Once Upon a Witch *Paul Lahote Love Story*

What's Next?

Adeline's P.O.V

The thought crossed my mind. My coven, I have yet to meet them. I had no Idea how many witches it consisted of. Even though I didn't know them I knew I had too and wanted to protect them all. They were a part of my family no matter what that meant. A small smile appeared on my face as I thought about how I will have a new family added into mine soon. There is still so much that I have yet to learn but I am ready and excited to do so.

"Adeline?" A familiar husky voice broke me out of my train of thought. My eyes met him as I turned to face his handsome chiseled face. Paul, I still can't believe all the support I have from this man. Adoration radiated from him, "Yes baby?" I smiled at him. "What happened in there? What made you change?" His voice was filled with curiosity. I sat down next to him, causing my mother and Salia to sit near to hear me tell the story.

I rubbed my hands together looking down at them before my eyes met theirs. "It honestly started when we did the practice in the clearing. I talked to my shadow self, she didn't really push me to make a choice on what I needed to do but I could tell that she wanted me to choose her and only her. The way she warned me about my doppelganger and how that side of me only meant evil and nothing more." I saw questions forming in their eyes as they waited for more of the story, "The more she told me about how everything relied on my choice, the more I wanted to make my own choice over what the two halves of me wanted to pick. I knew I needed to do what was best for me and my family." I paused for a second catching my breath. I didn't realize how fast I was talking until I stopped. "While I was in there with my shadow self, I partly decided on what I wanted to do, I wanted to create a version of myself that would still be me, but stronger. I wanted to be able to protect myself and everyone around me that deserved it. When I made that decision, I think that is what made my new mark appear." I smiled to myself as I looked down at my hand. "I knew I was making the right choice when I saw it. I knew that whatever made me the way I am was approving of the choices I was making. It seemed whatever it was planning was coming out to be exactly like they wanted it to be. I didn't even want to admit it to myself." I paused again to look back up at them from my mark, "When I got back to the house, I honestly really just wanted to sleep. Now I am thinking that my doppelganger wanted me to sleep so she could catch me by surprise. I was ready for her. In the back of my mind, I knew that I wanted to confront her. The first time I met her I was terrified, she threatened to kill. She wanted me to be scared of her and I was. I was terrified of her, she scared me into believing that I could really be that kind of person. I just haven't tapped into yet."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "I think what scared me the most was knowing that I had thoughts like that before. There were times in the past when I was getting bullied, or my friends were that I really wanted to kill someone. I got excited from the bloodlust that I felt. My anger just fueled it more." I looked down at my hands embarrassed. "Today, when I was with my doppelganger, I felt different from the first time that we met. I felt scared at first with her, but after I was in her presence long enough, I didn't feel threatened by her. I felt empowered and almost stronger than her. I could tell she feared how strong I am and can be. When I made the choice in there my whole body felt electrified, I felt my tattoo developing. I knew I was making the right choice, but I didn't think It would change me physically this much." I smiled up at them, "everything is different now. I feel like I belong now, I knew I always had a place with you guys, but now I am excited to be the leader of our coven. I feel like everything will be different but in a good way." I took a deep breath as I finished my story, I felt like I poured my guts out in a way even though I kind of danced around what truly happened. But for now, this will be enough for them. The fact that I spouted out a prophecy earlier makes things a bit different. I don't fully remember what I said but from the faces of everyone when I came back to reality shows that I was foreshadowing more than I even understand.

My mother was the first one to speak, "I never realized that it was even an option to do so." Her voice was steady, but I can tell that she was unsettled by everything, "I knew that you were strong but I never thought that you could mature before the harvest moon even happened. Now I am curious to see how your birthday will be." I forgot about my birthday, It was coming up. My birthday will be a true test of my choice and my mate. I know that Paul will be mine, but how strong it will be is hard to know. We already are so tightly knit together I can't imagine when my soulmate bond forms.

I couldn't help but let a small yawn escape my mouth, I didn't realize how exhausted I really was. I looked at Paul seeing him giving me a knowing look. He knew I was so tired, with everything that happened today it drained me. And who could blame me? "Let's get you home." Paul stood up pulling me up with him. "Adeline we still need to talk about everything that happened." Salia looked at me with pleading eyes that got shut down after Paul sent daggers her way. "After you sleep of course." She sat back down and looked at my mother who gave Paul an appreciative nod. "Before I leave, what needs to happen next?" I looked at my mother mainly when I asked.

"We need you to rest up and prepare for anything that comes next. You still have the ritual tomorrow but I'm not sure if It will be the same as the one I did. Also, something big is coming. I don't know what it is, but I have a feeling you'll need to protect someone." Her voice was steady as the unsure words flowed from her mouth. All I could do was nod as Paul and I bid our goodbyes finally heading home to the bed I have wanted to be in all night.