A pack of wolves raced to the alpha's home as vampires surrounded the mansion.

Cross growled. "These bloodsuckers dare to come on my land?" Sharp claws extended from his fingers. "All the men with me. Selig, Abby, and Mom will stay here with Rowena and the other hexing witch."

"Cross, are you sure this is safe" Rowena asked. She pushed back the covers and struggled to sit up.

"Baby, I promise we'll be fine." He smiled and his teeth grew for a few seconds before retracting. "We have sharp teeth too."

He leaned toward her, his hand on her cheek. "I need to know you're here safe while we get rid of the vampires."

"Cross, I may be feisty and don't always think before speaking but I'd be crazy to try and fight a vampire."

"Well, you did try to fight my mom," Cross reminded her.

Rowena's eyes narrowed. "Don't remind me."

He kissed her lips and her forehead before leaning back. "Let me take care of the unwanted guests and then I'll be back."

Her hand tightened against his forearm. "You promise?"

Instead of answering, he pulled up her hand and kissed her knuckles. Rowena watched as the wolf shifters exited the room before dragging herself out of bed.

Abby rushed forward to help her stand.

Selig cleared his throat and smoothed his hair before standing next to Poppy. "This may seem like a bad time but are you single?"

The hexing witch raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Winona shook her head. "I swear, Selig. If you weren't my son, I would've sold you to the trolls."

"Rude," Selig huffed. He turned back to Poppy. "So, I'm not hearing a no. Does that mean you're available?"

Poppy stepped back. "Are you on medication?"

Selig grinned. "Are you a witch? Because I'm under your spell."

Abby slapped the back of her brother's head. "Knock it off, Selig."

Rowena stood at the window with Abby holding up her weight.

"I've read about wolves and vampires fighting before," Rowena said. She lowered her voice, "The vampires usually win."

"You're wrong," Winona snapped. "Wolves are highly superior to vampires. These vampires will soon learn to never enter an alpha's territory uninvited."

"It's because of me," Poppy said, sighing.

Selig turned around to face her. "You?"

Poppy shrugged. "They sort of think I'm their queen."

Winona growled.

"I thought you were a hexing witch," Rowena said.

"I am." Poppy nodded. "But their king, Banks, declared me his queen."

Abby adjusted her footing while Rowena steadied herself. "So, you really are their queen?"

Rowena frowned. "I'm slightly jealous. Being a vampire queen sounds fun."

Winona growled again while Selig laughed. The male shifter scratched his chin. "Sorry, Rowena, you'll just have to settle for being the alpha female of the Howler pack."

"So, you really are the vampire queen?" Abby asked.

"That's a long story," Poppy answered. She groaned. "I knew I shouldn't have come here but I had to see you. There aren't very many hexing witches alive. We have to look out for one another, right?"

"Of course," Rowena agreed. "Witches before ditches."

Abby frowned. "What does that even mean?"

"That it's better to look out for another witch than end up dead in a ditch."

A bang against the window startled them. Rowena jumped back with Abby as a man dressed in a butler's suit pressed against the glass, baring his fangs.

Selig growled and lurched forward.

"You scared me!" Rowena snapped. Her cat, Kitty, stood at her feet. She raised a paw and hissed.

"Let us in, Queen Poppy," the vampire demanded. "King Banks wants you back where you belong."

"Who is this guy?" Rowena asked, jerking her thumb at him.

Poppy grimaced. "The king's adviser, Heath. He likes to give me a hard time. I don't like him."

"My Kitty doesn't like him either," Rowena muttered, looking down at her cat.

Heath banged his hands against the glass. "Let us in, Poppy!"

"I was invited, you weren't," Poppy said. "You can't come in unless invited, Heath."

"That's true?" Rowena gasped. "I read about it in books." At Poppy's confused look, Rowena explained. "I'm in a book club with my friend Gina. She's in jail for murder but she's totally innocent. I mean, sure they found the drugs that helped kill Karen in her home, but Gina is my friend. I don't believe my friend is a murderer."

"Too much info," Abby muttered.

Poppy's mouth tightened. "Rowena, it's not safe to give your total trust to anyone. You may think you know your friend, but perhaps you don't know her as well as you think."

Rowena shook her head. "No. Gina may be a former stripper who's dating a criminal but she wouldn't murder someone. People in book clubs are never murderers."

Selig stepped forward. "I don't think that's accurate information."

Rowena took a step forward. "Prove I'm wrong or fight me!"

Winona lowered her head in despair. "This is our future female alpha."

"Is she on meds?" Poppy asked Selig, who was grinning.

"She's overprotective of her friends," Selig explained.

Heath banged against the window and raised his arms. "I'm still here! Open the window and let us in before we kill all your mutt friends!"

"Oh no, he didn't," Rowena pulled open the window, pushing back Abby. Heath smiled, putting his fangs on full display.

Rowena pulled back her fist and socked him in the nose. The vampire flew back, his hands covering his face.

"Don't call my friends mutts, you ugly bloodsucker!" Rowena growled before slamming the window closed. She peered down to see the wolves and vampires fighting one another.

Poppy gasped, pointing at Rowena. "Did she just punch Heath in the face?"

She spun to Poppy. "Can't you ask the vampire king to retreat?"

Poppy frowned. "I just escaped them."

Rowena's hands turned to fists. "I get that you're a hexing witch who is queen of the vampires, but people may die!" She frowned. "Well, vampires and shifters may die!"

Poppy's shoulders drooped. "Fine." She straightedge her shoulders and cried, "Banks, get here now!"

A gray puff of smoke appeared behind her. A tall male with dark blonde hair and gray eyes stepped forward he was dressed in black slacks and a matching silk dress shirt.

"Wow," Rowena whispered. "Poppy, is this King Banks?"

The handsome man smiled at Rowena. "I am." He peopled over to Poppy and kissed her neck. "I don't understand why you insist on running but if this is the type of foreplay you enjoy-- I'm game."

Poppy pushed him away. "My friend Rowena wants you to leave."

The vampire King grinned before turning his attention to Rowena. "I hear you're also a hexing witch. Such a shame."

Rowena's eyes narrowed and she tilted her head to one side, as if she were inspecting him.

"Like what you see?" Banks asked with a raised brow.

Selig, Abby, and Winona were all growling as they tried to push Rowena behind them. Kitty struck out at Banks with a hiss.

Rowena shrugged. "You're okay but have you seen Cross? Besides, being clingy is never a turn-on."

"Clingy?" Banks repeated.

"What else would you call someone who literally brings a coven of vampires to chase after a woman who wants nothing to do with you? I guess I could call you a restraining order waiting to happen."

Banks sneered. "You dare to insult me?"

"Tell your vampires to leave. Poppy came here to help me. Do you honestly think she wants you to attack my boyfriend's pack?"

"I've heard rumors about the human who bewitched the alpha. You're the alpha's mate?"

"I don't like that word."

Banks chuckled. "Poor Cross. I almost pity him. Then again," he glanced at Poppy. "I know his pain."

Banks grabbed Poppy's hand. "I'll leave with my coven as long as you come along, Poppy."

Poppy groaned. "Fine, but keep Heath away from me!"

She disappeared in a red puff of smoke. Banks stayed behind. He sauntered to the window and opened it. The sounds of fighting drifted up to them. He leaned forward and whistled.

Abby ran to the window. She looked back at Rowena. "The vampires are retreating!"

Banks stepped away from Abby and stared at Rowena thoughtfully. "I do apologize for this evening but I must thank you. Poppy is a runner but she is my queen. We had a minor tiff."

"She's already on my list of people to rescue," Rowena said, crossing her arms.

Banks tossed back his head and laughed. "You silly human. Poppy doesn't need you to rescue her. At the moment, she's much stronger than you. And if she really wanted to escape, she'd use her magic on me."

Rowena thought that over and couldn't find fault in his explanation. Maybe he and Poppy thrived in a toxic relationship.

"Fair warning, if she ever needs my help, I will step in," Rowena said.

"You don't even know her," Banks reminded her.

"You don't know Rowena," Selig muttered.

Banks gave a genuine smile. "It's nice to know Poppy made a new friend willing to take on a coven of vampires for her. I'll tell you a secret, Rowena Flores."

"How did you know my full name?"

He laughed. "Oh, you are naive, aren't you? I heard you've been busy investigating the fairies and trolls."

Rowena swallowed the lump of dread stuck in her throat. Did everyone know what she was up to?

"A fair warning to you as well. Beware Sylvia Finch. She's around you but she's not what she seems."

"She's the new Sweeter Homes assistant manager!" Rowena gasped. "What do you mean she isn't what she seems?"

Banks stilled before shrugging. "Your boyfriend is coming. That's my cue to leave. Until next time, Flores."

Banks disappeared the way he came in. Rowena turned to Selig, who was already typing something on his phone.

"The vampires are like the fairies," Selig said. "You can't trust a word they say. Still, I'm having someone look into Sylvia Finch."

She thanked him before realizing Poppy never explained why Rowena shouldn't use her hexing magic.