Chapter 85

Dylan's Point Of View

The devil witch had a small, lazy smile on. "I want to have a talk with you." He flipped a finger, shutting the door behind me.

"Take a seat, will you?" he commanded, as if this was his bloody office.

"This is my office. Get the fuck off my chair."

He wasn't a bit fazed, staring at me through his visible hazel eyes.

"Mind if I borrow it for now?" He moved on my chair in his black outfit.

"Get up now!"

He sighed. In the blink of an eye, he was sitting on the black couch at the far end of my office.

"We'll speak tomorrow. I'm not in the mood to tolerate you."

His lips curved up, annoyed. "Well, you have to be, considering you just drank from her blood. That's the least you can do, Hybrid."

I watched him for a second. "What do you want now?"

"Nothing from you. All I would have wanted is to get her away from all this fucking mess and disaster you have all around you."

I sat on my chair. "That doesn't still say what you want."

"Like I said, nothing. I just have a few words to say to you."

"Which is?"

"Let her go."

I banged my balled fist on the table. If not for the promise I made to my mate, I would have torn this fool to pieces.

"Get out now that you still can," was all he got from me and my concealing rage.

"Nikola wants you dead. Raina wants the whole werewolf kind gone. She also wants Aderyn. You can't win in all, Hybrid. If she's really your mate as you claim, release her to me. I'll take her far away from your drama and from Raina—"

Before he could finish, my fist landed smoothly on his face. I bet he didn't see that coming.

His eyes gleamed dangerously, but he didn't react. Then a sly smile rested on his lips.

"You know I'm telling the truth, Hybrid. By your side, she'll suffer and eventually die because of your entire problems and drama."

Another punch reached his jaw.

"Bloody hell, Hybrid! If you keep hitting me, I'll have no choice but to wake up my Aderyn." He smiled evilly.

I returned one of my own. "Your Aderyn?" I laughed. "Well, witch, my mate is not going anywhere. Much less with you." I smiled at him. "And while we are at it, I'll appreciate you getting yourself out of my pack."

"That won't be happening. Don't think I'm here to help you wolves. I'm here for Aderyn, and will help her as much as she needs me. But the second she's gotten too tangled in this mess of yours, and it's causing more danger to her life than I would like, I'm taking her away." He threw the words into my face, walking to the door.

"Witch," I called out. The black-dressed devil gave me a look. "The hair... is it just to look pretty or you're hiding more beneath it?" I knew I shocked him with the question.

The stupid witch was stoned, but he recovered. Smiling, he said, "Want to find out? But I'll warn you, no one has lived after taking a peek, except for one, though. But with you, I won't make exceptions."

My brows creased almost in a frown. "Except for one?"

He smiled back. "You should have guessed by now. It's my Aderyn."

"Aderyn?" I was aggravated.

"You can try asking her, but you'll find out there are much more relationships that are more deep and etched than a so-called mate bond." He snickered, leaving my room.

I was seated, balling my fist; I didn't even know I was already bleeding. But quickly, the nail scratches were healed.

I hated that conniving bastard of a witch.

'Me and you both.' Gunther was pissed, too.

His last words echoed in my head. I was so angry. But the only thing right he said—and I agreed to—is that when things get complicated and I can't save her, he should get her far away from here. Even though the thought hurt, I couldn't help but agree to it. He was right. If I can't win in all, I certainly won't lose her or let harm come to her all because of me. I'll let her go.

Reagan's point of view

I was seated on the couch at her bedside, watching her sleep. She looked peaceful and much less of a troublesome little witch.

I smiled at her sleepy position under the soft mattress. It was barely dawn already. I couldn't sleep as usual—I never sleep—so I came here; at least it was more fascinating watching her sleep.

Then she started turning on the bed, her sleepy eyes slightly opened.

"Rise and shine!" I chimed from a corner.

"I'll rise, but I refuse to shine," she sprouted. Damn, she hasn't changed a bit.

Suddenly, she jolted up from the bed. Her deep ocean eyes falling on me.

"Reagan? What on earth are you doing here?" she asked, overly surprised.

"Couldn't sleep."

Her sigh was long and deep.

"Still having nightmares?" Her words hit me. I guess after all this time, she still knows me.

My lips curled up dangerously. "Get dressed."

Her long, curvy brows were raised questioningly.

"Come on. You know I won't kill you, contrary to what your boyfriend thinks."

"Have you checked the time? It's barely dawn."

I raised my eyes, as if saying, 'so what.'

"You know nothing can take out two witches like ourselves." I walked to the door. "Meet you out in two." I left her to get dressed. It was a cold morning.

Aderyn's point of view

The air was so damn cold. I quickly donned a black jacket. My hand fell on the spot I remembered Dylan bit me. There was no scar, nor any trace of it ever being bitten, neither did I feel any pain of sort.

I heard some noises on my room window. I checked to see Reagan outside already in the darkness.

If I didn't trust the guy with my life, he'd surely pass as one creepy witch.

I rushed outside the mansion, meeting up with Reagan.

"What now?"

"We walk." He led the way, and I could only follow in the crispy cold.

"Seriously, Reagan. You drove me from my super warm room only to walk out in the cold."

We were far away from the pack house, somewhere out in an open field. The minute I stepped out of the woods into the field, I was graced with strong, powerful earth magic.

"Can you feel that?" he asked me.

"So much magic essence. How did you find it?" I was amazed; I had never known this place existed. Never.

"When snooping around." The sun had begun to rise slowly, giving a nice glow to his black, long hair.

"Something happened here." He walked around.

"A sacrifice," I said, feeling the pain and sadness that soaked the earth.

"How do you know that?" Reagan was before me. His deep hazel orbs on me, while the other was forever covered as usual.

"I can feel it. Can't you? There's so much pain and death here. A sacrifice was done here, one where so many people died, causing great magical essence as this."

Reagan's gaze lit up, curling into a smile.

"She was right. You are much more powerful than you realize."

"She?"

"The shadow witch, Raina."

My gaze suddenly flared up. "Don't speak of her."

Reagan nodded while we both explored the field. I couldn't help but wonder if Dylan knew about this place or what happened here.

After a while, the sun rose expectantly, and we walked back to the pack.

"Geez, Aderyn, where have you been?" Brielle rushed quickly to my side. "The witches have found the—" Her words stuck in the air when her eyes noticed Reagan.

I urged her to continue. She was a little adamant, but she spoke. "The witches have found the traitor."

My eyes widened. I remembered Celeste spoke of some spell with Valerie, Helene, and me that she wanted to do to catch the culprit. I didn't expect it'd be this soon.

"I'll be inside." Reagan walked nonchalantly into the pack house while I followed Brielle to the witch quarters.

Getting there, she led me into the witches' dungeon. It was heavily spelled and guarded so that no witch could break out of it.

Dylan was there, interrogating the witch.

"Monica?" I was shocked upon seeing the face of the witch. This was impossible; I would have expected anybody else but Monica. She seemed like the one who wouldn't be the traitor. Don't ask me how I know; I can just feel it. I said before my thoughts spoke.

"I swear on the coven's pact, it isn't me!" I heard her cries as I approached Dylan.

He had a defeated look on when I moved closer.

"Fuck, Aderyn, where have you been? I was worried," he whispered to me.

"Out for a walk."

He studied me for a second, then leading me back to the mansion.

"So Monica is the traitor?"

"It appears so, but she's spelled. I can't read her thoughts..." he added. "I doubt if she's truly the traitor."

"She's not. Whoever the bloody witch traitor is certainly made this up to look like Monica is the traitor." I moved around.

"I think Aderyn is right." Valerie joined us. "It can't be Monica."

"But the spell sought her out," Celeste spoke.

"Maybe it was wrong," Dylan suggested.

"The spell can't be wrong."

"What if she was already framed before the spell was made?"

"No one knew of the spell, and we were very detailed about it." Valerie fell into another deep thought.

"Whatever it is, let's figure it out. If Monica isn't the witch traitor, she's still out here watching us. Celeste, I still suggest we do it my way." Dylan's gaze was on Celeste.

"It might cause a stir if the witches find out they are all suspects and you do not trust them," Celeste tried reasoning.

"What do you expect me to do? As the second ticks by, Raina and that bastard Nikola have an advantage because of the damn traitor."

"Be calm, Alpha. We'll redo the spell one last time, but this time it will be a little different. And for that, we'll need your help, Aderyn," Valerie sounded. I nodded.

"What are you planning?" I searched her for answers.

Valerie's gaze darted to Celeste. "Just like what the Alpha said, if Monica isn't the traitor, then they are still out here watching us. So we'll prepare for a cleansing ritual tonight. Just the four of us will be aware of this, but this will only be a diversion for you, Aderyn. If someone really faltered the last spell, we can't let it happen this time."

I was really loving the new plan.

"The plan is to get all the witches at the coven together for the cleansing ritual, using their magic. During the time where our magic will be linked together, you will be performing the spell to expose the traitor amongst us."

Dylan rubbed his jaw, not certain. "Will that work?"

"It will. But I'll need help," I told them.

"Will your friend be willing to help?" Celeste was speaking of Reagan.

"I think he will." I tried ignoring the low, disapproving growls from Dylan. I guess we all did.

Dylan reluctantly agreed to the whole plan, and Valerie and Celeste left to go back to the witch quarters.

Dylan focused on me. "How are you feeling? Are you in pain?" His gaze was enveloped with worry and fear, staring at where he bit me.

"I'm okay. But not Monica, if she isn't the traitor. While Valerie and Celeste are at it, I'll do mine too with—"

"The stupid witch," he huffed loudly.

"Reagan, yes. We need to find the traitor, Dylan."

"I didn't say anything. I just so hate the witch, and also the fact his scent is always on you."

I bored deep into his eyes. It was obvious Dylan's hatred for Reagan was stern jealousy. I wished I could tell him he didn't need to get that way. He was my mate after all.

"Sir." I turned at the voice that came to us. It was Travis, the vampire working at Dylan's company.

He approached us, bowing to Dylan and then to me. I felt a little awkward at that.

"I brought the files." He smiled. Dylan sighed.

"I'll be in my office shortly."

Travis left us, and Nina with Allegra approached us.

"Later, mate." His voice was clear and held emotions only the heart could convey.