Dear Enemy, You're My Mate

Chapter 61 **

Patricia

Adrenaline is gushing in my veins, and the sound of paws hitting the dirt fills my ears. I'm jumping over sticks and stones while wolves are clashing on either side of me. Vampires are hissing and throwing themselves at my fellow Winterbite members, but I can't help them.

My top priority is to make it to the mansion and save Alice. Elijah and Wesley can lead the Winterbite pack in the battle outside while I sneak inside with Dior and William.

We went through this tactic with the others earlier this morning, and our fellow wolves got our back—they are working hard to let us pass through the forest without getting interrupted by the Summerburst pack.

As we near the door, I mind-link with Dior and William. 'Don't you think it has been a little easy getting through the Summerburst army?'

William growls. 'June is waiting for us—this is all part of the game she loves to play. She loves to inspire hope in her enemies before she rips out their hearts.'

I shudder at his words and glance at William's cream-colored wolf before voicing my concern. 'Are you sure you should follow us inside? She will try to put you under her compulsion again.'

'I've learned how to break free from it—you know that, or else you wouldn't have asked me to teach you how to withstand it.'

'I know,' I sigh at my troublesome thoughts. 'I'm just worried June will awaken unpleasant memories for you.'

William grunts. 'June took Alice, Patricia. You can't possibly expect me to sit idle when that psychopath took my mate! Ugh, I'm so stupid. I was too caught up in defeating June that I forgot about Alice, and I'm a terrible mate for leaving her alone!'

Finn cuts into our conversation. 'We will save her, don't worry about it.'

Dior gasps. 'How the hell are you talking with us?'

'Yeah,' I'm spooked out, and my voice is shocked. 'I thought you could only talk with me?'

Finn hums. 'No, I think I'm part of your pack?'

Dior laughs. 'I swear to god I got the weirdest pack ever—witches, old vampires who drink wine, and now a fairy?'

'You don't like me?' Finn sounds sad.

'No, that's not what I meant!' Dior sighs when he realizes his words came out wrong. 'I'm happy to have you onboard.'

'Thank you!' Finn says.

William grunts, sounding upset as he turns his nose toward Dior. 'What about me?'

'You too, man. You're part of the family now.'

'Thanks.' If wolves could smile, William would wear one brighter than the goddamn sun itself. 'Your words are gold, and you're an excellent alpha for letting me join your pack. I can't believe how kind you are.'

Dior sounds close to tears. 'I try, brother, I try.'

It's my turn to laugh. 'I don't want to interrupt a romantic moment between two brothers or anything, but I think even June is wondering why we are just staring at her door.'

Dior clears his throat. 'Right... Uh, should we rush in and attack?'

'I'm not sure,' Finn drawls. 'Patricia?'

I'm having trouble staying serious here. 'Let's just go inside...'

Dior lunges for the door together with William, and the thing flies open with a loud crash, causing both gigantic wolves to whimper. They topple over each other like domino bricks, and Dior turns around with William's tail swooshing back and forth over his head.

I roll my eyes. 'How graceful.'

Dior's tongue is hanging out. 'Always.'

Ignoring my oversized dog boyfriend, I walk into the mansion. The room is dark, but the lights turn on, one section after another until I spot June. She is standing in the farthest away corner, clapping her hands at us while Riley holds up Alice's body.

"Welcome," June smiles at us. "For a minute there, I was worried you guys had missed your funeral."

An inaudible snarl leaves my lips when Riley kisses Alice's neck, but Finn warns me in a low voice.

'Careful, Patricia. June seems to have the three other magical orbs—look at her wrist and neck.'

Dior slowly moves to stand behind me. 'Will those things allow her to use the remaining three elements?'

'Yes,' Finn replies. 'So we ought to be cautious. Patricia and I have only played with the wind element and are both rookies with water magic.'

Dior chuckles. 'That's where I come in.'

June takes a step forward. "Well, seeing you can't talk in wolf form—how about we let the party begin?"

The hybrid throws one gem over to Riley, who grabs it in a heartbeat. A smile curls her lips, and then she tilts her head, giving me all of her attention. She seems different somehow, like the stupid girl was an act, and the real Riley, the supervillain, was under the surface all along.

Riley snorts. "Three against one doesn't seem very fair, so how about we even the number?"

The hybrid snaps her finger, and Alice stands straighter like an unyielding soldier with her eyes locking onto William. She lifts her hand with tears dripping down on the floor, and horror fills my chest when I spot the dark magic gathering around her hands.

I change back into a human and yell at the top of my lungs. "ALICE! NO, DON'T DO IT!"

Riley laughs. "Do it, darling, kill your mate! Remember that spell I've had you practice on?"

June gasps, turning around to face her sister with wide eyes. "But wait, killing William means that I also will die!"

Unfortunately for June, her sister doesn't seem to care about her destiny. Riley doesn't show an ounce of remorse and smiles when an arrow of black magic pierces through William's heart.

The wolf falls to the floor, and so does June. Her blonde hair frames her angelic face, and the shock and confusion on her face make her almost appear innocent.

"Why?" she asks and coughs up blood. "W-We are sisters..."

"Why, you ask?" Riley smiles as if the answer should be obvious. She reminds me of the devil, primarily when she studies me with mild interest. "Because this city isn't big enough for two rulers, sister. And I'm tired of standing in your shadow when we both know I'm the brain. I was the one who kept my friends close, but my enemy even closer."

Her eyes are on me as if it's not already obvious she was talking about me, and I inhale. Riley's aura is dark, and I watch in terror as she steps over to her dying sister and takes the orbs from her weakening body without a hint of regret.

"I have more use for these now," Riley says and studies the orbs with fond eyes. "Would you look at that—they fit me better!"

The pearls glow brighter as if accepting Riley as their new master, and the hybrid turns to face me with an evil, wicked glint in her eye.

"Do you remember when you beat me up in front of everyone? Because I do, and you're about to pay for it, Patricia."

I narrow my eyes, gritting out the following sentence. "No. You killed my parents, so you're the one about to pay."

Riley smirks. "Oh, I did, but don't worry, darling—you're about to fucking join them!"

Lightning zaps from her fingers, about to hit me, but I'm pushed out of the way by Dior's white wolf.

'Change back into a wolf—now!'

I listen to Dior's order, knowing the only way to defeat Riley is by accepting what and who I am—the luna of the Winterbite pack.