“What about his pack?” We needed to make sure no one would cause an issue.
“I’m not sure. Another pack has lands about fifty miles away. Sometimes we run into each other, but we keep separate.” She tapped her foot. “From what I’ve heard, they treat the females in the pack horribly. Don’t get me wrong, our pack alpha and beta are male, but they treat us well.”
“No, I get that. It’s the same where I’m from.” She had to have been drawn here because of the witches. “Aidan is from a pack very similar, treating their females awful. You do realize our destiny is to lead both shifters and witches.”
“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “That’s impossible.”
Footsteps came our way, and we stood straight up.
Olive came into view and focused on Gabby. “The twins told me you caught the wolves that were stalking us.”
“I …” Gabby’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened and closed.
“She’s the one we came here looking for.” I touched Gabby’s arm to calm her down.
“Who are you?” Olive came onto the porch with us and glared at the girl.
The girl was paralyzed with fear.
“She’s like me.” I pointed to my left ear. “She has a partial of my birthmark.”
“Let me see.” Olive motioned for the girl to move her hair.
Gabby complied, which surprised me.
“Well, I guess you’re welcome here, then.” Olive held her hand out. “I’m Olive, the head priestess of the coven.”
“I heard witches can’t be trusted.” Gabby’s voice was full of concern but not malice.
“That partial pentagram proves you’re part witch.” Olive lifted her chin. “So are you going to insult me further by refusing my hand?”
Wow, okay. The woman had some attitude. “It’s fine.” We didn’t need to insult her. There’s no telling if we’d need their help in the future.
“Sorry.” She reached out, and when their hands touched, Gabby jerked back like she’d been shocked.
“Dear God, you’re tied to this coven.” Olive stepped back, breathing fast.
“Is that why I’ve been feeling drawn here?” Gabby asked, her voice filled with hope. “How do you know, though?”
Amethyst joined us and closed the door behind her. She stepped forward to explain since Olive had gone still. “Each time we touch another witch, there is a hum. It’s slightly different for each coven so we can recognize one of our own.”
Damn. Her timing was always impeccable.
“Yes, but that means …” Olive’s eyes watered, and a sob wracked her body. “That means Anna isn’t coming home.”
“Anna?” She would have to be a little more specific.
“My daughter.” Olive dabbed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. “She was seeing a wolf shifter, and I warned her, but she didn’t listen. She ran off with him …” She gasped for breath as snot ran from her nose. “I thought she’d come back, but she didn’t. That means …”
She didn’t need to say more. We both knew how that story ended.
“What does it mean?” Gabby stood and glanced between Olive and me.
“She died.” I hated to say the words after seeing how much yearning was in Gabby’s eyes. “Witches die when they give birth to half shifters.”
Her forehead lined with confusion. “But I thought witches and wolves couldn’t reproduce.”
“They can when it’s time for us to be born.” It sounded surreal, but it was true.
“So, you’re my grandmother?” Her eyes flicked to Olive’s.
“Yes, child.” She pulled the girl into her arms. “I should’ve known with those haunting blue eyes you have. They are just like hers.”
It felt rude to be out there with them. “I’ll go in. Gabby, will you come in when you’re done?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, but her eyes didn’t move from mine.
I walked back into the house, pulling Amethyst with me, and found the five others standing around awkwardly.
The guy’s eyes landed right on me. “Where’s Gabby?”
“She’s out there with Olive.” I wasn’t sure why I needed to explain myself to him, but for some damn reason, I did.
“Hell, no,” he growled and marched to the door.
“This isn’t good.” Amethyst’s eyes met mine. “Logan, calm down.”
I crossed my arms, blocking the way out.
“Move out of the way, or I’ll make you.” His voice was low and angry.
“Hey, asshole,” Aidan rasped. “You don’t talk to my mate that way.”
“She’s out there with her grandmother.” I stared down my nose at Logan. “So give them a minute.”
“Her grandmother?” Beth turned toward me and scratched her head. “Things are getting so strange.”
I understood that sentiment. “I promise she’s not in any danger,” I said, hoping to appease his wolf a little bit.
“Fine. She has five minutes.” He paced between the couch and the kitchen.
A huge yawn left me, and I realized how tired I was. We’d been going for over fourteen hours, and we’d just been in a huge fight. My adrenaline was crashing.
The front door opened, nearly bumping me in the back. I was shocked that the two of them were coming in so soon. I spun around and saw the devastated state Olive was in. Her skin, which had seemed youthful, was now pale and unhealthy. Finding out your daughter was dead had to be a hard fact to take in.
Olive sniffed and met my eyes. “I’ll get the twins to bring some air mattresses for those two,” she said as her eyes focused on the shirtless wolf shifter, “to sleep on. We can meet for breakfast as we discussed.”
“Okay, thank you.” I forced a smile, but even I could feel it was lacking.
“Let’s get everything situated so we can get you into bed.” Aidan grabbed our two bags from the entryway.
“I’ll put up a perimeter spell.” Samuel followed his lead and placed the small bag on top of a duffle bag.
“Who said I was staying here?” Logan took Gabby’s arm. “We’re going.”
“No, I’m staying here.” She removed her arm from his grip. “If you want to go, go.”
His brows furrowed. “I’m not leaving without you.”
“Then, I guess you’re staying.” Beth snorted as she picked up her luggage. “Come on, Gabby. We can room together. That way, Samuel and Logan can stay out here together.”
“Okay,” Gabby agreed quickly and stepped away from Logan.
Even though I didn’t know her well, I knew what she was feeling. I had two parents who loved me, and I was afraid of rejection, so her fears had to be worse. She probably didn’t let anyone close, and her feelings for Logan probably scared her.
“Like I said, I’ll set the perimeter spell so these two can’t escape without us knowing.” Samuel waved us on. “The rest of you can go to bed. We all need rest. It sounds like we’ll be leaving here tomorrow.”