Page 11 of Fated Alpha Baby

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask as I place her mug down in front of her.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Amalia straightens up and pulls the mug toward her, polished fingers curling neatly around the ceramic. “You’re too clever for your own good, Hannah. Perhaps if you stopped doubting your abilities…”

“You’re changing the subject now.”

“Am I?” She slants her head and presses the tincture bottle in my hands. “Clarissa will need that now more than ever.”

I frown, stopping midway from tipping the mug to my lips. “What do you mean by that?”

Amalia sighs as she takes the first sip. “Your daughter will need you to fight. Not hang in the shadows.”

My nostrils flare with a flicker of irritation. “I don’t hang in the shadows, Sister Amalia. I am simply protecting my daughter from those horrible creatures.”

She clears her throat. “Your power could be invaluable in the fight against the demons. But only if you’re on the frontlines.”

“I am wherever my daughter is. You know this already.”

Amalia sighs, takes another sip of her tea, then sets the cup down before lifting her eyes to mine. “Someday soon, Clarissa will hold her own. Just as I saw the moment I met you.”

“You never told me everything about your vision…”

“I did not need to.” Amalia reaches over the table and places her hand on mine. “I have made all the necessary decisions to ensure that destiny played out the way it was meant to. And now, I ask that you loosen the leash you have on Clarissa, so that you may step forward into your full potential.”

My frown deepens. “Are you saying I’m holding myself back because of my daughter?”

“No,” she shakes her head slowly. “I am saying that you might be holding both of you back. You need not be in the shadows anymore, Hannah. Neither does Clarissa.”

“You’re speaking in riddles again,” I snort as Amalia retracts her hand and casually leans against the chair.

“It will all make sense soon.”

“Is something about to change?” My heart skips a nervous beat.

What if Amalia can’t protect us from the demons anymore?

What if the alliance doesn’t go as planned?

“Perhaps.” Amalia inclines her head. “Forming an alliance with werewolves is about to change everything, is it not?”

I sigh heavily, pursing my lips as I recall the devastation from last year, when we trusted a werewolf pack that left the clearing the moment the demons arrived. The battle between witches and demons was disastrous, and the only way out of it so the other sisters could survive was through sacrifice.

Shanice’s mother sacrificed herself to save us.

“I know that many of our sisters do not agree with this alliance. But I am taking every careful measure to ensure that mistakes aren’t made a second time.”

“I trust you, Sister Amalia,” I assure her. “I know you will always make the right decision for us.”

“Hm,” she hums, then drinks the rest of her tea. When she’s done, she sets the empty mug down and rises to her feet simultaneously. “Thank you for the tea and your hospitality tonight, dear Hannah.”

“It is my pleasure, and my honor, Sister Amalia.” I stand up and bow my head.

She touches my arm, prompting me to look up and meet her eyes.

“I have not had time to tell the others this, but there is a fourth pack that will be joining the alliance, if all goes well.”