Protected by Three Mates

Chapter - 8

Fiona – POV

The nausea hit me hard as I traveled through teleportation to the meeting place. Veronica and I emerged in front of an abandoned building in the center of a deserted village. She stood by a tree, offering a reassuring smile. “Go on, Fiona. You’ve got this.”

With a deep breath, I approached the entry gate, feeling the warmth of the Prostasia stone around my neck. As I stepped forward, the previously empty streets began to shimmer and come to life. It was as though the air itself had shifted—what had been a desolate ruin now resembled a royal court. The greenery gleamed, and the faded building frames seemed to glow with an otherworldly charm.

A young woman, elegant and ethereal in a white gown, appeared before me as if by magic. Her presence caught me off guard, but she smiled calmly. “Miss Jones, don’t be alarmed. I’m here to bring you to the Clan Head,” she said.

We walked in silence for a while. She finally introduced herself, “My name is Glinda, Miss Jones. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.”

“You can call me Fiona,” I replied with a small smile.

As we moved deeper into the village, I glanced back, unable to spot Veronica. A wave of anxiety rose in me. “Is my friend okay? I can’t see her anymore.”

Glinda’s expression remained serene. “She is safe. The Prostasia stone you wear allows you to see us. We use magic to remain hidden from those who aren’t meant to find us.”

We arrived at the entrance of the building, which was adorned with glowing stones that seemed to dance in the air, casting soft light across the space. “This way, Fiona,” Glinda instructed, leading me inside a spacious hall. I marveled at the place—it felt ancient, yet alive with energy. “Does your whole clan live here?” I asked, curious.

“Only the Clan Head and some of the royals stay here. The rest of us live in the surrounding villages,” Glinda explained, her voice soft.

As I followed her further into the building, I couldn’t help but notice how perfect she seemed. Like many mystical beings, she had a beauty that was almost unreal—her skin seemed to glow, and her long, dark hair cascaded like midnight silk. I had seen plenty of shifters with striking appearances, but the witches had their own ethereal charm.

Finally, we entered a grand room where a woman with striking yellow eyes awaited us. Glinda gestured to me to sit before leaving to fetch tea. The woman studied me with a quiet intensity. “I am Agatha, the head of the Phoebe clan. Tea or coffee, Miss Jones?”

“Anything is fine,” I replied, trying to mask my nerves. Agatha’s gaze was unyielding but not unkind.

Glinda returned with a tray of tea and pastries and placed them on the table before quietly slipping out of the room. Agatha handed me a small wooden box, beautifully carved with my family crest. “This belonged to your father. Please, accept it.”

I opened the box with trembling hands, revealing an ancient scroll written in a language I couldn’t understand. Frustration surged through me. “I—I can’t read this. Could you explain what it says?”

Agatha took the scroll, frowning slightly as she skimmed the unfamiliar text. “It seems even I cannot decipher it entirely,” she admitted, her expression thoughtful.

Desperation clawed at my chest. I had come so far for answers, yet here I was with another mystery. “I don’t even know what my abilities are,” I said, my voice breaking.

Agatha’s eyes softened, and she leaned forward. “I can sense your frustration, Miss Jones. I will assist you in understanding this, free of charge.”

I blinked, taken aback by her generosity. “I—I thought there’d be a cost.” My cheeks burned with embarrassment at how loudly I had spoken.

She chuckled gently. “Consider it a birthday gift from our clan.”

After we sipped our tea and enjoyed the pastries, Agatha led me to another room, its walls lined with glowing stones and magic crystals. It felt like stepping into a world between reality and dreams.

“Stand still, Fiona,” Agatha instructed, raising her hands as she began to chant. A warm glow enveloped me, filling my senses with a melody that tugged at something deep inside me. Suddenly, a wave of drowsiness hit. I struggled to keep my eyes open. “Agatha! What’s happening? I’m... so tired,” I cried out.

“Don’t worry, Fiona. It will only last for a few moments,” she assured me.

The strange sensation faded as quickly as it had come, leaving me breathless and dazed. Agatha’s expression had changed—her yellow eyes glowed with a strange light. “You are not a shifter, Fiona.”

Her words sent a jolt through me. “What... what do you mean?” I stammered, feeling a mix of confusion and fear. Agatha continued, her voice gentle but firm. “Now that you’ve turned eighteen, you will soon discover the full extent of your abilities. The full moon will bring the mate bonding ritual to you. These are the names of your mates.”

With a wave of her hand, a letter appeared in mid-air, floating toward me. My hands trembled as I took it, struggling to understand the weight of her words. “If I’m not a shifter... then what am I?” I whispered, more to myself than to her.

Agatha’s expression softened further. “Within you lies a powerful chakra, Fiona. The ancient letter your father left behind likely holds instructions on how to unlock this strength. That is my belief.”

I clutched the letter with the names of my mates, questions swirling in my mind. “Why do I have three mates when others only have one?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Agatha’s face turned solemn, and her next words made my blood run cold. “You are cursed, Fiona, to have three mates. But you must choose only one. The other two will die.”

My breath caught in my throat, horror flooding through me. “What?” I choked out, barely able to process her words.

“If you deny the mate bond, the strength of your mates will weaken, leaving them vulnerable to any danger that comes their way,” she continued. I could hardly breathe, my mind racing with the implications.

I glanced down at the letter, and the names written on it sent a chill through me. King Alpha Jasper Price, Prince Flint Hill, and Duke Theo Young. Names that were already all too familiar to me.

“Will they sense this bond before the full moon?” I asked, my voice shaky.

Agatha shook her head. “No, not yet. The bond is incomplete, which is why both you and they feel confused by the strange pull between you. Once the full moon passes, the bond will solidify, and all of you will become fully aware.”

Her words left me reeling, a storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. I had come seeking answers, but now, with a letter I could barely understand and the names of three potential mates who might die for me, I felt more lost than ever. The weight of the choice ahead of me was crushing—three lives, three fates, and a power I didn’t yet understand.