Chapter 43: Chapter Forty-two

I called Ainsley and Shaina I needed to see my girls but the problem was my mate who wanted to keep me in the house for a few days. I was wary of Reign she was a fox with a box of tricks. It was in her nature to not give up. Her last trick almost got Ajax killed, shame her husband doesn’t care what she does.

“Babe?” I called.

He was busy trying to make Goby’s house. So far it looked like a bed that curved a little. I cringed hopefully that changed.

He turned and straightened his spine. “Princess, where you off to?”

The black spot on his shoulder turned into a darker blob. He wiped his hands with a cloth and draped it over his shoulder, hiding the spot.

I blinked and shook my head. “To hang out with my friends.”

“I thought I was your friend.”

I giggled. “That means we should stop sleeping together.”

His face drops. “Forget what I said.”

He closed the distance, cupped my cheeks and kissed me. His lips were soft and loving on mine. His tongue trailed my bottom lip before parting my teeth to explore my mouth.

I moaned and melted into him.

“You’re trying to distract me aren’t you?” I said against his lips.

“You’re the one wearing a skirt, Delanie.”

I shoved him playfully. “Don’t wait up and don’t eat my rooster.”

Goby bellowed from where he picked at the grass. Ajax growled in response.

“Be careful. Stay away from the pack house, don’t walk home alone, don’t stay out till late answer when I call—”

“Relax, babe. I’m not going to the pack house. We’re going to a restaurant with a bunch of people. But I know Reign could be anywhere.”

“She’s not in the pack,” Ajax said, turned and picked up a pick of wood.

“What?”

“Yeah, she went to visit her parents. I may have threatened them.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “There’s nothing to worry about then.”

“No, remember Hansel was murdered and Max is out there.”

I didn’t want to live my life in fear but trouble was on every turn. I hadn’t finished the letters I found in Grandma Amy’s room but the ones I had read eluded to a rocky relationship between my mother Alexandra and her mother Margot. There was no mention of a husband, a father or a lover. Not yet anyway.

“Hey, come here.” He kissed my forehead and kept me in his embrace. “I love you, okay?”

“I love you too.”

***

“Oh my gosh, Del, amazing new look,” Shaina gasped as she sat down in the restaurant.

It wasn’t as packed as I thought. It had a couple of people seated talking and some loners with water in front of them. It would be easier to see shady folk walk in and notice anyone watching us.

“I didn’t even notice!” Ainsley gasped and reached for my hair.

I totally forgot about the white streak.

“Oh, it looks weird. I don’t like it.”

“It’s different, I like it. Betty’s sorry she couldn’t make it. She had a shift at the clinic.”

Ainsley grabbed my hand on the table. “I’m glad you’re back. Reign’s an absolute psycho. Chloe told me she barged into the slave house and demanded girls for her operation.”

“If that isn’t bad enough the Alpha’s been partying ever since he was made Alpha and he still wants an Alpha ceremony!” Ainsley groaned.

A waitress arrived with our drinks. No alcohol for me. I wanted to be on guard tonight. We chatted more about the pack and the clinic. Ainsley was enjoying her independence since leaving the slave house she just wished more girls would leave too. They wanted to know about my time in the Black Vapour pack. It was still raw to talk about.

I didn’t know how to explain what happened at the bonfire. The only thing I shared was losing my Gran and saying it out loud broke my heart all over again.

“That’s awful, Del,” Shaina said softly.

I battled tears, she wouldn’t want me to wallow in despair she’s want me to move on and be happy.

“I hate giving that kind of news at the clinic. I had to give the talk twice last week.”

A light bulb went off. Shaina was a doctor she had to have an arsenal of information on supernatural sicknesses. I wasn’t sure I was sick but what did wasn’t normal. It turned my hair white.

“Shaina, you see a lot of weird stuff at the clinic right?”

Shaina puffed. “What haven’t I seen?”

“Have you heard of… ahh… I don’t know someone suddenly developing magical powers?”

Ainsley’s face twisted in confusion and Shaina set her desert spoon down.

I knew they’d think I was crazy.

“Like fire? That doesn’t sound good.”

I haven’t had fire yet, but what if it happened?

“What are you talking about Del, did something happen at your pack?” Ainsley asked.

I shook my head and toyed with my mint ice cream. “No, nothing, I’m just curious. I heard people talking.”

Shaina nodded firmly but I wasn’t sure she believed me. “If it’s sudden it could mean an awakening. Something you’re born with that was dormant but other times which is more common is a curse.”

Ainsley choked on ice cream. “Curse?”

Shaina nodded. “A curse from the moon goddess. That’s why I said the fire wasn’t good. It’s uncontrollable and destroys everything it touches.”

“How does one get that type of curse?” I asked.

Ainsley shrugged. “Not sure. I’ve only heard of it once in old books. It’s one of the moon goddess’ three deadly curses.”

I swallowed. “What are the others?”

“The one we’ve spoken about, eternal sleep, and barrenness.”

Ainsley shivered. “Can we change the topic? How about puppies? I’m thinking of getting one.”

I didn’t produce fire I produced ice. Could that be a lower curse? I wouldn’t know until I saw the Seer or if it happened again.