I meant it when I told her I’d come after her. Don’t know how or when, but I’ll save her somehow. My wolf won’t allow me not to.Iwon’t allow myself to not.
Until then, distance is best.
Yes, Xander, hide my mate from me.
“She’s fine where she is.”
Those who weren’t already watching us glance up as we reach the fire pit where most of the pack is circled. Conversation fades as everyone waits for me to speak. Parents settle cubs, and Conan drops beside Holly. Xander breaks away to claim a seat beside Claire and Leah, and he slides the child from her lap to his.
“There’s been a change in how this week will go,” I begin, and then recount Carina’s diagnosis of Dad and the war with Twilight Grove, skipping past anything Celestial-related because they don’t need to live in fear. I describe Darkness and black magick, and what the other coven wants with Carina, about the meeting with Morgan, and Carina’s willingness to help.
“They’re not fighting us on this?” Leah’s soft voice calls out.
“She wants to learn Twilight Grove’s true intentions.”
Graham, still healing from the attack the other night, raises his voice. “There has to be more to this. The coven aren’t ones to help anyone but themselves.”
My witch would.
“This is a war between the covens, and thus it is the covens who wish to figure it out.” More like a singular witch. “Which means, for the foreseeable future, Carina Hargrove is our guest, not a captive. She is not to be harmed. Doing so gets you an audience with me.” My low-level threat ends on a growl, the intention becoming clearer and sharper in my mind.
No one will touch her.
Amos, ever the supporter, shakes his head and stalks towards Dad’s cabin.
“She has promised not to harm anyone, so you have no need to fear her. If she tries, you defend. But do not attack. Find me immediately.”
She better fucking not.I’m hardly handling her presence. Having to make her an enemy will tear my insides up.
“Thanks,” I finish, glancing around the pack as they agree. “That’s all.”
Little conversations break out and with a glance towards Leah and Xander, I step aside and aim for my father’s cabin, wanting to check in on him. He’s sitting up in bed with Marissa in the chair and Amos nearby, murmuring quietly, presumably about what I just announced.
All glance up at my entrance, but I focus the entirety of my attention on Dad. “How do you feel?”
“Better now that you’re home. Amos was telling us the coven is cooperating, exactly as I knew Morgan would.”
“It was more Carina than her, but yeah. Here.” I hand Marissa the two potions of pale liquid. “She said take one when the pain gets too much.”
Behind us, Amos scoffs something about “trusting witches” but no one pays him attention.
“That’s nice of them.” He uncorks the vial and without hesitation, downs the potion, coughing once as it settles in his body. “Odd flavour. Where is she?”
“My cabin.”
His eyes rise from the empty vial to me, brows lifting. He understands what’s in my head—my reasonings, my quick addiction that’ll end in the worst withdrawals the longer I’m in her presence.
“You know, I never could resist your mother either. The powers behind thenîkâkîstisbond pulled us together. If your intention is to not claim her, it’d be best if you stayed away.”
“I’m trying. And failing.”
Close by, Amos sounds like he’s having a heart-attack. Up until now, only Marissa and Dad knew about the connection, but at some point, his position of elder would require he’d be told anyway. He doesn’t comment, though Marissa’s low murmurs indicate why.
Dad smirks, looking more like my father than he has in days. “I’m aware. Do what you feel is best.”
“Can she feel it? The bond, I mean. Did Mom?”
“Your mother was a shifter, so she felt something, but it’s nowhere near as strongly or impactful. The bond brings us together while leaving the ultimate choice to females. As for yours, she’s another species, and the only way to answer for certain is to ask her.”
