She groans into my mouth.
Three…
Her hands tighten in mine.
Two…
She imprints herself into my skin in a way that’ll tattoo her soul on mine, no matter our future.
One…
She officially undoes me in the way only a mate can.
I stop, release her hands to reclaim her hips. My mouth lifts from hers, her lips full and soft, and I can’t help but dip again and taste her one final time. This time—thefinal time.
Then I push her over the town line, to a place I can’t go. She can leave it, sure, but my action is representative enough. She’ll understand the meaning.
Don’t come back.
Based on her look of betrayal, she does.
“That,” I grind. “That’s what I’m telling you. What I’vebeentelling you. That’s why I need you safe,kamahki. Why, if you run off and turn yourself Dark, I can’t know about it. If I know, I’ll stop you. I’ll trap you, bind you to me, and then you’ll hate me.”
“What does any of that mean?” She toes the boundary spell. It shimmers in response to being touched by one of their own.
I stretch my hand for her, pausing shy of the enchantment, and she meets me the rest of the way by slipping her hand closer. Once within reach, I take it. Turn it. Press my lips to the centre of her palm.
“It means, you better survive. You better be a kickass witch—Light or Dark—and come back.”To me.“You survive, Carina Hargrove, and youlive. You live a good, long, happy life, or I’ll kill you myself.”
For the final time, I release her hand and turn away from the heartbreak. Walk away from urges and instincts.
I shift back to wolf—uncaring if mortals see—and take off into the forest.
Officially leaving my mate behind.
My howl of pain won’t be contained.
Thirty-Six
CARINA
Ryder rushes away,but there’s a tether between us. I step past the barrier to follow, but he disappears into the trees. Although his destination is most likely his camp, following is a fruitless attempt.
The man’s made it known that I’m not welcome. No matter what’s happened between us, at the end of the day, I am a witch and he’s a shifter. If I walk into his territory uninvited, it’s cause for war.
My hand lifts to my mouth, swollen from the force behind his kiss. Unconsciously, I lick my bottom lip to reclaim his taste. For a moment, everything went blank—nothing mattered but him and how much I craved more.
Wanthim still. Which might make me stupid—pining after a man who literally carried me only to see me gone. But this still feels unfinished. This wasn’t the goodbye Ryder and I were meant to have.
Realistically, what kind of goodbye did you want? He was ready to send you packing to save his father.
I’ve lost my usefulness to him, but it’s more than that. Deep down, I know it. The things Ryder said, the tone he spoke in. Hewas truly terrifiedfor me. His solution was to make me go away so he didn’t have to witness it.
My next sigh ends with an all-too-familiarpopand my name being exclaimed right before my mother’s arms wrap around my waist. “I swore I was imagining things when I felt your approach. What are you doing home? Not that I’m not happy to see you, of course.” She straightens her arms to regard my face, tracking the sliver of emotion that’s slipped free in the time she grabbed me—the tear slipping down my cheek.
“Oh, honey.” She wipes my cheek. “What’s wrong? Actually, this isn’t the place. Come.” Her hand slides down my arm until she takes my hand, and seconds before we transport ourselves home, I glance over my shoulder.
Except, he’s gone.
