- 7.
Little witch? I echoed her words, my eyes wide.
“You mean… I’m the next witch?”
“Yes. The marks are your nascent power.
They’ll become whole when you inherit my
place.”
A witch’s inheritance meant her death. The joy
<
drained from me. The air grew heavy with
sadness.
Gabriel finally found his voice. “When did you
know?”
“Around the time you went for the Moon
Goddess’s blessing.” Tanya smiled gently. “Don’t grieve, child. Death is a part of rebirth. Rejoice.”
I managed a weak smile and took her hand. “You’re right.”
Life became a whirlwind of learning. The witch’s mark, Tanya’s fading life… I had to be ready to take her place by winter. One rainy afternoon, I left the library to find the pack huddled together, waiting for the downpour to pass. I hadn’t seen Elsa in weeks. She
approached me with a smile.
“Elisabeth, I’ve never seen you in the library
before.” She paused, glancing at the books in my arms. “Witchcraft isn’t exactly light reading. If you’re bored, try some fiction.”
The word “witchcraft” was like a match to
<
gasoline. Everyone stared. Someone sneered.
“An omega reading witchcraft? Can you even
understand it?”
“Yeah, she probably can’t even pronounce the
spells.”
Laughter cut through the rain.
“Sorry, Elisabeth,” Elsa said, her eyes gleaming with malice. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.” I looked at her, a smile curving my lips. “Elsa, being a rogue didn’t suit you, did it? That’s why you’re so desperate to be Luna.”
Elsa, like Andrew, was a rogue, taken in by the pack. A rogue’s only options were strength or status. Since Elsa had lost her ability to shift, becoming Luna was her only way to stay. My words hit a nerve. Her face twisted.
“Elisabeth!”
Her mask of kindness shattered. I reveled in her
anger.
“Elsa, if I were you, I’d stick to clinging to Andrew instead of starting trouble.”
“Don’t you dare get cocky!” she hissed, her
eyes blazing with envy. “You’re nothing without
<
Andrew! Let’s see who protects you now!”
Just then, Gabriel’s voice cut through the air. “Elisabeth, time to go.”
He stood there, tall and handsome in a simple
trench coat, his face cold, his eyes faintly
slitted from dealing with pack business. He drew admiring glances from everyone around. I ignored Elsa and smiled at Gabriel, taking the umbrella he offered and snuggling into his side. I didn’t see it, but Gabriel gave Elsa a chilling look that promised retribution.
