by Tl Reeve
“Fuck me,” Zane spat as he got out of their bed and pulled on his discarded jeans. “Motherfucker plans to wipe out the most powerful witch and the Alpha and Beta of the Adock clan.”
“You don't know that.” Cian, ever the optimistic one said.
“Yeah, I fucking do.” Zane pulled on his shoes and grabbed his shirt. “We've been so wrapped up in our mate being back, in mating her, and completing the Trinity, I've missed all of the clues. It's as clear as the nose on my fucking face. This isn't just all about Jamie, it involves my pack and us, too.” Zane tugged on his shirt before heading for the stairs.
“Zane!” she cried out.
“Shit.” Zane snarled and turned back to the bed where she and Cian still laid. He kissed Cian on the lips, then gathered Jamie in his arms and kissed her as well, before he placed her back in Cian's arms.
“Don’t go,” Jamie whispered. “Please don’t leave just yet.”
“Keep her safe. She sees no one and goes to no one you don't trust. She always has a guard on her,” Zane called out over his shoulder as he stomped out of their bedroom.
“Zane!” Jamie cried. She’d never had the chance to tell him that she loved him or Cian. They’d been apart for so long, and now that they were back together, she couldn’t wait. A few days ago, she’d have called herself crazy for spouting off about love, but she was awake now and she couldn’t spend another minute without him knowing.
“Zane! Wait,” Jamie rolled out of bed, but Cian stopped her.
“He's already gone,” Cian whispered stroking her back in comfort. “He's safe. He is the biggest, baddest motherfucker out there. He knows what he's doing.”
He was, but what he didn’t know was how much she loved him. You’d better come home in one piece, Zane Adock, or else.
Zane sat behind his desk poring over the case files for each of the victims since the killings started. When they sent Jamie away, the Master had gone into hiding. They hadn't seen hide nor hair of the man in almost twenty years. He should have seen it—noticed the pattern sooner. If he’d made the connection when she showed back up, maybe they could have prevented more deaths. However, he'd been so caught up in his own happiness, he couldn't see the forest for all the trees. Now, he had a suspect and a connector to the crimes, his mate, Jamie. The thought tore through his insides. He’d given her up once. He wouldn't give her up again to protect Salem. The town could fuck themselves.
Eight pictures of happy, warm-hearted women stared up at him. All witches. All around Jamie's age, and all had some kind of connection to her. Whether age, eyes, hair, or family. The only odd person out was Mary, but she could be explained due to her friendship with Jamie.
Zane picked up the cup of coffee next to him and took a sip. He knew the Master all too well. The guy didn't do anything on his own. He had minions. Someone he could put in the field and do all the dirty work. So, it begged the question; had his minion gotten too close to Jamie, and Mary knew? Had they talked about some creepy stalker boyfriend, and Jamie needed to drop him? Or did he perhaps go to school with her, and Mary interfered in some way she hadn’t even realized would put her on the Master’s radar.
It'd make sense to him. Mary was her friend. From all the statements he’d read, she'd always been polite and friendly. Jamie said in her statement to police Mary was honest if not a bit brash with her truthfulness.
Zane glanced up when a knock came at the door. No one knew he was there. He hadn't even told his mates where he was going. “Come in.” His hand rested on his gun which he kept concealed under his desk, attached to the side.
Gideon stepped inside his office, pale and more than a little shell-shocked. “Sheriff.”
“Gideon,” he replied. “What can I do for you?”
“I don't know,” he said honestly. “I mean, I'm not sure. Last night I went to bed thinking one thing, and this morning, I wake up to a whole new reality.” He glanced up, and Zane could see the confusion in the young wolf's emerald gaze.
“Your sister is having the same hard time. I hope to explain this better at the pack meeting later,” Zane stated. “She's at the house, if you'd like to see her. I know she wants to see you desperately as well. Cody will be at the bar later, I suspect.”
“And our parents?”
Zane sighed. “Dead, we suspect. Your parents went to retrieve Jamie and never returned. When Jamie arrived, we thought surely, your parents would be with her, unfortunately, their paths never crossed.” Gideon's and Cody’s saving grace had been the wolf families who took them in. “I’m sorry, son.”
The guy nodded and cleared his throat. “I figured as much.” He shrugged. “I thought maybe, you know.”
“This is all a lot to take in. I understand. Whatever you need, we’re all here for you.”
Gideon nodded again. “I'd appreciate it.” He meandered back toward the door then stopped. “Tell Jamie I'll be seeing her soon.”
“I will.”
Later that evening, everyone gathered at the meeting hall outside of town. Every wolf and witch were there, waiting for some word as to what was going on. Zane stood before them, Cian on his left, Jamie on his right. The first true Alpha Trinity since his parents. The murmur of conversations flowing around the room came to a halt as he lifted his hand to gain their attention.
“I have some updates for you. First, I'd like to welcome Jamie Bishop back to the fold. As many of you know, Sarah and Colin had Matilda wipe Jamie's memories and sent her away when the Master started these killings years ago. For a time, we thought we were safe. We thought they were safe. Matilda put a failsafe on Jamie’s memories, so she couldn’t remember who she was or was meant to be. I don't claim to know how this works, but here she is, back home and safe-ish with us. Her parents, unfortunately, have died. We thought they might return with her, but since Jamie’s arrival we have learned differently.”
“Our daughter died because of her,” a man said from the back of the room. “She shouldn't have come home.”
“Her best friend also died,” Zane stated. “What's your point?”
“She's the reason for the killings!”
“Like you were safe before?” Jamie yelled. “All of you turned your backs on my mother and father. Where were you the night they sent me away? Where have you been in the interim?”
Zane laid his hand on her shoulder, easing her. “It's easy to point fingers right now. But, in this, she is correct. Everyone hid when the Bishop family needed help. Matilda wiped her memories, so she wouldn't know any of you, because none of us wanted to work together. Well,” he snarled. “Not anymore. From now on, unmated wolves and witches will be paired up. If you know your mates, stick together, if not, find a pair of partners. I will not have any more blood on my hands due to your lack of having backbones—including my pack. Do I make myself clear?”
The room became dead silent with his edict, and Zane made a point to look around the room slowly, making eye contact with each and every member of his pack. He dared them to balk... to rear up and defy him. He wasn't Alpha simply because of his birth and power. Might and dominance went hand in hand in him being Alpha. Every pack member knew he would fight and win to keep his position.
“Am I clear?” Zane growled, repeating himself when no one answered. He didn't rein in the wolf he felt surging toward the surface, the pack needed to know he meant business.
Slowly, one by one the heads of each family seemed to remember the pack Elders’ promise to the witches of Salem centuries before, and they stepped forward, swearing to protect any and all witches within the town.
“Patrols will be set up to roam around the borders and through the town at different intervals. Anyone who wants to assist in those patrols can contact Cian.” Zane motioned to Cian as he took Jamie's hand in his and led her over to Matilda.
“Oh, my sweet girl.” The normally stoic woman rushed to Jamie’s side and wrapped her in a love-filled embrace. “Congratulations on your mating,” Matilda gushed as she pushed a pie
ce of Jamie's hair behind her ear. “Your parents would have been so happy to know you found your way home and found your mates.”
“Matilda,” Zane stepped closer to Jamie and her aunt. Since Matilda had wiped his mate’s memory, Zane had kept his distance from the witch, not because he resented her for doing what needed to be done. No, Zane had kept his distance as a way to protect Matilda, Cody, and Gideon from anyone watching.
“Yes?” Matilda looked up at him, a look of sorrow flashing in her eyes.
“Let it go. You did what you had to do to protect Jamie and her brother. You followed Sarah and Colin's wishes.” Zane placed a hand on Matilda's shoulder in a gesture to comfort.
“I don't resent you, Aunt Matilda,” Jamie whispered, taking her aunt's hand. “It must have been just as hard for you as it was for them. You also lost your entire family.”
“Sarah insisted. I tried to talk her out of it. But then Colin agreed with her...” Matilda's voice wobbled.
“Jamie, Cody, and Gideon know. Jamie remembers now,” Zane reassured her. “What we must do now is protect Jamie. I won't lose her again. We won't lose her again. She is too important to the town, to the coven, and most importantly, to Cian and me.”
“I know,” Matilda's voice grew stronger as she straightened her shoulders. “What do you need?”
“You.” If they had any chance this time against the Master, Jamie had to be in top form. “Jamie is a powerful witch but has no education. Which makes her dangerous and a risk all at the same time. You need to teach her how to harness and use her powers,” Zane said. “And you need to do that like yesterday.”
Matilda laughed as her eyes glittered with amusement. “Are you ready to be who you always were meant to be?”
Jamie's lower lip trembled. Zane could scent that her emotions were all over the fucking place. His little mate’s first lesson would have to be about controlling her feelings, so they didn’t interfere with her spell work. All it would take was one bad day, and she could do serious damage. “Yes. I want to protect myself, my town, and most importantly, I want to protect my mates. I'll do whatever I need to do.”
“Good. Because I'm going to have to shrink years of training into days. I know you and Cian are possessive wolves. I'll come to your place. She's safer there,” Matilda stated.
“Works,” Zane replied, tucking Jamie into his side.
“I'll be at your house tomorrow morning at six sharp.” Matilda gave him a look. “Don't either of you boys think about keeping her up all night mating her. She'll need to be well rested and alert.”
“She's standing right here!” Jamie muttered, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink.
“Pfft. Like you'll be able to tell them no once they start wooing you.” Matilda stated.
Jamie snorted. “So, you’re wooing me, are you?”
Zane barked out a laugh. “Nah, we fuck you.”
“Ohmigod.” Jamie buried her face in her hands. “Zane!”
Matilda just chuckled. “Good to see you actually have a sense of humor under that tough skin of yours.”
“It comes out every once an in a while,” Zane answered with a grin.
He stood at the back of pack meeting, smirking as he watched the Master's most prized possession stand with her mates. It killed him the Master had allowed the mating, He’d understood the reasoning, but he didn't have to like it. The thought of them touching her, of violating someone who was so pure, almost drove him insane. They didn't know it, but he had watched them this morning, watched as those two men fucked her. He couldn't see her face, but he imagined she was just as disgusted by it as he was. He had left his spot where he watched from the tree and barely made it back to his car before he vomited.
He hadn't argued with the Master, because he had promised to help purify her when he got her. Part of the purification process would require them to wipe her memories again. She wouldn't remember the mating or Trinity. The Master had assured him of such. Plus, they would wipe away the birthmark, too.
The Alpha went on to declare that wolves must protect the witches. He had to school his face and keep the sinister smile from his lips. It wouldn't work, the Master was ten times smarter and more powerful than the Alpha. Sentries could be posted, and wolves could patrol the town, while potential mates protected the witches, but it wouldn't thwart either him or the Master.
Once the meeting broke up, he noticed how the wolves paired up with the witches. Little did the Alpha know it made his job easier. He glanced around the room slowly, taking note of each and every grouping. The Master would be pleased. Very, very pleased.
He watched from the corner of his eye as the Alpha took Jamie toward the Medical Examiner. She was also on the Master's list, but her mates were unknown, so as it stood right now, she wasn't a concern to the Master. He slowly worked his way through the little group, gathering information as he went. He kept his back to the group while he listened to their plans. So, they wanted to get her trained, so she could protect herself and her mates. He gave a low snort. Black Magic would crush her paltry spells, they had to know that. How could they be so stupid? He turned and glared at them as he realized how close she was to him. He made a point of bumping into her, pushing her away from the Alpha. Then, at the last moment, he remembered he was playing a part in their little game. He apologized profusely while he inhaled her scent and the beauty of her face.
Soon, very, very soon she would be his, and with that knowledge, he slipped from the meeting and went to find the Master.
“Jamie,” Cian's voice floated into her ear, slowly pulling her from her sleep.
“Go away!” Jamie pulled the covers over her head and snuggled deeper into their mated bed.
“Can't. I got strict orders to have you out of bed by five fifteen, fed, and ready for Aunt Matilda by six.” Jamie could hear the humor in Cian's voice. She didn't really appreciate it.
“It's an ungodly hour,” she gritted out through her teeth when Cian pulled the warm covers off, and the cool air caressed her skin.
“Be thankful I didn't wake you up at the witching hour. Here,” Cian shoved a steaming cup of hot coffee under her nose, and she slowly sat up in bed before she took the cup.
“There is such a thing?” Jamie asked as she took a sip of the hot brew.
“Yup. Between three and four am.” Cian leaned over to kiss her nose. “Now that is an ungodly hour. One which our mate Zane happened to partake in this morning.”
Jamie frowned. “That would mean he only got a couple of hours of sleep.”
“He'll be fine. He's gone on less.” Cian held his hand out to her. “Get cleaned up while I make us breakfast.”
“Okay.” Jamie took another sip of her coffee as she got out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. A smile crossed her lips, Cian already had the water going, and she knew it would be nice and toasty when she stepped under the water. “Will I see Zane at some point today?”
“Yeah. He told me he'd stop by later to check on you and say good morning since he didn't get to see you before he left,” Cian said as he quickly made the bed.
“Care to join me?” Jamie called out as she pulled off the night shirt she had put on after their last romp in the bed.
“I'd love to. But I've got my orders from the Alpha and your aunt, which leaves no time for us to get down and dirty in the shower.”
“Your loss,” Jamie smiled at him as she slid open the glass door.
“Nope, my gain. Just means you'll be sexed-up later.” Cian winked at her then moved through the bedroom door.
Jamie quickly washed and conditioned her hair, then washed the rest of her body. True to his promise to Aunt Matilda last night, Zane hadn't allowed for more than one interlude last night, even when she had begged for more. Since the other morning on the couch, she couldn't seem to control her need for her mates. The urge to fuck her them seemed to be riding her often. Maybe she should ask aunt Matilda about these urges, especially since it had never felt like this before.
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Jamie turn off the knob then stepped out and quickly finished her morning routine before she dressed in warm clothes and headed downstairs to her waiting breakfast.
“What is that?” Jamie pointed to the black witch’s hat, which was situated next to her plate on the table. It had to be a joke, they couldn't really expect her to wear it, could they?
“A gift,” Cian answered as he placed a breakfast sandwich on her plate.
“But why?” Jamie approached the table while she reached out to touch the silk and satin dark-black hat.
“Every good witch deserves her very own hat,” Cian smiled at her as he reached across the table and snagged the hat and then placed it on her head.
“Are you serious?” Jamie stared at Cian, trying to figure out if he was pulling her chain.
“Deadly. Matilda will show you how to pick out your broom. From my understanding, it is a highly personal choice. But the hat usually comes from a loved one or family member,” Cian’s tone and face showed absolutely no emotion, so Jamie couldn't read him.
“If you say so.” Jamie sat down and began to eat.
“I do. Now hurry up. When your aunt says six, she means six.”
Jamie quickly finished her breakfast and got up from the table; the witch’s hat remaining on her head, she quickly got her warm coat on and scarf.
“Your aunt is approaching,” Cian said matter of fact as he pulled Jamie into his arms. “Ever see the movie Hocus Pocus?” Jamie nodded her head. “Think of the hat as a reminder of what not to do, Good luck and have fun.” Cian gave her a quick kiss on her lips before he all but pushed her out the door to where her aunt stood in the cold morning.
“You're late,” Aunt Matilda announced while a smile tweaked at her lips.
“No, I'm not,” Jamie claimed as she took the three steps down to where her aunt stood.
