Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
She points to the next circle. “Then we have Belladonna, it is used for beautifying glamors, making people see things.”
Another pointed look at the twins, pointing to the next circle. “Hemlock is a sedative.”
The next circle. “And wormwood is another hallucinogenic.”
So you all were susceptible to the suggestions given to you by the caster or casters.
“Wouldn’t a witch have to cast something this elaborate?”
I ask. “And what about this forever burning candle?
“I think if all the elements were in place the witch who cast it could do that from anywhere probably. Maybe even using a phone on speaker. That’s a theory dad wants to test, but obviously now is not the time. Or if all someone had to do was read words of an incantation, anyone could have set the spell. As far as the candle I have a theory that only came to me this morning when we left for our run. I went out back with my coffee this morning and the firepit was lit. I thought it was a little strange, but then I thought maybe other come out to have their coffee and it was just something nice in the midst of all the bullsh*t. But then I discovered the massive patch of wolfsbane, then the Belladonna, then the Hemlock. After that I kept going and realized that they were roughly evenly spaced around the perimeter of the pack. Now that I’ve seen the map I am convinced that the firepit is the forever burning flame.
“That’s crazy. There’s no way anyone would put that much effort into a spell to control our dad.
“But they would, to get to Sky, or to take over a pack that they thought should be theirs. The Cunninghams found common ground with Mike or the Rogue King they would both get what they want out of this whole thing, just by controlling your dad. What no one expected was for the girl in the prophecy to be a badass that could outsmart them, out fight them and use magic willingly against them.
I had to sit down. I went to find a chair, but I was so distracted, by everything, I almost missed and hands had to guide me down. Sierra isn’t wrong, no matter how far- fetched all of this sounds, those are all elements that are in the book Elena gave me to know well and be aware of. They have healing properties for those who know how to use them, but their evil properties are what they are known for and many are used in spells for controlling the mind. Poor Alpha Lucas didn’t stand a chance. And to think he also made a deal he thought he would never have to fulfill to save his mate and pups, not knowing he was betting my life. There are so many signs that all of this is connected, I might actually be their mate and I don’t know if I even want to be Luna or to be with them after everything that has gone down. But this witch knew what she was asking Lucas for and my life has been miserable because of it. I need to talk to Elena and Gentry about her, see what they know. I just wonder if this witch is working with the Rogue King or if she is another problem that I have to worry about and they are both coming at me at the same time. 2
Then, I think if I am the twin’s mate and I don’t accept them, none of us will gain our full powers, which could harm the pack and my wolf only wants her mates. I couldn’t do that to them and the pack. Being responsible for putting all of those lives in danger. I don’t know what to do.
“Hey, Bitty. We need you to check in with us here. You went somewhere in your head again and I don’t think the Alphas are going to let me get away with kissing you to get you out of it, although it seems to be effective.”
He gruffly laughs at his own joke. I look at him and smile, only half seeing him, but I get what he’s trying to do. My brain is all over the place and I’m struggling to focus on any one thought.
“There is a lot going on and I think I only caught some of it. What are you guys talking about?” Dakota asks, squeezing my shoulder and I laugh a bit, for being the leaders of this pack so many people have left them out of things. I told them about the prophecy Reggie told me. I’m not ready to go down the rabbit hole their parents sent me on a couple days ago, if they haven’t already been told that version. I imply there is a witch, most likely, working with the Rogue King and that with my connection to the Royal family and showing signs of multiple extra abilities he thinks I’m the one the Rogue King is after. This much I think they know, or have at least figured out with the little they have been told, but it’s worth clarifying.
“The spell that was created on the pack lands, controlling your dad and you guys to different degrees is not just some small thing for us to deal with. It is literally the whole pack. What I am curious about is the fact that we were told not to enter the pentagram or touch it. Well, we walked right in unknowingly, so how come some pack members were affected, but not all and my team hasn’t had any problems? I don’t think the spell was completed before we got here. We all saw the change in Lucas and Kyle and even you guys.”
I look at Cam and Kota. “It was gradual, I don’t think I really noticed until the night you all accused me of betraying the pack in the Alpha’s office even looking right at concrete evidence to the contrary.”
They both winced. “And why was Oliver and Sam basically spared from the effects?”
“That’s what I can’t explain, yet. I do think for you and your team it’s your warrior brands. It probably has the same kind of protection the bracelets you made have. You came in protected, same as Alpha Reggie and Warrior Brogen and all the Royal pack members. Elena would have natural protections against curses around or on her all the time. But, somehow the control spell was targeted and used to manipulate the Alpha and the rest of the pack through the Alpha command. And obviously some people were deemed more important to manipulate than others.”
Sierra is talking at the ceiling. Organizing her thoughts out loud. “Or maybe because Sam and Oliver have always been focused on you as a priority. I mean no one can argue the connection you and Oliver have, that’s apparent to anyone with eyes, but you were also able to remove the spell or curse or whatever this is from all of them, which says something about your raw power.”
“Well, we know the ‘how’ and we all suspect the ‘who,’
speaking of which has anyone seen Kevin? I haven’t seen him since the accident and he doesn’t usually leave Kaley to her own devices for long.”
Oliver asks, quickly changing the subject hearing the rumble coming from both the twins.
A chorus of ‘no’s’ mumble around the room. “And it still doesn’t explain what we need to do now that we are inside the pentagram we aren’t supposed to be in, and could possibly be powering, how to get rid of it and set the pack free, all while being ready for Mike and his goons who are close enough to get to us on foot without shifting.”
I rub my temples. “I need to talk to Elena and Gentry, we need to be ready for a fight and I think I may need to go out as bait, again.
“ABSOLUTELY F*CKING NOT!!” Cam and Kota shout in stereo on either side of me.
“You may not have a choice. I am never alone and if we are implying that Kevin is the link between the pack and the witch or the Rogue King or Mike, if they aren’t all the same problem, then someone would know I am never with less than two people at all times. When Mike took me the first time, he waited until I was alone. Mina and I spent tons of time with them, but it wasn’t until she appeared to not be able to go that he did anything.”
“It’s still a hard no, Smalls. If you are as important to the pack and the kingdom as everyone seems to think, you don’t get to just wade into danger hoping you can get out on your own or any of us can get to you in time.”
He holds his hands up. “I know you have gotten yourself out of everything, but you can’t do anything reckless, you are important to all of us. You have to wait until we have at least gotten rid of the f* cking pentagram spell anyway. Please just think through and talk to us before you do anything crazy.”
It’s the most logical I have heard Dakota, ever.
“Yeah, I feel like lots of decisions were made about all of us, for our own good or safety or whatever, but I feel very in the dark and I have a suspicion that you are still holding out on us Tiny. 2
“I think you’re right. There are still a lot of pieces missing from our puzzle. But we can focus on the pentagram and the elements that are powering it. We need to know how to blow out the flame and get rid of the plants making the pentagram and I’m sure it’s not as easy as throwing some dirt on the fire to snuff it out and dig up the plants.”
“You’re probably right. Let’s see if Mateo and Jena have surfaced and then fill everyone in. Someone might have an idea of what to do before we bother Gentry.”
Sierra says, and I feel a little better having some knowledge even if we don’t have anything to put into action yet. We talk a little more about the plants and what they look like so everyone in the room is aware and on the lookout for them, because Sierra is convinced there are probably protection spells around the patches of plants to keep people from accidentally destroying them and harming the spell when Lil walks in.
“Hey, I heard there’s a team meeting. What did you find out?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.