Page 46 of Hunters and Prey

"Difficult to understand. He makes decisions that sometimes makes him look crazy, but he is doing it for the benefit of everyone. He's the one who caught you when you passed out."

"Right. I did faint." I remembered. "I should thank him."

"Uh. Maybe. Depends on his mood. If he's yelling up a storm, don't bother." Rome chuckled. "They should be back soon. Why don't you go enjoy a relaxing bath in the meantime? I'll let the others know you're awake and that I told you about the full story of Alice."

"What about my mom?" I whispered, worry trickling through me before I looked down at Daisy. "And is Daisy really a girl?"

"Woof?!"

"I know you're a girl, but a human girl," I corrected myself. Glancing back at Rome, I saw he was stroking his chin. "Your mom went to tell the Witch Council about what happened in the clearing. She's worried about you being hunted again. I don't know your parents’ past or anything, so maybe she went to see your dad or something."

"My dad's dead," I replied. "He was murdered when I was small."

Rome frowned, looking down to meet my eyes. "Sorry."

"Not your fault." I shrugged, not wanting to linger on it. "Mom went to see the Council but hasn't returned yet."

"Basically. Aaron and Roxas went last night with Roxas's dad to check in, but your mom had already left. They wouldn't tell us much, but she has to travel to the main Council in London to let them know since your birthday is approaching. I'm sure she would have known that, but maybe she thought you'd wake up sooner and didn't want to travel? I think Roxas is just worried because he doesn't want whoever doesn't want our enemies to get their hands on your mom, who would be perfect bait," Rome explained.

"What do we do?" I asked.

"Don't worry." Rome smiled. "I think Roxas dealt with it. We can go ask him after you freshen up."

"Okay," I replied.

"As for Daisy, yes. She's a hybrid husky. I don't know how you met her since my powers came later than the others, but she's basically your protector and has to come to get us when something goes wrong."

"Like when she dashed off in the clearing?" I asked.

"Yup. She ran to get us because she felt something was off."

"Is it true Aaron’s kiss was what that triggered all of that...um, craziness?" I inquired.

Rome smirked. "Yes and no. Yes, because your powers were already reacting from your nerves, so the moment you two kissed, his magic essentially heightened yours which caused a reaction. No, because he's kissed you before."

I gawked at him in confusion, trying to remember when that had happened. "When did he kiss me and how do you know that?" I asked.

He chuckled as he stood up. "Hmm." Leaning forward, he pressed his lips on my forehead. I froze, feeling the tingling of his lips against my flesh as my cheeks grew hot. In a second, I felt like this had happened before, almost like deja vu.

Rome pulled back and gave me a seductive grin. "When you're better and get to know us again, we'll share some secrets." With a wink, he walked to the door, opening it up before looking over his shoulder.

"There's fresh clothes in the washroom. I'll get the bath ready and head downstairs to tell the others you’re awake." He walked out and closed the door behind him, leaving my disbelieving ass behind.

"What a weird way to face destiny," I mumbled, trying to decide if everything he said was really true and happening to me.

Glancing down at Daisy, she moved to lick my cheek once more. "So you're a hybrid."

"Woof woof!"

"Can you change now?" I asked. She continued panting away, looking as though I talked a different language. I sighed. "Maybe you need to reserve energy for that?" I asked.

"Woof woof!" she replied happily.

"Right." I nodded. Guess that was the reason.

Even if it all sounded crazy, I had seen it with my eyes. Even if Daisy was some hybrid shifter or whatever, she was still mine. I wasn't going to abandon her over it, especially when she'd been there to protect me.

"Don't worry. I still love you. No matter what you are," I whispered to her.

"Woof!" She tackled me in joy, licking my face over and over again.

"Ah! Okay, okay. I get you’re happy. Let me go bathe." I giggled. Once she was done, she hopped off me and waited at the door. I took a deep breath and lifted my hands, staring at their normal appearance.

"I'm the Alice from the past. The first witch," I whispered. After some deeper inhales and exhales, I got out of bed and walked to the door, placing my hand on the doorknob as I took one final deep inhale.

What does destiny have in store for me?

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