— Why did you bring me here, Kimberly? Be honest with me.
The redhead leaned on one of the chairs.
You owe us something, Hayley.
— What would that be?
— A position. I told you the story of the Amas, about our creation and foundation of the pack. Your mother was our Alpha, and unfortunately she’s no longer with us, but you are. The Nannies needed a leader who has Ellen’s blood.
I moistened my lips. I could no longer postpone that moment.
And you want me to take over the Nannies.
— Leadership is yours by right.
I agreed to shake my head. I faced each of the wolves present in the tent, warriors who fought for their lives, survived through chaos, violence and danger, and had found together a reason to continue fighting. Finally, I looked at the female who crossed cities to meet me in the hope that I would claim my right to the leadership of the Amas.
I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.
— Kimberly has hardened himself.
— You can’t be serious.
— Kimberly, you were looking for Arabella Labonair, and she’s dead, the leader the Amas had hoped for no more.
— You were promised to us still in the womb of Ellen— protested the female.
Aiden remained silent beside me.
I can’t take your place.
She’s got red eyebrows.
— What are you talking about?
— As I listened to your story, I realized there’s no one better to lead the Nannies than you, Kimberly. You fought and bled for the Amas, and you deserve to lead them.
The female’s eyes filled with tears.
— Hayley, this is impossible, only one of Ellen’s lineage can take this place.
— If my mother were alive, I know she would approve of my decision. Family is not based on blood, but a choice.
— I am not an Alpha.
Aiden blew his head off.
— Being an Alpha doesn’t mean having orange eyes or the title, but a real Alpha fights to protect his teeth and nails. You made these females your family and these lands your home, the honor and bravery in your struggle. Hayley is right, you are worthy of that designation.
A shadow of commotion took Kimberly’s pale face.
— Are you giving up?
I got up from the chair and went to Kimberly, holding the female’s hands.
— I want you in front of the Amas, leading the loyal and brave warriors who are, I wish to have them fighting beside me when our enemies arise, but most of all, I want the Amas to be legends among our people as the pack of females that have overcome the oppression and abuse of our hierarchy.
She caught her thin lips.
Are you sure about that?
Smile for the Kimberly.
— Our struggle is just beginning, and with the Nannies, we will change the world.
The female carried her fist to her chest.
— We will be loyal to you and your struggle, your mother’s legacy will remain alive as long as a Nanny’s heart beats. It is a great honor to receive this mission.
Emily snorted a breath.
— Are you abandoning us because of the Supreme? Have you chosen a male over the Nannies?
— I chose myself, my family, heard the voice of my heart to make this decision and do not regret. Sometimes sacrifices need to be made for the greater good.
The wolf rolled her eyes at me.
Your mother would be ashamed of that choice.
I displayed my teeth to the female in a silent threat.
Touch my mother’s name again and I’ll rip the skin off her bones, understand?
Emily was smart not to reply, the female cast a look of indifference to Aiden and me, and turned her back, leaving the tent accompanied by other wolves.
— Don’t mind Emily, she’s a bit difficult— commented Kimberly.
Aiden put his fists on the table.
— As Alpha of the Crescents, I can assure you that the Amas will always have an ally to count, I want us to live in peace and harmony, without wars or confrontations.
I wish the same, son of Mikael.
I spent the rest of the morning and all afternoon in Amas' territory talking to Kimberly and some females. Agreements and alliances were closed, and deals created for the good of the two packs. There was reluctance due to my decision to put Kimberly in my place, but I would not go back, the choice was made.
Aiden and I return to Jack’s estate at nightfall. Something still bothered me, and so I went to Madison’s room, knocking on the door to smell Isaac inside the room.
The witch cried out.
I opened the door and saw Madison sitting on the bed with several books and Grimórios scattered around the mattress. She smiled lightly at seeing me. The noise of running water in the bathroom of the room reported that in fact Isaac was there.
— Is everything all right?
I pulled a folded sheet from my jacket and extended it to the witch.
You think you can break that spell?
Madison took the old page and read what was written there, a crease formed between her delicate eyebrows.
— What the hell is that?
A few years ago, a witch put a cloaking spell on me to mask my scent so I could escape without being recognized. However, there were certain side effects in the enchantment, my wolf cannot recognize Jack as our companion due to the magic that camouflages my essence.
— And you want to fix it soon.
— Blood Moon is just around the corner.
Madison gestured.
It doesn’t seem to be that hard.
I almost jumped for joy.
Can you help me with that?
The witch reread the enchantment once again.
— I’ll need some ingredients to break the spell, we can do it today.
HAYLEY BLAKE
The sky was free of the moon, but the stars shone brightly in the infinite and vast firmament above my head. The evening wind was cold and icy as they beat against my body as I watched Madison finish mixing the ingredients to perform the incantation that would destroy the spell in my blood.
— So, to end the spell, just take these things and say those Latin words? — asked Clary beside me, a crease formed between the eyebrows.
— You know, I don’t understand witches, it’s a strange race— commented Rebecca with a jar of candy in her hand.
To my surprise, my sister— in— law had come with Aiden to Orleans, with the Blood Moon so close, it would be impossible for them to be separated.
— Witchcraft gives me a headache— Kitsune grumbled.
— Werewolves also— added Madison from the pool and laughed at Isaac’s face.
I looked again at the sheet of paper in my hand, I had read and reread that enchantment so many times that my eyes burned.
— Do you think that if the spell is removed, your wolf will recognize Jackson as a companion? — asked Becca, curious.
— I know Jackson is my partner, but for the loop to fit, this recognition needs to happen first.
— I thank the Moon that Aiden got rid of this spell years ago— grumbled my sister— in— law while chuckling aside.
Aiden came up with a blanket in his hands and stretched the wool fabric over his companion, to protect her from the cold of the night.
— Since you insist so much on being present, at least keep you and our puppy warm.
Aiden deposited a kiss in Rebecca’s hair. She smiled gratefully, taking a spoon from candy to mouth. I looked at the full pool at the back of the house, where Madison finished throwing the herbs and Isaac lit the rest of the candles that were placed on the edge of the pool.
— Is it too cold? — I asked the witch, squeezing the robe around my body.
Clary snitched on me.
— It’s almost midnight, Hayley, obviously the water is almost frozen.
I shot Kitsune with my eyes.
Madison had explained how the ritual would be performed, to reverse the spell, I would have to plunge into the cold water of the pool, thus lowering my body temperature, approaching death, that was the worst part. My wolf would be weakened by the thermal sensation near the freeze, as well as the bonds of the spell, it would be at this moment that Madison would come into action with her magic. The little witch was a genius.
I approached the pool and risked putting my foot in the cold water, I jumped away, it was freezing.
— Shit.
I bit my lower lip, nervous and anxious. I tried not to think about Jack’s absence, but it was impossible, I knew he was on his way, but I couldn’t help but want him to be with me at that moment. I shook my head in denial, pushing away certain thoughts and focusing on Madison finishing the spell.
I felt the presence of Aiden beside me.
Are you ready for this?
I exhaled deeply.
I’ve been ready my whole life.
Madison finally informed me that everything was ready, I pulled a long breath by taking the cotton robe wrapped around my body, feeling the merciless cold of the night hitting me. I clenched my teeth when entering the pool, the water was freezing, almost immediately I felt the natural temperature of my body fall as I dived into the ice water.
— Leave your mind clear and relax, Hayley— Madison said in a low voice approaching.
— She’s gonna turn into a frozen fish— I heard Clary say from somewhere.
My eyelids weighed as my body temperature kept falling, the ice penetrated my veins, cooling my blood, making me sleepy. I fought against the unconsciousness that called me softly in the back of my mind, I could not fall asleep. I spotted Madison in front of me with a talisman raised in her right hand as she rested her left on my forehead.
— That might hurt— warned you.
— I trust in you.
Madison nodded and closed her eyes, beginning to recite the incantation. The talisman in her hand shone in the darkness of the night and that’s when I felt the witch’s magic coursing through my body. It was as if burning fire burned me from the inside out, I arched my back, a scream escaping from my lips that trembled due to the cold.
The winds turned violent, and the pool waters stirred.