Chapter 497

Griffin swallowed hard. “She’s right. I have something desperate to ask of you and you might not approve of it.”
Mother Thessara didn’t blink. “What is it?”
For a moment, Griffin’s lips parted, but no words came out. He sucked in his bottom lip, hesitated, then finally said it.
“I need a witch.”
The shift in Thessara’s expression was instant. Whatever peace had rested on her face vanished.
And for good reason.
Yes, the wolves believed Selene created them just as she created most of the supernaturals walking the realm. But witches? That was where things got messy. Most wolves didn’t believe witches came from Selene. Witches, with their grimoires and circles and ancient chants, were often lumped in with demons.
Their history didn’t help either. Witches had spilled a lot of blood. They’d cursed packs, bent laws of life and death, and nearly brought down kingdoms. Even though some wolves acknowledged rare seers and healers in their own ranks, they refused to admit witches might share the same source of power. A werewolf’s magic was their wolf. Period.
Sure, the same wolves secretly used witches when it benefited them like the Alpha King, who had a custom-made necklace from a witch to shield his mind from mental attacks. But publicly Witches were still outcasts.
And that was the problem.
To a werewolf, they were the chosen ones while witches were mistakes.
That was why no one would ever support Micah as heir, not while he had demon blood.
It was ironic, really.
Because to humans, werewolves were demonic, animalistic creatures that belonged nowhere near the divine. Every species seemed to think themselves the favored child. Yeah. The madness never ended.
Thessara’s face twisted. “You want me to bring a witch within the sacred grounds of Selene?”
“It’s not the main temple Griffin shook his head, trying to clarify. “It’s not even near it. My mate needs her.”
Violet had been covered when they arrived. No one saw the faint point of her ears or the strange shimmer in her eyes. But they couldn’t keep her hidden forever. If they planned to leave without alerting anyone, she needed a glamour. Griffin figured the fever would break within a day or two. They didn’t have more time than that.
Thessara’s tone turned sharp. “Do you even hear yourself? All the land here is sacred. Main building or not, it doesn’t matter.”
Griffin lowered his voice. “No one has to know. I just need you to sneak her in. She’ll be gone the moment she’s done.”
But Thessara didn’t budge. “I will not commit such blasphemy.” Her chin lifted. “If I had known this was the kind of request Alice wanted me to hear, I would’ve turned her away on the spot.”
“And yet you claim to serve the goddess,” Griffin said, his voice now tight.
Thessara narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“You say you serve Selene, but we both know the seers are her voice. Her eyes. Her mouthpiece. Ignoring Alice isn’t just disobedience, it’s defiance.”
That hit her. The arrogance slipped for just a second. She didn’t speak, but the way her lips twitched and her eyes darted said enough that she was flustered. If not embarrassed at being called out.
She muttered, “Alice’s words were vague. For all we know, this might not be what she meant.”
Griffin didn’t answer. He just stared, giving her a look that said, Really?
Thessara’s shoulders stiffened. Her pride was still there, but it had taken a hit.
“What do you need a witch for?” she asked finally, changing the subject.
“That is not for you to know,” Griffin said firmly.
Thessara’s brows rose in clear offense, but he didn’t care. “However,” he continued, “if it helps your conscience, know what you’re doing will never be forgotten. The East pack will owe you deeply. You’ll have our favor.”
That made her pause.
Griffin could see the calculation in her eyes. Because even in a temple where everyone claimed to serve Selene equally, there was still politics just like every other damn organization.
Every Moonmother in each temple had the same ambition, even if they never said it aloud, and it was to be chosen as the next Supreme Mother when the current one stepped down. It was the highest rank a priestess of Selene could reach, a lifetime of prestige and authority. And whether they liked to admit it or not, backing from the East Pack—a religious hotsoot—was no small deal. Especially with Griffin Hale standing as one of the future Cardinal Alphas.
It was leverage. And Mother Thessara knew it.
Her lips thinned while her gaze dropped to the floor for a second, then she looked back at him.
“Fine,” she said at last. “Tonight. Just ensure everything is taken care of once and for all. I won’t have a witch stepping into this temple again.”
Griffin nodded. “You won’t regret this.”
“I honestly hope so,” she muttered, but the edge in her voice had dulled.
And just like that, the deal was struck. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ
“Take care of the others,” Thessara said, her voice calm but final.
Griffin knew she meant Roman and Violet.
“It’s a rare thing,” she added, eyes steady on him. “To be mated to not just one, but two. A huge privilege in fact, albeit one that comes with responsibility.”
Griffin nodded once, silent.
“We’ll meet again,” she said, then turned sharply, her robe swirling behind her as she walked away.
Griffin exhaled and made his way back to the quaters, settling into his usual spot by the door. He could stay inside but he didn’t want to invade their space. Roman and Violet needed to mate without any interference. And there was no guarantee he wouldn’t lose control. Yeah, he’d rather stay here.
It didn’t take long before a young Nova arrived, handing him a wooden tray filled with steaming food and scurried off without a word.
Thessara had sent her. No doubt about that.
Griffin stepped into the room, nearly knocked back by the wall of heat and scent. The thick smell of sex hung heavy in the air and it made his head reel, but he kept his composure.
Roman and Violet were sprawled on the bed, naked and tangled in each other’s limbs, dead asleep. They looked peaceful in each other’s arms, and the mate bond in his chest hummed in quiet satisfaction. As the first, and ultimately the leader, it was his job to make sure everyone in this harem was comfortable.
And right now, the room was a mess. Clothes were scattered, the sheets half-off the mattress and there was a broken cup on the floor. It wasn’t the best space—small and plain—but they had no choice. This was where they had to hide, for now.
Griffin quietly set the tray down on the small table and began putting things back in order. It was the least he could do for them while they recovered their energy.