The Hag is Here

CHAPTER 13: THE HAG IS HERE
~ Gabriel’s POV ~

I decided not to argue with him. I still didn’t know how well Harper could handle herself on the field. I can’t be confident in her abilities until I see for myself.
“You know something I don’t,” Tanner said while looking at me suspiciously. I am not playing this game again with Tanner. I decided to ignore him and make my way toward my shower. “Gabe, I think I am going to invite Harper to join me for a run tonight. I hate to ditch you but she’s really cute.” My eyes fell instantly black. Red hot fire rolled over my body as my anger surged to another level. Before he could even finish what, he was saying I slammed my fist so hard into his jaw I felt a pop. Tanner’s body fell to the floor from the force of my hit. Unable to stop myself I landed on top of him ready to land another blow. Tanner threw up both hands submitting to me.
“Gabe, STOP, STOP! I wasn’t being serious. I knew she had something to do with your foul mood yesterday.” Mika coming close to clawing his way to the surface to take full control
“He is lying!” Mika’s voice was blasting in my mind. Growling and teeth snapping made it hard for me to concentrate. “He meant every word of it. He has a thing for our Harper…. He… He wants to bed her!”

I pushed Mika as far back into my mind as I could, but he was angry. He loved Tanner because he was like a brother to me, but when it comes to Harper it’s safe to say Mika plays no games. I backed up off Tanner and looked down at him as he was wiping blood from his lip. Feeling guilty now I reached down to help him up. It is not common for us to come to blows. I should have known he would figure me out. I glanced back toward his face. I could see that he was already healing.
“It’s ok, you don’t have to talk right now. I just had to confirm my suspicion. When you are ready, I am here though. Oh, and back to Samantha… how could you…yuck!” rolled my eyes at him. “Hey, did you hear that Harper is getting her wolf the day of the solar eclipse and summer solstice?” Tanners asked me.
“Yeah, I actually did. How big of a coincidence is that? I asked.
“You know what all the stories say. What if there is some truth behind them?” Tanner’s tone turned serious. If the stories were true, that would mean trouble. Not only that, but if Harper was one of these wolves to have such power, she would be landing right in the middle of it all.
“I know what the stories say. I am not sure I believe them, but I do believe legends also developed from a real event sometime long ago.”
“Man, when the unmated male wolves in the pack hear of when Harper is going to be getting her wolf, they will all be hovering around her to see if she is their mate.” I shoved him out of my room.
“See you at training Tanner.”

I shut the door and finally made my way to my shower. I had both palms on the shower wall positioning myself to let the hot water roll from my head down my back. My reaction to Tanner was frightening to me. When He insinuated that he was interested in Harper my mind blanked. I knew Mika was going crazy, but in my blind rage I couldn’t even hear him. I am just going to have to do better to control myself until things become clearer for me. Maybe when Harper gets her wolf, she will find her mate and it may not be me. Then I will believe a witch has placed a spell on me. The way I am acting is fueled by something supernatural. Yes, Harper is extremely attractive, and I would pursue her if she hadn’t been through such a traumatic event lately. But these feelings and the intense anger toward anyone who comes near her is too strong to not be brought on by something more than a human type of attraction.
“A witch, really?” Mika’s laughter boomed in my head.
“What else would you call it then?” I ask Mika hoping for a little clarification.
“The connection that you are feeling with Harper is because of the Moon Goddess. I can say that with certainty. I am not able to tell you that it is because she is our mate. I am confused about that part myself.”
“Hopefully she gets her wolf soon. I guess we will get answers then. By the way, ease up on Tanner. You know he would never intentionally make a move on our real mate. He doesn’t know about our feelings toward Harper right now.”
“I understand.” Mika said. “I just can’t control myself. I feel so possessive of her. I hope she is our mate. She is beautiful, strong, and brave. She would make the perfect Luna.”

I took a quick shower and got dressed. I decided on some navy sweatpants and a white tight-fitting t-shirt. I liked it because it didn’t get in the way while I was training. I grabbed my gel and put a small amount in my hand. I am not sure why; I would just sweat it all out during training. I rubbed my hands together smearing the gel all over then ran it through my hair tossing it in a messy kind of way. I styled my hair the same way every day. I don’t have a lot of time to be bothered with all the trouble of trying to keep my appearance neat and put together like my father. I brushed my teeth and shaved my face clean. I decided I had spent enough time on my appearance. I am going to be late to training.

I ran from my room locking the door behind me. I made my way down the back hallway and through the kitchen. The staff greeted me as I passed by them and made my way into the dining hall. I quickly grabbed a plate and filled it full of clean foods. I always tried to keep my diet healthy.

As I turned to find a place to sit, my gaze fell on her. My heart rate sped up as her faint scent enveloped me. She is beautiful with her long black wavy hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Her tan skin was highlighted by a cute peach colored gym outfit. It was tight fitting exaggerating all her curves. She was standing holding a tray of food and had stopped at a table where Tanner was already seated. Smiling at him, as he said something silly, I am sure. She must have sensed me staring at her. She turned her head and her emerald eyes met mine. Her smile widened and she waved at me with excitement. My breath caught in my chest and my heart skipped a beat. I smiled back and stepped forward heading her way. As the next alpha in line, it was my responsibility to make sure our newest members were settling in comfortably.
“So, it has nothing to do with how hot she is, right? Or how do you have this magnetic pull toward her? Or how she is all you can think about? Or how…shit, the hag is here.” Mika said disappearing back into my mind. Just then slim arms snaked around my waist from behind.

Dread hit me as I realized who it was.
“Hey baby, I was afraid that I wouldn’t get to see you today.” Samantha said with a playful tone in her voice.
“Yeah, I don’t have a lot of time to get to the field.” She walked around to my side, and I could see her makeup and hair was freshly done. “Are you training today?”
“No, not today. I am going to the salon, remember?” Oh yeah, she said that over the phone earlier.
“Ok, let your team know.” I was in charge of training, but Sam and Tanner were under me. Sam was over the training portion of the female warriors. Tanner was over the males. There were so many warriors I had to do something to make sure everyone gets the training that they need.
“I already did,” Sam said and she followed me over toward Tanner and Harper.

At this point Harper had sat in the chair across from Tanner. They were having a conversation and as I got closer, I was able to catch the last of what they were talking about.
“I am sure Kelly has a dress you can wear. You two are almost the same size, right?”
“Yeah, I think so. I really hate to ask her to borrow a dress. I have to find a way to make some money. I don’t have anything here.” Said Harper.
“She is a charity case. Holding her hand out waiting for someone to feel sorry for her and give her what she wants. How disgusting.” Samantha said beside me. We were close enough that Harper heard what Sam said. I stopped walking and looked at her.
“Samantha, Harper is the newest member of our pack. You will treat her with respect. She is not a charity case. You don’t even know her.”

Sensing my agitation toward her she shifted uncomfortably, biting her bottom lip and avoiding eye contact with me. I continued to walk to the table and pulled out a chair that was next to Tanner. Sam didn’t sit, instead she glared at Harper then leaned down to me and her lips connected with mine. I didn’t kiss her back, but I didn’t want to embarrass her by pushing her back, so I just waited for it to end.

Hating the fact that she just did that in front of everyone. I looked toward Harper. A look of hurt covered her face but she quickly cleared it of any emotion. Did Sam kissing me affect her? I knew Sam kissed me in front of Harper as a silent way of claiming me, but I am not hers to claim. Sam proceeded to hug me from behind. Her hand rubbed down my chest stopping at my abbs.
“Alright Sam, I have to eat. I'm running late. I’ll see you later.” I was trying to put an end to this awkward situation.
“Sure baby, I’ll see you later.” With that she finally stood straight and walked toward the door of the dining hall.