Chapter 56

(Isabella’s POV)

“Tell me again why we are covered in dust and dirt on all fours in the tiny crawl spaces of the attic, when you could delegate an Omega to do it for you?” my wolf asks with a tone dripping in sarcasm and disdain.

“Because we don’t trust anyone anymore,” I tell her.

I shift my weight and sit with the last box to dig through, just staring at it.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” my wolf chides. “Get on with it so we can get the hell out of here.”

“Are you claustrophobic or something?” I ask her.

“If I say yes, can we go back down to the house?”

“No.”

“Fine.”

I have not been able to stop thinking about meeting Evie. She knows more about everything than she said directly.

I always thought of my relationship with my parents as close. The events of the last three months have shown that I know very little about the pack and its inner workings.

“The rumors about witches are continuing to spread Bella. I’m picking up inklings from the pack that our history is somehow connected to them.”

“I know. This box has Mom’s name on it. It’s my last hope for figuring out our pack history and hopefully putting the rumors to rest.”

“Let’s hope so. Whatever it is Jesse thinks he needs from you is going to continue to fuel his attempts. And the healing gem fable is very witchy.”

The inside of the box has a deep purple velvet blanket folded over on all sides. When I pull it back, there is a small clay jar with runes carved along its outside. “What is this?”

“Bella, put it back right now. This looks like your mother either was a witch or was helping one. We must burn it and never speak of it again.”

I shove the jar back to where we got it from and prepare to crawl back out.

“You know, now that I think about this; I don’t remember ever seeing my mother shift. What if she wasn’t a werewolf? What if she was a witch? You’re my wolf though, if I am only half werewolf…you’d know, wouldn’t you?”

“Not necessarily, Bella. Listen to me. Speak of this to no one. I mean it. They’ll kill you without hesitation. You’re an Alpha, but if the pack turns on you, you’d never be able to defend yourself against the whole group.”

I begin climbing down the ladder from the attic. As I look around the room, it is pitch black. It’s gotten late.

An arm wraps around my waist while a gloved hand covers my mouth. It’s a man. His gravelly voice whispers in my ear. “I want your wolf. She will give me your healing abilities…I have the power to kill your entire pack and will if you make even the slightest sound, do you understand?”

“Bella, no! His intent is to steal me. He will kill you and leave you for dead!” my wolf shrieks. “Fight back!”

Terror seizes my body. Every muscle tenses under this man’s tight grip. My heart pounds inside my chest. The sensation of it climbing into my throat constricts at my carotid. I gasp for air to no avail. My breath hitches and my brain becomes foggy.

All I manage to do is nod.

Pain shoots through my back as a silver blade penetrates deep between my ribs. The scent of my own burning flesh hits my nostrils. I feel it sizzle around the blade.

My eyes widen as the realization hits me…I’m about to die.

Suddenly, I feel nothing and the world goes black.

(Santiago’s POV)

I can’t sense Bella. I can’t smell her. I can’t find her. Ariana showed up this morning damn near hysterical. She told me the last time she spoke to or saw her was yesterday morning, before Bella went on some sort of cleaning spree.

What possessed her to deep-clean the attic?

I walk into her favorite coffee shop and ask the barista if he’d seen her. No.

Elder Evelyn rushes over, grabs my bicep, and whispers. “We need to speak in private. It’s about your mate.”

I nod. “We can go to my territory and speak,” I tell her.

She continues to hold on to my arm as we walk back, loosening her grip only slightly.

Once inside my study, Evelyn tells me Bella has been kidnapped by someone who wants her wolf and is willing to kill her.

My heart throbs in pain at the thought.

“Santiago, what I must tell you is troubling. You’re the strongest Alpha in our region outside of the Elder Council. Before I divulge Isabella’s private information, I need you to promise you will continue to see her as you do now and…protect her.”

My eyebrows furrow at this old woman’s words. What could Bella possibly be hiding that would warrant protection?

“It doesn’t matter what she’s hiding, Santiago. We will still love her, and we will protect her at all costs. Now, agree to Evelyn’s demands,” my wolf says.

I nod. “Alright. I promise.”

She takes a deep breath. “Her parents were my friends. Her mother was my best friend.”

“Okay, and.”

“Her mother, Shannen, was not a werewolf.”

My brows furrow as my eyes squint. “She wasn’t?”

“No, she was a witch.”

I sit then stand and pace, then sit.

“She’s been abducted and the man who has her wants to kill her and steal her wolf. He thinks this will lead him to the Healing Gem.”

My face contorts into a snarl as a growl erupts from my chest. “Jesse.”

She shakes her head. “No, not Jesse. It’s not Elias either. It’s another elder named Timeran. I believe he has taken her to a safe house he has in the woods.

“Thank you, I will find her.”

I find Timeran’s shelter easily. I see a window on the side of the house and survey the situation.

Bella appears unconscious on a raised concrete slab. Timeran stands over her, chanting something so softly that his words are barely audible. He towers over her. Clearly, he’s shaved his egg-shaped head due to a receding hairline. He has a thick, slightly gray beard and sideburns.

He’s tanned from working outside on the farm that Evie told me about; age and the sun have blended to wrinkle his flesh and give it a leather-like texture.

I decide to stay in my human form. I move toward the door, pick up a brick, throw it through the window as a distraction, and break the door down.

Once inside, I rush him, tackle him to the ground, and stab him straight through the chest with his own silver-bladed dagger.

I hurry to Bella’s side and feel for a pulse. “Thank the moon goddess, she’s alive.” I need to get her to a hospital.

Sitting in the waiting room, I watch the late-night news cast. My eyes widen like saucers when I see Layla sitting opposite the anchor.

“We come to you live from Caladrius Moon tonight with a deeply disturbing development. Ms. Washington,” he says looking at Layla. “Please tell our listeners what you have learned about Alpha Isabella Costa.”

“Well, Bradley…I overheard a representative from the Elder Council explain to Alpha Santiago that Isabella is actually a witch-werewolf hybrid. Her mother, Shannen Costa was a full blooded witch!”

Just then Levi and Ariana run inside the waiting room with Gamma warriors behind them holding off a mob of hundreds of wolves!

“You have to do something Alpha!” Levi screams. “All three packs are out there,” he says gesturing toward the door. “They want Bella sentenced to death and if you don’t order it right now, they are threatening to storm the hospital and kill her themselves!”

I tap fully into my wolf’s strength and growl with enough force to shut everyone up.

Levi and Ariana stop short of me and bow their heads in submission, as do the Gammas.

I walk outside.

The packs chant in unison. “Kill the witch!”

“Silence!” I shout.

I turn to Ariana, “What is a compromise they will accept?”

Tears stream down her face. Not once in all the time I have known her have I ever seen her stressed or anything less than cheerful.

Levi wraps his arms around her protectively from behind.

“There is no compromise, Alpha. They demand Isabella be treated like a witch. They chased Levi and me here, threatening to commit unspeakable acts of violence against her.”

I nod and raise my voice to the crowd. “Enough! I sentence Alpha Isabella Costa to imprisonment…here…in the Veridian Shadow dungeons while we investigate. Now disperse or be sentenced to death on the spot!” I growl.