It was approaching Christmas and finally, the first snow was falling. I stood at my bedroom window, watching the snowflakes fall from the sky. We were all waiting for Scarlett's aunt. With my arms crossed, I thought of Will sitting in the basement, a cage surrounding him. As a wolf and a human, Will loved the snow. I remembered all the times he was a giant goofball, throwing himself and others into piles.
Stepping away from the window, I glanced down at my desk where the spell Scarlett had written out for me sat. She'd made a few notes around the page, things to look for. I wondered about the potential permanent damage to Will when the spell was released.
A knock sounded on the door behind me. Chrissy leaned against the frame, hands in her back pocket.
"What's up?" I asked.
Chrissy walked into my room, seating herself on my bed, "I wanted to see how you're doing. I heard about what happened yesterday with Will."
I sighed, "yeah, I wasn't expecting that."
"What was it like?" she asked, tilting her head.
"It was like his eyeball was filled with blood. It was terrifying."
"I think I'd have freaked out. You did a good thing by staying quiet."
I leaned against the wall, nodding my head. I was surprised that I hadn't responded to the physical change.
"Do you know when Scarlett's aunt will be here?" Chrissy asked, leaning back on the bed.
I shook my head, "no clue. She lives on the East Coast for most of the year apparently. I think that's where she's coming from."
"Are you nervous?" I glanced up at her.
My eyebrows twitched, "why?"
"You look nervous," she said, jutting out her lower lip.
"Maybe?" I said with a shrug, "I don't know. I'm glad we're getting rid of this spell, but it's not the end of this. Will turned against the Pack. He knows things that could hurt all of us. He could've said something without knowing it. Carrey could convince someone else to do the same thing or even worse. I just don't know what comes next."
Chrissy stood up and walked over to me. She began to rub her hands up and down my arms.
"Things are going to be okay. We're going to stop Carrey somehow because we're the good guys. That's how it works."
I nodded and Chrissy hugged me. When she pulled back, I felt my face was wet. I chuckled at the tears on my cheeks.
"I guess I'm just feeling vulnerable. Even more so after the talk with," I sighed, "you know who."
From my room, we heard a car pull up to the house. I raised my eyebrows at Chrissy, and we left my room. Stepping on the main floor carpet, Chloe stands against the wall before the corner to the foyer..
"Scarlett's aunt is here."
Standing in the hallway, I glanced through the front room's window. A large SUV sat by the porch. Hearing a few more footsteps behind me, I glanced back at Tyler, Scott and Aaron with nosey expressions on their faces. I rolled my eyes.
"We can't all be standing here waiting to bombard her."
I walked off to the kitchen, Chrissy following me. I sat down at the island, forcing my mind not to imagine the box holding Tony's head sitting on the counter. Chrissy walked around to the fridge and took two bottles of water out. I heard Scarlett pass the door with two people, heading to Charlie's office. Chrissy looked at me, scrunching her eyebrows. I shrugged, taking a drink from the bottle of water.
"Ashlyn."
I heard my father's voice drift from down the hallway. I sighed, standing up from the stool. My father sat down behind his desk, two women sitting in the guest chairs. Scarlett and Chloe sat on the couches and Aaron leaning on the fireplace. The two women stood and stepped towards me. I raised my hand.
"I'm Karrina, Scarlett's aunt and this is my friend Brittany. She's a witch with psychic powers." I glanced at Chloe, intrigued to have another person around with abilities like hers.
I took the blonde woman's hand from Karrina. Within seconds of our palms connecting, Brittany gripped mine tighter. She looked past my head, eyes concentrating harshly. I glanced at Karrina, who watched her friend with interest. Brittany blinked longer than normal and looked back at me. She appeared surprised; eyebrows scrunched but then her face appeared to go blank.
"Your life is going to become violent, much more than you're used to," she said. I was taken back for a moment then laughter bubbled out of my mouth.
"I feel like that might be the mantra for me recently," Brittany nodded and smiled, "but thank you for the warning."
Brittany and Karrina returned to their seats and I leaned against the doorframe to my father's office. Charlie's eyes moved between Brittany and Karrina, a few looks sent towards me. He didn't know what to do with Brittany's comment. If I were to analyze him, I'd say my father looked worried. Glancing at Scarlett and Chloe, they both just shrugged. Neither knew the meaning behind her words.
"What's the plan then?" I asked, breaking the silence and looking back to the adults surrounding the desk.
"I'd like these two to start getting rid of what's in Will's head as quickly as possible," Charlie explained.
"Where are you thinking of doing that?"
"Wherever works for them," Charlie looked at Karrina, "would you rather he stay in his cell? We can handcuff him to a chair up here if you would feel better."
"I'd only like to start with an assessment today. I need to see how intense the spell is planted into his mind. Is there any way for it to be done outside?" Karrina asked. Charlie looked across the room at Aaron, who shrugged his shoulders. Charlie looked at me as well.
"As long as he's restrained and someone's watching him, I don't see a problem. I know he's eager to get on with this. Will in his regular state won't have a problem," I said, shrugging too.
Charlie nodded, "we'll do what we can."
"I'd like to start as soon as possible," Karrina answered. Charlie's eyes flickered to Aaron, who then left the room.
"Would you ladies like to bring your bags inside? We can take them around to the cottage," Chrissy asked.
"We'll wait to bring our bags in once we know we can help William," Brittany answered.
"What do you mean 'if you can help Will'? I thought that's the point of you being here?" Chrissy asked, looking between Scarlett and her aunt. Scarlett stared at her hands, uncomfortable by the accusation in Chrissy's tone. I recognized the concern she was feeling. We'd all felt that Karrina arriving meant Will would be free of the spell. There'd been faith in her abilities.
Karrina sighed, "you said that William thinks this spell has been in place for approximately seven months. That's a length of time I've never seen with this spell before. Usually it's noticed much before this. I don't know the effects or residue it will have on his mind. There could be permanent damage. I can do my best to remove it but it may be too risky."
Charlie's face didn't change from her words. He'd known these risks, I realized. My father knew there was a chance that Will might not be helped. He hadn't even told Will.
"That makes sense," I said, nodding. Chrissy glared my way, but I kept my eyes forward. I was angry with my father, for not making these risks known, but I wasn't in a spot to argue. We had to do what we could.
Aaron appeared beside me, "Will is ready to come up now."
Charlie slid his chair back, "alright. Shall we?"
We all filed onto the back porch, flowing onto the yard. I pushed aside the snow, placing myself atop the porch's banister, the worry inside myself bubbled. The muscle of the Pack came outside, spreading out. I could hear everyone else standing on the main level of the house, waiting for any possible instructions. Karrina and Brittany began to set up candles on the patio table. They ignored the snow.
"I wonder if they're going to put out crystals too," Brandon mumbled as he walked in front of me. As he sat on a cleared section of the banister, Karrina pulled a dagger from her duffle bag.
"Wasn't expecting that," Brandon muttered, shocked. I shoved him slightly, a smirk on my face.
"Be respectful or I'm going to borrow that dagger," I said back. Karrina glanced at us as she passed.
Karrina looked at the table, assessing, "you touch that dagger and you'll be set on fire. That's a promise."
Brandon raised his hands in defeat. I chuckled. A spell like that doesn't surprise me. I'd seen Scarlett put a few good zingers on her belongings before. Brandon often was the one who felt the shock.
Calmly, Kurtis and Tyler escorted Will on to the porch. Will looked around at all of us waiting. His cheeks tinted pink but he visibly rolled his shoulders back and sat on the chair set out for him. Once he sat down, Scott attached handcuffs to him. One end to the armrest of the chair, the other to his wrist. Same on the other side. Will moved his hands, testing the restrain.
"It's only an alert for us in case something happens," I reassured him, feeling guilty.
Will nodded, "good."
"I'm going to need you all to be still and silent. Strange things can happen at any time, even during an assessment," Karrina announced, pushing her sleeves up. It was only then I realized that James wasn't outside. I glanced at my father who stood next to Lawrence, both watching the witch intently.
Karrina lit the candles with a regular looking lighter, muttering under her breath. Brittany approached Will from behind, placing her hands in his hair. His eyes flickered back and forth, not knowing what was happening. Slowly, she began running her fingers through it. Will became confused but didn't say anything. Karrina picked up a red candle and on the back of each of his hands, she let a single droplet of candle wax fall. Will's face twitched at the sting. Continuing to mutter, she dipped her finger into the hot wax and placed a dot at the top of Will's forehead, slightly below his hairline.
Placing the still lit candle back on the table, Karrina put her thumbs on Will's eyelids and placed her hands on his face accordingly. Brittany stepped back, seemingly watching the candles. Karrina slowly moved behind Will, replacing Brittany's spot. Karrina ran her hands into Will's hair. She tightened her fingers, tugging the roots. Will's eyes shot open and I locked my jaw to hold in a laugh at first until I noticed a difference. His eyes were white, no pupils. Brandon and I made eye contact, Brandon as shocked as I felt. The words Karrina said sounded like mumbo jumbo to me, but I didn't try to understand them. Someone could have told me it was Latin or Kingon. I would've believed either. Will's skin began to fall pale. I was sure I could see the blood traveling from his face. Will's hands began to shake, the cuffs rattling and his fingers curling into fists.
Blood began to drip from his closed fists, fingernails puncturing his palms. I glanced at Charlie for the proper reaction. Charlie kept his head high, face expressionless. His arms were folded across his chest and his hands stayed open across the biceps. This wasn't shocking to him, I could tell. Considering the teasing and laughter from yesterday, I truly wondered what Charlie's past with witches was. I shifted to sit in a similar fashion as my father, hoping it'd help hold myself together.
Our heads all snapped to the house as a burst of voices and banging came from inside. Karrina, eyes closed, twitched her head sharply, appearing involuntarily. Brittany straightened, glaring towards the house. Aaron began to move but I raised my hand and walked into the house. Entering the kitchen, I was met by everyone. Sarah and Nicole stood in the hallway with wide eyes, staring at Cora's red face. Her cheeks were covered in tears. I had to push through Matthew and Drew to enter the kitchen fully. I could now see James in the hallway too, staring at Cora as well. Everyone's eyes trailed to me. I aggressively pointed to the general direction of my father's office. The boys began to move, but Cora stared at me. Sarah grabbed the older woman's arm, yanking her away.
Sarah and Nicole stayed in the hallway after Cora was led into my father's office. I calmly shut the door, though I wanted to slam it. The emotion between everyone was affecting me.
"What the hell's going on here?" I asked through gritted teeth. I prayed that no one could hear from outside. It was why I chose to bring them to the furthest room on the floor from the back door. I gave each person a pointed glare, waiting for someone to talk. I returned to looking at my twin brother for answers.
"Well?" I snapped, arms cropped. His jaw shifted, and there was a flash of defiance in his eyes but Drew pushed it away.
"We were all watching from different windows. When Cora saw the blood coming out of Will's hand, she decided it was her job to go outside and stop what was happening. We tried to stop her and keep her quiet. Obviously that didn't work," Drew explained.
"I wouldn't have reacted like I did if I'd been made aware in the first place some witch would be performing a dangerous spell on him," Cora snapped, stepping towards Drew.
"Hey," I barked, stepping forwards, "back down. Now."
Cora turned on me, "you decided to let witches on Pack territory to fix whatever messed up crap is in Will's head that was put there by some other magical people," Cora took a step towards me, "if you hadn't started this fever dream that werewolves had to be friends with everyone in the world, Will wouldn't be bleeding and in pain right now. Witches wouldn't have infiltrated Talia Grove. Tony, Bill and Michael wouldn't have been murdered," Cora scoffed, "back down, my ass. This is your fault and the adults are going to have to fix it."
I growled, "I said back the hell down, Cora."
"I don't listen to you."
My jaw shifted and a smile formed on my face from the challenge in her words, "you do actually. I'm the Alpha's daughter. I command you and you have no choice but to listen. And if you decide to question that, you deal with your Alpha, not your friend, Charlie. Keep acting like you are and you'll mess up the witch's assessment. The assessment that is connecting magic to Will's brain. She's here to save him from magic that's eating away at his brain," I said, matching the challenge in Cora's eyes. I stood just above her eye level, especially with my chin tilted upwards. Cora and I glared at each other. Each person in the room was frozen. I squared my shoulders and lowered my head, still staring into her eyes. I was pushing her to make a choice.
After a minute, Cora stepped back. Her eyes dropped to the ground and Cora seemed to curl in on herself. I returned to my regular stance, finally breaking my stare at the older woman.
"That's what I thought," I muttered. Everyone around the room was shocked. Eyes wide and mouths open. I'd never thrown my position around before. I could still feel the power running through my veins. I shut my eyes and pushed my lips together. It was a weird feeling. I looked at James. He almost seemed impressed with a smirk on his face. No matter where we sat emotionally, James was my right hand. He'd listen to me and always do what I'd ask.
"Put her in the cells. We don't need another interference," I instructed him. James nodded, moving towards Cora.
"Ashlyn-" Matthew began to say, worry in his voice.
"Don't or I'll lock you up with her. Go with James please," It was an empty threat, but the cooling anger pulsed through me still. I was back to myself enough to make the request sound friendly.
James placed his hand around Cora's upper arm and led her out of the office without much resistance. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I genuinely expected her to start yelling again. Rolling my shoulders back, I knew I'd returned to myself. Rubbing my hand across my forehead, I looked at my twin brother. His arms were crossed, and he had a smirk similar to the one James had been wearing.
"I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd ever pull out the Alpha gene inside of you. Says something about the future of this Pack."
I ran my hands over my eyes and walked into the hallway. Sarah and Nicole leaned against the wall across from the office door.
"Sorry you heard that," I said to them as I made my way back to the kitchen.
Back outside, Karrina was blowing out the candles and Brittany wrapped up Will's hands. I went back to my spot beside Brandon, watching the witch/psychic be so gentle with my friend.
"What did I miss?" I asked, leaning towards him.
"The assessment went well, I guess. Karrina has decided to start the counter spell in a couple of days, but she needs time to prepare," Brandon explained.
Chloe sauntered across the patio, pulling her sweater tightly across her chest. She glanced at Karrina, Brittany and now Scarlett put away the candles before stopping in front of me.
"What happened inside?" Brandon questioned, stretching his arms in the air.
"Ashlyn showed her Alpha," Chloe said, leaning against the railing beside me. I barely glanced at her, but the corner of my mouth turned up a little. I felt oddly proud of myself.
"What?" Brandon leaned forward, his thick eyebrows connected in the centre as he looked at our roommate.
"It's nothing," I said looking at Chloe, "don't worry about it."
My elbows rested against the front porch railing, a beer in my hands. I looked at the front woods, watching the snow stick to the ground and the trees. I thought about how yesterday played out. I knew I'd been severe to Cora yesterday. I wasn't sure what came over me. I knew Drew had called it 'my inner Alpha' but I hadn't called on anything. I didn't do it on purpose. It was like she had challenged me and it came out of me, snapping into place. Thinking about the few minutes of the interaction, I remembered the power and it felt good.
The front door opened behind me and footsteps stepped on the wooden panels. My father with a sweater in his hands. I looked back out at the yard, taking a drink from the bottle. I felt the weight of the fabric rest on my shoulders.
"I'm already wearing a sweater," I said in a low voice.
"A long-sleeved shirt doesn't count as a sweater. I thought your mother taught you that. Or was that supposed to be my job?"
I just shrugged as a response. Charlie chuckled, leaning against the railing beside me. We'd discussed my interaction with Cora last night. Charlie wasn't impressed that I'd locked her in a cage, but he was sure I'd learn to think more rationally while having those feelings. On the other hand, he was glad I took control of a situation that would've made everything go wrong. He said at the end of the day, I shouldn't feel badly about being assertive. It was my place to make those decisions, no matter how scary it felt.
"How's Karrina doing today?"
"You mean this morning?" Charlie corrected, a pointed look to the beer in my hands. I shrugged at the fact it was ten o'clock in the morning. I held the beer out to him. Charlie took it silently. After a drink, he handed it back.
"Both of them are still in the cottage. They seemed exhausted when I stopped by earlier."
"I would be too if I'd performed a counter spell or whatever they did yesterday," I took another drink of beer, "I'm grateful, you know. I know I've behaved confusingly with Will, and Daniel, and everything. I think I've started figuring out where I stand though."
Charlie wrapped his arm over my shoulder and kissed the side of my head. I rested my head against my father. Physical affection wasn't his thing, but it was nice when it happened.
"I'm glad. I know this isn't how you wanted to spend your second year of college, but I need your help. Without your mother, I need someone logically with a slight guidance from emotions."
I smirked, raising my head, "you mean you get to live vicariously through my rage? Enjoy the moments I burst?"
Charlie chuckled, not looking at me, "there's that too."
Falling back into silence, my ears picked up the noises of everyone starting to move around for the day. Taking another drink of beer, I heard my sister tell someone off for taking her food and Brandon poking at Kurtis, trying to start a play fight. Somehow, amidst all the chaos in our lives, the Pack didn't change who they were. It was as peaceful as I could imagine.