Chapter 19: Patricia's Warnings

"So you hate witches," Ava started talking when Matthew finally calmed down. She hated to talk about witches now just after what happened, but her curiosity won.

She just couldn't help but wonder why this man, who clearly hated witches, would treat her like she wasn't a witch.

"I dislike all the flowers, Ava. Except for one." Matthew was still standing in front of the bar inside his office, his hand was on the empty glass. He poured another glass of whiskey and drowned it without saying anything.

"Should I just…" Leave? Clearly, the man was angry and irritated and his emotions made the room suffocating. It actually felt like Ava was inside a hot oven. Weirdly, she didn't feel scared staying with an angry Lycan that could transform anytime.

A small part of her even wanted to say some words to comfort him.

Ridiculous, she thought.

What happened just then was none of her business.

Still, she couldn't take her eyes off him. Watching Matthew made her feel like she was watching a calm lion that was about to pounce on its enemies.

Slowly, he turned towards her. His gray eyes seemed to glow inside the gloom of the room. The anger that poured out of his body felt so raw, real, and frightening. Yet she couldn't look away from those piercing eyes.

"Let me take you home," Matthew said before he gulped down another glass of whiskey.

...

The ride towards Gabriella's house was awkward, to say the least. Matthew's anger hadn't subsided and Ava could feel it. She heard Lycans could be very hot-blooded, but Matthew was doing fantastic at controlling his anger.

"I will call you when everything is ready," Matthew said without looking at her. She nodded and left the car. She, too, wasn't in any mood for the banter. At least not in front of her mother's house.

Ava then thanked Calida for helping her with her luggage.

Using an old key, she opened the door and dragged her luggage towards the small living room.

A loud sigh left her lips before she started removing the white sheets that covered most of the furniture. The place needed a lot of cleaning for sure. However, she planned to do that the next day.

For now, she rummaged through Gabriella's things and found a few dried leaves and herbs that she used for her tea. Walking towards Gabriella's kitchen, Ava couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Everything still looked the same.

From the cauldron that Gabriella used every time she concocted healing potions to the reddish, brownish paint of the old oak table where they had their breakfast every day.

Gabriella used to say she was very lucky to be able to purchase a three-bedroom house in a small town north of Anchorage. It had a large lawn that was too big for Gabriella's old car. A part of the lawn was used to be a garden where they grew their own produce.

But that garden slowly died after Gabriella left this world.

After fixing herself a hot cup of tea, Ava walked out of the house and sat on the patio. Bittersweet memories of her teenage years filled her head.

"I knew I would find you here…."

The woman's voice was enough to ruin Ava's woods.

"What are you doing here, Patricia?"

"I've been wanting to talk since you left that day." Patricia was standing just outside of the patio. She was wearing a beige dress that emphasized her pale, wrinkled skin. A rather large coat covered most of her body.

"What do you want?"

"May I— "

Ava sighed, then she gestured the woman towards the wooden seat next to her. The old woman slowly walked towards the patio, her steps carefully. Ava could feel the older woman's wariness against her. She ignored it and focused on the snow in front of them. It was still five in the afternoon, yet it was already dark.

This was something that she hated in Alaska.

"I'm not going to offer you some tea," Ava said when Patricia finally settled next to her.

"I didn't come here for one."

"Good," Ava took a sip. She heard Patricia sigh, but she had no energy for banter right now. She wanted her gone. Ava wanted this woman out of this property as soon as possible.

"I am here to warn you…"

"Warn me…" Ava turned toward the woman sitting next to her.

"The Graydons. As a part of Trillium, I am assuming that you knew Mr. Graydon is… a Lycan." When she didn't answer, Patricia continued. "I don't know if this is a part of your job, but… Lycans are more dangerous than ordinary shifters. Please keep your distance, if possible."

"Thanks for the warning."

"You are not taking me seriously."

"No, I'm not," Ava agreed.

"What happened to Gabriella was unfortunate. I know you are upset that the covens… voted her out of her own coven but you must understand. She was endangering the whole of Alaska because of her dreams."

Dreams.

Ava snorted.

The thing is… they weren't Gabriella's dreams. They were hers.

"So, you kicked her out, leaving her vulnerable. Smart move." Ava didn't hide the sarcasm in her tone.

"The past is the past…"

"And there is a reason why we should learn from the past." Ava retorted. "Isn't that right, priestess?"

"I just wanted to warn you about Lycans. They— "

"I know about Lycans."

"Then do you know that it was a high-ranking Lycan and not just any shifter who started the Salem hunt?"

Ava said nothing. She didn't know that. Their histories only spoke of a powerful shifter, not a Lycan.

"Lycans are feared even among their kind. They cannot be trusted."

"Just like witches," Ava snorted.

"Ava—" Patricia sighed. "Witches cannot have relations with a Lycan it— "

"So you are here because you thought I had some sort of relationship with a Lycan." Ava couldn't believe the audacity of this woman. Just how thick was her skin?

"I can see the way he was looking at you. Lycans have mates and… if he found his. He would leave you. A Lycan's promise can alter a witch's magick."

It can make a witch insane. Yep. She heard about that in the past.

But then again, there is no need to be worried. She wasn't planning on sleeping with a Lycan.

Not even fantasy sex.

Alright… maybe just a little fantasy sex with a sexy Lycan whose temper could make anyone melt.

But not a relationship. No. Definitely not a relationship.

"Thanks for the tip, Priestess. I will keep that in mind," she said.

"No. I want you to always remember Ava. Lycans are dangerous. You cannot fall in love with a Lycan."

She rolled her eyes inwardly.

Love?

Why was she talking about… love?

"You know Patricia," she gave the woman a beautiful smile. "It's never too late to shut the fuck up and mind your own business."

Patricia's eyes widened at her remark. Then she got up and walked out of the Patio.

"Ava, I am here because I know you are Gabriella's daughter. She loved you like one. She wouldn't want you to get too close with the Lycans, either."

Ava pursed her lips in response. Once again, Patricia used Gabriella. This woman just won't stop using Gabriella's name to achieve her goal. Ava gritted her teeth.

Seeing this, Patricia continued, "Also, I know that you are no longer a member of Trillium." Patricia gave her one last look before her figure disappeared into the dark.

Ava smirked in response. So, after everything, Patricia's real goal was to threaten her. She was no longer with Trillium. Meaning that she was no longer exempted from the Wiccan laws that govern all witches.