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Paige: But I did have to adjust to life with a hybrid baby and the needs of his wolf’s side. I wasn’t perfect. No one is. That’s called being a mom.
Paige: You’ve got this. I promise.
Paige: And if ever you don’t feel like you do, you have me and Liberty to lean on. That’s what a pack and coven are both for.
I could feel my eyes water as I read her message again and again. The words sinking in and helping to wash away the doubts and fears that had grown in the short few minutes of learning I would be a mother.
Me: Thanks, Paige.
Paige: Of course, Madie. No matter what, I’m here for you.
The sound of the elevator arriving pulled me back from my thoughts, a gentle reminder of the world moving around me. I waited for the people to step off, all witches from the Crete Coven. Their glances varied—some offered a simple nod of recognition, while others, driven by curiosity, whispered amongst themselves, trying to piece together my identity. I barely registered their response when they figured out I was Brady’s mate.
I felt a sense of relief as the elevator doors closed behind me, leaving me alone inside. Leaning against the back wall of the elevator, my mind replayed the day’s events.
My hand instinctively rested over my flat belly as if I could feel the little bean growing inside me. I was so lost in thought that I barely noticed when the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open once again.
“Well, I know that look,” Diana remarked.
I glanced up and noticed her eyes sparkling as she met my gaze.
“So, you made your decision, then?”
“I never even considered not having the baby,” I answered with a frown.
Diana smiled softly. “That’s not what I meant.”
Chapter Eighteen
Brady
After my meeting with the coven, I returned to the packhouse and made my way up to my father’s office. Liberty was still not back from her visit to the Pacific Academy, so I was still picking up her duties, including attending these meetings with my father and the other ranked members of the pack.
I smiled as I reached the doorway, drawn to the familiar scent of ocean salt and coconuts, revealing that my mate was already inside. But something was different this time; her scent was mingled with something unfamiliar. A frown creased my forehead as I tried to discern this new element just as I stepped into the room and caught my mother and Madie in mid-whisper.
Their conversation halted as they noticed me, their smiles a stark contrast to my father’s frown. “You’re late,” Dad stated.
“I had some paperwork to take care of for the coven. And I have this new book, thanks to Marlin that I’ve been studying.” I said as I raised the enormous book up for my family to all see.
Roberto and Edwardo turned their attention towards me, their reactions to the book a mix of curiosity and disdain. Roberto, ever the eager learner, moved closer to get a better look. “What have you been studying?” the delta wolf inquired, his enthusiasm palpable.
I chuckled at the soon to be headmaster while allowing him to take the book and get a closer look.
“Just more information on the witch, Minerva. The more we know about her, the sooner we can figure out what it is she’s trying to do.” I walked past Roberto and bent down to Madie to press a kiss to her forehead. Her scent washed over me again. I frowned at the foreign scent.
“Speaking of Minerva,” Dad said, drawing my attention away from my mate’s unusual scent. “The rogue she’s been collaborating with has been spotted. He was with an unknown vampire.”
My body tensed at the mention of Tristan and the vampire, a silent exchange of looks between Madie and me confirming our mutual suspicion. “That’s likely the vampire who attacked Madie while you both were out of town,” I said. “He was rescued by Minerva. It has to be the same person given that he is with Tristan.”
“What is the deal with this rogue?” Madie asked suddenly.
The memory of her constant inquiries about him had slipped my mind. Since she was considered an outsider, nobody bothered to inform her before. But this approach won’t work this time. Being the pack’s gamma, she has earned the right to be included in all security matters.
“Tristan targeted Brady during the rogue attack on the pack a little over a year ago. During that attack, the witch Minerva laced the rogue’s claws in a spell that would infect any witch or hybrid with dark magic. Tristan’s targets were Brady and Liberty,” Dad explained in a calm and composed manner.
“Why?” Madie’s breath caught in her throat as she glanced in my father’s direction.
“They are the first two hybrids. Despite their powers being uneven, they are still more powerful than a pure witch or shifter. To infect either of them would have been a great feat for their side. As to why Minerva wanted to infect all the witches, that’s something we hope we can uncover with the research that Brady has been doing.”
