Under The Alpha s Protection

"I can't believe I am doing this!" I, Cassidy Black, ran my fingers through my strawberry-blonde hair. I was on speakerphone with my friend, Becky.  

“Don't overthink it, Cass. It's not as bad as you think, given your circumstances,” said my friend. 

I rolled to the left, lying flat on my back. “I wouldn't have to do this if it weren't for my family. Dad's death last year after an undiagnosed and untreatable illness has left us all broken. He said someone in the shadows was after him, but we didn't believe him. Now Mia and my mom are going through something similar. I didn't fully believe them until I saw my sister at least ten feet in the air. I was scared to death, and so was she. Whoever was doing that to her wanted to hurt her badly. There were even bloody claw marks on her body. I don't want to lose another member of my family, Becky.” 

“I know, and I didn't doubt you for a second," said Becky. “That is why I reached my cousin straight away to get the spell for you.” 

“And I am grateful to you for that, but I am scared,” I said. “How do you even have sex with a spirit? And what am I going to tell my siblings and my mother? They’ll think I am demented.” 

“Oh, come on,” said Becky, “Your life is already a chaotic mess. Your aunt, a black magic practicing witch, is after all of your lives, for God knows why. Is that not demented enough? I think they will be rather grateful to you for saving their lives. And this is not some crazy ten-step ritual that we picked off Wikipedia. Elaine is my cousin, and you have known her all your life. She knows what she is saying. She was inches deep in serious trouble herself.” 

“I trust Elaine's words, but I still can't wrap my head around this.” I grabbed my phone and sat up. “A month ago, Dad collapsed right in the middle of Grandpa's funeral. Then my mother told us about our estranged aunt. She is my father's murderer. I still don't know why she did that. How can I make peace with it when I barely know anything?” 

“Cassidy!” exclaimed Becky. “Listen to me. Stop repeating things that we both already know. You need protection first. And this is the only thing you haven't tried yet. Once you're out of danger, you can visit that town that your mother claims to be the last known location of your aunt. That was the plan, remember?” 

“Okay, you're right.” I got up and walked around the room. “Now tell me what I have to do.” 

“You have the amulet, right?” asked Becky. 

My gaze landed upon a small chest lying on a table. “Yes, I have that.” 

“First, you need to hang that amulet in your window, and then you can prepare yourself and the room,” said Becky. 

“Prepare me?” I rolled my eyes. “As in for a real hookup? For a sheet ghost?” 

“Oh, dear naïve Cass,” said Becky, “They aren't sheet ghosts. You would be surprised to know what real Incubi are into.” 

“What would that be?” I asked. 

“Scents and visuals. You know all that good stuff human men are into,” said Becky. 

I shook my head. “Do you want me to put on lingerie and fill the room with candles? 

“That is exactly what I want you to do,” said Becky, “But make sure they are scented candles and choose a feminine scent that would drive any man insane. I know you always have those lying around your house in bulk.” 

“I like them a lot, but I never thought I would be using those for this reason,” I said. 

“Okay,” said Becky, “Now put me on hold, then go and hang the amulet and light those candles. It's almost midnight now. And twelve to four at night are the golden hours for such spells.” 

I looked at the clock, and it was almost a quarter to twelve. “Okay, I'll do that, but don't go anywhere because I need you for the full preparations.” 

“I promise. Now make haste,” said Becky. 

I hastily did what Becky had asked. It felt pointless and oddly frightening at the same time. I used rose-scented candles. The amulet was a bronze locket with an oddly shaped sun and a moon. 

“Done.” I picked up the phone again. “Now what's next?” 

“Slip into something sexy from your wardrobe, preferably red,” said Becky.