The Gamma's Dark Witch

10 - Twins

(Nisha)

I didn’t mind the silence. For once, they weren’t confused or agitated. I was heading towards something that I strangely felt comforted by. I didn’t overthink it, I just let my intuition guide me, as Soleil often said, but I never understood until that night. This felt like the path I was supposed to be on.

I had missed places before, occasionally some people, but this was something I knew was different. This felt like a calling.

The earth shifted beneath me, and I steadied myself, looking down. Nothing was askew, but I could feel it in my bones. It felt like there was a tear in the world, a rift, two planes connecting that shouldn't be.

A sense of unease settled over me, but it wasn’t accompanied by fear. I knew there was no threat to me, but I stayed on the lookout. I hoped whatever it was didn’t have to do with the werewolf queen. I hastened my steps, sometimes moving through shadows, but I didn’t want to drain my strength to get to them sooner.

-

As I got closer, I felt that tangible connection snap into place like a taunt, unwavering string. I felt it the night after the battle, but it went slack the further away we left. It was glowing and gold, and I knew that I was close to that mountain, the werewolf queen, whatever it was tied to.

I found a wide path that skirted through the trees. It opened up to vast flat land and mountains in the distance that was basked in purple hues from the pink and gold sunset. The road led to a front gate, but it didn’t extend far. These weren’t the type of people that needed a measly wall for protection.

I sauntered up to the gates, mustering as much steely confidence as I could. Two tall guards balked at me before composing themselves.

“Hello, I’m here as a guest of Isla,” I called out, my voice unwavering as the mountains beyond.

“Your name?”

“Nisha.” I met his cold stare.

“That’s it?” he asked.

“That’s it,” I confirmed.

His eyes turned murky like clouds, and the other one typed something into a machine. “We need facial identification.” He motioned me forward, and a bright red dot flashed and made a whizzing noise. “You are permitted entry.”

The gate opened, and I felt a wave of relief. I wasn’t sure what I would have done if they denied me; I hadn’t even thought about the security aspect. I assumed packs would be smaller, less civilized.

I passed through neat rows of houses and cottages; beyond them were taller houses and shops that looked like the town center. Warm lights flickered on, and it felt very homey. But I knew where I needed to go. A castle-like house stood near the base of the mountain. It was formidable, but it blended in as if it were just as much part of the landscape, had just the same right to be there as the mountains beyond.

I made my way slowly towards it, taking in the vast land that somehow seemed cozy. A few children ran around and they stopped to stare, their eyes wide. A young girl reached toward me and her mother walked up to her. I opened my mouth to explain that I wasn't going to hurt them.

"It's not polite to touch people." The woman said to her daughter but she offered me a bright smile.

I swallowed against a lump in my throat; I was used to people looking at us with awe and fear. We didn't blend in as well as others in our world could. I wasn't used to being seen as anything other than a threat or an oddity.

"Her hair is pretty, Mama." the girls little voice said.

I walked up slowly and grabbed some of my hair, holding it tentatively out to the girl that was now in her mothers arms.

"You're a star." She giggled.

"Thank you," her mother said and I nodded, still at a loss for words.

I turned away from them, that simple interaction was one of the strangest I have ever had. I would have to unpack that later, I had still yet to see Isla and confirm that she and her baby were safe.

I stood outside the front doors that looked like they touched the sky. They were dark, but the sky was bright orange and pink behind me. I felt strange. My magic swirled but not out of fear. I raised my hand to knock but paused; there was a wrought iron doorbell on the side of one of the doors. It seemed out of place, but I didn’t think anyone would be able to hear if I knocked.

I pressed the button, and a deep, echoing ring sounded, barely muffled through the thick doors.

The werewolf king opened the door himself. He seemed to stand taller than the doors, even though I knew that to be impossible. An ancient power rolled off of him. Isla had a similar sort of aura but hers was warmer but no less powerful. I met his icy blue stare and tilted my head, silently asking for entrance.

His jaw tightened, but he stepped back and opened the door motioning for me to come in. I walked in and saw that I had an audience as if they were waiting for me. I locked eyes with Isla, and she smiled warmly. I didn't expect to feel this happy to see her again; warmth bubbled up at the sight of her. She might have been my first friend.

“Isla, the wolf queen,” I breathed, returning her smile.

“Nisha.” Isla walked towards me with outstretched hands. I looked down at her stomach, which was now protruding. The baby was still inside her then.

“Well-”

“Any time now.” Isla followed my gaze and placed a hand on her stomach.

“What are you doing here?” The tall blonde whose dark green eyes haunted my dreams took a protective step forward in front of Isla, almost blocking my view.

Cameron.

He was bigger than I remembered him, or maybe I was trying to dimish the swirling thoughts I had when I thought of him that didn't make sense. I have seen beautiful men before, been with beautiful men. Isla's mate was gorgeous too, but there was something about him that I couldn't shake, it went past his god-like looks, even though I sensed nothing but cold animosity from him.

“I think what he means to say is, welcome back. We are happy to have you.” A tall brunette with wavy hair gave me a genuine dazzling smile. I recognized him from the night of the battle. If he had a name, I didn’t remember it.

“I was on my way already, but I felt a rift so I hurried,” I explained to Cameron. His eyes hardened, but he didn’t break my stare.

“Fantastic,” he muttered.

“And I was selected to come here anyways to check in on you,” I shifted my gaze toward Isla.

She seemed fine, more than fine, and it relaxed me seeing her this way. The last time we met she was wary, tired, and shaken. Her rich auburn hair hung over her shoulders. Her green eyes seemed to hold the light that reflected off of her hair. She was stunning, happy, and safe.

“No one else in your coven could come?” Cameron’s voice was ice.

I pinned my gaze on him. “We’re not witches.” I raised an eyebrow shaking my head, and my hair fell over my shoulders.

“Then what are you?” Cameron enunciated every word. I shrugged and winked at him, and he clenched his hands. I don't know why I liked to see him get riled up, but it was fun.

“I said you were always welcome here,” Isla squeezed my hand. “Stay as long as you’d like.” Isla looked at Cameron; her face lost its warmth.

“Yes.” The werewolf king came up and placed a protective hand on his queen’s shoulder. “Welcome. We will get a room ready for you now. Are you hungry?”

I shook my head. “I must speak with you both.” I looked between them. Even though I saw she was okay Soleil entrusted me with this. I had some questions still.

“Of course.” Isla’s brows furrowed for a second, but she regained her composure. “Let’s follow my mate.”

“So, he really wasn’t a threat to you?” I whispered to her.

Isla’s laugh sounded off the walls. “I told you that much.”

“Good.” The door banged behind us, but I didn’t have to look back to know who that must have been. “I don’t think he likes me.” I smiled at Isla.

Her green eyes widened slightly, “He is just a bit protective at the moment.” She smiled at her belly. “Of them.”

Them?