Wolfsbane: The Wolf Within

by Bethany Shay Porteous

  “Come out and face me or leave me alone!” I snarled.

  Someone was using magic on me and my first thought was Hannah until I told myself that Hannah wasn’t a creep who would lure me into a dark maze.

  Evelyn! my wolf broke in. Get out of here!

  Nice of you to show up, I said dryly.

  Evelyn listen to me—do you not feel that power? my wolf was cowering within my mind. I lost the other one, but there’s another presence here and it’s not safe.

  I don’t know how to get out, I cried at her as I dug my nails into my palms.

  Just start walking in the other direction! my wolf roared at me and it was as if she had set a fire cracker off from underneath me, because I sure as hell did what she told me to.

  Why have you been quiet all day? I demanded as I ran.

  I’ve been holding that thing down since it stepped back into your body. I think I have a good grip on it. Don’t make me lose my concentration, just keep running!

  Okay! I puffed frantically.

  Left.

  Right.

  Left.

  “Oh Morgana,” I groaned as I hit a dead end.

  Turning quickly, I ran back another way but with each step the Fairground didn’t sound any closer and I realized I had been gone far too long. Aiden would be panicking. I had dropped the bears where he had left me. That would not be good. He would think I had been snatched.

  Evelyn, that eerie voice floated again.

  Who are you? I demanded.

  I nearly barreled into two women and I screamed in fright as I skidded to a stop, clutching my chest.

  “I am so sorry!” I gasped. “I’m just a bit lost.”

  “Aren’t we all a bit lost?” one of the women asked.

  I looked at both closely. The pair were near identical with long flowing black hair and dark brown eyes. They were the same height and had full looking figures, quite curvy and even alluring looking. Their eyes were made up heavily and smoky and their lips gleamed bright red. I found myself feeling dizzy as I tried to register where I had seen them before.

  “Salem,” the one to the left called gently. “Come out and meet your host.”

  I felt as if my chest were being ripped at savagely and I swore I heard something tear as my body felt stretched. Dark arms protruded from me before a head and set of broad shoulders appeared. I screamed in both pain and horror at the sight of someone emerging from my body. When the figure had fully exited I felt this rush of fatigue and I fell to my knees limply, pressing my palms into the grass.

  “So weak!” a deep male voice spat but I knew that voice belonged to the one who had been tormenting my mind for months. “Being in her body makes me feel weak.”

  “She is powerful and you know it!” snarled one of the women. “This is the one who was promised to end us. This is the girl who will fulfill our mothers final blow!”

  “I have been in her mind for months!” Salem growled. “She has nothing! How many more minds of your descendants must I invade?”

  “This is her, I know it is.”

  “So, end her!” Salem growled tiredly as I began to rise to my feet. “If you’re so sure!”

  “We can’t!” Hissed one of them. “We have tried and we cannot. She must do it herself.”

  “That’s what you’re supposed to be achieving, Salem!”

  “I can only do so much,” he growled. “Every moment I almost have her you pull me back, demanding something from me and forcing me to let her be and then she regains momentum! If you want my help, then butt out Tatiana!”

  “Watch how you speak to my sister,” the other woman growled and I found myself staring more closely.

  Bile rose in my throat as I realized who they were.

  Danyeela and Tatiana.

  The Rosewood Sisters.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Hey!” a voice shouted from my left and I looked over to see who it was as did the rest of the party. Lucy stood in the entry way, hands on her hips and fire in her eyes. “What are you doing with Evelyn?”

  “It’s one of her friends,” Salem whispered. “The beautiful one.”

  “We need to leave,” Tatiana said airily and ignored Lucy as if she weren’t even there. “Salem, finish what you started or we’re through with you and you know what that means.”

  “Don’t threaten him!” Danyeela hissed. “He is not yours.”

  I was so confused by what was happening around me. Lucy was walking closer and the sisters were moving away. My head throbbed and my vision blurred slightly and the two seemed to blend into one before vanishing entirely. A cold hand on my shoulder had me looking up into the hooded face of Salem and before I could register what was happening, he reentered me causing pain to lash through my body.

  “Evelyn!” Lucy cried as she dropped to her knees and gripped my arm. “Evelyn, what the hell was that?”

  My body trembled as I struggled to regain myself and I frantically sought out my wolf but found myself unable to grasp our connection. Instead I was met with that awfully cold and despairing feeling coating my insides like honey and I was unable to shake it. Instead my fingers dug into the grass and an earth shattering scream echoed in the space around us as my throat went raw from the pain of it.

  “Evie!” Lucy cried frantically.

  She’s seen too much, Salem whispered softly. You must end her.

  My mouth dried and my blood ran cold. No!

  She’ll spill your secret to your friends—

  Then you’ll be found out and I will have help to end you once and for all! I cried.

  What did I say would happen if you did that? Salem demanded. Or should I give you some reality to help you understand?

  “Evie—” Lucy’s worry was cut off when my own arms extended and gripped around her throat and she gagged, clawing at my wrists.

  Stop! I screamed internally as hot tears gathered in my eyes.

  Stop what? Salem demanded. I’m doing nothing, these are your hands.

  Lucy’s struggles were becoming weaker, but my hands only seemed to be tightening. My chest constricted as I tried to claw my way through and take control. I felt like I was in one of those dreams where you were trying to run as fast as you could, but you were essentially walking for all the speed you were gaining. Her face was bright red, near purple and her eyes bulged.

  With one final kick, her body went limp and my hand released. Lucy fell in a stiff heap on floor. I stood over her, my heart pounding in my chest and blood feeling as if it were rushing through my ears. Lucy was actually dead.

  I killed Lucy.

  “Oh no,” I whispered as I put my hand over my mouth. “Oh Morgana, no. No, no, no!”

  I sucked in air and with trembling hands I rolled her body over, yelping when her limbs flailed and fell lifeless to the floor. Her eyes were wide open, her chest unmoving and her eyes leaked, more than likely from the pressure I had on her throat and the terror she must have felt.

  “Oh help,” I wheezed as I jammed my fist in my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

  What did you do Evelyn? Salem demanded.

  “This is a dream,” I said frantically. “You have done this before, this is not real!”

  “Evelyn?” a voice whispered beside me and I yelled in shock. “Evelyn, why am I lying there like that…. why am I here?”

  “Oh Evelyn,” Jonah ghosted in my ear before appearing in front of me.

  “I didn’t,” I shook my head frantically. “I didn’t.”

  “Oh, but you did,” Jonah laughed before staring Lucy up and down. “Welcome to Hell.”

  “Evie what did you do!” Lucy shrieked, gripping my shoulders.

  Fire coursed through my body just from her touch and I jumped backward. “Lucy, I didn’t do it! This wasn’t me—I am so—Oh Morgana!”

  “Evelyn!” Lucy cried, tears spilling from her eyes as she stared in horror at her own lifeless body. “I’m not—I can’t be… Geoff… no. No! No!”

  “Lu
cy,” I whimpered.

  “Excuse me?” Someone shook my shoulder hard and in sheer anger and frustration I screamed so loudly and violently that I hurt my own ears. Agony and anger laced through me to my very core and I wanted to rip whoever else had decided to join the party in half.

  A tall girl with wide brown eyes and giant curls jumped away from me with a yell. “Fuck, calm down you freak!”

  “Hey!” Grace’s voice shouted and I blinked quickly as I saw her running toward me.

  When had the maze become so lit up?

  Lifting my eyes, I eyed the mason jars above me and the loud music of the Fairground. Children screaming and people’s joyous laughter penetrated my ears like knives. A sound I had relished in now made me see red. I stood where Aiden had left me, clutching at my giant bear and his small dog, leaning up against a wall. The entry to the hedge wasn’t far away and I noticed a crowd of people making their way out, all laughing with one another.

  “Evie,” Grace said as she took my arm. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m—”

  What was I?

  That wasn’t real Evie, my wolf sighed weakly. I’ve been trying to pull you out of that vision.

  Tat-Tatiana and Danyeela, I managed. They were here.

  No, they weren’t, my wolf assured me. They were in your mind, with Salem. They’re trying to crack you Evelyn. They want you taken out. They’re trying to drive you insane.

  Well it’s darn well working! I cried hysterically.

  “Evelyn!” Grace demanded beside me and I looked at her in annoyance.

  “What?” I snapped.

  “Your eyes are glowing, control yourself and your wolf!” Grace growled. “I came here to tell you that dad pulled Aiden to patrol the moment he stepped foot outside of the toilet. Mom and I are taking you home. Once you’re in a better mood you can meet us at the car.”

  Grace sauntered off and I found myself making a very unattractive face at her back. I hadn’t come down from that vision yet, I was very much stuck in what I thought had just been my reality. I had been standing here this whole damn time, thinking I had killed Lucy! Grace wouldn’t be so on me if she knew what I had just experienced.

  I knew there was no way I could leave without knowing Lucy was alive and safe.

  I whipped out my phone and sent her a text, asking if she wanted to go for a run tomorrow. When my phone beeped and her name popped up I sighed in relief, a calm wave coming over me. Taking a deep breath in, I closed my eyes and tuned out the sounds around me, before I exhaled powerfully. Running a trembling hand down my face I made my way to the exit of the fair with a throbbing head and heavy heart.

  ∞

  Pacing mine and Aiden’s room alone later that night I found myself in an awful state. I couldn’t think clearly, I couldn’t close my eyes because each time I did, Lucy’s bright red face and bulging eyes was stamped across my mind like some giant poster. My breathing would quicken before I felt like I was being strangled myself.

  I needed help, I was way in over my head here. I couldn’t do this much longer.

  What if I killed someone for real and thought it was a dream?

  We can do this Evelyn, my wolf encouraged. It’s going to take everything you’ve got but we can win this. We can get him out.

  It’s not just him! I spluttered. It’s Danyeela and Tatiana. They want me dead!

  We’ll stop them too then! My wolf decided confidently. Evelyn, don’t underestimate your ability. You’re a powerful witch—an extremely powerful witch and you can get rid of him.

  But what did I do to them? I thought tiredly.

  You’re powerful and that makes you a threat. You can do things most witches are unable to Evelyn!

  I gripped my head in my hands. There’s something else. They would have heard about me before, why now? What have I done?

  My wolf went silent and I cried out into the abyss of my mind.

  I know what you’ve done, Salem tittered happily and revulsion washed through me. You gave me free access. You stuck your nose in somewhere you weren’t supposed to. Then you made a very stupid mistake.

  What?

  I’m not going to spell it out for you Evelyn.

  I’m telling someone, I threatened. I’m not doing this anymore. I don’t care who you kill—because once I get my time with you, I swear to Morgana I’m going to shred you into nothing. It’s going to be slow and painful. I’m going to hurt you the way you have hurt me. When I’m done with you I’m going after them and you better hope they’re ready for me!

  I was met with cold silence, but I swore black and blue that I felt a small trace of fear. Was that mine or his?

  Perhaps my threat needs to be followed through on, Salem said suddenly. Your mate is out running tonight. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Leave him alone!” I shouted out loud before I clapped my hand over my mouth.

  Pain coursed through my right leg, as if it were snapped and I fell to a heap on the floor. I gripped it in agony and clenched my teeth. Something wasn’t right. I could feel shock and panic, but it wasn’t mine or my wolf. It was coming from my mark.

  Evelyn.

  Evelyn.

  Evelyn.

  My name was running through my head like it was a mantra, but it sounded as if whoever were saying it was underwater. It was muffled and distorted.

  Suddenly my bedroom door burst open and The Luna stood in her robe, her eyes half glazed as she communicated through the pack link.

  “Evelyn,” she said running to my side. “Your leg!”

  “I think its broken!” I sobbed.

  “It’s not broken,” she said with panicked eyes. “It’s your mate bond. Aiden’s been hurt.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The drive to the pack clinic was the longest ride I had ever been on in my life. My palms were sweating and my gut was twisted in an awful way. The Luna was driving so fast I was terrified she might lose control of the car, but I wasn’t stupid enough to say anything. She would want to get to Aiden as quickly as possible and so did I.

  The Shadow had silenced itself, but I knew that was because my wolf was coming forward. She was worried about her mate and her panic only amplified my own. There was no room for The Shadow to get in.

  Every light in the compound was on, each household had heard that their future Alpha had been injured and I knew no one would be resting until they had the all clear. Heads were visible through windows as they glimpsed The Luna’s car speeding past.

  This was all my fault.

  I shouldn’t have provoked It and gotten so angry. I had a plan I needed to stick to, but I wasn’t even sure how much longer I could do this. Especially now, with Aiden being injured. I was starting to put my mate in the firing line.

  “Idiot!” I groaned under my breath as I punched the dash.

  “Evie?” Grace asked worriedly.

  I just shook my head and leant my head against the cool glass, feeling my irritation rise with each bump that caused me to hit my head into the window. I made myself simmer—you can’t control bumps in a road. To save myself from hissing and my wolf losing it in her already irate state, I sat up and leant my head back against the seat, closing my eyes.

  “Ev!” Grace gasped suddenly and her hand ran down my arm. “You’re sprouting fur.”

  “What?” I asked in shock.

  The Luna tore her eyes from the road ahead of us before she looked back, shaking her head.

  Poor woman.

  “It’s going back down again,” Grace told me. “Do you feel your wolf climbing?”

  “She’s pretty rabid right now,” I snapped out. Obviously, my wolf was stressed and trying to come forward, our mate was injured!

  “Sorry,” she said quickly. “Dumb question.”

  By the time we tore into the clinic parking lot, a crowd had gathered and they made way quickly for us as we stormed through the entrance in search of answers. The Luna didn’t even need to ask—Alpha James had sensed her
the moment she arrived and came out of a door with a somber look on his face. It was the first time I’d ever seen him look slightly panicked.

  We ran through the door that he motioned to and we found ourselves in another waiting area. I could feel Aiden behind the big glass window in front of me, but the curtains were drawn. A dry sob croaked in my chest and I leant my head against the glass, pressing my palm to it.

  My wolf whined and whimpered in my head and I could feel myself cowering with her.

  “What happened?” The Luna demanded.

  “We’re not exactly sure,” The Alpha explained. “Aiden was running lead with Sam and the two wolves running their flank were projecting when it happened. All we saw was Aiden suddenly get swept off his feet at the top of Jane’s Spring and then he went tumbling down the side.”

  The flank wolves usually projected, it provided extra eyes to watch for rogue attacks or weird events like this. Their minds would have been open to the pack link, watching all their movements.

  “So, he tripped?” The Luna asked dubiously.

  “No,” Alpha James shook his head. “My boy does not trip. When I watched what happened, it looked like something black swept his feet up from underneath him. A hooded figure, otherworldly.”

  I shut my eyes tighter as the cold hands of The Shadow brushed against my mind.

  “And Sam?” Grace asked, her voice holding genuine concern.

  “Sam went and broke his fall,” The Alpha said in surprise. “He seemed to see Aiden trip before it was even happening. Sam took the brunt of it, but when he rolled, he was gored by a stick. They’re still working on removing it. Karla is beside herself.”

  “Aiden’s injuries?” The Luna asked in a muted voice.

  “Broken leg,” Alpha James started. “Broken left arm, a few cracked ribs and a mighty blow to the head when he hit a boulder.”

  “It’s such a big drop up at Jane’s Spring,” Grace whimpered and my throat tightened.

  “This was no accident,” Alpha James growled. “Something came at him deliberately.”

  I sucked in a breath and my body trembled as tears managed to escape my tight rein. My cries were weak and pitiful, but Grace’s hand found its way to my back, rubbing soothingly.