across her face before she started again. “Well. You see Alpha Johnathon. It’s because I have been the one making sure it happens.”

A loud growl came rushing out of Johnathon at her words, positioning himself into a fighting stance. Timber and Andrew’s eyes grew wide and darker at her confession as well. Warriors came from all over the near vicinity upon hearing their Alpha’s call. As Bane pushed through to the forefront claws and hair grew out from his body.

“How dare you! Come into MY territory with such words smugly. I should kill you in your spot!” Bane growled back in retaliation. All of them took a step back when Bane forced control. It was not normal for a wolf to half shift, and Bane was pushing one causing fear to be evident in them.

Rusty pushed forward at the threat made on his mate moving Andrew’s body in front of her protectively. Growling back at his Alpha, causing confusion to set in everywhere.

“Rusty! If you do NOT move I will kill you myself!” Bane growled at his obvious rebellious stance.

“I assure you. We mean you nor your pack any harm.” Layana spoke softly, not wanting Andrew to be killed because of her. Knowing her own wolf was affected by the Alpha’s aura being released from him she could hear her whimpering in the back of her mind.

“I will sooner die than let you kill my mate!” Rusty growled back. He was adamant not to stand down no matter what. Even if it cost him his life in the process.

Layana, not wanting anyone to die that day, placed a hand on Rusty’s arm causing him to look at her. “I am fine, Rusty, is it? Please let Andrew return. I am fine. Really.” She spoke calmly like one would to a child reassuringly. Rusty sniffed her deeply before turning back to Bane who was obviously being fought against with Johnathon, receding his control but not leaving completely.

Timber also reached out to touch Bane whispering for him to back down, that this was not the way to do this. At least not today. Bane huffed before nodding firmly giving Johnathon back control mostly, yet waiting to jump in at any second.

“You had better start explaining Layana or your head will be removed from your body.” Johnathon seethed as Bane was evident in his still raspy voice. His words caused a low growl from Andrew, although Johnathon let it go knowing he threatened his mate again.

Sensing the coven Mother’s defensiveness behind her, she held up a hand for them to wait. Layana knew she was going to need to explain many things if she was going to gain their trust or allegiance. She knew for what Shamira is planning they would need to help each other.

“Alright, there’s no need for violence. Like I said earlier, we are not here to cause any trouble. We just wanted a nice casual talk.” Mother Evelyn spoke up at the tension now being displayed from both sides. “Maybe it would be better if we spoke in a less threatening place for you.” Mother Lina chimed in, lifting her hand in a non threatening way, showing she meant no harm.

“And where would you like this… casual conversation to take place?” Johnathon questioned never taking his eyes off Layana.

“Maybe in your office? Away from prying eyes?” Mother Cora spoke looking around at all the warriors who had gathered around them ready to fight upon command.

“That can be arranged. Give us a moment, privately. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE!” Johnathon growled out the last part mainly to Layana whom he had yet to take his eyes off of. At that moment he was not trusting of her intentions, and he was going to make sure she knew it.

“You men there.” Pointing to the men to his right and left. “Don’t take your eyes off them for any reason.” He barked out. Johnathon reached out to touch Andrew and Timber before they disappeared only to reappear about ten feet from where the witches stood.

“Did you really have to threaten my mate Alpha?” Andrew questioned openly.

“Watch your tone Beta! If your mate is a threat, then yes! I will threaten her!” Johnathon spat out, although Bane was at the surface too.

“But she’s my mate! You would have done the same thing for yours.” Andrew argued back, making a growl escape from Johnathon.

“He’s right, Johnathon. You know how long he’s been waiting for his mate, and if that was me being threatened you would have not just stepped in front of me, but killed them where they stood without asking questions first.” Timber interjected, touching his arm knowing how the mate bond can make any wolf act crazy and without thought.

Both men looked at her before retracting themselves, although never apologizing to the other as it would have been seen as a weakness in both headstrong wolves.

“So, what do you think, my Love?” Johnathon asked Timber, knowing she was the only level headed one amongst them at the moment. Their eyes look over to where they left the witches before speaking again.

“Let’s take this to your office. I don’t believe they actually mean any harm to us. At least not right now. Otherwise they would have done something already.” She said, still staring at them standing where they were left without movement. Their hands, strategically placed in front of them like when they first arrived.

“Alright. Fine. Andrew if you so much let Rusty do something stupid I will castrate him myself. Keep him under lock and key.” Johnathon said finally. The warning for Andrew’s wolf was nothing more but to show who was Alpha. Andrew nodded his agreeance, as they transported back to where the witches stood.

“Now about that little conversation.” Johnathon said upon materialization.