CHARLOTTE’S P.O.V
It was Logan who snapped out of his reverie and realized that we still needed to find Adamaris a place to sleep. Thankfully, she has her house (I still don’t understand what the hell she means by that). She said that all she needs is a large expanse of land, preferably in the woods.
Logan wanted me to stay home but I’m not going to let him go alone, especially since everyone is in this mess because of me. Reluctantly, he handed me one of his big, warm hoodies and I pulled it over my head.
I sat in front with Logan while Adamaris and Celeste sat at the back. The drive was tense and quiet; Logan had one hand on my leg to keep me grounded because my thoughts were going haywire.
Adamaris was lost in thought, her eyes were kept fixed on the window. Celeste was staring at me, not in a creepy way, but in a way that kept me alert. Occasionally, her eyes would move from my face to Logan’s hand on my thigh and back.
I caught her eye through the mirror and she gave me a smile that looked genuine but still managed to put me on edge.
It took over an hour to get a spot for Adamaris and Celeste. Every single place Logan took them to seemed to have some sort of problem. It has too many trees, it doesn’t have enough trees, it’s too cold, it’s too hot, there’s not enough moonlight, there’s not enough moonlight.
Ten minute in and I knew Logan was already losing his patience; I had to remind him through the bond that she was helping us and we have to make her as comfortable as possible. Logan didn’t seem to share the same sentiment because he had half a mind to throw her out of the car.
Finally, we found somewhere that she liked. Actually, her exact words were: “I’ll manage it.”
I watched in awe as she put down a miniature house and muttered a few words and it grew into the same cottage I remember seeing when we visited her last. She shot me a wink when she caught me staring.
“You should get some rest,” she said as soon as Celeste ran into the house.
“We would be doing that if you didn’t come around.” Logan muttered and I know she heard him because the corner of her lips lifted slightly but she ignored him.
“We have a very long day tomorrow.” She finished, “I’ll be at the pack house by ten. Don’t be late.” Without another word she walked into the house.
Logan was quiet for the first fifteen minutes of the ride then he muttered, “One day, I will murder her slowly.”
“You like her,” I turned to look at the stars through the window.
“She’s a bitch.”
“But you like her anyway,” I finished, “She’s pretty hard not to like.”
He huffed but ignored me and I smothered down my smile.
***********************************
Logan and I got to the pack house by 9: 30, and by ten on the dot, Adamaris walked into his office.
We got an empty room that she was going to use for whatever it is that she planned on doing and she locked us out and told us not to bother her for the next thirty minutes while she got everything ready.
After she locked us out, I could have sworn I heard Logan mutter something like ‘bitch’ under his breath but I didn’t have time to ask because Diana came to tell us that Evan and Aubrey were here.
We met them in Logan’s office. Aubrey was wearing a huge white jacket over a black shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and black ankle boots. Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail and I could see huge purple bags under her eyes.
Evan didn’t look any better; he had bags too, although not as deep or pronounced as Aubrey’s. He wore almost the same thing she did, a black shirt and blue jeans, although he paired his with sneakers.
It was when we got closer that I noticed the little boy hiding behind Evan’s legs. He looks no older than 5, but as he is the child of an Alpha, I’ll make a safe bet that he is 3 or 4. He has the same chestnut hair that Aubrey does but dark eyes like Evan.
“Hey,” I crouched down so we were almost at the same height. He looked to Evan for approval, and Evan gave a short nod.
He slowly moved out of his hiding place but kept a firm hand on his dad’s leg.
“I’m Charlie,” I continued.
“I know you,” he whispered and I could literally hear everyone stop breathing.
“I don’t think so, I would know if we’ve met,” I began but he shook his head.
“I know you,” he repeated, “I had a dream about you.”
Aubrey inhaled sharply, “I thought you said you couldn’t remember your dreams.”
“I don’t,” he turned to his mum briefly, “But I remember her, and a lady with purple eyes. Do you know her?”
“I know one lady with purple eyes, but she’s really nice.”
“This one isn’t,” he mumbled and I forced myself not to grimace.
What the hell have I done?
“What’s your name?” I asked and he looked to his parent’s again for confirmation. This time, they hesitated a little before nodding.
“My name is Kaden.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you Kaden,” I smiled softly; “We’re going to help you get rid of your nightmares. My friend with the purple eyes is really nice.”
He gave me a small smile and I stood to my feet and faced Evan.
“Thank you for trusting us enough to bring him.” Evan just kept a blank look as he stared at me, “She is going to do everything in her power to make sure that they are both alright.”
“Who exactly is she?”
“A witch, but you can trust her. She has helped me out more times than I can count.”
Evan scoffed but didn’t say anything else. I checked the time and realized that over thirty minutes had passed so I gestured for them to come with us.
We got to the door and I raised my hand to open it; just as my hand closed around the knob; Aubrey’s hand wrapped around my wrist.
I felt Logan tense up beside me but I shot him a warning look.
“What happened to you?” she asked as she stared at the purple mark on my skin almost identical to hers.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, “Same thing that happened to you probably.”
“Why hasn’t she helped you?”
“She’s ready for us,” she realized I ignored her question but didn’t push any further.
I opened the door and Adamaris was sitting in the middle of a salt circle. As soon as we walked in, she turned to us and her eyes instantly fell on Kaden and her features softened.
“She looks like the mean lady with purple eyes,” he whispered to me, “Is she mean too?”
I shook my head, “She’s the nicest person ever.”
Logan closed the door behind us and Adamaris gestured for Aubrey, Kaden and I to get into the circle.
As soon as we got in, she turned to Kaden with a sad expression on her face.
“You poor baby,” she muttered, “You’ve suffered so much.” She turned to Aubrey, “I can take away his memories about everything that happened; if you would like that?”
“I would,” she said after a moment of indecision.
“Good; I’ll need both your names.” Aubrey recited their names and Adamaris gave her a small smile, “Don’t freak out.”
Before anyone could ask what she meant, she snapped her fingers and both Evan and Logan were out cold. Aubrey opened her mouth to protest but Adamaris cut her off.
“Believe me when I say, it’s better if they are asleep. This could get ugly really quickly.”
Aubrey looked ready to protest but she settled for shooting me a look that clearly said, ‘if anything happens, you’re dead.’
Adamaris started with Kaden. She made him sit opposite her and put her hands on his temple.
As soon as she touched him, he fell asleep. He was still for a full minute and then he began to writhe beneath her hands.
Aubrey panicked and rushed to him but I heard Adamaris’ voice in my head clear as day telling me to hold her back. I wrapped my hands around her middle and used all my strength to keep her in place.
She jerked against my hold and even tried to elbow my nose, thankfully she missed. She screamed in my hands and my heart broke for her. I was even tempted to let her go as I took in her tear streaked face.
Suddenly, Kaden stopped writhing, his breathing became even and he slumped in Adamaris’ hold. She looked at me and nodded, and I let go of Aubrey who rushed to his side.
“What the hell did you do?” she screamed.
“I got a bitch out of his head and took away his memories,” Adamaris quipped, “I did tell you that it would be better if your husband was out. Believe me, it was insanely difficult to stay in your son’s head and keep your husband under.”
“What?” Aubrey looked half confused and half delirious.
“The mate bond is a very strong thing,” Adamaris explained, “The moment you started screaming, he started to stir. He heard you and he wanted to go to you.” She turned to me, “You and Logan have a whole lot of explaining to do the moment he wakes up.”
Aubrey looked like she had more questions but Adamaris was done with the conversation. She gestured for the both of us to sit. She held the hands with the brand in hers and chanted a few words. At first nothing seemed to be happening, but then I felt a dull thump at the back of my head that increased into a searing pain.
Pictures started to fly through my vision and I realized what they were; memories. They flew through my lids at insane speeds that I had to clutch the side of my head with my free hand. I could still hear Adamaris chanting but it was becoming more like a dull whisper.
I don’t know how long it lasted, but then it stopped and everything was quiet for a second. I glanced down at my hand and the brand was gone. I opened my mouth to thank her but my vision went black.