Alpha Divided
Chapter 22

I woke with a start. My heart was beating so fast. It thundered in my ears.

A beep sounded, and I rolled over.

Are you okay? Dastien said.

I lay back down. Sure. Only I wasn't so sure. Something was up. I was so revved that even my teeth tingled. Who texted?

Dastien checked his phone. "Adrian. They found the gris-gris and burned it. He clicked on my bedside lamp. How're you feeling now?"

I don't know, I snapped and instantly felt like a jerk. That question was getting old. Something woke me up, I said, changing the subject.

"Probably the gris-gris being destroyed. He grabbed my chin, and forced me to meet his gaze. How're you feeling? Be honest."

I sighed. He was only trying to help, but I didn't have a great answer for him. I feel weird. Unsettled. I paused. Should we be doing anything? I feel like we're just lying here and there's so much to be doing. We're wasting time. I think you've done enough to help the pack. You've sacrificed. I've sacrificed. They're doing the busy work. The prep. Sometimes it's good to delegate. Trust our friends. They'll get it done. He got up.

Aren't we delegating? If so, there was no reason for him to be leaving.

"Yes, but there is something that only you and I can do. Come on. He held his hand out to me, and I stared at it for a second. Trust me."

I met his golden eyes. I do. I put my hand in his and let him pull me from the comfort of my bed.

He slung the backpack on, and kept his hand firmly in mine as we made our way to the common room. He let go of me then, but only long enough to stuff a bunch of food and drinks in a bag, before he reclaimed it. This way. I thought about asking where we were going, but I had a pretty good idea.

We walked across campus to the parking lot, and he opened the front door to his car. In.

Are you sure it's okay to leave campus right now? I just got back and...

Yes. We need this. It'll be okay.

I raised an eyebrow at him. If you say so.

I say so. He threw the bag in the back and got into the seat, handing me the backpack. I couldn't help but peek. I unzipped and looked at the two glowing jars. My energy was still there. I had to keep reminding myself. It hadn't gone anywhere. Not really.

A year ago, if I could've put my visions in a jar and buried them in the backyard, I would've done it. I would've done anything to get rid of them and be normal. Now I wanted them back so bad I itched to snatch the jars and smash them. Ready? Dastien asked.

Yeah.

As he drove, with soft piano music playing that soothed my soul, I stared out the window. Are you mad? I asked.

No. Why?

Even though you were in the feral cages? Even though I was wrong, and you were right?

He sighed. We were both wrong. I was wrong because it was worth trying. We had to give up a lot, but if the witches had been honorable, it would've been for the greater good. And you were wrong, too.

I bit my trembling lip..

You're wrong because you're a good person. You saw the evil there, but you wanted to fix it. You wanted to protect the pack. And that's the most honorable kind of wrong you could ever be. He paused. Wrong is the wrong word.

I laughed but it sounded a bit desperate, even to me. Wrong, huh? He'd used the word a million times.

It is. It's not you. This wasn't your fault. You didn't ask to get stripped. This is Luciana's fault. This is Rupert's fault. All we did was try our best.

We failed.

Not yet.

He was right. We still had a chance, but it felt like I'd already failed. I'd gone to the compound and I hadn't accomplished anything.

As we pulled onto the worst road in the history of roads, I gripped Dastien's hand tightly. It was good to feel him, to be with him. He calmed me.

Dastien stopped the car as we reached the clearing, and reached into the back of the car-pulling out the bag of food and a blanket. While he was busy, I hopped down out and started walking.

He caught up in a second. Let's go by the pond.

Okay, I said.

This was the first time I'd been around him since I accepted that he was my mate-since that first vampire attack-that I couldn't feel what he was feeling. It was both disarming and unsettling. It was like there was a great cavern between us and I couldn't reach across to him. I'd thought I missed him before, but being next to him, I missed him even more.

He glanced up at me from where he was putting the blanket. His eyes hadn't dulled from glowing yellow. I didn't have to be able to read him to know that this was bothering him, too. He was way more obsessed with our bond than I was. Are you okay? I asked.

I wish we could break the jars now. I don't like this distance. You're here but you're not, and it's driving me crazy.

I sat down heavily. Me, too.

He sat next to me and pulled me into his lap, pressing his forehead to mine. We'll be okay. It'll take more than this to take us down.

I know.

You were hurt, and that hurts me, but I'll be here for you. No matter what.

His words made me feel a little better. Do you think we'll ever get to live here?

I know it. I will make it happen, no matter what.

He was so determined that I almost believed him. Almost. Some things won't be in your control.

I don't care. If that's what you want, I'll make it happen. Trust me. This will be okay. It might be a while, but we'll make it okay.

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. Do you think that our bond will come back?

Is that what you're afraid of?

A part of me was. A lot of our relationship was based on our bond and being mates. If that was suddenly gone, if I never got back to who I was before, would he still be with me? Yes. If I can't be your mate anymore-

He shook my shoulders until I looked at him. If I'd thought his eyes were glowing before, I was wrong. You are mine. There's no backing out of it for any reason. I liked you when you were human. Seeking you out in the bookstore. Following you to that stupid party. I couldn't stay away even then. And you're still a wolf. I can feel her there, under your skin. You're going to be fine and even if you weren't, I'd want you just the way you are. He stared into my eyes and for the first time, I broke away first. Got it?

I chewed on the inside of my mouth as I let his words sink in. Yeah. I got it.

"Good. Now let's have a snack and talk about happy things. Like where we should put the house. How many bedrooms? That seems like a good negotiation. I was thinking seven was

a good number."

I shoved him. Seven? How do you figure that?

One for us, two for guests, four for kids. Although, maybe we need ten. Ten would be better, right?

Ten? Who the hell is going to be visiting us? How many guests can we have at one time?

He grinned and his eyes dimmed. Not all the way back to amber, but closer. "Not for more guests, chérie."

I laughed. You're out of your mind.

He pressed his lips softly against mine. Only when it comes to you.

When we got back to campus, I was feeling much better. A little R&R with Dastien was exactly what I'd needed. Everything would be better when the jars were history, but at least I was feeling more like myself. More confident.

We parked the car and hopped down, but I didn't get far before stopping. The rest of the gang stood by the edge of the parking lot. Again. With a few extras.

Jeez. It's like everyone is watching for when I get back. Why is there always a reception here?

There're cameras along the fence. Someone was probably looking out for us, but I think we've got some visitors. Isn't that your cousin?

I nodded. I guess I forgot to mention that I told them if they needed a safe place to stay, they could come here. With the coven that bad, they couldn't stay at the compound. Do you think the pack will be pissed?

He shrugged. They'll get used to it. Things are changing. Better they get used to it now. He pulled me toward the waiting group. Come on. They're getting impatient.

I say they blame you instead of me. You started the whole change in the pack by biting me.

Dastien tweaked my nose. Well, maybe you shouldn't have been so irresistible.

Oh barf, Adrian said. We can hear you from here. How about getting a move on? Some of the pack are flipping out about this.

Dastien and I picked up our pace.

Claudia, Raphael, Shane, Cosette, and Elsa stood beside my friends. I nodded to them, and then turned to Mr. Dawson. They'll need a place to stay. In the dorms?

Mr. Dawson shook his head. There's room for visitors on the top floor of the admin building. Above the infirmary. The freshman are mostly stable, but I wouldn't want to risk any accidents in the dorms.

Huh. I'd always wondered what was up there, but I'd figured it was offices or something. Okay. In the meantime, how's the prep work coming?

Slowly, Chris said.

It's getting there. Adrian was being a little defensive.

No you haven't figured out how to make them- Chris started, but Meredith cut him off.

Do you trust them? Meredith asked.

I glanced at the group from the coven huddled in a circle. They looked both scared and defiant.

Wait. Someone was missing. Where's Daniel?

Claudia shrugged. I couldn't replace him. We waited for as long as we dared, but Cosette saw Luciana pull up and we left. I can't stand up to her. Not after the blood oath. And if she's doing evil stuff, I just...I couldn't wait. She blinked rapidly as she pressed her lips firmly together.

Got it. He's a big boy, and his mother won't hurt him, I said, but I wasn't so sure about that.

She could hurt him worse than anyone because he's her son, Elsa said.

I blew out a breath and turned to Dastien.

He shook his head. "Non. You will not suggest that."

His defiant look made me smile. Despite everything, he knew what I was going to ask before I could ask it. Fine. But I think leaving him behind is a bad idea. We should go get-

No! Adrian, Chris, and Meredith all said at once.

Meredith pointed a finger at me. "We let you go once, and we took care of your mate while he was half-crazed, but we won't do it again. I'll throw you in the cages this time. And believe me, I'm one hundred percent serious. Meredith's eyes hardly glowed before I got rid of the curse, but right then, they were so pale and bright, I took a step back. You will not leave campus again until I say it's okay."

The power behind the command took my breath away. She had to have been borrowing some alpha energy from Donovan. He stepped forward, squeezing her shoulder. I think Tessa understands that we're all against her putting herself at risk again, love. Donovan turned to me. We'll keep an eye out for this Daniel, but he might not be trustworthy if Luciana is his mother.

He's trustworthy, Raphael said. He doesn't like his mother any more than we do.

Are you sure about that? Could he be lying to you to get in with you? Donovan asked.

Raphael opened his mouth to say something, but then snapped it shut.

That's what I'm sayin'. It's mighty convenient that he went missing just as it was time for you to leave.

He has a point, Cosette said. She tucked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. The timing was too convenient. We would've arrived right behind you, but we were waiting on him.

I replace it interesting that you're in Texas, Donovan said.

Cosette grinned. The queen said things were getting interesting down here. I came to assess the situation.

And what did you replace?

"La Aquelarre and its allies are evil. The fey will be backing you," she said.

I thought you were only part fey, I said.

She shrugged, but didn't look the least bit perturbed. I've been many things, but at the core, I'm fey.

Was I missing something? But you said you were a witch.

I have some witch in me down the line, but that's only a small part. We don't lie, but there are many shades of gray.

Right, but I would've felt more comfortable if she'd just be honest. Claudia, if you wouldn't mind helping us out with some more of those vials for vampires-

Vampires? Claudia shouted. Then her cheeks reddened. I thought we were fighting the coven, she continued at a much more normal volume.

We are. But the vampires will be here first.

The scent of fear hit the air, and I knew she was scared.

I think we probably have all of the ingredients, but I'm not sure if I'm putting the spells together correctly. Would you mind showing me? Adrian asked.

Not at all. Let's all go. I'm happy to share what I know about fighting with potions, Claudia said.

As we headed through the quad to the school building, I knew that this was what I was here for. The supernatural community was fighting, but it was also changing. Witches and wolves working together to fight evil. We had eight hours to prepare, but when the first vampire stepped on campus, we'd be ready. We could do this. We had to.

Even if I died trying, I'd stop Luciana here tonight.