Tasting The Enemy

Azaire

I knocked her out with Alpha power. It was the only thing I could think of that would work. Her body was on fire and sweat-drenched her clothes.

“Damn it,” I said, slamming the driver door shut.

The mansion was off-limits and every healer I knew was loyal to the pack they wouldn’t see a girl in need they would see a Black Claw girl. All but one I just hoped she was lucid enough to help me.

Minutes later I banged on a black door. Pop music blared from the house and I knew Rae’s been drinking.

“Open the damn door, Rae!”

“Go away!”

I pounded again. “This is important.”

“Are you on fire?”

I clenched my jaw. “Yes, hurry I’m burning up.”

The music stopped and the dozen deadbolts she had on the door unlocked. She opened the door and lurched forward but steadied herself before she fell into my arms.

“You’re not on fire!”

“No, but my girlfriend’s sick and I need your help.”

She pouted and stared at my car then back at me.

“You’re the pack beta aren’t there witches who can help you?”

“You’ll know why when you see her.”

I carried Elaine into the house and settled her on the couch. Rae had an older sister but they hadn’t spoken since Lynn was consumed by dark magic. Rae dropped to her knees and placed a hand on Elaine’s forehead. I couldn’t feel my mate. Her wolf was dormant and that didn’t sit well with me.

Rae blinked a couple of times and stood abruptly.

“That sobered me up. I think I need a drink.”

I grabbed the bottle of brandy before she could and held it behind my back.

“What did you see?” I demanded.

“Your girlfriend right there has some serious enemies. Powerful ones too. Azaire… I don’t know.”

“You’re a fucking strong, witch, Rae. What’s wrong with her?”

Rae fidgeted I knew she needed a drink but I wasn’t giving her back this bottle.

“Whoever did this attacked her from within. It’s like they attacked her essence.”

“Like they tried to kill her?”

Rae shook her head. “I don’t really understand but something tells me your girl here has a few secrets. A protection spell should help but I’ll need help if you want to figure out what’s going on.”

I stared at Elaine. What else could she be hiding? Everything she told me seemed to be big enough. Rae stumbled to her spice room. Rae was a childhood friend. She’d been through a lot in life. She lost my brother who was her first love and her sister to dark magic. Her parents weren’t around much and she didn’t get along with her coven. Still, she was the few people I could trust.

I settled on the couch next to Elaine. I picked up her hand and kissed it.

“Come on, mate you have to wake up.”

Her breathing had settled but she was still sweating. We should have been tangled in each other’s bodies. I should have been buried deep inside her but someone decided to attack her. It could be Alpha Laiken’s creepy witch. She already attacked Elaine once she didn’t waste time doing it again.

“She’ll be fine, Azaire,” Rae said, setting her witchy things on the ground.

“Yeah, well I know when she opens her eyes.”

“I don’t blame you for having trust issues but trust me a little, okay?”

Rae lit a bundle of sage. I’ve always hated that stuff. She tossed black spice in a bowl I wasn’t sure how adding crystals would help our situation but I knew better than to question a witch. The sage filled the room and I coughed. Elaine started shifting. She rubbed her eyes and winced.

“What is that?”

Rae smirked. “I told you it would work.”

“Azaire?” Elaine called.

“I’m here.”

Elaine sat up and looked around. Her gaze settled on my petite witch friend.

“Uhm, is this Megan?”

Rae grimaced. “Thank goodness I’m not.”

I pulled Elaine into my arms and stroked her hair.

“She’s a friend. What the hell happened?”

“Uh… I’m not sure but I think Avena had something to do with it. She’s trying to kill me now.”

“This Avena must be one hell of a witch,” Rae commented.

“She is. She’s my Father’s right-hand woman.”

Rae frowned and then she stood. “Wait, you’re a Black Claw wolf. Azaire! Of all the things you’ve done.”

I sighed. “She’s my mate. I didn’t plan this but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Rae ran her hands through her hair. “What are you going to do when the Alpha finds out? He’ll be hella mad.”

“I’ll deal with my brother right now Elaine’s my priority.”

“Okay, but you’ll need a stronger witch to cast a protection spell on your girl.”

“Like Lynn?” I raised a brow.

Rae swallowed and began gathering her things.

“She wouldn’t do anything for me besides we haven’t spoken in years.”

“She would if I asked her.”

“Shoot your shot but Lynn’s not the helping type anymore.”

Rae gathered her things and left I feared I sent her into another drinking frenzy. Elaine sighed and pulled herself onto my lap. I scanned her body for burns, scars or marks.

“I’m fine, Azaire. I swear Avena’s going to get it for interrupting us.” She yanked me close and kissed me.

I kissed her back and all the questions I had about her secrets disappeared.