“She didn’t tell me and I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to pry. I think she would have worked with me more but to be honest, I wasn’t ready.”
“I know. You still don’t like being a witch. But back to your abilities, can you do a repeat of what you just did to me?”
“Of course.”
As he rose to his feet, he decided on a precaution. “Maybe just use a quarter of your juice this time.”
“Sure. Why don’t you stay right where you are and let me know when you’re ready.”
He drew a deep breath. “Do it.”
She smiled then barely lifted her fingers of her left hand. The wave arrived a split-second later, lifted him up and carried him back five feet.
He settled his hands on his hips and shook his head back-and-forth several times. “I’m amazed. So, you can do this, just like Kiara. Yet neither of you can take Veyda on.”
“Unfortunately, no.”
Maeve had so much ability but a lot of it was undeveloped. She couldn’t levitate, either, something he now suspected she’d be able to do with just a little practice.
He considered the entire situation. “All right. Tell me more about what happens when you reach the compound.”
She then explained about some kind of spell-powder she used as well as Veyda’s purple and black rolling fog.
Braden considered all facets of the problem before him: Maeve’s abilities, how witches and warlocks could be-spell him, and especially her unique killing power that could be used to stop him. He needed more information.
He narrowed his eyes. “I want to experiment. You game?”
“Hell, yeah.”
Her enthusiasm stopped him for a moment. He admitted he loved it. He almost felt like they’d become partners without a word having been spoken. “Good. I’m going to shift into my wolf form and I want you to try your powers again. I want to see how effective you are against my fur-bearing form.”
“Let’s do it.” She adjusted her stance then lowered her shoulders. Yeah, she was game. She even looked more wolf-like, another sign of her alpha-mate capacity. When two people were compatible, they could take on some of the attributes of their mate. In Maeve’s case, the longer she was around him, she’d experience wolf qualities. Which in turn meant, he could expect to take on a few warlock abilities. It didn’t mean they would ever bond. It was just part of the process when a female could mate with an alpha.
He turned around once more and levitated toward the doorway. As he pivoted, he shifted to his wolf state and launched at her.
In the second it took to reach her, he saw her wave her hand. He felt the sudden swell of power hit him, but it seemed to pass straight through his wolf body.
With great care, he struck her down so that now she lay on her back on the stone floor and he was on top of her. He took care not to let her feel his full weight. Levitation rocked.
He looked at her through his wolf’s eyes and saw what he already knew to be true. She had a golden aura, something he could only see while in his wolf’s form. The gold shimmer around her was the most telling sign she was alpha-mate material.
Probably because he was in his wolf state, he felt the call of her deep in his bones. An ache formed in the pit of his stomach and sudden desire had him hard.
He watched her smile dim. But in its place was something he could now smell drifting from every pore of her body, a lemon-lavender feast meant for him.
But was she open to a physical relationship?
She reached up and grabbed the fur on either side of his neck.I’m willing if you are, Braden
Her voice in his head had him growling.
~ ~ ~
Maeve held Braden’s fur tight. She didn’t want to let go. The moment he’d pushed her onto the floor in his massive wolf state, desire exploded. Somehow, all that black fur and the sight of his fangs got to her.
She knew then he’d spoken the truth. Though she was a witch, she could bond with this Border Patrol officer and serve as his alpha female.
Slowly, he shifted back to his human form, a seamless process reflecting his decade in Five Bridges. She released his fur as it disappeared through her fingers.
