WITCHE'S BEAST *(needs editing )

chapter 10

Evelina

The room felt smaller with every passing second as more people poured in. Maria hovered near Aaron, checking his vitals, while Eric's eyes burned into me with a devil's glare. Daniel's thoughts were unreadable-his focus locked on Lyra.

"Mom, I'm fine," Aaron insisted as his mother fussed over his wounds.

Sia edged closer to me, her expression unreadable, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

Then Clara burst into the room, her announcement stealing the air from us all.
"The Oracle ran away-and the magic protection is gone."

Silence fell. My heart lurched into my throat. Without the protection, we were exposed. Roger would find us. He always found us.

Aaron's hand squeezed mine, pulling me from the dark spiral of my thoughts. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I lied quickly, turning away. He nodded but didn't press.

Alpha Gideon stood tall. "We must find her. Daniel, Eric-alert the border guards and have them search."

"Yes, Alpha," they said together.

"I'll go with them," Aaron offered, already pushing to stand.

I grabbed his arm. "No-you need to rest. Let Daniel and Eric handle it."

"Son, listen to your mate," Gideon added firmly. "You're not fully recovered."

Aaron exhaled, conceding with a nod. "Fine. Then I need everyone to excuse me-I need to lie down."

Chairs scraped and voices murmured as the room cleared. I started to follow, but Aaron's hand caught mine.

"Not you."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. The thought of being alone with him sent my heart racing.

"I thought you wanted to rest," I teased softly.

His lips curved into a smirk as he pulled me close. "I do. But you didn't think I'd sleep without you, did you?"

Blushing, I climbed into bed beside him. For a moment, silence surrounded us, the bond between us thrumming with warmth. He turned, his lips brushing my cheek, then trailing to my mouth. Hunger flared, mine answering his, until I stopped him with a trembling hand.

"I need to tell you something."

He pulled back instantly, sitting upright. "Okay..."

"In my coven, when a witch finds her beloved, she holds a small ceremony to thank the Moon Goddess. It blesses the bond-and wards away evil spirits."

Aaron's jaw tightened. "And you want that?"

"Yes. With the ceremony, certain powers are unlocked. It's part of who I am."

His eyes darkened, anger simmering. "No. You can't. Witchcraft is forbidden here-it will cause chaos among the pack."

I rose from the bed too, frustration sparking. "Aaron, I may be your mate, but I'm not a wolf. I'm a witch. This is my tradition, my culture-and I won't abandon it."

In a heartbeat, he pinned me against the mattress, his beast pressing close to the surface. His eyes glowed with the threat of dominance.

"Dare me, and I'll mark you here and now." His voice was gravel and fire.

I froze. I knew he meant it. If he marked me, the ceremony I needed would never happen. I bit back my retort, forcing myself to stay silent until his fury ebbed.

"Eve, look at me."

I refused, turning my face away.

"Don't call me that," I muttered, but he caught my chin, forcing me to meet his burning gaze. He kissed me, rough and consuming, before tearing himself away.

Pulling on a shirt, he said flatly, "I can't allow the ceremony. It goes against our laws."

My heart cracked. "What about my laws, Aaron? My rules? This isn't only about you."

His eyes softened for a moment, then hardened again. "Some of my people don't even accept you now. Bringing witchcraft here will-"

"-prove them right? That I'm disgusting? That without this bond you'd never have looked at me?" The words flew from me before I could stop them, sharp and poisonous.

Aaron's face fell, heartbreak flashing in his eyes. He said nothing-only turned and walked out. The door shut behind him with a weight that crushed my chest.

Guilt sank its claws into me. Why did I feel like I was the one in the wrong?

I showered to cool the storm in my mind. The water washed over me, but not the ache in my chest. Lyra would know how to fix my hair, I thought absently. She always did.

When I stepped out, Maria stood waiting, two dresses draped over her arms.

"Pick one. You're expected at dinner."

I chose a plain white dress-simple, covering everything except my shoulders.

"Shall I do your hair?" she asked, her tone too sharp to be genuine.

"No, thank you," I said flatly.

She rolled her eyes and sat. "Hurry up. There's nothing I haven't seen before."

I glared. "If you don't leave, I'll scream."

Maria laughed, low and mocking. "Childish."

Biting back a retort, I dressed quickly, spritzing some of Aaron's cologne on myself as armor. Then I followed her downstairs.

The dining hall was alive with chatter and clinking dishes. Long tables overflowed with food. Aaron entered with his parents, his gaze catching mine. I looked away, still raw from our fight. Lyra and Clara waved me over with bright smiles; Sia giggled, her joy a welcome distraction.

"Sit beside me," Aaron said suddenly, pulling a chair out. His eyes softened, a smile tugging at his lips as though nothing had happened. Reluctantly, I obeyed, though confusion knotted my chest.

Daniel and Eric entered then, bowing their heads.
"We found her, Alpha," Daniel reported.

Relief and dread twisted together in my stomach. The Oracle. The traitorous old hag. Whatever game she played, I didn't trust her.

"Good," Gideon said. "After we eat, we'll see her. Join us, Aaron?"

"Yes, Father," Aaron replied.

His mother, Luna Larissa, rose, raising her glass. "I would like us to welcome Evelina into our pack. Respect her as she is the mate of my son-your future Luna."

Warmth flooded me at her words. Finally, acceptance.

"Blessed be," the room echoed.

Larissa smiled at me. "Tomorrow, I'll teach you our ways. You'll begin with us women in the kitchen."

I nodded, though deep inside, I knew the Moon Goddess would test me in ways Larissa couldn't imagine.