Grace claps, making a glad cry as she shuffles over to hug me. “You’re a witch, Alisha!”
“What?” I mumble.
“I’m a witch, too,” she confesses. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you before. Being a shiftless wolf is one thing; being a witch is another. Most people in town don’t know about me. But I can finally share everything with someone! Alisha, I’m so glad you came to our pack.”
“Wait, back up,” I say, holding up my hand. “Let’s go back to the part where I’m a witch.”
“This is your powers manifesting for the first time,” Grace answers happily. “It looks like they are tied to nature, andthat’s why you love plants so much. Have strange things ever happened before?”
“Well…” I think for a moment. “There was a garden I used to visit as a kid. It always made me feel better to be there. Over the years, if I needed company, I’d find a big old tree to sit under and talk to it, even if it seemed silly. In my last apartment, I had lots of plants.”
And my poor babies all burned! Anything I’ve ever really loved gets taken from me…
“I’m sure you’ve always felt connected,” Grace says. “More connected to the earth than to wolves. It’s one of the things that drives their mistrust of us.”
I frown at that. “But Brad loves me.”
“Of course he does. He’s your mate. The love between you and the destiny of your souls is what activated your powers.”
I want to ask why it never happened before, but really, I already know.
I trusted him more last night than I ever have. Even though I still don’t know why he left me, a big part of me is just happy to see he’s still alive.
“There are no rules,” Grace goes on. “Everyone is different, and your powers will grow in unexpected ways, especially since you didn’t have any guidance. I can seriously relate to that, and I’m so happy I’m here to help you with this.”
I smile at her. “I am, too.”
“You’ll keep seeing manifestations of your powers now. Don’t try to figure them out or make sense of them, just let them flow. Instinct is the truest way to use your gifts. That’s why it all came together when you opened your heart and soul with your lover.”
I blush. “Yeah, I sure did that.”
“Good,” Grace giggles. “Get it while you can, girl!”
We laugh and then go back to the business of repotting the seedlings. Even though I’m still confused and trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’m a witch, the feeling of joy is so wonderful that I can’t help but sink into it. The wind seems to sing, the air caresses my skin, and the plants reach out to me with little, waving tendrils that make me feel right at home.
Even though the day is long and I’m tired and sweaty by the end, I feel very satisfied and fulfilled. As I walk to the main entrance, I still can’t shake the blissful feeling, and I wouldn’t even want to try. I lean on the stone wall, waiting for Brad, looking forward to a shower and a nice, long rest.
The second Brad shows up, the wave of exhaustion lifts. He jumps out of the truck and hurries towards me, and I rush into his arms. When our bodies press together and our lips meet, the aura of harmony around me increases, and I know Grace was right.
It is Brad who unlocked me. His love and my trust opened my soul and released my greatest power.
Chapter 13 - Brad
When Alisha rushes into my arms, I feel a wave of happiness like nothing I’ve ever felt before. All my senses seem hyped up—I can feel the sun soaking into my skin, and hear the happy humming of insects all around us as they kiss the flowers, along with the wind singing a soft, whispering song.
I wrap my arms around her, and the sensations increase. My heart thuds against my breastbone, and I’m dizzy all of a sudden, lost in her scent and the pleasure of her touch.
“Hi, baby,” I murmur, trying to get a hold of myself. “How was your day?”
“Wonderful,” she says, stepping back to look up at me. My sense of confusion only gets worse as I’m charmed by her dazzling smile and bright, glowing eyes.
She’s so fucking beautiful! How did I ever walk away from this woman?
“Are you okay?” she asks. “You look a bit like someone just slapped you.”
“I’m okay, I just…” I shake my head a little. “I feel a bit overwhelmed.”
“By what?” she asks, taking my hand.
