chapter 37

~Tessa~

In the early morning hours, Tessa found herself in her office. She was skimming through all the reports Dainin’s pack had sent over before they arrived in Maine. “There has to be something we’re missing,” she thought, her wolf seemed to agree as she anxiously paced back and forth in her mind. They both haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary that raised suspicion in the paperwork.

Glancing at the clock on her desk, Tessa saw it was only four am. When she left her bedroom a couple hours ago, Dainin had been fast asleep and didn’t even notice she left. Any other night she would have been curled up next to him, especially after the night they shared, but her mind would not let her rest. It was buzzing with the possible motives John would have against Dainin’s pack and if there was anyone they overlooked from White Sand as a suspect.

She was about to go through Dainin’s folder again when she heard a light knock on the door. “Come in,” she called out, already knowing who it was. Zander stepped in with a grim look on his face. “It’s a little early to already be down in the dumps isn’t it? Has Cadence given you the cold shoulder,” she teased, placing the folder down with a smirk. Her face immediately fell when her cousin remained silent. Zander always had a smartass response to her comments. Before she could ask, he broke his silence meeting her eyes. “They have a witch Tess,” he shared, his voice full of concern and Tessa froze in horror. “Are you positive,” she asked in disbelief as her mind raced with questions of how, when and why.

Witches haven’t been seen since the Great War hundreds of years ago. Every supernatural being that survived the war believed they were extinct. “Apparently not,” her wolf questioned. She herself was shocked by the news, but if there were a few left. “How did John find a witch,” Tessa asked herself aloud, trying to put the pieces together. Zander moved to sit on the couch. resting his face in the palms of his hands. “According to the Rogue, she is mated to his supposed Beta, but he didn’t know his name,” he growled in frustration.

Tessa rose in a fit of rage, sending her chair crashing behind her as she pushed everything off her desk. Her fists slammed down, splintering the wood beneath her hands. It took everything she had to keep her wolf from clawing to the surface. She wanted to tear the Rogue apart and get answers herself. “How is he always a step ahead of us," her wolf screamed, overcome with anger. Tessa closed her eyes, focusing on the sound of paper fluttering to the floor. She took in deep breathes to keep herself from shifting. A rampage was the last thing her pack needed from her.

Tessa could sense Zander calmly watching her and she knew Cadence would be arriving any moment. When she finally felt her wolf retreat, Tessa opened her eyes to take in the room. Everything had settled to the floor. Paper and glass were scattered everywhere, and she already regretted her outburst. An Alpha should have more control over their emotions and yet here she was acting like an immature child. While she scanned the rest of the room, something caught her attention, something new. “Zander,” she spoke quietly, pointing down at his feet. “Is that a picture next to your foot,” she asked as Zander followed her gaze, picking the picture up, instantly handing it to Tessa.

As she flipped the photo over her eyes instantly fell on Dainin’s young face, she’d recognize those chocolate brown eyes anywhere. She smiled looking at the two adults, she assumed were his parents. He looked just like his father but had his mother’s sweet smile. “When are we meeting them by the way," her wolf asked, distracted by the photo of her mate and his family. Tessa ignored her question as she continued to scan over their faces. Alan stood out with his goofy smile and missing front tooth, but there seemed to be an older boy next to him. She assumed they were close since he had his arm draped around Alan’s shoulder. “Dainin’s never mentioned having another sibling,” she thought, taking a closer look at the photo.

The young man was smiling but it seemed to be forced. A chill ran through Tessa’s body as she looked into his emotionless eyes. They were cold and calculating. Tessa’s instincts were screaming he was not to be trusted, but she also questioned why Dainin failed to mention his existence. “I thought we agreed no secrets,” she thought to herself as her stomach churned at the thought of him hiding something again.

As if on cue both Cadence and Dainin burst through the doors of her office taking in the scene. Neither he nor Cadence questioned the mess. Cadence simply began picking the papers up off the floor. “Has Alan ever mentioned having another brother,” Tessa mind linked her. Cadence kept to her task. She knew better then to show any reaction if Tessa chose to mind link her within a group of people. “No Alpha. He hasn’t even mentioned his parents. Apparently, they didn’t follow the pack to Maine,” she informed.

Tessa noticed Dainin joined them in straightening up the disaster. “Sorry about this,” she spoke aloud, with shame lacing her voice. “I lost my nerve,” she admitted, shamefully. “It’s okay love. We’re all entitled to have a rough morning now and then,” Dainin said, pulling her into his loving embrace. Tessa was surprised when he didn’t judge her for making a mess of things, but she should have already known. Dainin never acted how she expected. Tessa forced a chuckle as he kissed the top of her head.

Every fiber of her being wanted to question him immediately, but she needed to gather information first. Tessa refused to be fooled twice by putting faith in someone who didn’t deserve it. Cadence mind linked Tessa holding the folder close. “I’ll see what I can find out,” she said, and Tessa nodded before covering a fake yawn. “Dainin take me back to bed please? We’ll leave this mess for later,” she asked, batting her eyes with promise. As expected, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her out of the office without question.

Cadence and Zander both stood in the doorway, failing to hide their laughter. “I can play a damsel in distress every now and then,” Tessa growled through the link rolling her eyes. “Let me know what you find out. I want some information before I confront Dainin. Continue questioning the Rogue. Try any method you deem necessary.” she ordered, looking at Zander. They both responded with understanding through the link as they headed in the opposite direction.

Resting her head on his shoulder, Tessa closed her eyes memorizing the feeling of being in Dainin’s arms. She needed his comfort now more than ever. Her lips turned into a frown as she realized just how much she needs him, and her heart clenched at the thought of his betrayal. She not only had to break the news to everyone, that a witch was working with the enemy, but now she wasn’t sure if she could trust her mate after all they’ve been through. If the Moon Goddess were cruel enough to curse her fate Tessa knew this would be something she could never get over.