Chapter 40

I looked at Reese and hesitated for a minute, “I can’t talk about it here. We can go somewhere private after class, and I’ll tell you.”

Reese nodded, “You can trust me. I won’t do anything to hurt you. Besides, your boyfriend scars me a little.”

I laughed a little too hard, “which one. I don’t even know what’s happening in my life right now.”

Reese chuckled and we ended our conversation as the professor walked in.

Time seemed to slow down as I thought about the predicament I was in. I knew last night was too good to be true.

Does Creed really love me? Is he telling the truth, or I’m I just a fool. I sent him three messages this morning. He hasn’t answered any of them.

I’ve got to get to the bottom of things. My thoughts went back to the meeting with my family. Find the connection, I repeated in my head.

What could possibly connect a dragon, a bear, and a wolf, with me, a magical wolf? Also, why does the mate bond and connection feel so different with each one of them?

As far I know and from what Dawson has said, the supernatural species are usually at odds with each other. There’s not even a connection between where they stand in their dens or pack.

Creed is a prince, but not the next to be crowned. Dawson lives in the bear kings pack, but I don’t think he’s the prince, and Rowen is the future Alpha of his pack. The only connection I can find is that all three of them are strong.

Personality wise, there’s a whirlwind of differences. I jumped a little, as the closing of multiple laptops snapped out of my daydream.

I looked over at Reese shocked. I can’t believe I just drowned out the entire class.

Reese laughed, “I’ll email you a copy of my notes. It was pretty much just a review anyway.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“Where is a good place for us to go where we can talk?” Reese asked as he finished putting his stuff away.”

“I’ve got an idea. Follow me.”

Reese followed me all the way through the woods to Creed’s shifting spot. I didn’t tell him how I found it. I can’t help myself. I just needed to see if I could find just a small sliver of the love and passion that I felt the night Creed healed me.

Of course, there’s nothing here but an empty field, but I had to try. I miss him already.

Reese and I both sat down against a couple of trees. We talked openly for a while. I told him who I was and about my unique family history. I haven’t seen Jacie in a few days. It felt good to have someone to talk everything over with.

I told him about needing to find a connection between everyone, and about how the mate bond was different with all three of them.

When I started telling him about Rowen, and why I didn’t trust him, Reese stopped me.

“Hold on, Bella. That doesn’t sound like Rowen at all, and I’ve known him for a long time.”

“What? I didn’t know you guys were friends.”

“Most people don’t.”

Reese bit his lower lip, “I guess if you’re sharing your secrets with me, I can trust you to share mine.”

“Yeah, whatever you say will stay between us.”

He nodded, “My coven border’s Rowen’s pack. The only thing that separates us is the forest, and that’s part of his pack’s territory.”

“Oh, so why is it a secret that you’re friends?”

Rowen laughed, “well it’s not a secret here, but Rowen’s alpha doesn’t trust witches. He’s convinced his pack members that we are the enemy. Apparently, we all use our magic to destroy everything and anyone that gets in our way.”

I chuckled, “I’m guessing that’s a nasty rumor.”

“Obviously,” Reese laughed. “I met Rowen when we were about ten. I loved the forest, and I didn’t understand why I could only go so far. I was curious and ventured off one day. I ran into Rowen and some of his friends. They were looking for a necklace that one of their friends lost.”

Reese chuckled, “talk about looking for a needle in a haystack. They never would have found it without me. I cast a spell that made the necklace glow, and we found it within minutes. After that, we started hanging out on the border all the time. We just couldn’t let anyone find out about it. He’s dad threatened to banish anyone that had any contact with our coven.”

“What can you tell me about him? I’m just curious, because he doesn’t seem to have any control over his wolf, and what he did to Creed was completely uncalled for.”

“I don’t understand why he would act like that. Rowen is a good guy. He doesn’t agree with his father. Between me and you, he plans on opening the border between his pack and my coven once he’s made alpha. He said it’s not just his pack. Most of the Alpha’s that currently serve are prejudiced against other species. That’s why all the species have separate counsels. Green ridge is the exception, not the normal.”

“Hmm, I guess I never thought about it, but you're right. Besides my family, the wolf counsel will favor wolves in any situation. Even if they’re the ones that started a battle, the counsel will claim whoever they were against was wrong.

“Yep, and the witch counsel won’t help any other species unless it involves witches.”

“So, who is looking out for the greater good? Who mediates between species?”

Reese gave me a questioning look, “Umm, my guess would be the moon goddess. She seems to like playing games and mating people with different species.”

He smiled and I smacked his arm, knowing it was a cheap shot at my situation.

“I really think something is wrong with Rowen or his wolf. I wish I would have known that you were so close with him. He seems to change when he’s around me. I think we need to run a test.” I smiled at Reese.

“What do you want to do?”

“I need to talk to Dawson tonight, he usually comes with me when I see Rowen. I’m wondering if we need to set something up where you can be there to. I need you to be there before I get there. Watch his actions. Like the way he acts before he sees me and if he changes after I’m there. Also, you would be able to recognize if his behavior is normal for him or not.”

“I don’t see any harm in that. What do you think is wrong with him?”

“I don’t want to accuse anyone. I’m not sure yet, but I’m wondering if he’s been spelled. If he has, we will need to figure out what the purpose of the spell is before we figure out how to fix it.”

Reese nodded, “I can do you one better. Magic has a signature from the witch that cast the spell. If the magic is activated when he sees you, I should be able to tell at least which Coven the witch is from.”

“Really, that’s incredible.”

Reese laughed, “Yeah, that’s one of the reasons I was so thrown off when I saw your fire magic. It’s not linked to a coven.”

I laughed, “I just want to get to the bottom of this. I don’t know why I didn’t think of asking you for help earlier. I’ll talk to Dawson tonight and we can figure out a plan.”