Chapter One

“This is more than just a timeless sight. These are the memories of a lifetime. Look at them. They are glowing.”

Finding herself amongst the wolves of the Paxton pack, Helena couldn’t help but smile at everybody, as she savored the moment. As usual, “Joe’s” diner was the venue. They were celebrating Ray’s rescue, and the defeat of the evil that had been threatening to consume their town. All of them were in high spirits, clinking glasses, laughing, or teasing one another, as Raul praised their courage. Indeed, their Alpha was ecstatic, pointing out that, once again, they hadn’t hesitated to go up against a witch and a vampire in order to save his brother. Although their help was not needed in disposing either of them, he didn’t pass on the chance to show his appreciation. With free drinks, pats on the back, and words of admiration, Raul demonstrated just how much he valued their contribution on yet another battle.

For Helena, the fact that her only blood relatives lay dead somewhere in the wilderness, did not really matter. A long time ago, Darryl had been her brother. Prejudiced against witchcraft, he abandoned her, and went to live on his own. Somewhere along the way, he became fodder for a vampire. She didn’t know where or when, she only knew that whenever it happened, she had lost him. He wasn’t the same. He wasn’t even human anymore. In his stead was a vicious vampire who would do anything to destroy what she had built in their birthplace. Worse than that, he had poisoned his own daughter against her. Helena believed that killing Donna would fill her heart with guilt. She wasn’t the one to blame for her father’s hatred. Still, even though she was her niece, she felt no such thing. It was hard for her to feel sorry for someone she had never even met, regardless of their blood ties. In the witch’s mind, she was nothing more than the enemy that had been plotting to shatter the only family she had on this world. Why should she have any regrets over killing an adversary?

Nevertheless, the constant noise had an effect on her. Roughly an hour into the party, her head was buzzing. She needed some fresh air. Before she could get out of the diner however, Helena noticed Monica rushing the stroller towards the door in the upper left corner. Apparently, there was something wrong with her baby namesake. Not wasting any time, the witch headed for that room. Her own need could wait a little longer. Upon stepping inside, she realized that there was no need to worry. Raul’s mate was merely pushing the stroller up and down, as her baby’s cry filled the room.

“I think we should have stayed home, sweetheart.” Monica made her voice sound sweeter, as she stared down at her daughter. “A crowded diner is no place for an infant.”

“Nonsense,” Helena rejected that notion, trotting towards them. “You should always attend happy occasions, Monica. You never know when the next one is going to be.”

“I would love to, as long as I can find a babysitter,” Monica retorted, turning to her. “All my friends wanted to be here tonight. It would be rude of me to even ask them to babysit.”

“Why don’t you pick her up and give her to me?” Helena suggested, lowering her tone, as she shifted her gaze down to the baby. “You should be out there, celebrating with your mate.”

“So should you,” Monica stated, as a sweet smile spread across her face. “You are the hero of the day, not me.”

“Please, don’t start with me again,” Helena murmured with a hint of discomfort in her tone. “Just do as I say.”

“As you wish,” Monica sighed, as her face hardened. Moving around the stroller, she bent down and picked up her little girl, as Helena strolled towards the pram. Her gaze followed the infant, as the Alpha’s mate set her down into her embrace. The witch held out her arms, and then cradled her, making sure that her tiny head rested in the crook of her arm and her elbow.

“Go have some fun, mommy,” Helena gave a short chuckle, bringing the baby girl closer to her body. “We Helena’s have a lot of catching up to do.”

The witch averted her gaze from her – still crying – namesake, and looked out the wide window across from her. Darkness had veiled her town, a darkness only disrupted by the snowflakes that gently fell around her. Helena loved the sight of snow, for all the reasons that children and grownups alike do. For her though, it held an even deeper significance. It reminded her of the day she had met the love of her life: Roman Bradford. A long time had passed since then, and yet, it had not faded from memory at all. On the contrary, it still seemed fresh, as if it had happened just days ago.

“Let me tell you a story, my sweet, little girl.” Helena uttered, a smile of bitterness bursting upon her lips, as she brought her gaze back to the baby’s face. “Once upon a time, there was this young woman, called Helena. She loved to read, but her taste in literature was somewhat unusual. You see, she preferred books about all kinds of supernatural creatures. Their powers enthralled her. So, she decided to study witchcraft. For her, it was a good way to get closer to them.

On a snowy, winter day like today, Helena’s carriage got stuck in the snow. The horses tried and tried to move forward, but to no avail. The wheels remained glued to the ground. She looked around her, hoping to find someone that could provide a helping hand. And then, she saw him. He was…” She paused, and sucked in a deep breath. “He was an incredible sight. Very tall, really handsome, wielding an axe, as he strolled towards her. His name was Roman. He was a lumberjack. He offered to push the carriage out of the snow. And he did. Helena was stunned by his kindness, as much as his strength.

From that day and on, they became inseparable. He was great to her: a real gentleman, who respected her every wish. Romantic, thoughtful, and very caring, he took her to nice places for dinner and he always had time for her, although his work exhausted him. He even stood by her through hard times. Soon, she fell hopelessly in love with him. Roman was not just her boyfriend. He was her God. She didn’t mind his nature. After all, Helena was a paranormal enthusiast. When she told him she was studying witchcraft, he didn’t seem to care, either.

But, all of that changed, when he spoke to his parents about her. They both thought that she would bring harm to him. For them, she was the devil in disguise. Roman believed them. He abandoned Helena. For weeks, she tried to explain to him that she would never, ever hurt the man she held dear, but he was adamant.

For a long time, she stayed in the shadows, unwilling to go out in the world again. Roman found a new love, and had children with her. Helena needed to keep her distance from them. She knew they would never socialize with a witch like her. But, when chance came, she met his firstborn grandson who happens to be your father, honey. And through him, she met his brothers and his sister, and she found what she had been missing out on all her life: a family.”

Much to her liking, young Helena had ceased crying. Her eyelids had rolled shut, and her chest was rhythmically rising up and down. The witch bent towards the peaceful girl, and laid a tender kiss on her hand, as a sense of relief washed over her.

“Heartbreaking, but filled with hope,” Monica’s comment forced Helena to tear her gaze away from the infant. Monica had just eased the door shut behind her. Too distracted by her narrative, Helena had failed to hear her entering the room. “I’ve heard it dozens of times; I still find it very moving.”

“Personally, it reminds me of what a fool I’d been,” Helena muttered, as she eased the girl back down in her stroller. “I fell for someone who clearly didn’t love me back. I should have given up on him, a long time ago.”

“Maybe,” Monica shook her head sideways. “Still, it confuses me why you didn’t move on. Did you think he was the one for you, or did you just lose your faith in men?”

“I tried to move on,” Helena confessed with a sigh. “But, inevitably, I started comparing everybody new to Roman. It wasn’t fair to them. After a few new men failed me, I just lost interest in searching for love. I thought it was just a vain quest.”

“Exactly when did that happen?” Monica asked, curiosity written all over her face.

“About seventy years ago,” Helena whispered, as she brushed past the stroller. “I’m fine, though. True love is a matter of luck. I guess not all people can be as lucky as you and your friends.”

“Seventy years?” Monica squinted at her, as red heat flushed her cheeks. “Jesus Christ, that’s a lifetime. How did you, um…?” She faltered.

“I said I haven’t dated anybody in that time,” Helena pointed out, her voice firm. “Don’t confuse it with sex. Worry not, Dr. Mills. I have been sexually active over the years. Men around town were more than willing to sleep with a ‘spunky’ ginger like me. That’s how they used to call me, back in the eighties. I quit looking for one-night stands, when I ran into you and Raul in the forest. I had better things to do with my time than pursuing sexual pleasure.”

“I know I’m a little too young to give you any advice, but…” Monica paused, pressing her lips together, as she leaned towards her. “Can you please stop being so selfless? I’m not saying you should go out and start fooling around with men. All I’m saying is that you should look after yourself a little more. You’ve done more than enough for us. It’s time you did something for yourself.”

“Monica…” Helena snorted in amusement, as her lips curled into a sweet smile. “I’m far too old to take your advice.”

“You don’t look old,” Monica whispered, reaching towards Helena to push a strand of her hair back from her face. “We are fine now. Consider your own needs for a change.”

“Tell Raul and the others that I wasn’t feeling so well. Goodnight,” Helena abruptly stated, unwilling to discuss the subject any further. She did appreciate the doctor’s concern; if anything, it was proof of love. However, she was not ready to have this conversation. She visualized the place she desired to be in, as she snapped her fingers. Roman’s sanctuary had ever been ideal to finding some peace and quiet. In the company of her books, his journals and Khalista’s book of prophecies, Helena would seek solitude, away from noisy shifters, loud music, and Raul’s persistent mate.