Filed To Story: Claimed by the Alpha I Hate Book Read Free
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t have you protected at all times?” He lifted an eyebrow and gave me a look, holding out the bottoms for me to step into, “I’m letting them off early, anyway. Just in time for some afterparty they were talking about. There’s a smaller patrol that circles the estate. They’re ordered to alert us both if they pick anything up.”
Giovanni pulled into the circular driveway out front of our estate, which still sounded strange to my ears. I gazed up at the bay windows that looked into the living room and pinpointed the spot I had been standing when the witch attacked.
“The a****k last night, I get the worst feeling any time I think about it.” I said absentmindedly. My confession made Breyona, and Giovanni fall silent, both of which watched me curiously.
“What kind of feeling?” Breyona asked.
“Like…”‘ I paused for a few moments, trying to turn a vague feeling into words, “…like this is just the beginning.”
I wouldn’t voice my other feeling, that there was more to this a****k than what met the eye. No, my father had nothing to do with this. The man himself-he was d**d, his body burned along with the rest lost that night.
“I’ve seen the feelings Holly gets. If you ever get them around me, let me know.” She shuddered in the passenger seat, “As for this just being the beginning…I have to admit, I hope your wrong, Daisy.”
“I do too.”
Cordelia Warren was what grandma would have turned out to be if she had been born a witch and not a werewolf.
Her chestnut hair, streaked with grey, was held back by a bandana. Laugh lines creased around her lips and at the corners of her eyes Crystal earrings dangled from her ears, matching the silver pendants around her throat. She had the same knowing light in her eyes as grandma, along with a kindness that instantly set me at ease. Her scent was one that brought back memories of grandma’s cottage, the scent of her herb garden as it baked beneath the sun.
Giovanni leaned against the wall, in between Cordelia and me. The warriors that had escorted her here remained outside.
“How wonderful to meet you, Luna Daisy.” She smiled warmly, the bracelets on her wrists twinkling as she clasped her hands together. I felt like I was greeting a distant family member when she let out a soft sigh and said, “Let me get a good look at you.”
“You don’t have to call me by my title. Daisy is just fine.” I assured her.
“Nonsense, it’s a title to be proud of.”
I stood a few feet away, swaying awkwardly, as the middle-aged witch looked me up and down. There was nothing disapproving in her gaze. If anything, I couldn’t help but feel as though she were marveling a bit. ‘Strong, hard-working hands…’ She murmured, toying with one of the pendants around her neck.
“You’ve got old magic in your blood. Passed down through your lineage, I recon.” She said, turning to rummage through a large tote bag she had placed on the couch. A dainty looking amulet was shoved in my face, the chain thin and gold as it caught the light. “Take this and wear it. The stones inside are quartz and citrine. It’ll help focus your thoughts and strengthen your magic. Had you have been trained, that dark witch wouldn’t have dared step inside your household. Whoever she was, she was relying on your inexperience.”
“What you don’t know, can in fact hurt you.” Breyona said with a worried frown. Her eyes brightened as she eyed the necklace in my hands, “So you’re saying the crystals humans buy from those little shops are actual magic? Mom got me a few last year, I keep them on my nightstand. My favorite is the little amethyst geode. I actually brought that one with me!”
“Depends. Did your parents buy them from a witch?” Cordelia laughed, and the sound reminded me of fluttering wings. Breyona seemed relaxed around the witch, reinforcing the familiarity I felt. ” Crystals work only when a witch fills them with her magic. It’ll run out eventually, but they can be recharged.
They’re capable of different things, depending on the quality and shape. But without a witch, they’re just beautiful rocks.”
“Can they help protect me, and my people?”
“Their power varies on how much time and energy you put into them. They cannot protect an entire pack and clan of vampires, but they can help keep you and your inner circle safe.” She said softly, stepping forward when Giovanni’s harsh expression relaxed. There was a sincerity in her voice that came from years of experience and understanding. “If you’d let me, I’d like to teach you what I know. A
t the very least, I can offer some protection on your journey.”
Nolan arrived minutes after I had accepted Cordelia’s help, slipping through the front door with much more stealth than he should’ve had for someone his size. I spotted his towering form from across the room, the crease between his eyebrows and tension in his shoulders were among the first things I noticed.
“Was everything alright with patrol?” I asked, drawn to his side. He slid an arm around my waist, letting his hand rest inches above my backside. I could feel the ire he was holding back and gave him a stubborn look.
I let my thoughts mix with his, so that he would be the only audience to what I said next. ‘You’re not running this pack all alone anymore, Nolan. You can tell me things.’
“Patrols are running smoothly. It’s just quiet out there.” Nolan cleared his throat, directing my attention from his plush lips and eyes of molten honey. His thumb skated along my pulse, those lips twitching as they registered the brief spike.
His eyes flickered to Cordelia, who had fished out a bundle of sage from her bag and lit the end with a match until it was smoldering. Nolan watched with a dry expression as the middle-aged witch wandered throughout the lower floor of the house, humming softly as she wafted the burning herbs through the air.
“An honor to meet you, Alpha Nolan. And thank you kindly for allowing me inside of your pack.”
Cordelia said with a warm voice, giving Nolan a motherly smile.
He blinked a few times, watching the witch as she continued throughout the house. We followed her up the stairs, both Breyona and I cooing as Nolan gave us a tour of the second floor.
The halls were wide and the ceilings tall, but they were nothing like the labyrinth of Scott’s house.
Nolan knew the last thing I wanted was to live in an empty mansion, where my footfalls and hushed breath would be the only sounds to grace the halls.
‘The house is beautiful. It’s better than anything I could’ve imagined.’ I made sure to tell him, hiding my smile as pride swelled in his chest.
“Burning sage will get rid of the witch’s negative energy. I could tell her d***h happened in the living room. That’s where the funk was thickest.” She addressed both Nolan and I, her hands clasped together. “I sense no spells or curses placed on the premises, so it’ll be safe to stay here tonight. I’ll come back tomorrow, and we can go over some other means of protection for you.”
As Breyona and Cordelia began chatting about crystals and their different structures, I was focused on
Nolan and the cellphone pressed against his ear.
Even without enhanced hearing, I’d be able to pick out Zeke’s boisterous laugh among the crowd cheering through the phone. Some obscure pop song thundered through the phone, drowning out the sea of individual voices nearby.
“Heeey, Ash!” Zeke shouted from the other end; the rest of what he had to say was muffled by the crowd and pulsing music. “Some kid…d***s…knocked-out… cops…didn’t even believe I’m an alpha…”
I felt my lips twist into a smirk when Nolan gave me a look that said, ‘don’t even think about it.’
“Never call me Ash again.” Nolan rolled his eyes, running a hand over his stubble covered jaw. The frustrated action had an unintended effect on my lady parts, who found Nolan even more alluring when he was pissed off. The dark look he threw my way only worsened that feeling. “Can you blame them for not believing you’re an Alpha when you’re p**s drunk?”
Zeke, pouty and defensive, shouted through the phone.
“…not drunk…couple bottles…best-friend forever…”
“Did he just say ‘best-friends forever’?” Breyona snorted, clasping a hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter.
“Who knew Zeke was a clingy drunk?” I whispered, clutching onto Breyona as the two of us erupted in muffled laughter. Even Nolan, whose eyes softened as they found my face, cracked a smile.
“Why not just mind-link me?” Nolan sighed heavily, “‘d be able to hear more than every other word.”
“no time…too drunk…hurry up…” Was all I heard on the other end, followed by a ‘click.’
“What’s he gotten himself into this time?” I shook my head; if there was one person who could get into more trouble than myself, it was Zeke.
“Aren’t you glad best-friend here gets to go and deal with it?” Breyona teased, her grin growing wider when Nolan flashed her a dark look.
“I have no clue, but if he’s caused any damages, I’ll take over his pack.”‘ Nolan grunted, and while
Cordelia’s widened in shock, Breyona and I smirked.
Even Giovanni chuckled under his breath. Nolan threatening to conquer Zeke’s pack was a frequent occurrence, but it was something we all knew would never happen. As stoic and brooding as Nolan acted, he enjoyed Zeke’s chaotic presence as much as the rest of us.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?