We were about halfway to Evelyn's when my dad glanced over at Talia and me. He looked like he was studying us, and I'm sure I knew why.

"Just ask your question, dad," I signed. I know he was sensing the new power buzzing between us.

"I know you and Talia solidified the bond, but that doesn't explain the power I feel rolling off of you. It feels as if we already did the transfer of power. How?"

"Osiris wanted to try marking Elea. I told him he could attempt, as long as Elea and Talia were okay with him trying, too. I made sure to stress that he needed to not get his hopes up." I could see my dad's eyebrows shoot up to the middle of his forehead. "Well, long story short, Osiris marked Elea, Elea marked Osiris, and now we are double marked."

Not much surprises my dad, but I could see the shock all over his face. "The Moon Goddess left the marks on your wolves? That's incredible. I've only ever met one pair of double marked mates. Your mother and I attempted it, but they faded right after healing."

"We haven't really had the chance to talk about it, but I do know a little about that," Talia said.

"You do? How?" I wondered. Talia look rather embarrassed to tell us.

"Well, when I was 16, I wanted to know if there was any way to trigger the mate bond early. I was... embarrassingly obsessed with the idea of being your mate, so I scoured the library for books to see if it was possible for me to trigger it at 16." I laughed so hard that I had to stop walking. She is so damn cute. "ANYWAY, I found a section in one of the books about double marking.

"The Moon Goddess does not allow it to happen freely because the excess of power it can provide can be dangerous in the wrong hands. She only sanctions it for special reasons, certain circumstances, time of desperate need for the wolf population, things like that. So, my best guess, is that there is something coming that we are supposed to prevent or be a part of. I have no idea what, but the more I think about it, the more it freaks me out. I hope Evelyn can provide some answers."

"I wonder if this witch has anything to do with it. It seems like too much of a coincidence that there is a witch on our land around the exact time that you two end up receiving the Moon Goddess' blessing."

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"I think you might be onto something with that line of thinking, dad. This all has me a little on edge. It doesn't help that I feel drawn to the cave. I feel like I need to go back, like something is pulling me to go back. It's making me uneasy, and Osiris has been eerily quiet since finding the witches things."

I'm still here, Cam. I can't explain the urge to go back, but I felt it before we ever left. It was like I never wanted us to leave. It almost felt like wee belonged there, but I don't know why. I'm just as in the dark as you are.

Evelyn might have answers. We're almost there, let's just try to not get worked up before we know anything.

"That makes me uncomfortable. I don't feel that way, I wonder why it's just you. Elea is worried because Osiris isn't talking to her either."

"He opened our connection back up as soon as I said he was quiet. He feels the pull to go back, too, and it has him worried. That's why he's been quiet. He usually paces back and forth in my head when he's anxious, but he never blocks the connection. That's what has me the most worried. He isn't acting like himself."

We had finally arrived at Evelyn's. My dad walked up to the door and knocked while Talia and I stayed in the front yard. It didn't take long before she answered the door. At only 4'11", she was a short woman but she had piercing violet eyes and an aura about her that would make even a human nervous. It's why she tended to keep to herself. Most people were scared of her, even though she is one of the kindest, most gentle people I know.

"Alpha? What are you doing coming by so late, is everything alright?" Evelyn asked.

"No, Evelyn, not exactly. Do you know the cabin Penelope and I used to take the kids to when they were younger?" She nodded her head that she did. "Cameron took Talia to the cabin after finding out they were mates, and then they stumbled upon a witches lair in the cave behind the falls there. I believe we need your help." Evelyn's eyes grew dark as my dad finished recounting the story. "They didn't touch anything, but Talia carried this shirt on a stick, in case we needed her scent, and I thought maybe it would help you."

"That was extremely smart, dear, not touching anything. I need to visit this cave, see if I can pick up any signatures from her things. Come in, make yourselves at home, and I will return momentarily." And with that, she teleported herself to the cave and was gone.

We entered her little cabin and I was in awe at how it smelled. It was a pleasant earthy smell, with tons of herbs and spices underneath it. I suppose that wasn't surprising, considering the amount of fresh and dried herbs lining her kitchen counters and hanging from the ceiling. Not to mention the dozens of jars on shelves.

By the time we all walked inside, closed the door, and situated ourselves at her kitchen table, Evelyn had poofed back into the living room. We all look at her expectantly. All she said was,

"We have a problem."