Mason POV

I rush to Isaac’s side, and my anger instantly subsides when I cradle my son.

“You’re up early,” Axel yawns as he enters the room. “I heard crying and came to check on them. Where’s Kane?”

“That’s a lot of words.” I smile, stroking Isaac’s cheek. “Are you always this chatty in the morning?”

“Are you being pleasant, or avoiding my questions?” He frowns, scratching his hair in thirty different directions.

“I’m not up early, you slept late,” I reply. “Kane’s in the kitchen, and thank you for taking care of my kids while I slept.”

“You’re welcome,” he grins. “I’m getting coffee. You want some.”

“Yes, please,” Elara groans, entering the room, and my heart rate picks up when I look at her. Even half asleep with her hair wild and fizzy, she is the most gorgeous creature I have ever laid eyes on. “Is Stella still sleeping?”

“Nothing for me, Axel,” I reply, then turn to Elara. “Stella and Lanie are still sleeping. How are you feeling?”

“Like I can sleep for another month,” she sighs. “But relieved that everyone’s here and safe.”

There is a knock on the front door, and instantly, my wolf is on full alert. None of us is expecting visitors, and the only people who want to see us want to kill us. Axel and Kane also join us, and I can tell they are just as concerned as I am.

“I’ll get it,” Gabriela appears from out of nowhere. “Get ready to hide or run.”

Without discussing it, the four of us step in front of the children, shielding them from whatever or whomever is at the door. Truce or no truce, when it comes to our safety and our children, the four of us agree.

Gabriela is visibly tense as she peeks through the front window.

“It’s only Rhiannon,” she says over her shoulder, and relaxes.

“What brings you here?” Gabriela opens the door and steps aside to let the witch enter.

“What, indeed,” I mutter, my gut rolling at the sight of her.

“She helped us,” Elara reminds me in a low voice. “Without her, we wouldn’t have the twins back. You don’t have to like her, but we should be grateful.”

I want Rhiannon gone, out of here, far away from the woman I love, and my kids. Most of all, I want her the hell away from me.

“You can all put your teeth away,” Rhiannon says sharply. “Oh, what big eyes you have and all that bullshit. Nobody followed me.”

“Yeah, but why are you here?” Kane insists on an answer, and I am grateful that he wants her gone like me, but I wish he had asked a different question.

“Are you even you?” I ask. “You could be someone else who took a transmogrification potion, and only looks like her?”

“Why, by the stars, would I do that?” Rhiannon puts her hands on her hips.

“Because you’re a witch,” Axel sneers. “And you hate wolves.”

“And you’re still mad about your potions,” Elara chuckles, and I look at her in surprise. Now is not the time to mock a witch. Actually, it is never a good time to mock a witch.

It feels good that my group have my back. Even though I know there will be hell to pay when they learn the reason.

“People, cut it out,” Gabriela sighs. “We can all smell that it’s her.”

“Thank you, Gabriela,” Rhiannon says, glancing around the room at the rest of us before her eyes settle on mine. “I’m here for my payment.”

“But I paid you already,” Gabriela frowns.

“Not you,” Rhiannon shakes her head, and points to me. “Him.”

“Mason?” Elara said aloud, her voice tense with suspicion. “Does this have anything to do with the invisibility potion?”

“The invisibility potion,” Kane nods. “Mason told me this morning while you were sleeping.”

“Mason,” Elara repeats, this time in a harsher tone.

“Yes,” I mutter, avoiding eye contact.

“Dude, that’s an easy fix,” Axel laughs. “How much is it? We’ll fit the bill.”

“It’s not money,” Rhiannon smiles slyly, her eyes gliding over me slowly, and it feels like I am about to hurl.

“It’s okay, I got this,” I grunt, pushing my fingers through my hair. The time has come for me to face the music.

“Come on,” I grab Rhiannon by the arm. “We’ll talk outside.”

Elara POV

“What the fuck was that all about?” Axel frowns, looking at me. “How’s he supposed to pay her? With magic beans?”

“Money isn’t on witches’ priority lists,” Gabriela says with concern. “Sometimes they need things money can’t buy.”

“But we paid her with money, right?” Kane asks thoughtfully.

“Mostly,” Gabriela shrugs.

“What do you mean by mostly?” I ask as irritation and worry brew inside me.

“Mother, why didn’t you tell us before we made a deal with that wretched woman?” Axel snaps.

“Because there was no time,” Gabriela yells. “And she asked me to replace the ingredients I destroyed. I didn’t pay her by blood, or anything like that.”

“You don’t ...” Kane trails off and pales. “Do you think Mason must pay her with blood?” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

My jaw hits the floor, and I stare at Gabriela, anxious for answers.

“I don’t know,” she shrugs. “She could require anything from as simple as a piece of clothing to a rare ingredient. Whatever it is, Mason can handle Rhiannon. She’s not going to hurt him.”

“Hurting him is the least of our concerns,” Kane huffs. “What if she asked for the impossible and he can’t give it to her?”

“I can’t answer you until I know what deal they made,” she replies stiffly.

“Mom, how could you keep this from us?” Kane explodes.

“Oh, stop it, and get off your high horse,” Gabriela snaps at him. “There wasn’t time, and it wasn’t necessary at that moment. And how was I supposed to know Mason would do this? Besides, Mason knows the risks. He didn’t grow up coddled like you.”

“Nice,” Kane looks at his mother with disgust. “Real nice.”

He turns around and walks away.

“Kane, I didn’t mean it like that,” Gabriela calls after him, but he ignores her.

“Take care of the kids,” I say to Axel as I follow Kane. “I’ll talk to him.”