The Magic of Hecate

Four days later,

I had fitted back into my old life like nothing had ever happened. Leo and I had resumed our day to day morning and evening routine with the kids and I'd caught up with pretty much everyone. Rosa and Leo's siblings were thrilled to see me, the same can't be said for Antonio...but then again he's not exactly pleased with anything I do ever unless it involves trailing after Leo like a little-trained dog that follows his every command. Not that I'm bitter or anything. Basically running away from my mate for three months was a complete no-no for Antonio and has placed another hurdle in our already turbulent relationship.

Anyway, whilst I was getting Marie out of her highchair after dinner, there was a knock at the door.

"That's probably Luca. He said he'd bring us some of his sister's birthday cake this morning," I said as Leo made his way to the door, Francesca in one arm.

"I highly doubt that. Do you remember the last time Luca knocked?"

I heard Leo unlatch of the bolt on the door that was too high for me to reach and then unlock it with the key he kept in his pocket it all times. Slightly over the top paranoid, I know. The door then opened and a familiar scent drifted into the house.

I froze for a moment. Luciano. Of course. I knew he would turn up sooner or later. But already? He is more eager than I thought.

I pulled Marie into my arms and thanked the fact that the other four little ones were upstairs either having a nap or playing.

I wouldn't trust Luciano with a rock, let alone my children.

“Luciano, I wasn't expecting you so soon," Leo said.

" could hardly keep myself away. And on my way home, to

the Southern Territory, I thought I'd swing by and pay you and your family a visit. Five of your pups I have never met and the other one I haven't seen since he was a newborn.”

"Well, in that case, come in. I will introduce you," Leo said.

No, no, no.

"This pretty little girl here is Francesca. She is seventeen months old," Leo cooed as the two of them entered the lounge. "And that is her identical twin sister, Marie," he added gesturing to the baby I was holding tightly in my arms.

I stared intently at Luciano, who as usual looked comfortable and relaxed yet menacing and twisted.

"Ella, my dear. You never told me that you had twins," he said smiling at me although with cold eyes.

"Not exactly the topic of our conversation, was it?" I replied spitefully. "I ought to apologise for if I came across at all uncharitable when we met last week. But I was just doing what I had to do for the greater good of what I would still call, despite the time that has past, my pack. You, the Luna, belong here with the Alpha,” Luciano said in a soft but somehow simultaneously cold tone. "Your absence for much longer would have torn Stella to the ground.”

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Leo replied looking at me with an expression that said “just go along with it and if you dare argue I will murder your friends’

"I had your best interests in mind and my intentions were pure," Luciano added.

I could see right through him. I knew he didn't mean a word of it. Leo did too, of course, but he also seemed to believe he owed Luciano something in exchange for giving something back that was coming back anyway. (me btw)

At that point, three little people scurried into the room. Having obviously not heard somebody come in, Cato, Mathias and Silas were surprised at the sight of Luciano. They naturally gravitated towards Leo and I don't blame them. Luciano certainly had a demeaning allure. "And these are my sons: Cato, Mathias and Silas.”

"Who is that, Daddy?" Cato asked holding onto his father's leg.

"This is Daddy's friend,” Leo said taking his hand and leading him out from hiding behind him.

"What is his name?" Mathias questioned.

“Luciano.”

"Heyyo, Yuciano,” Mathias said sweetly.

"Hello, little man," Luciano said lifting Mathias into his arms. "And how old are you?"

Mathias looked at his hands and, concentrating hard, put all of his fingers down except for three.

"Three."

I tensed up as he held my son who giggled innocently and played with Luciano’s hair like he always did with everyone who ever came near him.

"Where's the sixth?" Luciano asked.

"We put her down for a nap an hour ago. I'm sure she will wake any moment now," Leo replied as Luciano thankfully put Mathias back down.

"So you had three boys and then three girls?"

"At one point we thought we'd never get a girl and then two came along at once,” Leo said gesturing to Francesca and Marie.

"Shall we leave Daddy and Luciano now, boys. I'm sure they have lots of catching up to do,” I said taking Silas's hand and ushering Cato and Mathias towards the stairs.

"Actually, I have to be at the base in twenty minutes but you are welcome to stay Luciano. It will save me having to call Luca over and waiting three hours for him to actually turn up. Then perhaps we could go for a run afterwards?" Leo suggested.

"A wonderful idea, Alpha,” Luciano replied in an exaggerated tone. I've never heard him say call Leo Alpha before.

"No," I stated.

"Excuse me?" Leo asked raising an eyebrow. "No?"

"I think that you should call Luca,” I replied.

"Would you please excuse us for a second, Luciano?" Leo said stepping towards me.

"Of course, Alpha."

Leo smiled before turning back to me with a cod expression, taking my wrist and leading me into the kitchen.

"You need to forget whatever you have against Luciano now. How are you able to forgive Max for what he did three years ago but not Luciano? They are both your cousins and they have both changed,” Leo said quietly but angrily to me.

Marie, who was still in my arms, and Francesca, who was still in Leo's, sensed the hostility in their father's voice and their faces transformed to ones of worry. I could tell that they were both on the edge of tears. "Luciano has not changed, Leonardo,” I retaliated. "Why is it that I can see through his false pretences but you can't?"

"Maybe if you had an actual civil conversation with him and got to know him a little better then you might understand,” He snapped. "All the more reason for me to leave you to have quality family time.” "Leo-" I pleaded.

"Drop it, Ella," he ordered in his Alpha tone. "You and the kids are perfectly safe with him."

Marie was now beginning to cry and I tried my best to comfort her. "Can you stop shouting? You're upsetting them," I said quietly.

His face softened slightly and he kissed his twin daughters on the forehead and they immediately settled. He then kissed me, took my hand and lead me back into the hallway where Luciano still stood. “Luciano is in charge while I'm gone, okay?" he said.

Luciano in charge? Since when did I need someone in charge?

He gave me a stern look as if he was waiting for me to object again. Seeing no way to win this, I simply nodded.

"I should be getting going,” Leo said handing Francesca to Luciano. "I'll see you in a bit, Ella," he added hugging me gently and kissing my forehead. I didn't respond at all and just let him do it. "Be good."

A few moments later, the door had slammed shut and Leo's car was disappearing down the drive.

"Wow. Leonardo is far more stupid than I thought. He actually left you with me. After everything I've done, he left me alone with his mate,” Luciano said shocked but pleased as he continued to hold Francesca. "Give me my daughter,” I hissed holding out my hands.

"Relax babe, I have a rule about kids," he said. "They are perfectly safe with me.”

"A rule?”

"Nobody under the age of 16 will ever be harmed as a result of my actions," he stated.

"I'm sure Hestia's kids loved having their Father murdered,” I snapped sarcastically.

"You're still salty about that? It was years ago," he said.

"You raped a woman multiple times and murdered her husband!" I exclaimed. "Yes, I'm still fucking mad about that."

"Now that you have reminded me, I might pay her a visit on my way home. I practically drive through her town so it wouldn't be much of an inconvenience,” he said bringing a finger to his lips in thought.

"Don't you dare,” I growled.

"Watch who you are growling at,” he replied sending me a glare.

"If you so much as lay a finger on her, I will find out and I will tell Leo," I threatened.

"Oh no! I'm so scared,” he remarked sarcastically. "Leonardo has all the trust in the world for me right now and he knows you have it in for me. Whose side do you think he'll take, babes?" He continued bopping my nose. "What do you think Frannie? Mommy's or big cousin Luciano's?" "Miei bambini, Why don't you go upstairs and play with your new dinosaurs?” I said to my sons. "We'll have lunch in an hour.”

They nodded excitedly and ran towards the stairs...well Cato and Mathias ran as Silas attempted to copy his big brothers as fast as he could.

"It's almost as if you are trying to keep them away from me..." Luciano said. "Cato!"

"Si, Yuciano," He said from the halfway up the stairs.

"Why don't you bring your dinosaurs down to show me? I'd love to see them," he said.

"Okay!" he squealed excitedly.

I scowled at him and he grinned in response.

"And what about Milly?" I questioned. "She's a kid and you have harmed her by taking the amulet away from us. She is currently suffering alone because no one can get near enough to comfort her! Miles has to inject her with wolfsbane to control her power!"

"As if the Alpha would have let you bring the amulet onto the territory anyway. I saved you a heartbreaking argument with the love of your life that would have ended with him ripping it out of your hand and chucking it in one of those lovely Venice canals.”

"Why does he have so much against it anyway?" I questioned. "It is the only way to help Milly.”

"Someone with our cousin's condition is better off dead. One of her brothers should do us all a favour and get the job done now before she harms anyone else,” Luciano replied coldly.

"But with the amulet-"

"She will have control. Yes. But what is the one thing worse than chaotic evil? Controlled evil."

"Milly is a good person. She would never use her power for evil," I replied.

"That's what they all said 300 years ago when the amulet was last seen on Stella turf..." Luciano muttered under his breath. “Elizabeth is a kind girl, Elizabeth would never..."

"Who's Elizabeth?"

"Oh, just an 18th-century version of Milly. Young, sweet, kind-hearted, a caring family. Her sister hunted down the amulet and for her and for a short while it brought peace but then the amulet changed her and the use of her power shifted to more..malicious doings. For example, murdering half the pack including her sister and one of the Alpha's sons. Then she killed herself but not before tearing the remaining half of the pack to ruins and burning a hospital down filled with the sick, young and injured from her previous attacks,” he explained in a calm and casual tone.

"This isn't Lord of the rings. The amulet isn't going to do that to Milly and it didn't do it to Postetas Loren's mate either."

"True but is the Alpha willing to take the risk? We don't know if Milly has the potential to do those things,” Luciano replied. "The question I raise is: is it really worth it? Why don't we just get rid of her and move on? It's the only safe and plausible way."

"I am not giving up on her like that and neither will her brothers,” I snapped at the suggestion. "If we do nothing people are going to die for certain but if we do something people might die. It is worth it."

"It's not me you need to persuade, sweetcheeks and talking of her brothers, have you heard anything from your dear cousin Maximus?" "No, why?"

"He escaped three days. Don't ask me how: I have no idea. But the point is he has managed it and my men can't locate him. And before you get your hopes up, no. He doesn't have your piece of shit necklace because I have hidden it somewhere he will never even think to look and impossibly hard to get to."

Just as I was about to respond, a cry sounded from upstairs.

"I'm guessing that is your youngest child,” Luciano concluded as the boys returned to the living room with a box of dinosaurs. "You ought to go and tend to her."

"Take Marie," I said handing him the other twin. "I will be back very soon and I swear to God if you-"

"Give God a break. I'm not going to do anything," he interrupted.

I narrowed my eyes before marching upstairs to see to Lili. It didn't take me long to settle her before she fell back to sleep in my arms and I placed her back in the crib as Luciano walked into the room.

"Why aren't you watching the kids?" I questioned as I gently put Lili's blanket over her. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"They'll be fine for a minute or two," he said placing his hands on my shoulders and looking over my head into Lili's crib. "She's beautiful," Luciano observed. "Just like her mother,” he added moving one of his hands to the back of my neck as he pushed his fingers into my hair. "Get off me, Luciano," I growled stepping away from him.

He only took his other hand and grabbed my waist pulling me back into him.

"Do not growl at me," He warned bringing his lips to my neck. “Luciano, seriously,” I said repulsed by his action. "We are cousins." "Second cousins," he corrected kissing the mark on my neck.

"Get off!" I screamed elbowing him in the stomach and escaping his grasps for a split second before he got a hold of me again and threw me onto the bed.

I found myself immobilised under his weight as he laughed to himself. "Sssh,” he hushed putting one of his hands over my mouth. His hand tugged at the hem of my shirt and he toyed with the buttons of my jeans for a few moments.

"A little wolf like you can never defeat a big wolf like me," he whispered before kissing my cheek. "Remember that," he added before climbing off me and leaving the room without another word.

I sat shaken and sweating on the bed for a few minutes as I tried to control my breathing. At some point, tears began to stream down my cheeks as the events replayed in my mind over and over again. How could he do this? I am the mate of Alpha Leonardo Loren and he just assaulted me? Is he really that fearless or maybe just stupid? What was Leo going to do? Would he believe me? Banish Luciano again? Kill him? Should I even tell him?

My thoughts were interrupted by a tapping noise coming from my window. It startled me slightly but I wiped my tears and stood up to investigate it all the same.

"Miles?" I questioned as I opened the window and the youngest Megestanis brother stumbled into the room from outside. "What on earth are you doing here?" I questioned locking the bedroom door. "Turn the shower on," he whispered and I did so immediately so that the noise of the shower drowned out any other noise in the room "Luciano is downstairs. Do you know what he will do to you if he finds out that you are here?!" I said. "You need to leave."

"Fuck off,” he said mocking me. "I saw that the Alpha's car wasn't here and I need to give you this," he said handing me an envelope. "It came today.”

I opened it and quickly skimmed the letter written in Max's scrawly handwriting. It read:

Dear Lil Cuz,

Thanks for leaving me, bitch.

Luckily, I have managed to escape without your help and am now in Russia along with the amulet. Only problem: it is up a mountain higher than Snoop Dog and surrounded by a fuck ton of guards.

Meet me in Moscow.

Bring warm clothes, there's snow.

Love and shit

Max

"What a delightful, informative letter,” I commented.

"Pack your stuff. I'm taking you to the airport,” he ordered.

"Miles, wait," I said as he opened the window again and started climbing through it.

"What?" he grunted pausing with one leg either side of the window ledge.

"I can't go to Russia right now,” I said nervously shuffling on my feet. "Why?"

“I'm pregnant,” I said.

"Shit. What did you have to go and get pregnant for?! You've only been back five days!" he cursed before casting his eyes down to my stomach. "You don't look pregnant. Does the Alpha know yet?"

"No," I replied.

"Then you can have the pleasure of telling him when you get back in like four days. The quicker we go the quicker you can get home. So come on," he urged getting impatient. "Preferably before Luciano begins to suspect the length of your “shower’ and comes up here to investigate. Why have you been crying by the way?"

“It doesn't matter," I said wiping my eyes again.

"Well in that case, are you going to come or not?" Miles questioned. "Okay, okay," I said the image of Milly in so much pain flickering across my eyes. "Does leaving my kids with Luciano make me a bad mother?" I asked searching through my drawers looking for my warmest clothes and shoving them in a rucksack.

"Definitely but not leaving them with him would make you a bad Luna,” he replied.

I paused and turned to him.

"That is the most intellectual and deep thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth,” I said before getting back to the packing. “Leo's meant to be back in an hour anyway so they won't be with him alone for too long."

A minute later, I was done packing. I grabbed my phone, shoved it into my back pocket after kissing Lili goodbye and scrawling a quick note to Leo and putting it under his pillow. I then followed Miles out of the large window. It was a big drop and there wasn't much to hold onto but it's not like it was the first time I'd climbed out of this window and there was a relatively leafy bush below to pad my landed if I were to fall.

When we reached Miles car, parked on the road about 500m away from the house, he set of driving at high speed towards Seattle airport. Unfortunately, Seattle is in the Southern territory meaning a couple of hours into the journey we would have to cross the North-South border which was something to be nervous about. Miles was convinced that they wouldn't check his car because of his trusted position in the pack and he reassured that in the dark of the night if I hid in the footwell of the back seat they wouldn't see me.

"Leo is going to be so mad," I said quietly twenty minutes into the silent journey. "I shouldn't have done this."

"Fuck off, he'll get over it eventually and it's not like he's going to kill you," Miles replied dismissively.

"He hit me last time...twice," I said looking down at my hands and twiddling my thumb.

"Oh, poor baby," he teased. "Did the love of your life hurt you?"

I scowled at him as he grinned to himself.

"That doesn't surprise me. I would have done the same if you were my mate," he added more seriously.

"You aren't really helping," I pointed out.

"You don't strike me as the sort of person that would be scared of another person.”

"I'm not usually. Just Leo sometimes and Luciano," I replied.

"Luciano? He's your second cousin. Why are you scared of him?"

"He's a shit person with no morals. Just before you arrived he..." I began before trailing off at the thought of having to say out loud what he did. "Well, he..."

"Spit it out,” Miles said getting impatient.

"He touched me in ways that I didn't want to be touched especially by my second fucking cousin and he wouldn't get off," I said after a deep breath.

"Gross," Miles mumbled. "He sexually harassed his cousin. That is low key incest. Do you think the Alpha will banish him again?"

"I don't think he'd believe me. He has had very little trust for me recently and this certainly isn't going to help,” I said referring to the fact that I am once again escaping him.

Hours later, we were nearing the border. It was completely dark in the car as I climbed into the back seat and wedged myself into the footwell. A few minutes later, the car stopped and I heard the car window roll down.

"Miles Megestanis?" One of the guards said. "Why are you crossing into the Southern territory?”

"My brother, Mason, has requested that I check out the men in the warrior training camp that he sent from his faction a few weeks ago and then report back to him," Miles replied. "He wants to check that they are getting along well.”

"Okay," the guard accepted. "But since the Luna's return, the security has been on high alert. The Alpha has demanded that we search every passing car no matter who is driving it," he explained. "It won't take a second.”

"Sure," Miles said with a strained tone. The guard walked around to the trunk of the car and opened it. Whilst he was distracted Miles threw his jacket on top of me.

After finding nothing of interest in the trunk, he opened the back seat and shone a flashlight inside. I stayed totally motionless and just prayed that I was tucked underneath the seat enough to be out of sight. "You're good to go, Miles,” he said closing the door again as I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks," Miles replied with a nod as he rolled the window back up and drove away.

"That was too close," I said climbing out from the footwell when we were a sufficient space away from from the guards.

"Way, way, way too close," he confirmed.