Page 39 of The Alpha Wolf’s Secret Baby Boy

The last word lands like a stone dropped into still water. No one speaks, the horror setting in around us.

Flynn is the one who breaks the silence as he leans back in his chair. “I might know someone who can help. Someone who might have answers and can lead us to the source of this…problem.”

Every eye turns toward him, so he continues.

“When I served in black ops,” he says, folding his arms across his chest, “my team crossed paths with a nomadic witch coven.”

Several council members immediately stiffen.

“They weren’t hostile,” Flynn continues, glancing at Miles, his beta, with a nod. “One of our men was critically injured during a mission, and they healed him when no one else could. It was a miracle, and for someone as skeptical as I am, I had no choice but to accept their help.”

He pauses, meeting Dorian’s eyes. “When we left, their elder told us something I’ve never forgotten. She told me that should the wolves ever face darkness, they cannot fight alone; we can reach out to them for help. It’s never been the case, because we all know that witches don’t exist in our part of the world.”

Flynn rests both palms on the table, his eyes on his beta. “I think it’s time we took them up on their offer.”

Murmurs fly around the room, many skeptical. And despite his discovery, even Simon mentions that it’s not a good idea to consult with witches.

“We’ve never had to deal with them,” he says, grunting as he drops to his chair. “The last time witches were known to Rosethorn, my great-grandfather was the alpha of Misty Creek.”

“You said it yourself, Simon. This is witchcraft,” Flynn says with an arched brow. “It requires a certain level of knowledge and experience that we don’t have.”

“Once witches involve themselves in wolf affairs, nothing stays simple.”

Dorian nods tightly at Simon. “I don’t like it either, but we’ve been pushed into this corner.”

My heart throbs with uncertainty as everyone voices their concerns.

Witches?

I never thought I’d see the day we faced witches.

But why here? Are they after Dorian? His family?

“You’re asking us to place our faith in people we’ve spent generations believing were our enemies,” I add, my fists clenched underneath the table. I glance at Dorian, memories of our childhood flashing in my mind.

We’d both been young boys seated around campfires when our grandfather and father took turns telling us tales about the other creatures that existed in the world. Werewolves were not the only formidable beings known to man. Grandfather used to tell us stories about the great war between the supernatural races nearly a century ago, when shifters fought to protect humanity against the likes of vampires and witches; the other beings were defeated, and werewolves went into hiding to protect their identity amongst humans. So did the remaining supernatural beings who didn’t involve themselves in the war.

Witches and vampires have not emerged since then, and the nomadic witch coven that helped Flynn is probably one of the groups that didn’t want to be involved in fights.

It doesn’t mean I can trust them.

Dorian and I both heard how the covens deceived the packs and led the vampires to the werewolves.

Dorian must be desperate to protect his family, because he’s staring at me with sadness in his eyes. He remembers the stories.

But he’ll do anything for his family.

“Let’s put it to a vote,” he says, glancing around the room. “The alphas will decide if we go ahead with consulting this nomadic coven.”

Silence stretches as the alphas voting in favor raise their hands. Only Simon and I keep our hands down, not agreeing to this. But the vote is four against two, and it’s decided.

“I will reach out to the coven as soon as I am back home,” Flynn says. “Speaking of which, I need to return. Lila and Finch are waiting for me. I will be in touch when I’ve made contact.”

The meeting closes, and I stay behind to talk to Dorian about his decision. But as soon as the meeting chamber empties, and it’s only me, him, and Connor left behind, he already knows what’s coming and turns to me with a sigh.

“I’m sorry, Damian. I know you don’t like this, but there is no other way. If they can help…if they can lead us to the ones using witchcraft on our borders, my family will be safe. So will the rest of the pack.”

Connor nods beside him as he stands. “I am behind every decision you make for this pack, Alpha Dorian. I also have a family to protect.”