With Pax heading the opposite way, Julien finished the pack meeting; assigning a few wolfs who volunteered to keep an eye on Pax.
Penelope was going to take the first few shifts, along with let her know that other wolfs would be there after her; nothing to worry about when she felt them nearby. Daven is planned for a meeting in Alaska tomorrow but that was still a long time for her to be left unintended.
Julien knew the likely hood of how quickly he could change his plans, get even a scent of something that could made him paranoid and not go at all. He promised Pax no risks so this will be cut and dry to get Katy's mate.
Despite how much he wished to take care of him, he wouldn't even care if it was in the dinner. With Katy however, she was going to wonder for him the moment we entered the area and he would sniff her out eventually. Knowing how clear Pax's scent is. Not only as his mate but as a witch; one of the reasons Nick was attracted to her.
Part of the reason werewolf's and witches have coexisted for so long, they are easy to find and easy to get help from because they are simply good. Nick didn't understand why any of it was happening let alone why she smelled so different.
But she was there to help him indeed, without even asking or understanding what he actually was. The good she had within her nothing compared to Julien's.
''Do you want to drive us to school tomorrow? I'm actually kind of beat from all the driving I've done in the past few days.'' Dean requested as we both pulled out the last of our stuff, having helped him unpack everything else.
I had repacked the grimoire in my bag once we got out and slung it over my shoulder. ''Wow it only took one day.'' I nodded though before I smiled. ''Are you sure you're gonna wake up in time?'' I saw how tired he is, even still feeling the effects; from all his driving too.
Remembering his very convincing statement to think about it.
He paused as he leaned against the other side of the truck after putting his last bag over his shoulder. Giving me a look that means he might just change his mind after all.
''Okay!'' I put my hands up in defense but with a smile. ''I can drive but you better be the one on time this time.'' He doesn't get to that for all these years without some pay back.
''I have never been late in my entire life.'' He spoke an utter lie; him the one who was always running late for just about anything possible. He better show up too or I'll be forced to let myself in tomorrow after school.
As he apparently loves to do so much; with the key I was still unsure how he got a copy of.
He moved his hand from his chest where he had placed it in his defensive of his honor before we parted ways. He was going to get a head start on getting some rest and when I got inside I texted Julien to let him know I got home; not expecting a text back with him most likely on the road.
''Oh my; could that really be my daughter, an adult now?'' My mother got my attention as I locked my phone and looked up at her, coming from the kitchen. She smiled upon me looking at her before we met for a hug.
I smiled as we hugged before pulling back. ''All that's left is for me to graduate.'' I told her. That being another important milestone in truly becoming said adult.
She however seemed to no longer like the joke; despite being the one who made it in the first place. ''Let's not get ahead of ourselves.'' She let out a sigh; glad for it to not be time. ''I'll let you get unpacked-shower and all that. If you want dinner it should be done by then.''
She explained me before I nodded and made my way upstairs to do exactly that; plugging my phone in before I unpacked and picked out some PJ's to change into for after my shower. I didn't really need one but it would help calm my nerves about Julien's trip and his distance.
Nothing could happen to him; I need him already.
Once I finished my shower and felt a bit more calm I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. My phone needed to charge so I left it upstairs. Not having heard it go off from the shower I knew Julien is busy.
Despite very much wanting to call and hear his voice already again-I nodded the thoughts from my head as I entered the kitchen. He had to do this; even though I was beginning to agree with Penelope's idea to just call the elders. Let them deal with it all; If Katy's mate is innocent then he will be fine.
''So how did your trip go?'' My mother asked when she noticed me, pausing in her actions to put away the diner she had made. My plate made beside the containers. Normally that would be a simple question to answer; good, but this time was just a bit more. More complicated.
Those two nights I spent with Julien made up for everything else that happened. Not that helping Katy and her son was bad I just didn't see the trip going that way. Not to mention the grimoire he gifted me. One she was very excited to look at but unfortunately she had no clue how to read it either.
She did however agree that it did seem like it all is in a riddle like style; hiding her actual style within it. Not just her style but to keep someone from being able to understand any of her spells. Her gift was to heal, maybe she knew spells related; nothing to be messed around with.
Maybe she did know how to bring people back from death; or close but knew it wasn't something to just do, the balance needed to be kept. That could have been what truly angered Julien's father enough for him to kill her. She would have had the knowledge to know when it was right or wrong; being her gift for a reason.
Like my mother- when her mother found out she had cancer, she wanted to heal her but not only would it have been too much for her to handle but when she tried it she was unable to even help with a fraction of it. Something that was meant to be; meant to happen.
One of our biggest burdens was to deal with the balance, forced to deal with the bad parts of it too. If it was meant to happen then there was just nothing we could do; no power could be granted for things already decided.
A thought that somehow brought me a bit of comfort tonight, Daven was anything but balance. There clearly has to be a few things that happen before he is brought up for everything he has done; his time indeed coming. I could feel it.
''Have you heard anything from Julien?'' She asked as we walked upstairs together, having finished dinner and ready to get some sleep for school tomorrow; and driving there. I would never hear the end of it; even if I made one mistake.
Getting every detail about the trip well I ate, finding it all so interesting and very much wanting to meet Katy. She had felt me wonder but knew I could handle anything with both Dean and Julien beside me. Dean knew nearly everything about my magic and how to help; Julien knew how to protect me and help me wonder. Not that I had known that until he helped.
I nodded though. ''I did leave my phone to charge though.'' He could have tried or even texted but I halted for a moment when I felt a presence before I recognized it. ''Penelope?'' I questioned out loud before my mother stopped to and looked back at me.
''Penelope?'' She repeated, asking me this time. ''From Julien's pack?'' She asked, feeling her now too. Somehow I sensed her before she did. Maybe just more familiar with their energies now.
I nodded and hurried to get my phone before I slipped on shoes to meet her outside. Wondering why she would be here; and at this hour? Getting late and the sun long set from the time spent catching up with mom.
I said goodnight to her, not sensing anything up with her energy and after I figure out what's up I was going to get some sleep too. Maybe I would see dad coming home on my way back in. Having yet another late night, trying to keep caught up with all the new clients that were coming it.
Maybe one of us should advise him to put up a new cap; only taking a certain amount at one time. Not to overwork either of them but still able to take on more when he finished up with some of them.
I wrapped my arms over each other when the chill in the air hit me before I made my way across the yard to meet Penelope who had began walking from the tree line.
''I assume he didn't mention it then?'' She asked, getting straight to the point; seeming aware of his ability to leave things out. I nodded, not even knowing what she could be referring to of him leaving out.
''Mention what?'' I asked and stopped as we meet in the middle of the yard.
''Me and a few other wolves are going to keep an eye on you- I choose first shift.'' She told me, explaining something Julien should have mentioned. I sighed though, he had the time to tell me instead of waiting for her to get here to do so.
''The house is spelled and isn't Daven going to be in Alaska?'' I told her and partly asked, sure she already knows but trying to find the logic in Julien's actions aloud. She shrugged, indeed knowing those things but then I sighed. ''Do you want to come inside, or I could just tell Julien you were here?'' I did not want her to have to be here. Sure there was much more better things she could be doing.
She nodded though, declining both my offers. ''The shifts are already decided, I don't mind and when you are at school you aren't spelled.'' She told me, someone was going to follow me to school and sit outside the whole school day just to watch me?
How important could I really be?
After talking with her a bit more about exactly what Julien had set into motion and how others volunteered to do so well he was away. She said they already consider me to be a Luna despite no said ceremony having happened.
It was a good thing Penelope came first or I may have freaked out a bit at the strange energy. All the other wolves I am familiar with are either busy or on their way to Alaska. Unless Nick was in control enough to be able to do it. Not seeming like the best idea if Julien thought there was a chance for anything to go wrong.
I headed back inside and checked my phone once I closed the back door behind me and began to make my way back upstairs to my room. Ready for bed beside wanting to talk to Julien once more. I smiled as I noticed the missed call; giving me the chance to call him back. Guilt free of being a distraction given him being the first one to make the call and not me.
I clicked onto the missed call before clicking to re-dial his number as I closed my bedroom door and moved to lay onto the bed. Cuddling into my blanket as a way to feel like I was cuddling into him. How much I wanted his arms around me right now.
He answered after only a few rings, ready for me to call him back. His missed call to tell me of Penelope's arrival and perhaps of the others. ''Hey; Pax-'' The haste in his voice was clear but I stopped him with a bit of a laugh.
''Penelope explained the watchers.'' I used the word carefully, what they are going to be; I knew Daven was invested in finding whoever he was looking for and would remain in Alaska until that went wrong.
We spoke about him not doing anything in public either so there really was no reason for me to be watched at the school, I'm spelled safe and sound in the house when I'm not there and I wasn't worried about the bit of time I would spend at Dean's with Cordelia. Not bothering to mention it to him; I was going to be watched anyways.
He sighed though, at my choice of words. ''I just need to you to be safe; Daven isn't the only one we know to worry about.'' I shifted in bed to sit up a bit. I was not aware of anyone else we should be.
The last thing I needed was another enemy as Julien loved to put it.
''Who else do I need to worry about?'' If I was the one who would be in danger then It should be me worried about it. If Daven wasn't my only problem then I also deserved to know who else to keep an eye out for. Just getting used to him being my enemy and now I have more apparently.
Julien was silent on the other side for a few moments, both hesitating and delaying his answer; trying to find the best way to tell her and to not freak her out or even scare her away.
''You are my only real weakness Pax.'' He finally spoke, telling me with the words he found to be right. Not just Daven capable of wanting to use to bring Julien the real pain. It was never about me to begin with; I was just brought into it all.
Julien did his best to assure me of his protection and after a bit more talking between the both of us we said our goodbyes for the both of us to get some rest. Once I finished my struggle to fall asleep; I managed to sleep the rest of the night; no visions to be seen. Awaking to still feel Penelope being the one still on watch.
Once I got ready for school and ate a quick breakfast I texted Dean, seeing if he was ready but to also rush him if he wasn't. Ready to go at the bottom of my driveway. When I waited I had messed around with a few of the features I wasn't used to. Modern features that his truck did not offer; despite his many attempts to upgrade it over the years.
The first half of the school day was painfully boring compared to what Julien would be doing. Hard to pay attention when I knew what he was doing. Instead of lunch I used it more as a free period and sat in the library. A nice quiet place where no one would be caught dead in during lunch; or really any time or day where they did not need to be.
Detention being held in here tends to leave a bad taste in people's mouth.
''Luke?'' Julien sat himself across from Katy's mate; able to smell him as he was, having watched him the moment he entered the diner. He only gave Julien a single nod before speaking. Politely declining the coffee that the waitress had attempted to offer him once she noticed another in the booth.
''Where is she.'' Luke was not asking, demanding with her scent clear on him once she walked away. Able to smell more then one witch too. His voice remained low however; the dinner nearly full, the early hour attracting them with the coffee. Julien presence masking her scent and distracting him with how he smelled of her.
Julien pointed outside, Katy stood just outside the car; looking around as she waiting for them to hurry. Worried for Daven to show up any minute. Not able to see him through the window form such a distance; across the parking lot.
''You can seek the safety of my pack; just as she has.'' Julien offered before he sat back. Only needing one thing from him first. Daven would catch his scent and go running in the opposite direction. Not worried about the time frame when Alex stood outside to protect her.
Luke sat closer to him now. ''And what do you want in return?'' He knew that he would not have come all this way just to reunite him with his mate. Not with the look he had in his eyes; having found his.
''All the information you have on him; the name of who he wanted you to find.'' Julien made himself clear, also knowing they both knew he would become apart of his pack; declare his real position against Daven.
Luke looked down in thought for a moment before he looked straight out the window to Katy once again. ''Where is my son?'' His anger was replaced with emotion as he asked, his real selling point lying in the safety of his son.
Julien nodded when he looked to Katy. ''He's with my pack healer, safe at the pack house.'' Julien would never risk bringing a child to anything with even an ounce of danger; his own or not.
''I only have the name.'' Luke moved a bit to pull something from his back pocket before showing Julien. More then willing to cooperate and offer his help; clearly having not found whoever it is.
And it was all Julien needed to pull out his phone to make the call to alert the elders and start their trip back home to the pack house and to Pax. He would allow Katy and Luke their time to reconnect and do a search of his own before they left. Making sure this wasn't the actual closet location.
I found my way to the farthest part of the library away from where the librarian sat at the front entrance before I pulled my phone out. Julien finally calling me after making me worry for so long. With no idea of when the meeting was supposed to take place.
''Hey.'' I spoke first, not whispering but keeping my voice low to not draw attention. ''How did it all go?'' I asked with a swallow as I looked around before glancing at the book's of the isle I was in. I just happened to find my way to the mythology section.
''It went well.'' He told me and I heard him sigh but he spoke further. ''We are actually on our way back now. Luke couldn't find Davens target so I gave it a shot but-'' Julien sighed again before his voice became quite as he seemed to speak to someone else.
I glanced up at the clock before I pulled a book from the shelf, I might as well make it look like I was here for a reason and at this point I wasn't so doubtful about finding things based in fact. It read 'The Cursed Objects Of The Witches-A History'. With a gift like Katy's and the cuffs she made; I could see the possibly of others creating such objects.
Objects like that like, like weeds; only a weed if someone doesn't want it.
''I'm sorry, how's your day been so far?'' He changed the subject, I could hear the smile in his voice; wanting to hear about me. I opened the book to view the chapters before I looked up with a smile.
''It's good now.'' I told him and closed the book to check it out and look at later. ''Who is Daven looking for?'' I asked, whoever he had responded to hadn't let him finish. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Alex.
''I don't know who she is but I've got a scent and her name; Adeline Durand.'' I narrowed my eyes for a moment at her last name; not clicking right away.
''Durand?'' I asked, just to be clear I heard it right after all once I did recognize it. Not sure how it would be possible if it were true.
''Yes; why?'' Julien asked, hearing how I asked. Not just out of curiosity. It was so much more.
I nodded to myself as I tried to process it, that last name was a rare one; created through a coven. I swallowed before I looked up once again; as if I was looking right at him.
''That's my mother's maiden name.'' Rakken my dad's last name, acquired through their marriage with the name change. She thought it a good way to give us both a better chance to hide, changing her name and giving me his last name once I was born.
What was the likely hood this was someone with the same last name that Daven just happened to be looking for? Who could she be and how am I related to her?
''Do you recognize the first name?'' He asked, hearing the new tone to his voice, the confusion and clear know how that it was unlikely this was a random women with the same last name that my mother used to have; the one that she shared with the whole coven, her family.
I remember her once talking about her coven, how it was one of the few in the world that only had witches that were related; no outsiders as she used to put it. Only those that share blood and magic; It made the magic so much more powerful with the ability to connect in such a way.
It was always hard to deal with the fact that I would never meet any of those witches; nor be a part of the coven with such power. A coven that would have been my own. My mother would have been a future leader of and as she said on my birthday; I was next in line.
A leading position I felt I may have actually been good at rather then leading werewolf's with no experience.
''My mom didn't even tell me her maiden name until a few years ago.'' I told him, not wanting me to even know the name and risk that. The hunters truly terrified her; the first time I ever saw her scared was when she described what the hunters did to the coven.
My father had known, having been something he tried to help her with; to not fear the world but until I was born he did not understand how truly fearsome the thought of hunters coming for everyone he loves.
''She is a witch Pax.'' Julien got a bit quite as he told me, having a scent or something similar. No way she isn't related now, not with her having the same last name and being a witch. I sighed now and put the book in between my arm as I began to pace the isle.
More then one person- witch survived that fire that night; having also fled to hide and start over. Either keeping her last name or Daven has enough resources to find out what her name had been. Public records making it harder and harder for us to hide. If he did even an ounce of research on me or my mother he would have easily found the last name.
''Did you already contact the elders?'' I asked, my voice now full of haste as I thought of every possible reason he would be trying to find her. No longer trying to keep my volume low as I panicked. Not to mention she is hidden for a reason; maybe the hunters never stopped searching for her or even just survivors from the fire.
''Yes but Daven probably already got my scent at the dinner and with the lack of Luke; I have a feeling he won't be sticking around.'' Somehow that brought both relief and further panic. Both glad he would be leaving the area but that meant he could either be coming back here or to search more for Adeline. ''You should tell your mom.'' Julien offered as I remained silent in thousands of thoughts.
''And what if she's known this whole time?'' I asked him, not liking the amount of things that have come up recently that she already hasn't told me.
''Then maybe we can find her.'' He told me, his voice changed to something softer as he heard my panic and clear emotion from the new found information. ''And what if she doesn't? We just found out someone your both related to is alive.'' He tried to find the positive, not truly knowing just how much that would truly mean for the both of us; maybe for her too.
Which leads to even more questions. Is she the only other one who made it out of that fire alive? Has she been alone out there this whole time? Does she know of more of us or even just other witch's? What is her gift? I stopped myself from asking to many questions and thought on Julien's points. Both of them good and offering me something else to focus on.
''My mother and I will find her, just focus on getting home.'' I told him, his voice and reasoning bringing me back enough to be able to focus on what should be. If she is related to us then she should come home to our small coven; the one I am leading and good leaders help their own.
This one is on me and not Julien to deal with this time. As much as I'm sure he would want to with his scent but it will not do him any good unless he can catch it. I however know a way to wonder using blood and with her relation it would take no time all at. Easy to do with my mother; I could just alter it slightly for her.
I could find her and still have enough time for a dress and prom. Having a few days still and time for Julien to still get home. I knew Julien's attire was already taken care of so we only had one more concern for the time being, besides having to deal with Daven.
He would be scrambling after what happened with Luke and try to deal with laying low for a bit with the elders actually searching for him; I'm sure. He may be crazy but he is anything but stupid.
''I can do that.'' He told me; the smile in his voice returning at both my request and clear stance of taking the lead on this one. One of the only times to not hear him argue it either; knowing this was more for to do then him anyways. No werewolf danger to deal with.
We both know it will be me to find her; not needing a scent like he will. Not to mention she might trust me more when she senses that I'm not only a witch as she is but I'm her family one way or another. With my mom's help too; she'll be on our side in no time if she needs any convincing.
I just hope after all this time she can be reasoned with.
......To Be Continued In The Next Chapter.......