Alpha Divided

After a shower and some food, I collapsed on Dastien's bed.

A towel was wrapped around his waist, but as water dripped down his abs, I found it hard to concentrate.

Let me get dressed.

I squeezed my eyes shut. We'd have time for us later. Now was not the moment. He opened and shut some drawers. Dressed, he said, and I opened my eyes.

You okay? He asked through the bond, and I felt his wave of concern.

The bond is back. I really like being able to do this creepy, silent-talking thing with you.

He leaned down, brushing a kiss against my forehead. Now, tell me something.

What?

What did you know about the fight before it started? There was something—and now I feel your guilt through the bond. So, spill.

I didn't see what good it would do to spill, but it wasn't like I could keep secrets anymore. I dreamed that Mr. Hoel was going to kill me.

Dastien jumped up, hovering over me as he shook my shoulders. His eyes flashed bright yellow. And you still went into the fight? Without telling me? Are you insane? Do you not care about your own life?

jerked his leg until he sat back down next to me. No. I'm not insane. I knew it was going to happen. I was going to do my best to avoid it, but the fight was coming. What was I supposed to do? Hide?

Ves. Next time something like that is even a possibility, you damn well better hide!

And if the situation had been reversed? Would you let me go off and fight while you hid?

He growled. That's not the same thing. His voice was gravelly. The wolf was close to the surface.

It's exactly the same thing.

He squeezed me so tight I could barely breathe. You okay?

No. I'm not okay. He let up a little. Are you okay? You're the one who...Mr. Hoel.

I killed him. I thought about it for a second. You know, I thought I'd feel worse about it. Maybe I will later, but for now, I'm glad he's dead. He killed Daniel. He tried to kill me. He tried to kill you before...

Dastien ran his fingers through my hair, and I soaked up his touch for a second.

I could've stayed there forever, but we still had a whole host of problems to deal with. We have to go check on the others. I chewed on my lip as I thought back to the fight. Luciana was summoning an actual demon.

ves. I think she was.

How do we fight that?

His breath was hot on my neck. I don’t know.

That was what I'd thought. I wasn't sure how to kill one either, but I was Christian enough to know it wouldn't be easy.

Don’t worry. We'll find a way, Dastien said.

Maybe Claudia knows something. From what I knew about Claudia, it seemed like a long shot, but what could be the harm in asking?

Doubtful. Not everyone knows about that kind of magic. And fighting it..depending on what Luciana was summoning, it could've been really bad,

I squeezed my eyes tight. We have to stop her.

Agreed.

it was a good thing some of the coven members were going to be sticking around. A little witchy expertise would go a long way. We need to go talk to Claudia and whoever else stayed on our side.

I tried to sit up, but Dastien stopped me. He pressed a hard kiss to my lips before pulling back. Don't you ever put yourself in danger like that again.

I tried to smile at him, but failed. I wish I could promise that, but I can't. I swallowed. I'm glad to be alive. Is that bad? Daniel died saving me. I should feel worse. He was a nice guy and I was busy doubting him, even when he'd been nothing but kind and helpful. I should be more upset. I'm just so grateful to be alive that it's overshadowing everything.

Dastien pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. No. We will honor his sacrifice. We can't bury his body, but we'll have a service for him. I'll always be grateful for what he did.

I squeezed his hand. Thanks.

Come on. Let's go get this over with. And then let's come back. I'd like to spend the next day or ten in bed with you.

I blushed.

Mind out of the gutter. We've got time before the next full moon.

I scoffed. You're so old-fashioned.

He kissed me again, and I lost myself in it. I was fully breathless when he pulled back. I just want to be respectful. But that doesn't mean I can't hold you.

Deal.

The cafeteria was always the place to meet on campus. Apparently, that hadn't changed in the little bit that I'd been gone. Weres sat around eating, but one table stood out from the rest.

Claudia, Raphael, Shane, Cosette, and Elsa sat together, along with two other girls and one older lady.

Beth, Tiffany, and Yvonne.

There was a ring of empty tables around them, like no one wanted to get too close. I was a little disappointed in my fellow Weres, but it wasn't all that surprising. They'd just been attacked by a bunch of witches.

I spotted Meredith, Donovan, Chris, and Adrian at another table and they waved me over. I held up a finger. One second, I mouthed as I moved toward the witches.

As I pulled out an empty chair, their hushed conversation stopped. Hey. Dastien stood behind me, letting me take the lead. Hi, Claudia said. Her eyes were swollen and ringed with red.

I stared hard at the linoleum for a second. I wasn't sure what to say. I knew I should say something, but anything I could come up with felt insubstantial. Meaningless. I'm sorry about Daniel. If I could've...if I—

Claudia reached out to me. Don't. He knew what he was doing. He stayed back to get the three of them. They played along with Luciana. But he knew who you were. Who you were meant to be. Her soft, understanding words only made me feel worse.

I wasn't worthy of that. I'd cost Daniel his life.

A tear rolled down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. I didn't ask him to do that. Why would he do that?

Because he believed in what we were doing. Because he knew his mother had to be stopped and you were the only one who could do that, Raphael said.

Dastien squeezed my shoulder. You okay?

I grabbed his hand. I will be. I cleared my throat. I also wanted to thank you. You opened the jars?

Claudia gave me a small smile. Had to be done. Otherwise, the night would've gone very differently.

I snorted. That was an understatement. Does anyone here have any idea what Luciana was calling up?

A high-level demon, the older woman, Yvonne, said. Luciana went dark some time ago, but I swear, we here had no idea it was this bad. Daniel made his sacrifice just in time. Otherwise, we'd all be dead.

I noticed the tables filing up around us, and fought back a smile. They'd come to like the witches. They just needed some time.

We couldn't have fought it? I wanted to be extra clear.

She shook her head. Not and lived.

So what do we do?

That's what we've been talking about, Cosette said. The fey have magic, but anything that could counter demons was lost a long time ago.

We need to find ancient white magic again, Elsa said.

Where would we even start? I asked.

Peru, said a voice behind me. I turned to see Muraco. His wrinkles were a little more defined today. Was it a result of the fight or was he aging that rapidly?

Peru? I asked.

The Incas were supposedly deep into both the dark and the light. Some say their white witches fought the lords of the underworld, but there's no way to know whether that's true, Claudia said.

It's true, Muraco said. But finding mages who know the old ways and getting them to show you their magic—that will be no easy task.

I chewed on my lip. Going to South America sounded like a terrible idea. I'd been through an ordeal, and I needed to rest before Luciana came back with reinforcements. I wanted that time with Dastien. And when the full moon came, we needed to be here to finish our bonding ceremony.

Plus, I couldn't leave with Luciana gathering more support. The vampires would be back. And who knew what was going on with the wolves who'd taken off.

There was no way I could go. I can't. It's impossible—

Who says it has to be you? Muraco pulled out an empty chair. His knees creaked as he settled down.

I opened and closed my mouth a few times. I'd been the one on the spot so many times these past few weeks, I'd just assumed it would be me. Which was totally egotistical. No one. I tilted my head. Who then?

Claudia De Santos. You were born of magic. I think the mages will like you.

She scooted away from the table, her chair screeching against the floor. Me? No. I'm nothing special. I help others with their magic. That's what I do. I enhance others.

That was true. Back when I first met her, my bond with Dastien hadn't been that strong. She'd helped me strengthen my own abilities so I could find him when he was in the vampires’ den. Plus she'd seriously come through for me with the jars. If hadn't gotten my powers back when I did, I might not be sitting here.

wonne laughed. And you think that means you don't have power?

.I..yes? Claudia said. Her face was pale as she looked from Muraco to Yvonne to me and back again. But saving us is Tessa's path.

No. Tessa's path is to serve as the leader of all. An ambassador that each community can look to for guidance, Muraco said. But she can't guide the packs and covens at the same time.

I clapped my hands. Thank you. Thank you. Finally someone with some sanity.

That's not getting you out of your position, Muraco said.

I stopped clapping. Now that was a major downer. Right.

I will take you back with me to Peru, and then we will go our separate ways. You will find the answers in the mountains.

Ill go with her, Raphael said.

The mages in my country appreciate spiritual quests, but those are solitary things, Muraco said. This is something Claudia must do on her own.

Raphael narrowed his gaze at Muraco, but Claudia placed her hand on his arm, stopping the argument before it started. ves. She's been hiding her light, Yvonne said to Raphael, patting his hand. It's time for her to find it. And in doing so, she'll find the answers to save us.

Claudia looked at me with wide eyes, slowly shaking her head. I feel for you, I said. I really do. But I have to say, I'm glad it's you instead of me this time.

This is going to be a disaster, Claudia said, rubbing her forehead.

Two arms wrapped around my neck, nearly pulling me out of my chair. You took too long, Meredith said.

I laughed, and slapped at her arms. You're choking me.

Serves you right. Ignoring me.

The rest of the gang pulled chairs up to the table as I made introductions. Dastien disappeared for a second, but came back with a plate of food.

I've been watching how much the Weres are eating, Claudia said. You really weren't getting enough food.

Tessa, Dastien growled.

Tattletale, I said to Claudia. I was doing fine.

Maybe that's why you were feeling so dizzy, Claudia said.

“Maybe. Or it could've been because of the gris-gris Luciana planted in my bed. Or the whole stripping my powers thing. Or the stress. I mean I've been told stress is hell on the body."

Dastien pushed back from the table. I'm getting you some more food.

I rolled my eyes. See what you've done. He's going to be a pain in my a*s. leaned back in my chair and watched as the two groups mingled

They'd fought together, but when I got to the cafeteria, the witches had been sitting isolated. Now, I was back and everyone was hanging out like old friends.

Maybe Muraco was right. Maybe I did have a bigger role to play. Bringing people together didn't sound bad at all.

Dastien came back with two trays. Eat. He was still growling.

I'm already full. We ate before we got here aaaaand I already ate another trayful of food.

He stared at me, eyes glowing yellow.

'm okay. 'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.

He pulled me out of my chair and placed me on his lap. I don't think you get it. I can’t do this without you. I tried, but I was a mess. I don't know when my world started to revolve around you—around us—so much, but it does. And you almost died. So you'll have to excuse me if I try to feed you a little more because I heard that while you were away, you'd been starving yourself.

That's not true, I said through the bond. I wasn't starving myself.

Well, you weren't eating enough.

I sighed. His panic and distress beat against me, and I pressed my forehead to his. All right. I'l eat.

He brushed his lips against mine. Thank you.

I tried to move back into my own chair, but he held me tight. Okay. Guess I'm eating from here then. I reached for the fork, but he did it for me, making a huge bite of roast beef and some mashed potatoes. Okay, mister. This is where I draw the line. You're being ridiculous. Give me the fork.

His chest rumbled with laughter, but he didn't hand it over.

Seriously. You're not feeding me in front of everyone. It's embarrassing. Give me the fork. I tried to reach for it and he moved his hand.

He chuckled, and I dug my fingers into his sides. Give me the damned fork. He dropped it as I hit his ticklish spot. His chuckles turned into full-on belly laughs,

I snatched up the fork and took a bite. Everyone at the table was watching us.

You've made us a spectacle. I hope you're happy.

He nuzzled my neck. Very happy.

Claudia quickly looked away, but I caught the hint of sadness in her gaze. I couldn't help remembering her douche bag fiancé. She obviously wanted what I had. Honestly, I wanted everyone to have what I had.

Okay, so maybe not the whole insane, dark witch after me or the vampire attacks or the werewolves on a power trip, but the mate thing...that was the best.

And the friends weren't so bad.

Allin all, I was lucky. Lucky to be alive. To have the family and friends that I did.

To have Dastien.

War was coming, and until it was here, I planned to enjoy every minute I had with the people I loved the most.