Chapter 1

Layla’s POV

I scrolled through the room as several thoughts made their way through my mind. I have to report to Alpha Damien about the news of me becoming the coven's new High Priestess.

My mother was the previous high priestess, and before her tragic death, she had bestowed her heirloom on me. This means I am the next in line to becoming the High Priestess, the members of the coven didn’t particularly take it well, as they believed I was more on my father’s side. The werewolf side, yes we are hybrids, mixed with the blood of the witch clan and werewolves.

My father Alpha Luther, doesn’t like the witches of the coven, he was made to believe we were a ticking time bomb. They all believed with our strange powers we would turn on them one day and rule the world, throwing off the balance of powers that have already been put in place.

I want to become the high priestess no doubt, that’s what my mother wanted too, but Alpha Damien had told me to reject their offer. The coven members had just slowly started accepting me, rejecting to be High priestess would confirm their assumptions that I have been influenced by my father to think they are evil and cast evil spells.

I paced around my room, pondering on my decision, being the high priestess is important but I also do not want to lose Alpha Damien, we’ve been together for so long, and going against his wish just doesn’t feel right.

“What do I do?” I turned to Sherry, my best friend, she never really cared what side I was on, she was with me all the way.

“Layla, you know the right thing to do, As your mother will always say, follow your heart and let it guide you to the right path…I am your friend but that’s the advice I can give to you” Sherry replied.

She was right, those were my mother’s words, except she is not here and I need more than that, I need more clarification.

Later that evening, Alpha Damien and I met at our favorite spot, we had a mountain top which we visited whenever he wanted some peace and quiet.

“Have you rejected the proposal?” He asked, holding me close to his arms as we gazed at the stars.

My heart skipped a beat “No” I whispered

He let go of me and placed his hands on my cheek, lifting it to gaze at him “What’s taking so long?” He asked

“I don’t know, it doesn’t feel right rejecting the offer, they are my mother's people” I answered.

He exhaled “What doesn’t feel right is having a mate that is a witch” He paused “We have both waited so long for this day to come, the day I claim you before everyone, i can’t do that if you accept to be the high priestess, the pack will never accept you and I cannot afford to lose you” He muffled

“But…”

“I am not asking you to turn your back on them, as you said they are your mother’s people which makes them your people as well, I will never ask you to turn your back on them all I need you to do is reject the offer and that is all, you can pay a visit whenever you like” He assured me.

Hearing him say those words, made me realize why I fell in love with him in the first place and they also made me realize the answers to my question. I smiled at hugged him and we enjoyed the rest of the night cupped in each other’s embrace.

As I said I knew what I needed to do, I woke up the following morning, heading over to the witches’s coven. Eyes were on me as I walked in through the door, I could hear them mumbling and whispering amongst each other.

I was used to it by now, I didn’t like it to faze me anymore.

“Layla!” I heard a familiar friendly voice echo through the crowd, a lady walked through with a smile, her hair was long and she had blue eyes, she had a beautiful smile as well. That was Raven, my cousin, she is my mum’s younger sister’s daughter. I must say she is the only fan I have there.

“It’s so good to see you, I was beginning to wonder if you will ever show up” she teased

“Of course I will,” I answered and we walked into the room. I was surrounded by my mother’s family and elderly women who was advanced at spells and magic, they were my mother’s guides and partners, they were like the council of elders.

I bowed to them

“Welcome, daughter of Avery, are you ready to accept your fate?” One of the elderly woman asked

I looked around and took a deep breath, here goes nothing.

“No!” I answered sharply.

“What?” They gasped

“Layla?” Raven called in disbelief, I turned to her and looked away.

“I, Layla daughter of Luther and Avery, refuse to become the next High priestess” I voiced.

“Layla, don’t do this!” Raven blurted, I could feel the pain in her voice amidst the mumbling of the elders.

“You spoiled child, you turn your back on your people because of the wolves, they have poisoned your mind, just like they did to your mother!” Raven’s mother, my aunt Mystic blurted, the angry look in her eyes was terrifying but my desire to have a life with Damien was stronger.

I turned to take my leave and Raven came after me “You don’t have to do this, come back to us, the role of the high priestess is more than just a title, you could save all of us, Layla please, I know you want to be with Damien but at the expense of our lives? Your mother built this coven with her whole heart, she believed you would continue her love and care, please don’t do this” she said to me, holding my hands.

I took a deep breath and reached for the heirloom that my mother gave to me, it came in the form of a comb, I turned Arw around and placed it in her hair “There is no better replacement than you, you love this place more than I do so make it a better place, make my mother proud” I said to her and walked away.

I felt relieved although deep down I felt like I had failed my mother and my mother’s people.

“Are you ready for your big night?” Sherry cheered, as I sat facing the dressing mirror in my room.

I smiled at her, and she noticed I wasn’t looking good. “Are you okay?” She asked

“I don’t feel good, I feel like I have failed my mother, I know she wanted me to continue her legacy and I want that to but .. but ..” I stuttered as tears filled my eyes

“You made your choice so live with it and besides if you get to live with hot Alpha Damien, then you should do it willingly” she teased and I smiled.

Arriving at the ball, Sherry and I stood together, the music was loud and clear enough and we both moved to the dancing floor until Sherry’s mate took her away from me, I was left on my own and it became slightly awkward until I felt a hand on my waist.

I turned and I saw Damien “Hi” I cheered

He pulled me closer and marked me

“Everyone!” He called their attention

“I, Alpha Damien, reject Layla as my mate!” He declared.