Page 23 of Wolf Trap

So, what was it? Looking at the sofa, I got an overwhelming urge to just crash out on it and forget everything. After all, I was just an average witch, that everyone constantly reminded me. And werewolves were not to be trusted. I should have used my head, not my heart. They love you, then look around for any excuse to leave you. Still, I knew I couldn’t stand around feeling sorry for myself. I had to check my mum was safe, so I dragged myself together and packed a bag with a few essential things.

Then I noticed on the table, Austin had left a phone with a note.

‘I’m here for you. Call me. A. X’

With Lycaon’s abrupt exit and his reserved behaviour, a lump in the back of my throat made it hard for me to swallow. I knew it shouldn’t. Then as I bit my nails I thought, good. I should know better than to trust a shifter. I know I’d said we should keep it cool, but not ice cold. Rightly or wrongly, perhaps it was better that he pull away now.

Goddess only knows I couldn’t handle that in the future. And I hate losing control. But more than that, I did not want to lose my heart.

Almost as soon asI knocked on the door, my mum answered it, grabbing me in a hug. Worry surged through me. She was not a hugger! We didn’t have a close relationship. She looked for problems, me, I’m the opposite. I’m solutions focused. We drove each other mad, normally.

I love her, obviously, but I find her energy draining.

“I’ve been calling you. Your phone was off! Elsa, Adara! Oh my God… What have you done, foolish girl?” She stepped back, shaking her head.

“Well, thanks then! How do you know, anyway? You’ve been out of the coven for decades. And you know about this society?”

She sighed and looked past me. A nod from her. She slammed the door shut. “I have friends. And just because I’m not in that coven doesn’t mean I don’t know some of the elders in Adara. For the love of the goddess, please don’t tell me you’ve fallen for a shifter?”

“What? Please tell me why my dad tried to sacrifice me?”

She rolled her eyes. There was anger on her face.

“Your father? Elsa, I don’t think so. You’re confused. Now, what you’ve done is treacherous. I cannot help you. Even now, I must contact Adara when I see you. To see if we can absolve you. If you turn yourself in, admit you were wrong, and stay away from this wolf-beast, they will stop punishing your friends. I’m afraid you don’t realise the repercussions of mixing outside your bloodline. Tell me you haven’t been intimate with that animal?”

“I can’t do that. Why are you so… bigoted? Bloodlines, animals? I don’t know you. You raised me better than this.” I gasped, anger and dismay pulsing through me. “I cannot believe you don’t care that dear old dad tried to strangle me!”

Her whole body seemed to shrink as her shoulders sagged. “Oh God. You slept with it. You’re a traitor to your kin, to your coven. You’ve betrayed us to be with a monster! Then there’s no going back, you don’t realise what you’ve done.”

She paled, her forehead glistened with sweat as she turned and walked to the living room. There, she sank down into her chair next to the fire.

I couldn’t speak, a flush of fear and anger flooded through me.

It was like I was in a different reality. Shock had my chest tighten, my mouth dried. “Well, you’re ok then? I was worried. As for my phone, I lost it. Austin’s getting it back for me.”

Now her frown eased, and a spark of life glistened in her eyes.

“Ah, Austin. Why can’t you be with him? Austin is the key, your way out. If you’re lucky, your salvation. He is endearing. And rich. Although I don’t agree that he works with those leeches, the vampires. If you married him and he settled into the coven for mages, as his wife, well... Yes, that could perhaps redeem you? And Elsa, think of the children you two would have! In no time, you’d both be running the covens! Your place in Adara would be assured. That is your only choice. And, although he is a maverick, Adara thinks well of him. It’s not his fault he was taught by a demon. You must secure your place.”

Now I was confused. I perched on a chair arm. I’d long ago given up arguing with her, though we rarely saw eye to eye.

“Why is this so important? Why aren’t you shocked, horrified that my own dad tried to kill me? Are you possessed?”

She spluttered. “You don’t realise! What you have done threatens all the covens everywhere, around the world. Thinkbigger, girl. Iamhorrified that your father did that, but I am not shocked. He tried to kill me when you were a child. Anything that threatens Adara, well… But without Adara, there would be chaos. You bedding with this...monsterthreatens the very fabric of each and every immortal, globally. And the future generations. This is no joke, Elsa. I am ashamed. The mixing of the species is forbidden because it creates chaotic magic. And without stability, without trust, we are nothing. Humans will find out and hunt us to extinction. The witch trials, those were brought on by women and men who disobeyed Adara, who rebelled like you’re doing now. They nearly destroyed all of our kind by outing themselves and others, all immortals.” She scowled at me. “Don’t tell me you love him. He’s using his wicked, base animal charm on you. He will be the death of you, me, and everyone you care about!”

“I’m not a kid! Why are you...”

She sat up, her back poker straight. Her eyes narrow. “If you stay with him, I cannot see you. I love you so much, but your whole family would be persecuted if we stood by you. I have contacts, yes. But they will not aid you as you seem so intent on bringing down the downfall of all immortal species. This Lycaon, a wicked, vile dog! You cannot trust him. This is your choice. Don’t answer, think about it. See Austin. I cannot bear to see you ruin your life for an animal,this first werewolf.Austin is so much better. I know he’s been around, but we all know that’s because he’s lonely. And now some mortal wanna-be witch is trying to get her nails in him? No, you deserve a powerful mage.”

“So, I should marry Austin, even though I don’t love him?”

“Don’t be petulant. I brought you up better than that. You do love Austin, and you’d grow to love him even more. I’ve always seen you two together. Just because this Lycaon is new, different, stop and think. That’s all I’m asking. Think about your future. Think about me, about all of us. You could have a finehouse, a loving, funny husband with enough money to send your children to the finest academy, Necromantia. Oh, Elsa…”

Bloody hell, she had it all figured out. And truth be told, though I hated to admit it, I was almost sold on the idea. I never went to Necromantia. We weren’t rich enough. But if Austin ever had kids, and I could see him with a pack of them, he’d certainly send them there. It was the finest boarding school for boys and girls in the UK. Obviously, Becca and Josey had been there. In fact, I think all their families had attended.

My body felt heavy. I slouched on the chair arm. But she was alright, safe and planning my wedding and life by the sounds of it. As for her contacts, her connection to Adara and the folktales they circulated about witches and werewolves, I repressed a shudder. It stung, pierced through my gut like a dagger that there was no leeway. I would have to make my choice, and if it was with Lycaon, then I’d lose her and the rest of my family. I supposed, in time, my friends, too. I couldn’t expect mages like Austin to stick around. As my mum said, it would ruin the chances of his progeny getting into the best schools if he was friends with a witch and a werewolf. Is this really what I wanted?

“Good, I can see it in your face. You’re thinking about it seriously now. I only regret that neither I nor your father had the money to send you to the Academy of Necromantia. Elsa, it is the most beautiful manor house. Now, promise me you’ll call me later? And stay out of your father’s way!”

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