Chapter 17 - Calvin

Chapter 17 - Calvin
Calvin's P.O.V.

Alan had Dale and me fly overhead while they chased the witch on foot. Her magic may have made them disappear, but it didn't stop Alan from mindlinking us.
"She took us to her hut, and we're all in cages. We need your help. My magic isn't strong enough to free us and deflect the spell she has on us. She's not aware that I can mindlink and still use some magic. Delaine can, too. If you can come to the hut to distract her, we can get free and kill her. We'll let everyone else out of the cages once she's gone. I don't want her hurting anyone in desperation."
"We're on our way," I reply as Dale and I fly toward the hut.
"How do you want to play this?" Dale mindlinks.
"You do one of your dragon growls and make her come outside. I'll swoop down and nip her. We just need to keep her distracted long enough for Alan and Delaine to get out of here," I reply as we reach the hut. Dale's dragon can't kill her with his fire or chomp her because she's a witch. Normal fire has no effect on her, and if he tries to swallow her, she will use a spell to kill him. She can only be defeated with magic.
When we reach the hut, Dale's dragon lets out a thunderous growl. My owl, Ollie, waits on the roof. As soon as the witch runs out, he flies down and nips her ear. He quickly flies away before she can put a spell on us. The dragon growls again, and she turns to look at him.
"I'm going to kill you," she threatens. Ollie flies back down, grabs her by the hair with his talons, and throws her toward the forest. Just as she lands, Alan and Delaine run out of the hut.
"Thanks, guys. Let's get rid of this wench once and for all," Alan says. When the witch sees him and Delaine, her face turns red with anger.
"How did you get out of your cages? I placed a spell on you. None of you can defeat me. I'm the great and powerful Norea," she screams at them.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? You're not great or powerful. You're a washed-up old toad who gets her kicks off of others' pain," Delaine yells at her. I really like these bunnies. Unfortunately, none of them seems to be my mate. I hope to find mine soon.
"I ought to kill you and make your stupid mate watch," Norea says as she stops in front of the couple. Dale and I fly overhead, ready to intervene if needed.
"Good luck trying." Alan holds his hands up and twists them around, creating a giant burning ball with black flames. At the same time, Delanie flips in the air, kicks Norea in the face, and says a spell that makes her lose her youthful appearance and turn into the ancient witch she really is. Once Delanie is away from her, Alan throws the ball of black flames, and Norea screams.
"This won't kill me, you fools," The witch yells. Alan and Delaine look at each other and smile.
"We know, but this will," Alan replies as he takes Delanie's hand and holds it up. A large blue lightning bolt comes from their conjoined hands and strikes the center of the black ball of flames. Norea's screams disappear as the ball explodes, and she burns to ash. As soon as she's gone, her realm disappears, and we're all in the forest outside of the Fatal Moon pack, where we had entered the portal. Everyone who was in the cages is with us, looking around, confused. Ollie lands behind a tree and shifts. I quickly put on the clothes I left there. Everyone runs to their mates while I look at them with envy.
When I look at the people who were Norea's captives, I see a young woman staring at me with wide eyes. My heart starts racing as I take a deep breath and pick up her scent. She's beautiful with long reddish blonde hair and dark green eyes. We begin walking toward each other.
"Mate," we both say softly.
"I'm Calvin," I tell her. My throat feels like sandpaper. I have dreamt about the day I would find my mate, but I never thought it would be like this.
"I'm Gloria. I'm a tiger. What are you?" She has a voice like an angel. Can I hug and kiss her, or would that be too much? I probably shouldn't when I don't know what she's been through. I clench my hands to keep from touching her.
"I'm an owl," I reply. Gloria smiles up at me shyly.
"So you're the one who saved us. Calvin, I'm going to be honest with you right now before we do or say anything else. I had some bad things happen to me even before the witch took me. I'm not a virgin anymore because someone stole that from me a few years ago. Most of my time was spent alone, crying in a corner because I fear everything. I know this is a lot, and I'll understand if you want to reject me." When I see a tear run down her cheek, I can't hold back anymore. I wrap my arms around her and stroke her head. The sparks that surround us are so intense they take my breath away. She cries as she puts her arms around me.
"I'm not going to reject you. Most of us came from bad situations. What happened to you happened to me when I was thirteen. My aunt was a monster who hurt me in every way possible. When she forced herself on me, it was the final straw. I ran away as soon as she was asleep and never looked back. We can help each other overcome what we've been through. Are you okay with me being an owl? Technically, your tiger could probably eat us in one bite." I smile when she giggles against me, and her tiger starts purring.
"I'm glad you're an owl. I've never met an owl shifter. Are you one of the misfits Sydney and Lindy told us about?" She looks up at me, and I want to kiss her more than anything, but I'll hold back for now.
"Yes, I'm a misfit. I believe the bunnies and the misfits are going to join together to make one biker gang. Will you come with us?" Gloria throws her arms around my neck and brings my mouth to hers. I'm so stunned I don't move at first. It's not a deep kiss, but it's one that lets me know I'm already falling in love with my tigress.
"I would love to go with you." I lean down and kiss her again, but I stop before I get too carried away. As we prepare to leave the forest, I see a large man staring at something behind us. When I look to see what has his attention, I smile. It looks like another set of mates has found each other.