Dear Enemy, You're My Mate

Chapter 55 **

Alice

I run as fast as my legs can carry me until my lungs feel like they are filled with lead, and my lips can't grasp any air. My hand reaches out to lean against a tree, and then I royally puke all over my shoes—hopefully, no one saw this golden moment.

But I'm never that lucky.

A snicker comes from behind me. "Running isn't for witches, I suppose."

I turn around to scowl at older Dior, who is standing a few feet away. I'm not afraid of him, neither does he look scary. His face is wrenched with concern, and his lips are seized in an insecure smile. He looks as elegant as ever, but I can't say that I've missed him.

For two weeks, Dior has left me gifts, such as chocolate when William spends time protecting Patricia, and yesterday when I was watching Netflix, ice cream magically flew through a portal and landed in my lap. The werewolf cares about me—that much is for sure.

"Yeah, cardio isn't my thing."

Dior leans his upper arm against the tree and assesses me with his dancing eyes. "You're not in bad shape, Alice. Then again, I can't say I enjoy cardio either after discovering how to walk through portals and pop up wherever I like."

"Understandable," I say and face the older Dior with searching eyes. Something tells me he wouldn't lie to me, and there is still a question begging to be asked. "May I ask where you sent the other Dior?"

Genuine concern hits his face, and then he stares at the ground as if he is ashamed of himself. "I don't know. When I tried summoning the other me back from the shadow realm, he didn't appear. It's almost as if he wishes to stay in there longer."

"But why would he want that?"

"Perhaps to get to know himself better? I learned how to control my powers in there, and I also-..." Dior hesitates but then eventually reveals yet another secret. "Gave up my wolf in the shadow realm."

My eyes must bulge out of their sockets. "You did what?!"

Dior shrugs. "It's not a big deal. Back in the day, I needed power, and letting the beast take over gave me more than enough power and strength, even if the price was steep."

I glare at him. "You lose control every full moon—the price doesn't seem worth it in my eyes. Not if your friends and family risk the chance of dying by your hands every single time you turn!"

A low growl escapes Dior's lips. "I didn't have a choice! In my timeline, I needed to defeat June by all means possible. I'm not sure what she is up to in your timeline, but in mine, the hybrid queen had three of those crystal orbs—fire, lightning, and earth all working together to put an end to the council and the world as we know it!"

I gasp. "June had three fairies??"

"Fairies? Well, yes, if that's what they are called!" Dior runs a hand through his thick, dark hair, sucking his lips into his mouth in the act of frustration. "And she might get her hands on those fairies in this timeline too!"

A wave of discomfort travels through me. "I hope not."

"You better not!" Dior exclaims with his eyebrows furrowed and lips caught in a frown. "June is a psychopath, and someone needs to stop her from taking over the entire world, which is her goal. Vampire reign is what she desires."

Silently, I look down at the snow that has fallen from the sky during our talk. Why is talking so hard? I want to say some words, but I fear what other people will think if I voice them, but oddly enough, I think I can trust older Dior.

I take a deep breath. Anxiety is churning in the pit of my belly, threatening to eat me alive, yet I need to speak. "Can I be honest with you?"

Dior looks uncertain, yet he forces a smile. "I don't see why not?"

My eyes roam his face as I try to search for a glimmer of judgment in those angelic eyes. I find none, and with a sigh, I decide to give him my speech without thinking twice about it.

"I'm worried about Patricia's plan to end and fight a war against June because, in the end, June is still linked to William—if she dies, he will go down in flames with her. And I don't want to lose my mate."

Dior nods without saying anything about me being selfish. He is super obsessed with Patricia, though, so he isn't in a position to judge me. The shadow wolf would do anything for Patricia, and I suppose that's what makes it so easy to talk with him.

"You're not alone, Alice," Dior gives me a slight smile, one that isn't fake but honest and concerned. "I'm working on a solution, too. I might have screwed up big time by pretending to be the other Dior, but I honestly care about you."

I laugh. "Talk to the hand—you're probably only friends with me because there is something you can gain from it."

"Is that what you believe?"

"I guess?"

"Okay," Dior sounds hurt, which oddly enough breaks my heart. "If that is what you think of me, then I better leave.

Before I get the chance to stop him, Dior jumps into a portal opening up beneath his feet. His lips quirk up into a small smile, and then he is gone in a heartbeat.

I kick a rock into the trunk of a tree a couple of yards away. "Fine, just leave me alone in the woods!"

Frustration sweeps over me, and I walk with clenched fists and an angry demeanor. Behind me, I hear rattling bushes, and I turn around, expecting to find William.

"About time you showed up!" I exclaim and search for William. "For a second, I considered the idea of you abandoning me—you spend too much time planning battle strategies with Patricia."

Weird, I don't find William anywhere. There isn't a single soul standing in front of me, and I frown. I could have sworn I picked up the noise of footsteps, and as soon as I think that, I gather a snicker.

Riley pops up from behind a tree and smiles at me. "What are you doing in the forest all by yourself, witch? Don't you know it's dangerous out here? Enemies lurk behind every corner of these woods."

My instincts are telling me to run, but the logical part of my brain knows I can't outrun a werewolf.

"Riley..." I eye her face and part my lips in realization. Riley has always played the role of a stupid girl—I never even suspected she was the culprit, but it all makes sense now.

"You know, I always assumed you were the smartest one in the group, but coming out here alone proves me wrong." Riley gives me a brilliant, evil smile. "You've made my job a hell of a lot easier—my sister is going to love the trophy I bring her. All I have to do is kidnap you."

I stare at her, unsure if I heard her correctly. "Your sister?"

"Oh, haven't you figured it out?" Riley laughs in amusement. "June and I are sisters who are both working on bringing down the Winterbite pack. My job was to get close to Dior. But lately, that bitch has taken over the position to lead, and that complicates things—the only way to get to Patricia is through her friends."

Wait, if Riley is the bad guy, then is she also the one who murdered Patricia's parents? The killer had written Patricia's name on the walls with blood, and gosh, they sent Patricia's mother's head to our door—is Riley truly capable of going to such lengths?

I take a step back, willing my legs to move even as Riley's eyes roam over me, up and down. Her smile turns feral upon noticing my fear, and then her eyes glow in this gorgeous red.

"Come with me, little witch," Riley whispers, beckoning me to come closer as she walks down a path leading away from the Winterbite territory. The winds are blowing leaves around her feet, and her teeth glimmer when her lips part. "Let's leave the woods. June is waiting for you, my friend, and we shouldn't make her wait."

"Waiting for me?"

"Yes, you stole her mate, and you need to be punished," Riley snickers and rubs a finger over her lower lip. "My sister probably has a lot of interesting plans for you, and I must say the idea of making Patricia's best friend bleed sounds like fun."

A single tear slips down from my cheek because I somehow realize I'm under compulsion. My smile is fake, and my movements are stiff. Visiting June, the hybrid princess, doesn't sound like a good idea, but I'm no longer in control of my body.