Chelsey blushed as she grinned. “That’s only because I took chemistry in school.”
“Don’t downplay your strengths. You took chemistry because you understand all of that stuff far better than I ever did. So you have the brain for it in ways that Gwen and I don’t.”
A voice came from behind them. “Admitting you don’t have a brain, then?”
Kira and Chelsey both stiffened. Chelsey shot Kira a frantic look as they turned. Sure enough, Jenny Carps, High School Bully who never grew up, stood behind them. She had with her a small entourage of wolves. Some of them shifted from foot to foot, looking uncomfortable. Others eyed the magic threaded between Kira’s hands with disgust. Others looked fearful. Jenny’s eyes roamed over the sisters with hatred and glee.
“What are you doing with that?” Jenny asked, pointing at the magic. “Didn’t you nearly kill yourself playing with your magic? I’m surprised Joshua’s letting you continue to use it.”
Kira tensed instantly. She felt a stirring in her chest, the vague impressions of the wolf she never felt comfortable with rising in defense. “Joshua isn’t a slave master, Jenny. I don’t think he’d appreciate you acting as though he controls me.”
A prickling washed over the back of her neck. He had been controlling, wanting to keep her locked away in the house after the demon on the beach. Yeah, he hadn’t acted that waysince then, but they still hadn’t actually talked it through. Just one more thing that was in that bubbling black chasm between them.
“But you’re his mate,” Jenny said mockingly. “Surely that means he’ll be concerned if you end up hurting yourself again?”
Her lip pulled back, and her eyes darted to one side, checking the reactions of the other women. One of them, bouncing on her toes, shook her head.
“Let’s just get going, Jenny,” she urged. “We’re going to be late.”
Chelsey tossed her sleek hair behind her shoulder. “Yes, Jenny. You’d better get going. Before everyone finds out how you tried to convince the Elder Council to give you some potion recipes to make for yourself. But you don’t have any witch heritage, right?” she asked, her voice sickly sweet.
Kira groaned. It was a persistent rumor that Jenny was the result of an affair, and that her father wasn’t actually her biological father, as if Jenny didn’t look exactly like him. That jab would only embarrass her.
“I wouldn’t try to use one of your potions if my life depended on it,” Jenny replied hotly. Her hands clenched into fists. “And what about you, Chelsey? Are you working on the same love potion so you can steal Michael the way your sister and Gwen entrapped the Alpha and Joshua?”
Two of the women with Jenny broke off and started walking away, their shoulders rounded and their eyes darting uncertain looks behind them. Jenny frowned at their departure. The other women grouped together more tightly, watching with expressions that said they agreed with Jenny’s assessment. Fuck! Kira grabbed Chelsey’s arm.
“Let’s go. We don’t need to engage.”
Chelsey pulled away from Kira, sparks in her eyes. She never backed down from a fight, and Kira’s heart sank. This wasn’t going to end well. Gwen was the Alpha’s wife and mate, but the sisters? Walking away from the wedding initially damaged whatever protections Joshua had offered when he married her.
“What are you saying, Jenny?” Chelsey asked coldly. “That we found magic that the Elder Council locked away? Or do you think everyone with witch blood is just automatically so sexy that men can’t resist them? It would explain why your husband is constantly trying to grab my ass when he sees me.”
Jenny’s face paled. “You—” She snarled, rolling into a fighting position. Claws tipped her fingers.
Fuck it, Chelsey! Kira pushed in front of her sister, stringing fresh magic between her fingers. It glowed brightly, a protective net. She held it out, trying to look fierce.
“Stay back, or I’ll use this on you,” she bluffed. If Jenny knew anything about how Kira was struggling, she would know the effort it took to hold this shield—and that it was harmless.
Jenny backed up a step, her nostrils flaring. For a moment, it seemed like she was going to attack anyway, but she suddenly straightened. A hand touched her shoulder, and she jumped, turning. She expected Chelsey, and squeaked in surprise when she saw Joshua instead. She let the net fade as she lowered her hands.
“I got your message,” he said.
Kira braced herself for whatever scolding he had in mind. She shouldn’t be provoking Jenny. Or maybe she should be more aggressive in defending herself. Who knew?
Joshua’s gaze slid to Jenny and their group. “I have a pretty good idea about what this is about. My wife’s magic is to be respected, Mrs. Carps.”
“We weren’t doing anything,” Jenny started.
“I know Kira and Chelsey too well to believe that you were only minding your own business,” Joshua interrupted. His eyes hardened, and that familiar smug asshole expression crossed his face. “As I am aware that despite the efforts of the Alpha, his brother and I, some people still believe that witches aren’t welcome in the pack. Perhaps we haven’t been clear enough, so let me make this clear.” He stepped closer, his body relaxed but his eyes like flint. “This behavior will not be tolerated.”
Heat swept through Kira’s body. Nothing was threatening about the way he spoke; it was just pure authority. It made her heart beat faster and her mouth go dry.
If he looked at her, he’d know how much she wanted him right now.
So, desperate to hide her reaction, as soon as Jenny’s gang started to disperse, Kira turned on her heel. She walked swiftly away, praying that Joshua wouldn’t follow her.
Chapter 14 - Joshua
