The Autumn Eclipse

Chapter Three

Malia

Liam moped on the couch for the rest of the night, or at least that’s what I assumed because as I came down the steps the next morning he was curled up in an awkward position on it’s cushions. I sighed, knowing I would have to call Alana later and get her to fill me in on exactly what had happened last night. Liam had seemed far from willing to talk about it, and any time Ty tried to push him about it, we ended up with popcorn being thrown at the two of us.

“Coffee?” Ty asked me, handing me a mug as I walked into the kitchen. Gosh he was just the sweetest. I took it and pressed my lips gently against his cheek, earning myself a smile. But something wasn’t right, he anxiously went back to flipped through some papers on the table and I could feel his nerves buzzing. He was thinking about our lunch at my grandmother’s house today.

“Ty, I’m sure it’s nothing serious. You don’t need to be anxious until we actually have a problem,” I said squeezing his shoulder. I leaned in to rest my head against his arm, peering over his slouched figure to read the papers in front of him. Maps of the pack territory were laid out with markings on them, then a single sheet of paper with the defence schedule written out on it.

“I’m trying to distract myself by fixing up the patrol schedules for the next month. Your grandmother seems to think we have a war coming and if she’s right, then I want to be prepared this time,” he said sternly. I knew how he felt, we had finally just gotten through all the drama with Jordan and then my grandmother had to throw this in our lap; and at our engagement celebration of all times. I thought back to what she had said; There is a war coming, and we must start preparing. Ty was obviously taking that very seriously, but I was raised by my mother who had taught me only one thing about my grandmother. Never believe a word she says until she produces the proof to back it. Although with all these family secrets coming forwards, I didn’t know who to believe anymore.

As if on cue, my mother had of course quickly interrupted my grandmothers terrifying warnings before they could go any farther at our engagement party, which I had been entirely grateful for. Ty’s nerves had been on edge ever since though, and I knew it was about more than what my grandmother had said. With everything that happened with Jordan, the kidnapping, his death, all the battles, Ty had been crazy on edge whenever anything threatened me or the pack. I was doing my best to assure him that the worst was already behind us, but I knew he still couldn’t full believe me.

Ty and I finished getting ready then headed off to my grandmother’s, eager to finally hear more about this so-called war that was brewing for us. I only hoped that my grandmother would live up to her crazy persona, so that I could focus on my happily ever after with Ty and get started on our wedding planning.

“Hey Grams,” I said walking up the front steps of her porch. She was already waiting at the door for us, wearing her old floral apron and covered in what looked like flour and some sort of sauce. She came outside, her arms extended wide as she pulled the two of us into a hug.

“Oh look the happy couple is here,” she grinned ear to ear as she pulled back from us. “Come in come in, and Ty I see you eyeing those gardens. No more stealing my flowers,” she lecture him then waved for us to follow her into the house. I giggled and took a peek to the gardens that she had already started planting new shrubs in for the fall. This place was exactly as I had remembered it growing up, and memories of the flowers Ty used to steal me from her garden were coming to my mind. His hand wrapped around mine and I knew he felt them too.

“So grams what happened to looking for a new place? This place is getting kind of old after all,” I suggested, looking around the room. The wallpaper was peeling from the walls, baseboards were dent and damaged, the furniture old, and as I walked across the wooden floor the boards squeaked beneath each step.

“Honey, you are so your mother’s daughter,” she said, and I prepared myself for a lecture. Mom and grams didn’t agree on a whole lot, and unfortunately a lot of the time I followed in my mother’s path. “There is nothing wrong with this place, or at least nothing that a little tender love and care can’t fix,” she reminded me. Into some bowls, she poured some soup then took it over to the set table. Ty helped her carry over the trays of breads and crackers, then came around my side of the table to hold out my seat for me.

“You’re such a goof, go sit,” I shooed him off and he rolled his eyes at me but did as he was told. I brushed by him in my path, tingles running through my skin and I leaned into the feeling, hoping it would help calm my nerves as well. “Where’s mom?” I asked as my grams took her seat at the end of the table.

“Just gone to get groceries, she’ll be home soon,” she said and I nodded my head. Across the table Ty’s eyes were watching me and I knew he was waiting desperately for her to continue what she had started at our engagement party.

“So grams, about what you said at the engagement-“ I started, but she was quick to cut me off.

“Yes we have so much to discuss,” she muttered, grabbing a piece of bread then dipping it into her soup. We have so much to discuss but apparently eating seemed more important to her right now. Ty was fidgeting under the table so I reached my legs across, rubbing my foot across his calf. He looked up at me across the table with a smile on his lips.

The three of us ate in silence until finally lunch was finished, and we anxiously awaited my grandmother to share whatever drama she had concocted in her mind. Finally, she sighed, folding her hands on her lap, she looked between the two of us. “There is war coming for us,” she spoke, reminding us of the same thing she had said before. I looked across the table to Ty, but his eyes were focused on my grandmother and I could tell he was trying to decipher if she really was just some crazy lady.

“Grams you already said that, but you haven’t told us what exactly is coming? And when? And how you know this?” I started grilling her with my questions but her face held it’s serious gaze.

“There’s a prophecy that I heard whispers of during my life as a witch, and I believe it involves the two of you. It speaks of a war that comes after the union of a witch and a werewolf,” she began and once more I looked over to Ty. This time his eyes met mine, the same concern crossing his face as I was sure mine already held. “Long ago there was a war between the wolves and the witches, a brutal Cold War with only the hopes of eradication of the other species. This prophecy came from this war, and predicts that the war will resume for it’s final battle once the two species have united through a bond as unique as the mate bond,” my grandmother’s voice was cold as she spoke and I felt a chill run down my spine.

“What exactly does this prophecy say?” Ty said, his voice firm.

“It’s hard to say. I tried to do some research into it once I realized your mother was carrying a werewolf’s child, in fear that she would be the one involved in this prophecy. As time passed however, nothing changed. Your father and mother didn’t have the correct bond, but I believe you and Tyrese do. I am going to resume my research but there is very little information to be found on it. It is said that the prophecy is tied to the Arachnis Coven, a coven of witches well known for their powerful gifts but they suddenly disappeared years ago,” my grandmother added in and I felt myself starting to get frustrated. But Ty was buying every word she said, his paranoia starting to go overboard as he worried that I was at risk of being in danger.

“So you’re telling us that there is a war coming based off a prophecy that you’ve only heard tales about? Never truly seen?” I asked her suddenly feeling my mother’s voice come from my mouth. Maybe my grandmother really was just a crazy lady, because with no proof, this idea was seeming more and more eccentric by the minute. I didn’t even grow up in this world and I would hardly call myself a witch, even if this prophecy was real, it could hardly be based around Ty and I.

Suddenly a honk from the driveway interrupted our conversation. I turned to look out the window, seeing my mother waving at us from the car.

“I’ll go help her bring in the groceries,” Ty stood to his feet and I could feel his energy radiating off of him. He was getting overwhelmed with everything my grandmother had said, his nerves building more and more by the minute. He was worried about me, about our future, about the pack, and I cursed my grandmother for adding so much pressure to him. Closing off my thoughts for a brief second I turned back to her, about to ask her to try to tone back the crazy but she beat me to it.

“Your man’s a little on edge,” she said eyeing him over as he walked out of the house and headed down the front steps. “He doesn’t like to leave you alone,” she said, noticing as I did how Ty looked back towards the house repeatedly even as he greeted my mom and went to the trunk to collect the bags of groceries. His wolf instincts had been on overdrive ever since the night Jordan had kidnapped me, not that I could blame him. I wasn’t exactly settled any time I was away from Ty either, but his protective instincts were telling him to wrap me in a bubble and never let me out of his sight.

I sighed, turning back to her. “He’s trying grams. He gives me space and privacy when I really need it, but he’s just being protective. He’s really worried and this whole war and prophecy thing isn’t helping,” I suggested to her, hoping she would realize she needs to tone herself down a little, but of course she entirely missed the point.

“Well the two of you should be taking this seriously,” she said taking a sip from her tea. I let me head fall into my hands. We were taking this seriously, but at some point we just have to be happy too right? Besides, Ty said witches around here were rare, how much could we really have to worry about?