The next morning, a sliver of sunlight pierced through the heavy velvet curtains of Seraiya's room, disturbing her slumber. A persistent knock echoed through the space. "Who is it?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep, the words barely audible.
The door creaked open, revealing the silhouette of her Beta, Michael. "You have a call coming in from the office phone," he said, his tone formal, yet a hint of curiosity danced in his eyes.
Seraiya blinked, trying to shake off the lingering tendrils of sleep. "Who is it?" she asked again, finally pushing herself up against the ornate headboard.
Michael stepped further into the room, his expression unreadable. "A woman named Leslie. She claims to be the Matriarch of a coven in Russia. She insisted I tell you she knew Anya."
Seraiya's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She sat up straighter, her senses now fully alert. "Patch her into my room phone," she commanded, her voice regaining its usual authority. Liam nodded curtly and disappeared, leaving Seraiya to ponder the unexpected intrusion.
A moment later, the antique phone on her desk buzzed to life. Seraiya picked up the receiver, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. "привет," she said cautiously.
A voice, raspy and accented, filled her ear. "You can speak English. I know it," Leslie retorted, her tone sharp and impatient.
Seraiya frowned. "Why the sudden call to a person you don't even know?" she asked, her curiosity tinged with suspicion.
"I need your help," Leslie stated simply, her voice devoid of emotion.
Seraiya raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "What could I possibly help you with?"
"It was maybe about ten years ago," Leslie began, "I helped Anya make a call to the alpha of the Sigris pack, though you've renamed it, haven't you? Grey Moon or something?"
Seraiya's grip tightened on the receiver. "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean," she said, feigning ignorance.
"I came across a little girl," Leslie continued, her voice softening slightly. "She's like you in a way, but different."
Seraiya's heart skipped a beat. "I'm sorry, but you need to be more specific," she pressed, her mind racing with possibilities and a growing sense of foreboding.
"She is a hybrid I believe... her power is unknown. Her kind is probably as rare as your own," Leslie said, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"What is she?" Seraiya asked again, a knot of curiosity and concern tightening in her stomach.
"She is what is known among witches as a Fire Fox," Leslie answered, the words hanging in the air like a mystical revelation. "A witch and fox shifter mixed into one."
"I didn't even know fox shifters existed until now..." Seraiya said, a hint of disbelief coloring her tone. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to process the information.
"You should know better than anyone that the impossible exists all over the world... It's just very few who pay attention unless they're powerful," Leslie retorted, a touch of weariness in her voice.
"Bring the girl here," Seraiya told her, a sense of determination hardening her gaze. "I'll keep her safe 'til her family is found."
"She has no family," Leslie said, the words cutting through the air like a shard of ice.
Seraiya froze for a moment, her mind reeling. "No family..." she repeated quietly, the words laced with a mixture of sadness and understanding.
"If you take in Maddie... You will need to find her a family," Leslie said, her voice softening slightly.
Seraiya thought for a moment, her mind drifting back to her own past. She thought of Aaron and Anya, of how they had taken her in, nurtured her, and loved her as their own. She thought of how they had all become her family, bound together by love and loyalty.
"Bring her here," Seraiya told her again, her voice firm and resolute. "I'll make sure she has a family, one way or another."
2 days passed.
Seraiya stood at the train station waiting. Was this how Aaron felt when she was coming with Anya? Seraiya turned to look behind her. The train was finally here.
When it came to a stop people quickly began to get off the train. "I didn't think you would be here so early!" Said the familiar voice from the phone. "It's nice to finally meet you in person Leslie" said Seraiya as she shook her hand. "This is Maddie" said Leslie. "Maddie, this is Seraiya you'll be staying with her" said Leslie as she wrapped her arm around Maddie.
Maddie looked up at Seraiya with her purple eyes. She almost resembled Kyra in a way with her hair, but the difference between them was vast as Maddie had several freckles and purple eyes.
Seraiya kneeled down to Maddie's level before giving her a bright smile. "It's very nice to meet you Maddie" Seraiya told her. "How bout we get you back to our pack house and get you settled in?" Asked Seraiya. Maddie nodded at her.
Maddie somehow reminded Seraiya of herself... Perhaps it was because she was special in her own ways? Or maybe it was the strength that reflected in her eyes... Whatever it was Seraiya could tell this young girl had been through a lot. And she could tell she would face a lot more in the future. Because no one with eyes like hers would be exempt from suffering... She knew that from experience. But to Seraiya that didn't matter at all.
Seraiya would do whatever she had to in order to keep Maddie safe. Seraiya would protect Maddie.
Seraiya looked up at Leslie before looking back at Maddie. "Shall we head to the pack house?" Seraiya questioned and Maddie gently nodded her head.
Seraiya stood up. "Thank you" said Leslie. "I'm only doing what was done for me" Seraiya replied in a simple tone. "Im sure you are" Leslie said almost knowingly.
Seraiya held out her hand to Maddie and looked in her eyes. "Lets go home" she said as Maddie just stared at her golden eyes, before slowly taking her hand.
TO BE CONTINUED