Chapter 393
Chapter 393
54 – Ben
I tried to sit up, but a fresh wave of nausea crashed over me, making me grit my teeth in frustration. Seriously, what kind of Beta am I if I can’t even withstand a brief surge of magic-magic that my mate seems to wield effortlessly? The thought gnawed at me, stinging my pride.
“Just sit still for a moment, Ben. The feeling will fade with time,” Brianna said, her tone measured and formal. But instead of calming me, her words only seemed to make the nausea worse.
“What can I do to stop this from happening again?” I snapped, fixing my gaze solely on her. I left out the part about my mate still struggling to accept the bond between us, which apparently meant I had to get used to being tossed around by magic like a rag doll.
“We’ll consult with some of our members and find a solution,” Brianna assured me. “For now, though, you’re safe. But we do need to set protective wards here to prevent anyone from coming back to fix the rift we caused p>
“Can you stand, Baby Beta?” Marietta asked, her eyes locked on me. I couldn’t tell if her expression was laced with judgment or genuine concern. My ego couldn’t handle that condescending nickname for more than a couple of seconds, so I forced myself to my feet without a word. I handed the keys over to Elara silently—there was no way I could drive feeling like this, but no one else was going to say it. Without looking at anyone, I slid over to the passenger side of our SUV.
The women talked about what had happened the entire way back to the clearing where our coven was based. I tried to follow their conversation, desperate to understand what had gone on inside that sphere of light, but my mind was fogged and distant. I knew they probably expected me to share what Jax, Dev, and I had experienced, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to join in.
I must have looked like I was sulking because I stayed in the truck when the rest of the team got out to find some of the older coven members. What use was I here against magic? She didn’t need my protection or rather, I couldn’t protect her from magic. Suddenly, a paper cup was pressed under my nose through the open window. The scent was earthy-grass, dirt, and a mix of herbs. I wrinkled my nose and leaned back, eyeing Marietta with suspicion.
“It’s not poison, Baby Beta,” she said, amused. “Though I’m glad to see you have some healthy self-preservation instincts. Some people, when they first learn about magic, try to fix everything with a few herbs and a wave of the hand p>
“Does it even work like that?” I asked, curiosity sneaking into my voice.
“No, it doesn’t. See? I knew you were smart.” She smiled knowingly. “Now drink this. It’ll help with the aftereffects p>
“Do you know exactly what happened to me?” I asked, ignoring the ‘Baby Beta’ jab.
I wasn’t in the mood to argue about it, and honestly, I didn’t even understand what had triggered the whole thing.
“Exactly? No. But I have a suspicion p>
“Are your suspicions usually right?” I pressed.
She gave me a small, cryptic smile, clearly not one for straightforward answers. She often spoke in short sentences or riddles, and I suspected she enjoyed being a little frustrating.
“Walk with me, Baby Beta, and drink. It’ll help,” she said, already turning away. Latest content publıshed on
I rolled my eyes but climbed out of the truck, sniffing the concoction again. “What is this? It smells like the mud pies we used to make in the backyard as kids p>
“Kids have a natural knack for kitchen magic,” she said, watching me closely. “They aren’t jaded by the world and trust their instincts.” Her gaze made it clear she expected me to drink it. I didn’t get the sense she meant any harm, but the smell still made me cringe.
“If I drink this, will you explain what happened?” I bargained as I followed her toward the camp.
“I was going to tell you anyway,” she replied. “You both need to understand what happened—or at least what we think happened. And I don’t like repeating myself.” She nodded toward my untouched cup. “It’ll help with the aftereffects. Now sit.” She gestured to a chair beside Elara, who held a similar cup and was sipping hers cautiously. Judging by her grimace, it probably didn’t taste any better than mine smelled.