#32

Aurora
We traveled for about 2 more hours. It had to be around 9 o'clock when we got to the quaint farmhouse. Whinnie had us un-tackle the horses and let them loose in a paddock. “Come on, you should meet the caretakers.” She said ushering me towards the house. “So the caretakers are Anna and Frank. They owned the farm previously before Evander purchased it, and they like that we weren't going to develop it or disturb the wildlife. We let them live in the house and manage a few minor things for us in exchange they get to live their lives in their family home. But they don't know our numbers. So just follow my lead today?” She asked. I nodded as we came up onto the porch. She knocked and an older woman with kind eyes and gray hair braided to her waist. “Whinnie, what a surprise! And who is this?” she asked, her curious eyes landing on me. “This is Evander's fiance. He’s finally allowed me to take her to town. He can't stand to be away from her, so we are just doing a day trip, she added. “Ahh, I see .” the old lady said with a smile. Her eyes met mine, and I shyly looked down. “We've left two horses in the paddock don't worry about them more than food and water, the paint will only allow her to handle her.” She warned, gesturing in my direction. The old lady nodded. “Which car do you need? She asked.” “The Subaru,” Whinnie answered. The lady left before returning with a key.

We left driving down country dirt roads listening to hard rock songs about tainted and jealous love. And my mind wondered. “Who was there before me?” “Nobody of value,” was her answer. “What's that supposed to mean?" “You have been the only serious person in his life… I don't ask my brothers about their partners, but honestly, there is nobody before you. If there was, there was no attachment on either side.” I appreciated her honesty. “Soo? No crazy exes?” “Nope, can you hand me the pink phone in the glove box?” she asked. We had just hit the pavement. As I reached forward, she clicked the music off. I produced the sparkly pink monstrosity out of a handful of other phones in the glove box. I passed it to her. She clicked the power on and plugged it in, resting it on the console as it started up. “Find D’bag in the contacts and call him, would you?” she asked as she navigated a winding turn.” I looked up at her when I found the contact. The picture was literally a douche sitting in front of a plastic bag. “ok, Sis,” I said. “Who are we calling?” “Dominic," she said with a sigh. Recognition hit me. “Put it on speaker, will you?” I could tell she was preparing for battle. I took in a resolved breath before I hit the call button and sent it to the speaker and the vehicle's Bluetooth took over. As the ringing began, she glanced at me, our eyes meeting. “Shush till I need you, okay?” I nodded, hating that I would have to ask a stranger to do this.

Ring, Ring Ring, I bet he doesn't pick up, I thought, staring at the scenery and imagining my heartache when I'd have to walk away. Ring Ring. “Well, Winifred, it’s been some time, dear sister… To what do I owe this monumental pleasure?” A sarcastic, spiteful male voice came through the speakers. “Hello, to you too, little brother,” she spat, rolling her eyes. “Well, you both leave me out of all your little camping trip shenanigans. What do you expect? The office gets boring without you two wreaking havoc on my life.” I could sense some truth in his voice, like he liked his life, but he missed them. As if he was happy where he was but missing something they brought to him. “Dom, I… Vander needs you to do something.” She blurted out. I could tell it was a last-second decision. That she had weighed the best approach, and this was it.

“Prey Tell Winifred why our brother isn't asking himself?” the menace in his voice stabbed like a knife and my heart hammered. “Because I’m not supposed to tell you everything because it's that important.” She pushed forward before he could fight back. “We need you to erase a new mate coming into the pack. And move her accounts to link with ours without a trace.” She hurried out. “And since you must know, since I know you will look her up, she's a witch.” Well, there goes that secret, I thought leaning against the widow as I watched her wondering about her angle. “So, let me get this straight, Win,” he said, seething in rage. “After being off the radar for months, you come asking favors for him and he can't even ask himself?”

“Dom,” her voice got quiet. “She's his mate,” her voice pleaded. “And she's my mate's sister,” Tears were evident in her eyes,” If you can't do this, she's going to leave them.” My heart clenched at the emotion in her voice. She honestly cared that I stayed. “It will destroy them.” “Why should I give a fuck about him after what he’s done to me?” Whinnie’s eyes narrowed before she shot back with a growl. “You know that everything your dealing with is your own doing brother, you are fortunate the price you have paid isn’t worse than what’s been dealt.” I heard a grumble before the squeak of the office chair and some drawer fumbling while he cursed under his breath. “And Dom?” she said hesitantly. “What?” he asked, his voice laced with defeat and annoyance. “You're going to be an uncle.” Silence… followed by a long sigh. “Who is this bitch?” I couldn't contain myself.

“Excuse me! Maybe you should get to know a girl before you call her a bitch!” I couldn't help it, something in me snapped! He let out a dark chuckle. Whinnie's eyes met mine. I was on my own now. “If you are not already a… BITCH… you will be soon. My brother likes to boast about fulfilling his wolf's needs with nature… So he's been denying himself. So be prepared, little miss witch. You got a whole lot of suppressed Alpha coming your way.” “I would expect nothing less,” I said, sounding casual. “However, Dominic, is it?” "That's Alpha Dominic to you pup," he sneered. Wow, this guy was something.

"Listen real good Mr. supposid Alpha." I enunciated. "Whinnie here has a threat from Evander to procure the secrecy of this little situation. But I wouldn't worry about his threats. It's mine you really have to worry about. I give a damn about the pack, my brother, his mate, OUR niece or nephew, and my mate and I'm not gonna bring down on them anything looking for me. So, if you hold up your end, we can build a bridge. These people were once your people. Somewhere in the egotistical hotshot pea brain of yours, you must have to have a lick of common sense. You don't know me or what I'm capable of. Do us a favor. The bridge remains in tack. You burn that bridge. Heaven help you with Evander's wrath. Endanger this pack by exposing anything you may find out about me and you won't have to worry about the Alpha who you can't beat, anyway. You'll be dealing with me. Underestimate me, go ahead, that's your bed. But I'm warning you."

His whistle filled the car. "Someone's got some enormous balls for a little witch." He sounded amused. "Dom," Whinnie said quietly "What!" He snapped. "I'd show our Luna some respect if I were you." He got quiet. "What's so special about you?" "Good luck finding out." I grit out. "Why can't you just disappear like good ole fireballs?" "When he disappeared, Blake's trust was liquidated into mine. My father was the last of his line it's substantial. Its paramount, the coven can't get a hold of it. Furthermore, I have my secrets, but the coven expected me to replace their priestess, and that's not something I ever intended to do. I need to become a ghost." "So you were planning on getting out before you ever got to him?" "Yes, I had no reason for staying. I have an aunt but she won't give you any problems." "So this bridge, what do I get out of it?" "That's to be determined but, I doubt you want me as an enemy."

“Well fuck, I'm curious now. I need real names, any fake names for your account numbers. Do you have your driver's license, social security, and any paperwork relating to what needs to be erased?”... “I Do,” Scan them all and send me copies to this number.” I unzipped my pack, reached into the secret compartment, and pulled it all out as Whinnie drove. I snapped and sent it and instantly deleted it from the phone. My heart hurt, trusting this gruff, unknown person. But inside his agitation, I felt akin to not being understood for who he was. He liked his life, but hated the distance created by those closest to him. I finally sent copies of all the deeds associated with the trust. Only Blake knew all the details besides me. If I stayed with the pack, we had substantial estates secured even overseas.

“Shit, girl, you're a boss!” he said, after realizing it was all in order. “I have my reasons,” I said. “Yeah I know, prophecies and shit.” his aggravated voice came across. “So are you more upset he's the one, or that they left you behind?” I stated coldly inspecting my nails. “Little witch, I don't need to explain myself to you, you aren’t THE Luna yet”… he said and I could imagine him rolling his eyes. “Avoiding your shortcomings will get you nowhere Dominic.”
“How long will you girls have the phone for?” He asked. “6 hours,” Whinnie said. “I will message or call if anything comes up while I handle your dirty business.” He stated., “I appreciate it,” I said, taking the steel out of my voice. “Hey if things don't work out for you there, you can hit me up for a job, though.” He added, apparently impressed., “No thanks,” I said, rolling my eyes and looking at Whinnie, who looked like she was coming around after having a stroke. Her hands white-knuckling the wheel.,"Bye Dom, thanks! Love you." She got out quickly before hanging up.

She took a few deep breaths before her hysterical laughter filled the car. “He's right, you know,” she finally got out as the little town came into view. “About what?” I asked. “You are a badass bitch!” I shrugged.