Chapter 40

Chapter 40

“All joking aside, let’s get to it. First, how are you, Layana since the lake incident?” concern evident in Alpha Johnathon’s voice. He may not fully trust her just yet, but she helped his Beta and is his mate. That counted for something, at the moment at least.

“Second, I want to know how the rogues could have gotten past the border patrols?” He said sitting back in his chair placing a hand behind Timber’s lower back. Her head darted to Alpha Johnathon in surprise, before her eyes darkened thinking one of the witches had to have helped. Timbers eyes widened slightly at first hearing there were rogues on the territory again undetected.

“I don’t know Alpha. They just showed up in the wooded area by the lake. No one on the border sent a call out.” Andrew answered, not knowing himself how they got in.

“This is going to change things if they can get through undetected. Could there be a witch involved using cloaking or teleportation magic?” Alpha Johnathon said, now looking at Layana suspiciously while speaking.

He wanted to trust her, but things like this made it very hard for him to. They know the lake is just on the border so they could have just wandered through, but something inside of him told him that wasn’t the case here.

“I don’t think it was witch magic Alpha Johnathon, as all the covens know to back down since Shamira took our young ones. However,” she paused slightly, closing her eyes slightly longer than a blink before letting a small audible sigh out. “I will look into the matter on my side, if that is acceptable?” She finished offering him a peace offering.

The gesture did not go unnoticed by him… and shocked him slightly if he was truthful about it. Although, he wouldn’t have said or let that be shown on his face.

“Thank you, my beautiful mate.” Andrew said, leaning in to kiss the side of her head. He was beaming with pride that his mate was willing to help them.

Alpha Johnathon just nodded his approval. Face impassive, void of emotion although Timber could see the swirl of something hiding in his eyes.

“If you find that it was indeed one of your coven’s that has done this, I expect you to tell me immediately.” he said firmly, making direct eye contact with Layana. His eyes still swirling with something unknown as he spoke leaning back in his chair resting his bent elbow on the armrest holding the side of his head up with two fingers and his thumb.

“Yes Alpha.” was all that was heard from Layana in reply as she nodded. Her own eyes flickering as she responded back. Getting up, she snapped her fingers and left their presence. Andrew and Timber were shocked at what they had just witnessed.

As soon as Layana disappeared, Johnathan’s eyes stopped swirling, reverting back to their natural coloring.

“What just happened there?” Timber finally breaks the awkward silence, asking the one question lingering in the room. Pointing between her mate and the empty chair that now resides in front of them where Layana previously sat.

“What do you mean? Nothing happened. I asked her to check her people and she did.” he said credulously, as if he was supposed to understand the hidden meaning in her words.

“Did she just call you Alpha? Without.. Using your name?” Andrew also questioned.

Only pack members and other wolves typically called an Alpha just Alpha without using their name behind it. Everyone else knows better to be so informal. Especially the witches. They are more formal than other species in the supernatural community and would consider it a disrespect to do so otherwise. But Layana did as if she was being commanded, not disrespectful.

“What was that Johnathon?” Timber questioned the actions that just took place before their eyes. Turning to look at him, arms raised in questioning before gesturing to where Layana had sat just moments ago… again.

“Witches don’t take commands from wolves… or Alphas at that! How did you get her to do what you asked, like you would command a pack member?” she questioned again. This time Johnathon acted dumbfounded.

“Maybe because she’s Andrew’s mate?” He tried making sense of it. While tip toeing around the actual answer to the question being asked.

“But we haven’t mated nor have I marked her yet.” Andrew interjected as that was no way a possibility.

“Let me look at your eyes.” Timber commanded as she roughly took his face in his hand and turned him to her so she could examine them. “Hhmm. That’s weird.” she whispered, but still everyone heard her, due to their sensitive hearing.

“What’s weird?” Johnathon said, pulling his face from her grip raising an eyebrow.

“Your eyes. A minute ago they were swirling with… something. Now they look like your regular ol’ eyes.” she stated.

“Thanks.” he replied in a sarcastic tone at the way she spoke about his eye color. Timber rolled her eyes at his comeback.

“That’s not what I meant. You know I love your beautiful sea-green eyes baby.” cooing the last part while smiling seductively at him. Bane perked up hearing his mate’s sexual tone.

“If you two are going to mate, I’d rather not be present for that!” Andrew chimed in as he cleared his throat, gaining their attention and standing up, raising his hands in surrender.

“Oh relax Andrew. I’d never share what’s mine with anyone. Including the beautiful temple beneath the clothing.” Alpha Johnathon smirked, pulling Timber close abruptly, kissing her. Upon releasing her, he motioned for Andrew to sit back down. A chuckle could be heard radiating from Andrew’s chest as he did.

“Now, what are you talking about with my eyes?” He probed, getting them back on track.

“They changed. Like I said they were all swirly like. Entrancing really. That’s what made me notice them.” Timber tried to explain the best she could, swirling her fingers around as she described it, knowing he couldn't have seen what they looked like being in his head.

“Do you think it’s an elemental gift given to mates? Like teleportation?” Alpha Johnathon contemplated out loud. Still appeasing her curiosity.

“Could be? The Elders did say you were going to be strong and do things that surpassed others before you? You don’t think with the me being your mate and having ALL of the elemental gifts that you too could have ALL the mate gifts too?” Timber suggested while questioning at the same time causing both Alpha Johnathon and Andrew to shrug their shoulders.

‘It’s very possible. As soon as your water gift came alive I gained increased strength, agility and teleportation. Although, that was somewhat limited, unfortunately.” He said, remembering when Timber was kidnapped by Kronin he couldn’t find her telepathically at all. A low growl escaped him at the memory of it.

“I may need to be careful with this new one then. Not sure how it works.” he responded cautiously about it.

“It must be persuasion.” She suddenly spit out. Both Johnathon and Andrew looked at her like they had no idea what she was talking about. Rolling her eyes, placing her hands on her hips she continued with, “you know. The ability to persuade people to do what you want?” raising her eyebrows at them. But they still gave her that look of dumbfoundedness.

“Seriously?! Persuasion? Being able to make people do what you want?” throwing her hands up like it was the most obvious thing. Their mouths formed an ‘O’ and nodded in understanding, causing her to scoff at them turning to walk towards the door.

‘Are they that dense?’ Karin asked.

‘I hope not. IF they are, Goddess help us.’ She said and laughed mentally.

Both Rusty and Bane scolded their human sides for purposely pretending not to know what she was talking about. But they didn’t care. It was fun for them to see her get all bent out of shape. Especially Johnathon being her mate.

“I’m sorry baby.” Alpha Johnathon cooed, grabbing her wrist before she could fully get around the desk. A chuckle could be heard from Andrew, and Johnathon couldn’t hold it in any longer either. “We knew what you were saying. We were just messing around with you.” He laughed some more, pulling her to him.

She slapped his chest as he continued to laugh at her. She was glaring at Andrew as a small smirk etched across her face shaking her head in disbelief they would do that.

“So, you knew you had this?” She asked, hands resting on his shoulders standing between his legs. He gave her a big smile and kissed her stomach as he rested his head on it.

“Yes baby. I’ve been able to persuade people for a few months now. I figured it out when I was playing around with a warrior, and I told them to do something and they did it. And I wasn’t using my Alpha command.” her eyes widened at his confession, before she hit him again.

“What was that for?!” he asked, shocked.

“For not telling me sooner.” Timber pushed out a pouty lip. Inviting Alpha Johnathon to suck it into his mouth kissing her.

“DO I need to leave…?” Andrew questioned pointing between them.

“No. Not yet anyway.” Alpha Johnathon’s voice deepened as his eyes darkened. Showing Bane was on the verge of taking control. Bane liked being with his mate and all the touching and kissing was making him crazy.

“Why did you need to persuade my mate?” Andrew questioned.

“It was the only way I could get her to be honest about her dealings. I still don’t trust her, Andrew. Not fully anyway. She cannot break a persuasion. It’s like an Alpha’s command. Unbreakable. That’s why witches and Vampires don’t live near each other. I did some research when I realized I could do this.” Alpha Johnathon stated rather plainly. Adding the last part to suffice the look he received from Timber as to how he knew she couldn’t break his command.

Andrew just nodded, not wanting to go against his Alpha. Andrew had known Johnathon growing up and knew what kind of man he was… the kind of man he is. He trusted him with his very life. That’s why he agreed to be his Beta when it was time. They were the best of friends and always had the others back if things got too bad. It also helped that his father was the previous Beta.

“Timber, since Shamira is showing her intentions more readily with these attacks, we need to stay on guard at all times. Andrew, I need you to tell warriors not on duty they are on special duty around pack territory. I’m needing them to stand on high alert at all times and report anything right away.”

“Yes Alpha.” Andrew replied.

“We do not know how Shamira is getting these rogues in undetected yet. Until then, all who cannot fight and children need to stay close to their homes. IF something happens to them when they are not in a place of safety that will be devastating not only to their parents but the pack's future.” Alpha Johnathon's voice reeked of authority as he spoke. Bane, still at the surface wanting to take over again, but this time for the safety of his pack.

“Now, Beta. You are dismissed.” he said in a raspy and husky voice letting him know Bane is in control. Smirking, Andrew nodded and left the room locking it behind him.

Timber, hearing the seductiveness in his voice, clenched her legs tightly as a heat erupted in between them. A growl escaped Johnathon’s lips as the smell of her arousal hit his nostrils causing them to flair in a greedy hunger. His breathing became heavy as desire rushed through his veins like liquid fire.

“Oh Alpha. Whatever can I do to… assist you?” She enticed provocatively, batting her eyes.