Chapter 146: Chapter 146

62. The Start ROYCE.

“Why would they help him, though?” Marcel says quietly.

“Not to mention Skyla said he had injected her with something three times to gain control of her, according to Bastet,” I say, frowning. 1 “Oh, yeah?” Leo says, his eyes flashing. This shit is fucking twisted.”

“But that took him three doses,” Raihana says.

“Exactly. So how did he manage to control the witches?” Kiara says.

I can tell she’s trying to contain her emotions, knowing her daughter’s just left.

“I don’t know…” Raihana murmurs. “But there’s something Magdalene was trying to say…

Skyla’s promise when she pleaded for me to allow her to do this replays in my mind, and the seed of self-doubt is beginning to grow.

As they talk, worried about her, I remain silent, trying to contain my emotions.

I let her do this. I let her go to him alone.

What if he finds out she’s pretending? What if he tries to hurt her?

Was it wise after she tried to kill herself?

Will her promise to return to me be enough?

I run my fingers through my hair, trying to calm my raging heart. (1)

No. I will trust in our love.

Dante hadn’t stopped her, his nod and faint smile hinting he approved of her to do what she planned.

I had told her not to remove the tracer earring that we had put on her, but even that isn’t calming the restlessness in my heart.

I wanted to go after her, remain somewhere nearby, but in the quick moments we had made the plan, we both knew it wasn’t a wise plan.

She would try to take Aleric to the Arden mansion. That is what we agreed on. A place Mom and Delsanra had already implemented offerings in the form of crystals and runes all around the mansion in hidden places.

Just the way we had placed things around the Rossi Mansion, but focused it on her bedroom. She had confirmed that Bastet said that it helped-break Aleric’s hold upon her. I have faith it’ll help her there and I am certain Helios will too.

My only concern is Apophis wouldn’t want Aleric there. If she manages to get Aleric into the mansion, we are safe, because unless Apophis is able to stop him in time, Aleric entering that house gives Skyla the upper hand.

“I’m going to take a couple of the warriors and remain close to the Arden mansion and wherever Skyla goes,” Dante says. “The link holds.” 3 I nod. That is something that remains, and she tested it with Dante before she had run outside. Despite her marking Aleric and his attempt to mark her, her link to the Night Walkers Pack had not been cut.

Shows how they just aren’t meant to be…

“I’m going after them.” Alejandro snarls.

“No, Dad, calm down,” Dante says, frowning.

“Anyone want to fill me in? Why the FUCK we let my girl go with that fucker!” Alejandro thunders, slamming his fist into the wall beside the front door. 3 An animalistic growl erupts from his throat, and I can see he’s trying to control himself from shifting…

and failing. Fur begins to sprout from his face and arms as his bones crack and stretch.

He soon towers over his son, who blocks the entrance, arms crossed, calm and composed. It was his idea to not mind link Alejandro, knowing we needed to make the witches believe this wasn’t a setup. 3 “I want answers!” he snarls mid-shift, as he tears the door off its hinges, trying to shove his son aside.

Dante sighs, moving a little to avoid the flying wood.

“Which we do have.” I say quietly. “If you-”

“Don’t! You let her go!” His burning eyes turn on me and I cross my arms, “Calm down Dad, we will get her back, ok?” Dante says. “I have to go. I’ll keep an eye on her. Will you guys be alright?”

Leo and Rayhan nod as Dante leaves through the broken door, just as Kiara, Marcel and Elijah join us in the hallway.

“Al!” Kiara says as she rushes to his side.

Reaching up, she cups his face as he slams his elbow into the cabinet by the door.

I sigh, something Leo said out there is stuck in my mind.

“An emotional person in power can be dangerous…” I’ve been acting on emotions… 6 A thunderous snarl vibrates through the room and Alejandro lunges at me.

I duck, just as his fist hits the wall behind me, missing me by a hair’s length. 2 “Alejandro!” Kiara screams.

“It’s all good, he missed,” I say, which only angers Alejandro more. 8 As Rayhan, Marcel, and Leo step forward, grabbing Alejandro, the man shifts back, breathing heavily.

His torn shirt hangs off him, his sweatpants luckily survived, but they now look like a pair of torn shorts.

“Say that again, fucker!” He snarls at me. 3 I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, what Leo said, that was for myself. I assure you, as much as I didn’t want to let her go. I trust in her. I have always prided myself on the control I have over my powers and my emotions, but not when it came to her. I need to do better. I was not talking about you.” I say, truthfully.

1 “It applies to all of us.” Elijah says, Alejandro, we all love Skyla. Everyone in this house loves her and wants to help her, but every minute lost in rage and anger is wasting precious time.”

“I know, but she’s my little girl. What if she … what if she tries to do something to herself again?”

There’s a pain in his voice that he’s unable to hide before he runs his fingers through his hair. 2 “Nothing will happen. We move in with our plan tonight.” Leo says pulling out his phone.

“Skyla requested something.” Kataleya says as she and Azura step out of the kitchen.

“Oh, yeah?” Alejandro asks.

“She’s filling Dante in on her plan and Aleric has agreed to go to the Arden mansion,”

Azura says, now glancing at me before the two women exchange looks.

“However, there is a but, am I correct?” I ask, looking between them.

Azura looks at Leo and I know they’re mind- linking. His frown deepens, and I see him glance at me for a second.

“What is it?” I ask sharply.

“She will ask Aleric to get engaged to her and try to have the event organised for tomorrow… She wants us to hold out until then.” Leo says quietly.

I feel sick. Her being with him makes me fucking sick. 1 “It’s not necessary. We can storm the mansion as planned, she said she’ll lure him there, and that’s enough… that was our plan. She’ll trick him and get the upper hand and when the time is right, we’ll join.” I say, trying to keep my voice from shaking. 1 But she said there is more to her plan, and she’ll let me know. This was it?

“Who knows what he might attempt?” Alejandro voices the dark thought that claws at my mind.

I don’t want her near him.

“She said please,” Kataleya says softly, now looking at me. “This will help her. Those were her words.

That she’s done things she’s not proud of, and said things she never should have. She knows what she’s doing, and she just wants your support, Royce. She wants the world to see the truth of Aleric…

umm Arden.” 3 “Why his fucking support,” Alejandro mutters. “Fucking Ardens.”

“Aleric the Gherkin Dick, if we quote exactly,” Azura says, smirking as she ignores Alejandro. 3 She walks over to me and plants her hands on her hips.

“Look, I know it’s hard… but Skyla is a Lycan. She’s strong and determined and she loves you… She had a moment where it became too much, but she won’t leave you. I know my girl, it’s time you trust in her too.”

I look away and nod, “But waiting with her in his hold-”

“We won’t be waiting,” Alejandro says suddenly. “Dante’s just said Skyla’s told him Aleric agreed, the fucking engagement will take place tomorrow at the Fucking Arden Crystal Gardens.”

They’re using the chain mind link method to talk, but the fact she’s able to do so means she’s doing ok.

“He agreed pretty fast,” Leo says not looking convinced. 3 “There’s a chance he’s trying to be smart. Tell Skyla to stay on alert around him.” I say.

Alejandro nods and I realise he listened without even batting an eyelid, and that glare he’s giving me now proves me right.

“Fucker.” He mutters. 2 “And that means the witches will be there, and so will the council, I’m assuming,”

Raihana says.

“I’m just happy Dante’s close to her,” Kiara murmurs as she hugs Alejandro tightly.

“Yes, but she has said he has refused to allow any Rossi or Westwood to attend the engagement,”

Kiara adds.

“Then I guess we have a wedding to crash,” Azura says with a glint of excitement in her eyes. “True Rossi/Westwood/Arden style? Damn, the list is growing.”

“And that gives us enough time to figure everything out,” Raven says, crossing her arms. 7 “This time, we’re pulling out all the stops. We made the mistake once, not again. What’s happening with the witches?”

Delsanra asks.

Everyone’s silent. It still baffles me as to why they would do it willingly or unwillingly. Is Aleric really able to bring people under his hold so easily?

“I think we might have the answer to that.”

I turn to see who spoke to see it’s the younger three Rossi girls, Sienna, Heaven, and Alessandra.

Sienna steps forward, holding a dark leather book. 4 It’s Sienna who spoke and now Heaven glances at her, giving her a nod.

“Hecate owed Apophis a favour. We think he asked her to return it.” Sienna says. “I think the gods are also playing their cards.” 2 “I don’t think, I know we’re correct, and if you guys are smart enough, you’ll listen,” Alessandra adds, picking at her nails.

The girl can be blunt, but she has a point.

Leo’s already gone over to them and tries to take the book only for him to jerk his hand back and look down at it cursing.

“Yeah, it burns, careful there,” Alessandra says, not phased.

“Then what about Delsanra and me?”

Raihana asks before she shakes her head. “I can’t believe I’m asking you, girls…”

“Hybrids. I think Hecate’s command fell on her creations alone.” Heaven says.

“This book, I’ve not seen it before. Where the fuck did you get it from?” Leo asks.

Heaven rolls her eyes.

“Language,” she says before crossing her arms smoothly, ignoring the question.

“Answer the question, girls.” Rayhan says his voice firm.

“Ahren got it for us, but please don’t ask, just act. The witches will work against you guys tomorrow.”

Sienna pleads her Dad. 2 What exactly do they mean Ahren got it? 10 The book looks pretty new too…

“Where did he get it from?” Delsanra asks, now walking over to them. Sienna holds it behind her back.

(1 “We can’t say, please Mama, please.” She whispers.

“We’ll discuss that later,” Rayhan says, giving all three girls a calculating once-over. “And Ahren…

Wherever you are… we will have a chat when this is all over.” 2 “So that’s what Magdalene may have been trying to tell me…” Raihana murmurs.

“But I don’t think everyone is forced. I think some are willing in this,” Heaven adds softly. 3 “Nope, so if we do have some Salem-style witch trials… I’m in.” Alessandra says, making everyone give her a ‘Are you crazy?’ look. 11 But I myself can’t help but smile faintly, They have their own little group going on. 4 “So, we need to get to the Crystal Gardens and implement our plans.” Mom’s voice says, and I see her standing beside Maria and Scarlett. “I can help with that.”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Liam says.

“Sephora, I think she has some other fucking issue. My bet is on her being a willing participant.” Leo remarks.

“That woman fucking grates on my nerves.” Alejandro growls.

“I think…” Delsanra sighs as she looks at Rayhan before taking a deep breath and speaking. “I… I examined… his body…” She closes her eyes and Rayhan hugs her tightly. As Raihana looks down for a moment but remains emotionless.

“And?” she asks.

“I think the symbol carved into him is made by witchcraft. A dark magic, but when I went back to observe it again. I sensed something … it’s faint, but I felt that same touch from Sephora and I think she’s using this entire situation to get one up on you, Ri.” 12 She looks at her friend guiltily, but Raihana is frowning deeply.

“And why would she want to hurt Raihana?” Liam asks.

Raihana looks up, her eyes burning orange, her heart racing as she looks at him.

“Because Magdalene wishes me to take her place as the Supreme High Witch of the Coven of England.” 12