3 Chapter Three

I froze, for some reason my hand just wouldn't lift up to knock on the door. Just as I was about to put every ounce of energy into knocking at least once, luckily, someone saved me the embarrassment and just as I was about to have enough courage to knock the door knob suddenly quickly turned and as the door opened there was an immediate smell of an alpha male, I knew the smell all too personally, but to a normal witch, werewolves have a very distinct forest smell, very earthy and musky at the same time. Although when it comes to an alpha male the smell has a smell so rich it almost tingles in your nose, to most the smell is a warning not to undermine the alpha or disobey any direct orders.

Though really the smell had more to do with a warning than anything, but to witches, it's intoxicating, drugging, almost as if you were high on some kind of drug and a million times more intense than any of our kind. But thanks to our pure blood, it affects us in a much more pure way. For pure bloods, to some it may smell like wet dog, and to others it may smell like a field of flowers or even sweet like chocolate. To me he has always smelled like maple, as in maple syrup pancake platter you just need to eat right now.

And as always, nothing had changed, he was the same as the day I met him. Long dark brown hair with a golden tint, with just the slightest of curl at the bottom, it was hard for me to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest, and through the anxiety of the situation, I knew that Amber noticed the way my aura lit up the moment I saw him.

"Well well well, look what the cat dragged in, you know Willow it wasn't too smart of you to come back. Things haven't exactly gone uphill since the last encounter that we had." his words seemed to trail off with that last sentence as his eyes slowly traced my entire body, and feeling that familiar burn in my stomach wasn't making things any easier.

"Well I seemed to have made quite an impression the last time I was here, you have more security now than ever before. Tell me, is that because of me, or because you just needed to widen your pack?" I asked, my tone sounding much more hostile than I meant for it to be.

I expected for him to at least shout at me, because emasculating an alpha in front of his pack was probably a death sentence, but I had never been one to back down from a fight. But all I got in return was a deep hearty laugh that seemed to make his guard dogs feel a little less aggressive. I could feel the thoughts of the one behind me and I was not going to all him to touch Amber, best to get inside the office before we were going to have to fight our way out of there.

"Would you like to invite us in or are you going to continue laughing?" I asked.

"Oh come on Willow lighten up a little bit, let bygones be bygones, and you have my word that no one will touch your precious pureblood friend here." he said ushering us into his lavish office.

Compared to the rest of the entire club, Elie's office looked completely out of place. His desk was made of some of the oldest mahogany that can be found with mounds of paperwork on the top, along with his family's lion's crest in all gold on the very front of the desk. It was the equivalent to a name plate most humans have on their desks. The floor was covered in a dark grey marble that showed everything's reflection. The walls were almost all made of cast iron, a type of metal that inhibits us witches from causing any major damage to his office. The only thing that wasn't witch proof in his office was the huge glass panel that overlooked the entire club in all its indecencies.

With so many chairs with no real use, a very comfortable looking couch off to the side of the office, and a few bean bag chairs off to the right side of his desk, along with a few very thick pillows surrounding what looked to be a japanese dining room table set. "Please ladies, sit anywhere you feel comfortable."

I could tell that Amber was going to follow be so I decided on the dining room table cushions, and of course just as I thought Amber was right next to me the whole time, taking the cushion to the left of me, farthest from Elie and whatever vibe she was seeming to pick up on. Although I could probably guess what it was. This place wasn't a club/bar the hosted vampires and werewolves, but it was also somewhat of a feeding ground, and there had been many of our kind killed within these walls, either for pleasure or for food. But that was not something that i could dwell on right now, i had to be strong for Amber and Phenelope and get the answers we needed.

"Elie, I didn't come here for pleasure-"

"Oh now that's a shame, i'm sure your friend and yourself would get along just fine here, I know you always did." he interrupted, one of his worse qualities from a womans' point of view.

"We came because we need some information regarding one of our coven members." Amber elbowed me in the arm as if to tell me not to let out too much information about our situation, but she also didn't have the same past as I did here.

"See now there's wherein lies the problem, I don't know what my pack does on their own time, they do as they pleas-"

"Oh cut the shit Elie, you know full well what i'm talking about, and I know you don't want another incident like last time so I suggest you tell me what I need to know before one of our coven members gets hurt, or worse." I left the last few words to trail off, him all too well knowing what needs to be said.

His face dropped, erasing any trace of the sunny disposition that was on his face earlier. He and I both knew what needed to be done, it was just the matter of him holding a grudge so tight that he may not help. With the way I left things in our past, I don't blame him for not wanting to trust or help me, but deep down inside I could still feel his love for me. Just as he probably felt when he saw me again, what we had years ago, the love, the passion, the companionship and even the still tangible feeling of protectiveness, no matter how long ago, it never truly fades away.

I stood up from my seat, and gestured to Amber to stay put, and I made my way to where Elie stood, in front of the glass double sided window, as I came up beside him I looked out into the waves of humans and wolves alike, their bodies melding together in a sensual almost primal dance.

"Look, I know I've been gone for far too long, and I know I left in a hurry, but I need you now. You're the only chance I have of finding Phenelope alive."

Before I could say anything else he looked at me with the same look that made me quiver with fear and anticipation "Don't worry, i'll make sure that nothing bad happens, maybe she'll even have a little fun." but before I could argue, he looked over his shoulder and whistled a high pitch and within a second, there were two very large, intimidating, yet very handsome looking men in dress suits standing in the doorway of the office.

All I could do was look over at Amber and try to mentaly reach her and tell her that everything was going to be okay. I knew she heard me and stood up to walk over to the two men still standing in the doorway. "Please make sure that miss Amber is afforded any and every luxury we have to offer, and if anyone so much as looks at her the wrong way, i'll be having some hearts for lunch." the two men looked momentarily shocked and then both stood on either side of Amber and the three of them turned and walked out of the room together, I had no idea where she was going, but I trust Elie with my life and know he wouldn't do anything to hurt Amber.

No matter how well we knew each other or how much we respected each other, there was no denying that the past we left behind us still lingered thick in the air. His aura was shimmering blue and red with sparks of golden light shining through, I knew something other than my unexpected visit was bothering him, but now wasn't the time to catch up on the little things, I needed to focus on the task at hand, and that was finding Phenelope.

"So am I right to assume you're not here for a tasty reunion, hm?" he asked, his voice never showing a hint of what was really going on inside his head, and I knew better than to ask.

"Obviously not, you don't truly think I would bring another of my kind here after the past I've had?" he looked at me with one brow cocked, while making his way over to the more-than-mini fridge and bar set up. "In fact if any of the coven finds out I'd be in the deepest shit you could imagine. I need to know if Phenelope has been through here, Amber picked up her energy here, and there's no way I'm going to be able to bullshit myself out of this one unless I have some information, any good information."

Pausing for a moment wiggling his long thick fingers over what I could only imagine was his own personal brew of bourbon, he picked up the crystal glass next to the ice bucket. He was taking his time, I knew that, the only thing i didn't know was why.

So I took advantage of my knowledge of his office and walked over to what used to be another personal bar, one that he had insisted on keeping in his office so I would never have to mingle with the "common folk" I slid my fingers over the familiar lining of the cabinet to find the tiny, almost completely hidden knotch. Pushing lightly, the closet lightly popped open to reveal a mini bar just inside the wall, filled with some of my favorite whisky and wine, always at the perfect temperature.

"Of course, help yourself, I've never been one to deny you of temptation." he spoke lightly as if to spark some kind of sarcasm back from me.

"And as I told you before, I'm not here for pleasantries or to catch up, I need your help." I said while finding the drink that I knew I really needed right now. A witches brew wasn't commonly found around these parts because to werewolves, witches brew could be used for much more than a very strong buzz. And to a full blooded witch it's one of the strongest drinks that can be created, just the fact the Elie would still have this drink or any drinks for that matter still in 'my' secret bar, made me wonder if he wanted things differently. It could never be anything ever again, but the thought was soothing in a way.

Pouring the purple liquid into a large shot glass, I turned to look at him, "Well, bottoms up Flower."

Rolling my eyes I took the shot, "Flower is an old name Elie, haven't you heard?" I asked while pouring another hearty shot full one second and downing it the next. "I'm the next High Priestess of the eastern coven."

"Big title there Flower, you sure you're up for it?" he asked as I turned to put the brew back inside of the secret mini bar.

I thought back to a time when he and I were so much more open, so much more trusting. Now, because of everything that's happened I don't know if I would ever be able to trust him again, or vise versa. And inside, I knew I wasn't ready to assume the title, not now, not in a hundred more lifetimes; But it was something in my blood, I never had and never will have the choice.

"Of course, it's in my blood, it's my duty, really always has been. A sense of duty that is; So if you would be so kind as to cut through the small talk. You know that I wouldn't be here if I could help it" I said sharply, probably sharper than I intended but no reason to apologize now.

"Oh spare me your theatrics, I know you've never been one for committing to your duty; could barely stay away from the bad boy." he said, eyes wondering, clearly trying to change the subject.

"And spare me the bullshit okay Elie, I need the information I came for, I can't let Amber be here much longer than I already have, I don't need her asking more questions than I can answer." I looked directly into his eyes, I used to stare into those eyes as I fell asleep, but right now I was looking with determination and need.

"Willow, I got out of that business a long time ago, I haven't dealt with anything such as Blood Bonds or Potions since you left. If Phenelope was here at some point, she left here as she came, you know as well as I do that the pact between wolves and witches hasn't been broken for hundreds of years."

He paused for a moment, to gather his thoughts I would assume, "If anyone, or anything had a part to play in her disappearance, you know I would have handled it myself and told you about it."

I looked down at my hands in my lap and tried to reach out to the Old Gods for courage to get through this next part of the reunion. I had never been good at saying goodbye or even a 'see you later', in our world reunions were rare enough as is, even for a short period of time. I knew he was telling the truth, and if our feelings for each other had even a chance of rekindling, we were both going to be in trouble. It was best as always to leave this part of my past behind me again... I just never thought I would ever see him again, let alone have to leave him again.

"Willow, look, if anything pops up about Phenelope, I swear you will know. I have to keep these pups running laps before the next Rising, and I'm sure you are far beyond your mothers' curfew." he said with a small husky chuckle, his words had all the warmth of his love behind it, and it was becoming harder to look at him.

"You're right, I have to get back to the Garden, and preferably get Amber away from here before one of yours sweets talks her into a blood bond." as the words slipped out of my mouth I tried really hard not to think of our own very deep blood bond, made many decades ago, yet still as strong as the day it was made.

Elie must have been thinking about the same thing, as his hands dropped to his side to avoid looking at the permanent scar on his right hand palm, while I was managing the same.

"Well, Willow, as always, it's always a pleasure." he paused for a second to look at me, I could tell he was searching for a hint of hesitation in my expression.

And even though deep inside I wished things differently, I couldn't show that in any way. Better to leave things in the past, rather than bring them to light now. "You know you are always welcome in my home, and I do look forward to seeing you again soon." he said with a smile, it was hard to deny him the thought of me coming back, but he and I both knew it shouldn't happen again.

I think i was searching for something in him as well, like deep down inside I was hoping this time he would give me a reason to stay. Even though it wasn't smart, and we could both get in trouble, I couldn't stop myself from instinctually reaching out for his hand. And maybe out of pity or maybe even habit, Elie reached for my hand, as our hand met everything seemed to slow down, the light around us getting dimmer, and all the sound drowned from the world around us. I wanted so badly to curl up in his arms and kiss him till forever, and probably before I could do something I would regret later, he pulled away, the distance feeling all too familiar.

"We will see each other again Willow, and know this; I will keep fighting for you, no matter how much others are against it. You are my everything and always will be. Nothing can change that." he said clasping my hand once more before dropping them all together.

I stepped back for only a second, his words striking something inside me, making the once dull burn now come to life with a fire I fear I could not extinguish.

I should have told him that there was no way anything could happen between us again, but I knew I would be lying. These feelings would have to wait though, I had much more pressing matters at hand, first and foremost the fact that Amber was down in the wolves den getting comfy with some of the packs' finest.

Pulling my hand away took way more energy than I had in my heart, after this, the probability of our paths crossing again was inevitable. "Goodbye Elie." I said and turned to the door before I could get the chance to say something I shouldn't.

Leaving the restricted area of the club and finding Amber wasn't as hard as I thought it would have been, and Elie of course kept his word, with Amber still sipping on a clear glass with Witches Brew mostly drunk already, Amber was feeling less stressed for the moment. And this was the best time to get her out of here and get her back home before she could start asking questions about what she may have witnessed back in Elie's office.

Piling her drunk and mostly limp body was something I was used to by now, with Amber being a party animal, carrying her to the car and driving her home was something of an expected moment of the night, well most nights.

Driving us back to our dorm wasn't something I really wanted to do right now, and avoiding those new eyes I saw earlier just felt like the right thing to do tonight. So I decided to drive us about 40 miles north of The Garden, to a house that, like many around the world, was usually kept empty and clean for when part of our underworld community needed seclusion. With the fridge constantly stocked and the beds made with fresh clothes and hot water was much better than any human hotel.

Once again picking up Amber, and stirred the dead weight was too much for my already tired arms, so I let her feet drop to the ground and wrapped her arm around my neck for support. This woke her us just enough for her to look up and see where we were, "Oh yay, the caaabin," she slurred, "comfy bed and eggs, fluffy blanket and bacon!" she yelled putting her free arm up into the air. I had to admit, Amber was always a super funny drunk, and when we used to get drunk together was some of the best nights of our lives. I couldn't hold back my laughter as I guided her up the front porch stairs and through the front door.

Taking familiar turns and going up the first staircase I found Ambers normal room with her favorite fluffy blanket. Dropping her on the edge of the bed I made quick work of her shoes, socks and the jacket she had on. When she looked comfortable finally I pulled the edge of the blanck to her neck and turned to leave the room.

"Willow?" Amber asked from behind me.

I turned and looked at her, not quite able to meet her dizzy gaze, "Yes Amber?" I asked

She smiled "You have good taste, I never took you for the girl that likes the bad boys." she said closing her eyes once again, her smile fading. I would have said something along the lines of 'that's not ture' or 'you've got the wrong idea Amber' but I could tell that even if she hadn't just fallen asleep she wouldn't have believed me.

I'm starting to think I wouldn't believe me either. Still feeling the heat from Elies' touch was going to make it hard to sleep tonight.