Chapter 187
Mattie
A long driveway stretched ahead, flanked on both sides by towering trees arching overhead to form a quiet, leafy tunnel. Nerves wreaked havoc on my stomach as I drove past each oak or sycamore tree. It tightened and twisted when the paved road gave way to gravel. My breaths came out rocky with the faint crunch of that gravel under my tires, adding to the sense of isolation upon my approach. The trees seemed to close in slightly, casting deeper shadows and muting the world beyond. It gave a sense of slowly being trapped. Just when I think I can’t handle it the peaceful sounds of nature suddenly burst through. The driveway opened up completely to reveal the tall, metal, ornate gate. It had always been open when I left on foot so I’d never seen it in all its intimidating glory. Just before the gate, slightly off to the side, stood a small guard hut. It’s sturdy, with dark-tinted windows and a muted exterior blending in with the natural surroundings. I parked next to it. A dim light glowed inside and a dark figure could be seen. Panic was added to the twist in my belly. I know the Great Luna lady said I was welcome anytime, but I was still a stranger. This situation was still strange. Would they actually let me in? A Goliath of a man stepped out of the guard hut. He watched my approach silently. HIs body stood alert and composed, only moving when he leaned against the top of the car, looking through the open window. A gruff voice commanded, “Name?”
“Um…Ma—” I began, but the man’s eyes met mine and he directed, “Go ahead.”
“What?” I sputtered. “You mean I can just go on in? No questions asked?”
The guard didn’t say anything else, just pointed toward the gate as he walked back to the guard hut. He stood in that stiff military style that made this exchange feel deliberately intimidating. With a low, mechanical hum the wrought iron with intricate curves opened. The groan of the heavy slide of metal on hidden tracks shakes my panic. I drive through cautiously. I ran my fingers through my hair in disbelief. I really could come and go as I needed. Now the question was: What was I even doing here? A question I would ask myself over and over again.
With no clear answer; I pulled the car forward and followed the driveway up to the main doors of the mansion. The doorway towered before me—grand, opulent and unapologetically ostentatious. It wasn’t just an entrance; it was a declaration of power and wealth. Massive double doors, each one carved from dark walnut stood perfectly balanced within a rich red bricked archway. The stained glass windows shimmered and danced as it drank in the sunlight. A family crest sat above the top middle of the doors. It showed two wolf heads pressed together at their foreheads with a full moon behind it. There was words but I couldn’t see them from the car.
I shouldn’t be here. I didn’t even know this woman beyond the fact that she generously left clothes for me when I showed up every full moon butt naked. Panic clogged my throat and my thoughts became chaotic. I should wash and return all those clothes now that I think about it because it wasn’t right to keep something so expensive. I could ask if I could keep a duffle bag of clothes here in the future. No, this was too much. All I needed to do was let off the break to drive down the driveway. The guard would let me thought. I’d just proven that. I wasn’t even in park yet. I needed to leave, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that.
There was a pull from Wolfie that made me feel like I belonged here. I’d never really known what a home felt like, but even I knew Wolfie felt at home in the woman’s garden. If I was honest with myself; I’d wanted this garden to feel like home too. As a witch I’d always loved nature of any kind but this place felt magical. It was a hidden, lush sanctuary that hummed with quiet life. The scent of damp earth, various flowered plants and freshly crushed leaves dre you in gently and welcomed you with the warmth of sunlight. Willowy trees raised in elegant sweeps, their slender trunks bending slightly as if frozen in mid-curtsy wile their delicate branches swayed softly in the wind, brushing one green veil against the other. Each bush I’d seen was thick and well tended giving a sense of natural abundance. The carefully placed stone pathways are half covered in moss and framed by edges of wild growth. The variety of herbs, medicinal plants and spices only added to the overall appeal. Its a dreamlike garden that invites you to linger, breath deeper, and curl up for a deep slumber.
“Fuck it.” On impulse I shoved the drive stick into the park position and jumped out of the car. The exterior was always so quiet as if the whole place giving the illusion of being abandoned but based on my previous visits I knew that there was staff everywhere even if I couldn’t see them. It creeped me out that anyone could be stealthy enough to not be seen like that. I waited for any sign of life through the huge windows or for the front door to open. I expected some butler to rush out and kick me off the property but nothing happened. The sound of birds and the twinkle of wind chimes in the distance floated on the breeze. It was a ethereal beckoning to the vast gardens and foliage. It was now or never.