Morgan cut him a look, but Brandon stood and turned. “That’s what I fucking said.”
Morgan growled, but Vince waved him off. “It’s fine. She has to come back for the mating ceremony, right?” He turned to Brandon, who nodded.
“There is no way that Amy would get mated without her mom, and her mom wouldn’t miss it. Plus, she doesn’t trust me.”
Rick laughed. “Can’t blame her.” He bent over, laughing harder as Brandon glared at him. “What? I’m being honest, I would never trust you with any of my pups.”
Brandon looked at him for a moment and then grinned. “Smart man.” Then they both laughed more.
Vince just shook his head and rolled his eyes. “So it doesn’t matter. We will just grab her then. The spell doesn’t say the mate has to be willing. Just that you are bonded, and the child is both of yours. We will grab her, marry you two again, and then chain her until she pops out a pup for you.” Megan didn’t even think. She jumped up and growled. Everyone turned towards us.
Oh fuck.I stood and screamed at my wolf.Megan run!She turned and sprinted into the woods.
“Who the fuck was that?” I sprinted away, but we had already used so much strength running here. Nix pushed forward, sending me back, and taking control from Megan.
Sorry, but we need to leave, and we can’t shift.Her words were soft but firm.
There was a silence that followed me, followed by the sound of footsteps heading towards where I was lying. “I have no idea. I don’t recognize her scent. But how is she not making any noise?” Brandon’s voice was obviously confused.
There was another beat, and then I heard Vince scream. “Are you fucking stupid, or do I have to tell you what to do every fucking time something happens?” There was another silence.
I could barely hear Brandon when he turned around. “What?”
Vince hit something and yelled. “Fucking run after her.”
I heard them all shift and start after me. One after the other, I heard a growl and then charging feet. Even Rick, who knew I was going to be out here, was charging after me.
Rick, fucking Rick.
Why would he want me to see all of that?Megan’s words were ragged. She was waning, but Nix was pushing her body to the brink.
I think he needed us to see that. Maybe this started as a couple of friends, and he thought they were joking. Or it was a what if, and then he fell in love with Shelly?
Nix panted but hummed her agreement.I think it was probably in the middle. He thought they were just assholes joking around with the women they were using, and then he found his mate. But he didn’t want to let go of his friends.
Until his pup came back branded. Megan finished, and Nix agreed.
I feel bad for him.Her words made us stop. But Nix pushed on.This about it, you’re trying to stay loyal to your friends but faithful to your mate and you think that witchcraft is probably fake and then suddenly your child comes back branded, sick, dying and you actually know why but you can’t tell your mate because it is a huge betrayal. You thought it was all jokes and then it turned out to be too real, way too fast and your child’s life is hanging in the balance.
Megan and I felt the pit in our stomachs.It doesn’t matter. Before we decide, on what we should do regarding Rick and Shelly, we need to get out of here so we can save the kids. Megan stumbled back behind the barrier, leaving Nix riding her body.
I can’t keep up, I’m wiped. She slid against the ground and instantly fell asleep.
Nix?I turned back.Are you okay?
No, her body is too slow and they are gaining on us. I don’t know what to do.She called back, and then I heard it. Racing footsteps behind me, too close for comfort.
I pushed up to run with her.What can I do to help?We were overlapping, combining our strengths as we ran. I pulled a little bit from the magic and fed it into our feet.
How are you doing that?Nix sounded breathless and surprised.
Magic.I chuckled as I focused on her feet. Tiny bursts of magic when she pushed off from the ground gave her more momentum. We started moving faster and faster.
Can you keep this up?She pushed harder, putting more distance between us and the men.
I don’t-
I was tackled from the side, rolling us over the ground and ripping a chunk of fur from our shoulder. Megan was awake, whining as Nix and I popped up, turning to face whoever caught us. We snarled viciously and snapped our teeth at…Rick.
