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WAKING UP WITH A HORRIBLE rolling sensation in your stomach just plain sucked. Her confused life became worse with morning sickness. Maria lunged out of bed and into the bathroom. Last night’s dinner made a re-appearance while her hands shook against the porcelain. Derrick stood behind her and held her hair back. After dry heaving for a moment she finally managed to back away from the toilet. He handed her a damp wash cloth and she wiped her mouth clean.
“Thank you.” Maria closed her eyes in an attempt to center herself. Her already queasy stomach rolled around with the urge to vomit again.
“You can use this as a way to guilt the pup into submission later.” Derrick chuckled.
“Is that what your mother did?” she asked after taking in a shaky breath. His warm body wrapped around hers, his wonderful scent engulfing her bringing her some peace.
“She used it every chance she got. When I was a pup it worked until about five or so.” Derrick helped her into the shower and gently cleaned her up.
“When we get back you will need to change me into a werewolf. No more delays.”
“You still want to change?” Derrick turned her to face him.
“Of course. You’re my life Derrick. Being a werewolf means I’m more than just your mate. I’ll be safe and stronger.”
“All right, as soon as we get home then.” He leaned down and kissed her. Her stomach finally settled once she was clean. Maria slowly dressed in a pair of jeans and a nice black shirt. A light tap on the door caught her attention. Derrick motioned for her to stay behind him and she nodded.
“Who is it?” Derrick asked while peering through the peep hole.
“I have a message for Maria. Please open the door.” The woman's calm and polite voice sounded reassuring.
“You can tell her through the door,” Derrick growled.
“I'm sorry but I can't. I will not harm either of you unless I'm attacked first.”
Maria rubbed Derrick's arm and nodded. “You can take her before she even casts a spell,” Maria whispered. Derrick nodded once, his stern face in place. He opened the door to a woman only a few inches taller than Maria, with long black hair.
“May I come in?” Her light blue eyes focused on Maria.
“Deliver the message, then leave.” Derrick's body blocked most of Maria. The woman nodded.
“Maria, your mother is ok. We just wanted to talk to her about why she left our coven.”
“Why does it matter why she left?” Maria tried to move around Derrick but he kept cutting her off. She resisted the urge to shove him aside, a deep part of her knew it wouldn’t do much good. A witch against an alpha werewolf? Yes, she stood on the losing side of brute strength.
“Maria, you must have realized our coven has direct ties to your friend Alia's coven.”
“Can you explain all this madness better? You take my mom, give me a cryptic message and nothing else.” Maria’s voice rose in frustration. She wanted answers and Derrick stood in the way.
“If the over-protective wolf will let me in, I’d be able to explain.” The woman raised an eyebrow as she regarded Derrick. She had an edgy youth and Maria liked it. She didn’t trust the woman completely, but her need for answers was over-powering.
“Try to harm my mate and I'll rip you apart,” Derrick said. A small, shiny black cat followed the woman. It weaved around Derrick and stopped at Maria’s feet.
“Quest, come here.” The woman clicked her tongue at the kitten. The small cat glanced up at Maria, its dark brown eyes locked on her.
“Congratulations by the way.” Her voice twinkled with delight.
“What?” Maria’s head snapped up to look at the female.
“Oh, my name is Debra, and I’m your second cousin,” Debra smiled. “I’m also the coven’s doctor-in-training. I’m not great yet, but I can tell you’re pregnant. It’s an easy bit of magic to notice, but since it’s super early I think I’ll do well on my next round of exams.” Debra beamed.
Maria realized she had been rubbing her stomach and her hand pulled away from her body.
“How the hell?” Derrick lurched forward but Maria stopped him.
“Debra, can you explain about my mother please?” Maria asked. Debra smiled and meandered to the bed. The black cat followed her.
“So, what do you know about witches?” Debra settled on a pillow. Her light eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Nothing. My mother didn’t tell me anything.” Maria sat in a chair with Derrick standing next to her.
“Wow! I didn’t think she’d gone so far. You see, her sister died during child birth. She was all your mother had for immediate family. My mom tried to help her but without success. She disappeared one day and never explained. It’s why she was brought here.”
“She told me about her sister.” Maria rubbed her hands on her legs.
“Still crazy,” Debra shook her head while she petted her cat.
“Do you guys hate werewolves?” Maria thought about her mother and Alia’s aunt.
“Oh, I love you guys.” Debra beamed at Derrick making him relax a little. “I wish I could meet a strong alpha to be my protector.” Debra winked at Maria’s mate. A laugh left Maria’s lips before she contained it. The woman was blunt with her flirting, but she acted like a teenager while doing it.
“Maybe you’ll find one soon,” Derrick said, though his words were hollow to Maria’s ears. Debra didn’t seem fazed one bit.
“So, why did my mom leave the coven?” Maria turned the topic back to magic. Debra looked down at her cat, and whispered something to her. Debra closed her eyes but when they opened her pupils took on a cat-like shape making Maria jump in her seat. Debra tilted her head to the side.
“She is saying something about feeling hopeless and needing to find something fulfilling without magic.” Debra scrunched up her face then continued. “She didn’t teach her children magic for fear of being tracked down.” Debra blinked a few times and her eyes returned to normal. Maria stared at her for a moment before she found her damn words.
“Thank you Debra.” Maria wasn’t sure exactly what she thanked her for, all she could hope for was the truth and from Debra’s body language it seemed legit. Maria shook her hands out trying to figure out what the hell had just happened to Debra’s eyes, but Debra started talking bringing Maria back to reality.
“No problem. Hey, I heard through the witch-vine that you and Alia are starting your own coven. Can I join you guys?” Debra bounced on the bed.
“How old are you?” Derrick asked before Maria had a chance to say anything.
“Just turned eighteen.” She grinned.
“I need to talk to Alia and then I can call you.” Maria smiled back. She didn’t want to turn her down because she wanted to know more about her and the coven she would've grown up in if her mother hadn't run away.
“Sounds good. Living in Nevada sounds awesome.” Debra bounced. Derrick’s body turned ridged and then he marched toward the door. A light tap sounded just as Derrick reached it. Maria turned around to see her mother in the door way.
“Thank you for coming for me.” Maria’s mother glided into the room and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I’m so sorry, Maria. I should have been honest with you. I will tell you everything and help you and your brothers.”
“Thank you.” Maria leaned into her mother’s hug.
“Let’s go home.” She kissed Maria’s face then looked over at Debra. She jumped off the bed and wrote something on the notepad on the night stand.
“Here’s my number, there may be a few other witches who’d follow me there.” Debra sauntered out the room.
“What is she talking about?” Maria’s mother asked.
“I’ll explain on the way home.” Maria hugged her mother again. She was just so happy to see her mother safe and sound. She wasn’t quite ready to explain about Walter’s betrayal just yet. She also kept her mouth shut about the baby in light of her aunt dying during delivery. With everything falling into place, she was glad to have her mother by her side. There was only one thing left to do. Derrick had to change her into a werewolf. I wonder if it will hurt?