WINNING OVER A WOOD WITCH
Blossom agrees to take part in an annual pumpkin-themed competition. She doesnotagree to play nice against a handsome, infuriating werewolf.
Blossom left the small, magical town of Folk Haven to prove to herself and her family that a wood witch could live out in the human world on her own. But she’s drawn back to her childhood home during the autumn season, which puts her entirely too close to the werewolf who has taunted and teased her for years.
Manny has loved Blossom since they were teenagers, but he pushed her away. That was the worst mistake of his life. Now the witch is back in town competing against him in the Pumpkin Wars. This could be his chance to win not only the crown, but also her heart…
1
BLOSSOM
Weddings are a time for joy,celebration, and resisting the urge to throw an elbow into the gut of the man standing too close to me.
Ignore him. If he knows how much he’s unsettling me, that’ll only make him happier.
To distract myself from the looming presence at my back, I stay focused on my sister and her beautiful mate-to-be as they exchange vows. Heather is a lacy masterpiece in a formfitting dress that flows into an elegant train and pools around her feet. The ivory fabric is a similar tone to her creamy skin. Light-brown hair—the same shade as mine—falls halfway down her back, the gentle waves stirring in the early fall breeze. Forget wood witch. She looks like a nature goddess with the flowers weaved into her strands. Helps that we’re all standing under two towering oaks for this handfasting.
“Jenny,” my sister says with a watery hitch to her voice, “I was never sure fated mates existed. But then I met you.”
Standing behind Heather, I can’t see my sister’s expression. But if it’s anything like Jenny’s, her face wears wonder and love and a touch of tears.
Everyone is getting misty-eyed. Jenny’s parents sit next to my father in the front row, and the three pass tissues to each other. The small gathering of family and close friends fills a handful of benches in this forest beside Lake Galen, and I hear sighs and sniffles from the group.
My heart swells along with them—and then my errant brain wonders ifhe’scrying.
Don’t look. If you look, he’ll know you’re thinking about him. Best to never acknowledge his existence.
“Have you rings to exchange?” Selena, leader of the ceremony and head of the Folk Haven witch coven, asks the two women.
Heather slips her manicured hand into a pocket—because of course she would insist her wedding dress be equally breathtaking and practical—and pulls out a rose-gold band. The metal looks warm as it settles against Jenny’s bronze skin. In return, the human presents my witchy sister with a silver band that cradles an emerald, the shade of the stone darker than the sage green Heather requested my dress be. I smooth my hands over the velvety fabric of my skirt before fiddling with my own ring.
The delicate piece of jewelry I wear isn’t from a mating or human marriage, but instead was a gift from my father the day I left for college. The circlet is simple, without any stones, but beautiful with its intertwining tree and root design.
To remember where home is, his note said.
I had known my family wasn’t overjoyed about me going to school hours away. But back then, I needed space. Papa and Heather had gotten into the habit of babying me and neverseemed to grow out of it. I wanted to prove to myself I could survive on my own.
And I did.
Now, I’ve come back to Folk Haven. Sort of.
A year ago, I accepted a position as a faculty member at Ramla University, which sits a half hour south of my hometown. But I decided not to live in Folk Haven. Instead, I rent an apartment in Athens, Georgia. A slightly longer commute, but it’s the space I need to maintain my independence. To show that despite being the coddled younger daughter, I’m not a child anymore.
No matter what some people might think.
Don’t look at him.
I do my best to focus on the ceremony. The happiest moment of my sister’s life. The joining of her with the amazing woman she loves. Our family growing by one as I gain a sister-in-law who is perfect for Heather.
Just as the coven leader drapes a light-green ribbon—the color matching my outfit and the floral arrangements—around the couple’s wrists, I feel a brush against my back.
A slight tug.
And that’s when I recall this beautiful dress Heather picked out for me, an outfit I loved the moment I slipped it on, is held up by two bows. One around my neck and one around my lower back.
And the latter is currently being tugged on.
He wouldn’t.
