I stare at the pendant, mesmerized by the way the tiny stars twinkle and swirl within the glass. It's beautiful in a way the mundane world shouldn't be. Clearly magical, clearly special.
But what makes my stomach twist itself into a pretzel is the fact that Micah saw it and thought of me.
"I… don't know what to say," I admit, looking up at him. "Thank you. It's beautiful."
His smile could melt a glacier. "I'm glad you like it. Do you want to try it on?"
I nod, suddenly weirdly emotional and having trouble speaking properly.
Micah gestures for me to turn around, and I do, lifting my hair out of the way. I feel the brush of his fingers against my neck as he fastens the clasp, his touch gentle and warm. The pendant settles against my skin, warm and oddly comforting.
And then it begins to glow.
Not a subtle shimmer or a trick of the light, but an actual magical glow. Soft at first, then steadily brightening until the starlight within the pendant seems to pulse with blue-white radiance.
I reach up to touch it and light spills between my fingers, lighting up the space between us. I'm so mesmerized, I barely think about the way my scars must look in this light.
"Is it supposed to do that?" I ask, both fascinated and alarmed.
Micah's eyes are wide with wonder, the lights reflecting off his dilated pupils like a cat staring at a Christmas tree. "I... don't know. The merchant didn't mention that."
"Did you ask Sadie to enchant it?" I ask, since that's the only explanation I can think of. Shifters can't wield magic. It's why they have a reputation for kidnapping witches on the odd occasion they do have a need for magical services. Guess it's easier than putting out a help wanted ad.
He shakes his head. "No. Definitely not."
I look down at the glowing pendant, the tiny stars now swirling more actively within their glass prison. It must be reacting to me.
Or… us.
Maybe it's responding because this is where I'm supposed to be.
With him. With the pack. Following the path that's been laid out before me, despite my hesitation.
And the fear that still buzzes inside me, making my scars prickle, when I see the shapes of wolves in the woods.
The pendant pulses brighter as if it's agreeing with my unspoken thoughts. Its light darkens the shadows on Micah's face, highlighting the sturdy angles of his cheekbones, the curve of his lips as he gazes at me with hope in his eyes.
My instinct is to dismiss this as magical trickery. Who the hell knows where he got this from? That would be the safe response, wouldn't it? The guarded one. The one that keeps all my nice little walls intact.
But deep down, beneath the layers of cynicism and fear I've wrapped around myself like armor, I know the truth. I feel that truth in the way my magic responds to their presence. These wolves comfort me. And I'm letting my guard down a little more each day.
"It's perfect," I whisper, caressing the pendant.
Micah's smile glows even brighter. "You like it?"
There's so much eagerness behind that question. Like my approval is some prize he's desperate to win.
I laugh softly and reach out to touch his cheek. "I love it."
He melts visibly into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed. We've already shared a moment far more intimate than this, but somehow, this feels just as important.
And when my skin makes contact with his, I feel the soft pulse of energy flowing into me. Strong and steady but gentle, just like Micah himself.
I guess Killian was right.
Not only do I not need to be officially bonded to the pack to feed from them, but the connection between us is so strong, a simple touch is enough to feel it.
And unlike the energy I took from my former coven, there's no bitter aftertaste of regret.
