Chapter 40
“Witches? Again?” Jake rubbed his forehead and sat down heavily on the couch.
Caltan, seated across from him in an armchair, nodded. “Yeah. Patrol scented them and tracked
them through the Hollows.”
Jake grimaced. “Are they okay?” The Hollows were one of the most dangerous parts of the forest, half of it within pack territory. The place had always drawn the witches. Rumors claimed it held ancient magic. Wolves who entered often heard voices and became disoriented. Most learned to
stay clear.
“They’re fine,” Callan assured him. “They followed the scent to the Moon Clearing.”
Jake stiffened. The Moon Clearing was sacred ground, the reason one of his ancestors had founded New Dawn in this forest. It had a direct link to the Moon Goddess.
Callan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object that appeared to be an odd looking scroll. “They found this there. Thought you should see it.”
Jake took it and gently unrolled the stiff hide. Scrawled inside was a message:
The half–breeds do not belong amongst a pack. Expel them or face a war.
Jake’s chest tightened. “The half–breeds?” His voice dropped. “Even the witches call them that?” He looked up sharply. “This is about the Harts, isn’t it?”
Callan frowned. “I have to assume so.”
“Why would witches care if we have two half–human pack members?” Jake shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“Because they’re not human,” Callan said, leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. “And whatever they are, the witches don’t like it.”
“So the witches know what they are… but we don’t?” Jake blinked. “Lyra and Donovan don’t even know what they are.”
“Maybe the witches have answers,” Callan offered. “Maybe we can request a meeting. Try to get more information.”
“I shouldn’t have to go to witches for answers.” Jake scoffed. “My own father should be able to tell
me.”
As if summoned, there was a knock at the door. Christian stepped in, pausing briefly as his eyes swept the room. A small frown tugged at his mouth.
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“Everything okay?” he asked, closing the door behind him. “You were supposed to be at the strategy meeting, but Lyra mentioned something about patrols.”
Jake’s jaw tightened. “You spoke to Lyra?”
420 Pointe
Christian nodded. “I passed her in the hall.” He held Jake’s gaze for a moment, then looked away. “I
was… cordial.”
“Doubtful,” Jake muttered.
Christian crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “I’m not here to argue.”
“Then why are you here?” Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. The morning had started well, waking up with his mate. He should be at breakfast with her, not unraveling another crisis.
“You weren’t at the meeting,” Christian said with a sigh. “I figured your mate had something to do
with that, so I came to find you.”
“I forgot about it,” Jake said, waving a hand.
“I about forgot my own name when I found my mate,” Callan said with a grin.
Jake gave a short laugh. He remembered that time clearly. Callan and Megan had been inseparable. Back then, Jake hadn’t understood. Now, he did.
“Russ has things under control,” Christian said, brushing it off. “What’s this about patrols?”
Jake glanced at Callan, who gave a short nod.
Jake turned back to his father. “What happened with the witches when Mary Hart died?” Christian’s shoulders dropped. He ran a hand down his face. “Rockwell found silver in the teas so I killed the witch Mary had been drinking. That’s what killed her. I promised Lyle retribution responsible.” He pushed off the wall and walked to the window, his gaze fixed beyond the glass. “It sparked tension. The witches retaliated. Ambushes, stealth attacks… They’re harder to track, harder to counter. Eventually, I arranged a truce.”
“What were the terms?” Callan asked.
Christian turned slowly. “We agreed not to harm witches, as long as no harm came to any pack members. They were given limited access to the Hollows on sacred days. And…” He hesitated, glancing away again.
“What?” Jake asked, leaning back on the couch.
“That the Hart children would be monitored closely.” Christian kept his eyes on the window, but tension rippled through his jaw.
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“What?” Callan exclaimed. “Why would that be part of the deal? What kind of treast do the Harts pose?”
Christian’s voice dropped. “The witches had a reason to want Mary gone. A reason to stop
Donovan from being born.”
Jake’s voice was quiet. “What reason?”
Christian said nothing.
“Is it because Mary wasn’t human?” Jake asked,
That made Christian turn. He didn’t look surprised, only tired. Frustrated.
“She read it in her journals, didn’t she?” he asked, “What else did she find?”
Jake met his eyes. “What do you think she read?”
Christian studied him for a long moment. “She doesn’t know what her mother was. Not yet. If she did, you’d understand why the witches are so concerned.”
“So tell me.” Jake leaned forward. “The witches are threatening war.” He held up the hide scroll.
Christian took it, read the message, then slowly rolled it back up and handed it back to Jake.
“You’d be wise to let her go,” he said at last, his voice hollow. “If I had known what it all meant, I would never have allowed Mary into this pack.”
Jake stood. “What was Mary Hart?”
Christian shook his head. “It’s better you don’t know. Better she doesn’t know.”
“That makes no sense!” Jake’s voice rose. “How can I protect Lyra if I don’t know what she is?”
“You can’t protect her!” Christian exploded, startling both Jake and Callan. “I’ve spent their entire lives trying to keep them safe, and they are going to bring war down on this pack! Don’t you see that? They’ve always been a threat. I let it slide for Lyle’s sake. But we can’t ignore it anymore!”
“She’s my mate,” Jake growled. “I will protect her, no matter what.”
Christian stepped closer. “What about your pack? What about the lives you’re sworn to protect? Will you choose her over all of them? Choice is a luxury in the face of duty, Jacob, and you do not have the luxury of choosing her.”
With that, Christian turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Jake stood frozen, his fists clenched and shaking. He took a step toward the door, but Callan rose.
“Let him go,” Callan said, placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
Jake wanted to shrug it off. Rage churned under his skin. He could feel Rome rising within him
“I’m going to find Lyra,” he muttered.
“Not like this you’re not,” Callan snapped, a rare edge in his voice,
Jake turned, glowering.
“Remember what happened last time you went to her this angry?” Callan raised a brow.
The words deflated him. Jake turned away and stormed across the room, standing at the same
window his father had stared through g
“He didn’t tell us anything,” Jake said through gritted teeth. “He still won’t
“He did tell us one thing,” Callan said quietly.
Jake looked back at him.
“He said she was a threat.”
say what Mary was.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
