The Guest

As part of the arrangement between the pack and the Order, Savannah was sending another healer to study under Tessa. Her name is Lorena Nieves. She is the daughter of Cuban born parents who came to Savannah to join the Order in the days of the Mason's. They were not natural witches, but Lorena was extremely talented for a human born.

Lorena decided to make the nearly ten hour drive. She didn’t care for flying.

Despite legend, witches can't fly. Certainly not human born witches anyway. Tessa and Teddy were able to 'mist' or appear and disappear from the air. It was something that Haldir the Immortal had taught them.

Lorena had the top of her car down and was enjoying the breeze. She wore her curly hair pulled back tight in a pony tail. The afternoon sun beat down on her deep bronze skin and reflected off her sunglasses. She sang along with the music playing through her speakers.

When she pulled into the town Lorena's heart began racing. Too much coffee during this trip. Heat began rising through her core. She thought to herself that she needed to rest and get out of the sun.

The town is located in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. There are neighborhoods with lovely, quaint old homes and large farms. The town was settled by Lycan when the country first founded. The Hexom's have lead this pack since the beginning. The more populated downtown has a single road that is lined with old store fronts and a railroad track.

After finding the correct road, Lorena pulled up to the gate and gave her name to the guards. They waved her through and she drove slowly, taking in the scenery. The drive is lined in tall old trees that were in bloom at that time. The fragrant smell of fruit and fresh cut grass filled her nose. When she reached the main house , she parked and got her bags from her car. The front door opened and Logan and Tessa walked out to greet her. Logan, as usual, kept his new baby tucked away safely in his arms where no one could take them.

Lorena reached out her hand to Tessa and said, “Thank you so much for allowing me to stay here with you.” She leaned in to peek at the sleeping baby and said, “Aww, she’s perfect. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hexom.”

“ I hope you don’t mind, it may be a little noisy. We put you at the end of the hall away from the rest of us, but she's been quite fussy lately.”

“I don’t mind at all, I’m here at your service. Thank you for the opportunity to study under you. I am looking forward to this so much,” said Lorena.

When she entered the house, she was greeted by Erik who had been watching from the window. Erik is thirteen and a handsome boy. He had thick curly dark hair and green eyes. When Lorena held her hand out to him, he blushed. Lorena is strikingly beautiful and Erik had a bit aof a crush. Tessa introduced them and then told her that she would meet their oldest son at dinner. They were all very excited to meet the new person. Lorena sat on the sofa as Logan and Tessa asked her questions about her life and home.

Tessa then showed Lorena to the room she would be staying in for the next few weeks. It had been Jacob's room when he still lived there and Tessa hadn't the heart to change anything yet. It was painted a deep blue and had dark wooden furniture. There was alarge flat screen television on the wall and a king sized bed with a fluffy white down comforter.

Lorena was exhausted from her trip and needed a shower and nap.The bathroom had a large toled shower with glass enclosure and a bench. She had really been hoping for a tub to soak in, but she'd only be here for two weeks so this would do.

She emerged from the bathroom, squeezing the water from her curly hair. Hearing voices outside, she pulled the curtain back and looked out the window. There were pack warriors outside having a meeting of some sort. Lorenas heart began thumping in her chest. Her knees felt week.

She laid down on the bed and closed her eyes, hoping to get a little rest before dinner.

When she woke, she had a message from her fiance. She missed him already. She wished he had been able to come with her. She had heard from other witches who had come to study about how they were hounded by the single pack members. She was not there to do anything but learn, she was not that kind of witch.

She and her fiance, Darius had met a few years ago and have been insperable ever since.

Lorena called him.

“Hi babe.Sorry I didn’t call you when I first got here, I was so tired.”

“That’s ok. What are they like? Nice?” the man on the phone asked.

Lorena siad,” Yeah. Alpha Logan is kinda scarey but Tessa seems really nice.Sorry I have to cut this short. It’s dinner time and I don’t want to keep them waiting. I’ll call you before I go to bed. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Lorena hung up and then went to the bathroom to make sure she looked presentable. WHen she was finished, she walked out of the room and got a noseful of jasmine. It made her heart thump. She started to the staircase when she heard a male voice coming from downstairs. The sound of his voice stopped her in her tracks.

Lorena is a smart girl . She quickly realized what all these physical manifestations were about. She had researched werewolves extensively before coming here and had known witches that had been through this very thing.

Her mate was near. The one chosen for her by the Fates.

The Fates. Remnants of the old religion that wreaked havoc on the lives of the supernatural. Anything good or bad that happened was credited to the Fates. Lorena thpught that it was ridiculous nonsense. Those old beliefs and customs needed to change. She wouldn't live her life by what some invisible force dictated. She was her own woman with her own mind. She knew what she wanted and more importantly, she knew who she did not want.

But Loreana would not be taken by some oversexed dog! Although she did not look down on Tessa for marrying into the Pack, Lorena was disgusted by the thought of marrying an animal.

She was a proper witch and had no intention of being claimed by whoever was waiting for her downstairs. She was already with Darius and loved him. They shared a home and a life together. Lorena had her pride and come hell or high water, she would be leaving this town in two weeks as planned. She wouldn't become some wolf's sex toy.

With her head held high, she took a deep breath to calm herself and began down the stairs.