In Reach?

Side note: Liam’s aunt / Aiden’s mother -> Charlotte . Nickname : Char; pronounced ‘Shar’.

Liam’s POV

“Good morning Liam.”

“Good morning Char. Had a good night’s rest?” I sip on my coffee as I read through Liz and Mason’s reports on those two assholes.

“Yeah. But something tells me it wasn’t the same for you.” She looks me over as she takes a seat next to me. “I must say it seems like a lot is going on here. I’m starting to wonder if the gala would be such a good idea right now.” She fixes herself a plate of breakfast.

That bloody gala. I haven’t even bothered thinking too much about it, because when I do, I just get a headache at the thought of having to spend a whole night tolerating people trying to chat me up.

“But then again, I am here on the council’s orders to get it sorted for you.” Charlotte takes a bite from her toast.

“And here I thought you came because you missed us.”

She chuckles. “Of course I missed you guys. This is my pack as well. Not to mention, I haven’t seen my nephew and son in such a long time. Speaking of which, where is Aiden? I haven’t seen him around much. Is he avoiding me?”

“Oh I doubt that.” I take another sip hoping she doesn’t note the sarcasm. Charlotte has always doted on Aiden, and I’m sure it has much to do with his soft character.But she tends to smother him with attention.

She’s just too much of a loving person, if there is such a thing. She was so happy when she found out that Aiden also wanted to become a doctor, or as we call it, - a pack healer.

What our healers do is more than just what modern doctors can do. They train on our specific supernatural anatomy and traditional medicine to treat our bodies and our wolf spirits. ‘It’s more of an art than a science’, as Charlotte always likes to say.

“He has just been very busy lately. Like you said, there is a lot going on around here.”

“So, I’m hoping you had a chance to go through the profiles of the candidates by now.” She looks at me.

“Yes, I went though them.”

“Soooooo, any takers yet?”

“Char, please.”

“What? We both know what beauties are in those files.”

“Yeah, yeah.” That isn’t really what I’m looking for. But what does that matter to anyone anyway. “Where does the council get these women anyways?”

“Oh, they’re from well known and rich families.”

“So you mean, well known to the council? They always like getting their claws into things.”

“Liam, you know why we have to do this. Your pack needs a Luna, and an heir. And we both know your mate isn’t coming. The council may not know about it, but you’ve exhausted that excuse. This is something you had to face eventually. You may not be an only child, but your sister is already mated into another pack, and to a beta no less. We have to do this, for the sake of your pack.”

Then again, she is a very perceptive one. It’s no wonder she’s a council member.

“So what does the council say about Dahlia? Any leads yet?”

“Not exactly.” She is as vague as always. “Every trail we follow just ends up running cold. It’s like……”

“It’s like she’s getting help?” I say it like a question for her to confirm my suspicion.

“Liam, you and I both know she’s not alone. Many witches are following her with her idea that wolves are practically an abomination. Which is no surprise she got hunters on her side as well. What’s annoying, is how blindly they follow her, willing to risk their lives just to keep her safe. The woman is literally creating a cult.”

“Have there still been any attacks on other packs lately?”

“There are always packs getting attacked. We just don’t know if they’re related to her though.”

I just nod. I know I shouldn’t push her for info. Getting all of this is more than I even hoped for. But she surprises me as she continues.

“But if you ask me, things are a little too quiet now. I’ve met that woman once and I can tell that she’s the type that finds joy in just having to plan an attack. She’s up to something. I just know it”

“Do you think she has people on the inside helping her?”

My question seems to catch her off guard.

“Liam, you know I can’t disclose such information. So it is not one I can give you an answer to”

“Of course Char. But,….”

“But what?”

I don’t know how exactly I should put this question. Charlotte is already curious about Mira, especially since Katy’s funeral, but I don’t want to draw any more of her attention to her. If she links Mira to my suspicions, things might just get worse, should this get back to the council.

“Do you think that Dahlia might have wolves working on her side?”

She looks at me a bit shocked.

“I always knew you were a perceptive one. None of the other Alphas thought to ask that question.”

“Is that a yes or a no?” I’m sitting up, trying to brace myself for an answer.

“The council doesn’t like to talk about it. But it’s not because it’s a secret or anything, they just prefer to be in denial about it.”

“So it’s true then?” I clench my fist on the table, annoyed at the possibility that Mira might actually be here as a spy.

Charlotte snickers. “It really isn’t a secret you know. Witches have been trying to access our magic for centuries, even tried by corrupting young wolves to do the dirty work for them.”

“What do you mean our magic? Wolves don’t practice witchcraft.”

She looks at me all confused.

“Has your mother never talked to you about this?"

Now I’m the confused one. What does my mother have to do with this?

“Oh, Liam. There’s so much to tell you about this. I don’t know why your mother hasn’t told you yet, but I’m sure she has her reasons.”

She sits back in her chair, getting all comfortable. This must be a long story. “Wolves have magic within them. It’s what makes us supernatural beings. In fact, all supernatural creatures have a magic of their own, whether they’re curses or blessings. What do you think our healers do when treating our wounded on the battlefield? Sharing one’s life force isn’t exactly a science. We wolves receive our magic from birth, through our wolf spirit. But what makes wolves so interesting to witches is that we get it from the moon goddess. From what I read up on this, is that for witches to just get a taste of wolf magic, it sends them on a high. It’s like a drug, and apparently addictive. And it seems that some have managed to convince wolves to practice it themselves. But such magic is destructive and deadly. Mortal forms cannot handle the power of gods or goddesses. Those that practice it efficiently, and survive it, must have had training before-hand. So the witches by Dahlia’s side, are ones that are most likely very strong. That’s why the council doesn’t want any of you to launch any attack on her just yet. Not until we know more.”

That was a lot of information to get in a matter of sixty seconds. Why did my mother not tell me this if she knew about it? And why is Charlotte fine about telling me?

“What did you mean, when you said, ‘such magic is destructive’?”

“Blood magic. Well, I guess you might as well call it a sacrifice. I don’t really know much about it, but it apparently refers to one spilling blood to do magic. So, sort of what Noah’s high-school crush did to him. And I’m assuming it’s also what Dahlia did to your mate.”

I give a slight growl at the reminder.

“But, like I said, these things have actually been coming on for a while. Things got pretty nasty though when wolves were practicing witchcraft a very long time ago. It was the main reason the council banned the ‘old ways’ from being practiced. Which is no surprise that many people don’t know much about it these days. But it is still part of our culture.” She leans forward and gives me a curious look. “So that’s why the council agreed to have its information protected and passed down by Lunas.”

Interesting. But? “Why are you looking at me like that, Char?”

“Oh come on Liam. I’m not a fool. I’m curious about your pretty little guest you keep trying to hide from me. Well, ever since that night. You know, I’ve never seen such a funeral ritual in person before. Iv’e only ever read about it. And that was only because I’m a member of the council and because your mom, my sister was a Luna. So, how is it that she knew how to do it so exquisitely? Who is she?”

This is not where I wanted her attention to go to.

“She read about it.” Char looks unconvinced. Not that I blame her. I didn’t really believe it either when Mira said it. But we do have the books in our library, I had it confirmed. “In the books in the library.”

“You’re telling me that she read about the funeral ritual in one of our archived manuscripts, which better still be in good condition?” She reprimands.

I just nod at her.

She scrunches her brows. “Liam, since when don’t you check up on such things?”

“I did. I know that the books are in the library, and yes, they’re apparently still in good condition.”

“Apparently? If you checked it yourself, you would have known that those books are written in Latin and ancient Greek. I’m pretty sure that it’s not something just anybody can pick up and read. And there are a number of volumes, so how would she know which one was for a funeral?”

What the hell is going on? I thought we were past this. Is Mira still lying to me?

“Char, I know you’re a perceptive one yourself, but that mystery guest of mine, is someone I’m still trying to figure out as well. If anything I would have liked to have your help in this as an aunt, but I think your occupation might get in the way.”

She sits back in her chair again and gives me a bright smile.

“I’m hurt, Liam.” She puts her hand over her heart. “I know we were talking about work, but it wasn’t exactly a professional talk from my side. It just seems that for someone to get your attention, one needs to talk about work stuff.”

I didn’t actually think about it like that.

“Professionally, I’m here to help set up the gala. But while I’m here, nothing is stopping me from catching up with my nephew, and my son of course.” She gives a very proud smile, and I know that one is for Aiden. “So, whatever it is you need help with, I’m here for you.”

I know Charlotte is in the council, but she is technically still a member of this pack. I can trust her, I know I can.

“Well then, I think we should carry on this conversation in my office. Not everyone are early risers like us, and people will be coming down soon.” I stand up and usher her to walk ahead.

I’ll tell her what I know about Mira. Maybe she’ll be able to help me understand things a bit more. It’s clear that Mira isn’t being completely truthful with me either.