“You marry him, then,” I snap.
To my surprise, Kyra giggles. “I’ve seen him in the looking glass. Don’t tempt me, Gracie.”
“Me either,” Beatrix says. “If I were fifteen years younger, I’d throw myself in his lap just to see what happened! The cosmic forces aren’t always kind, Grace, but they always have purpose.”
“I can’t believe this,” I mutter, sniffing as I try to hold back tears. “I really can’t believe you’re sending me away.”
“Grace,” Gretchen says. “We have seen him in the looking glass, and he is the last piece of the puzzle—or he will be, once he’s joined to you.”
“What does that mean?” I whisper.
Gretchen smiles. “It means it’s finally time, Grace. After generations of preparation and endless waiting, it is finally time to put Sakesh back where he belongs.”
Sorrow sweeps through me, a selfish wave of petulant resistance. I know I can’t avoid this, no matter how much I hate it.
“I never thought I’d have such an important role to play,” I say softly.
“Neither did I, my dear girl,” Gretchen replies, brushing hair back from my cheek. “But here we are. We are the sacred order of Sakesh—the witches held to the task of containing the great snake, and his time has finally come.”
Chapter 3 - Dan
Blinking against the harsh glare of the sun, I follow Rex up the narrow steps into the raised central courtyard where he married Scarlett. I feel hot and itchy in my suit, and the air is already simmering, even though it’s extremely early in the morning.
Too fucking early. Not what I’d choose for my wedding day.
We have very little choice about the time, though. Trucks are already en route to our new town, and cars full of excited new pack members are leaving right now. Grace and I have to be married before we leave, so we can join our new pack as luna and alpha.
I almost run into Rex when he stops suddenly in front of me, and he turns to give me a firm pat on the shoulder.
“Chill out, buddy. Everything’s going to be okay. Look at it this way, at least you know who you’re marrying!”
“I wish that comforted me,” I mutter, looking around uncertainly. We’re in a covered, circular sitting area, and every stone bench is lined with elders and other important pack members.
Surrounded on every side. Might have to shoot my way out.
“Come on,” Brad says, coming up on my other side and giving me a rough squeeze. “It’s not that bad, I promise.”
“Right,” I reply. “Maybe it’s worse.”
“Hey,” Shawn says softly. “Are you up to this? Really up to it? The elders are getting nervy.”
I look over at the benches where the Clover elders are sitting, and they’re definitely giving me suspicious looks. The Rose Hollow council are smiling encouragingly, and Eccles, predictably, are glaring at me with more than a little hostility.
Fuck this. I’ll show them I’m an alpha who deserves—and commands—respect!
“Yes,” I answer, nodding. “I’m okay, I promise. This is just a very rough situation, and it’s too early in the morning for me to process it with good humor.”
“Not your strong suit, anyway,” Brad chuckles. “You always look so serious, I sometimes wonder if a smile would crack your face.”
I flash him a wide, extremely fake smile.
“Much better,” Rex mutters, putting his palm over his face. “Your bride will swoon.”
“Seriously,” Shawn says, giving me a shove. “The Clover elders are worried about this. You forget that they have generations of fear behind them regarding Eccles. They want to know that their people will be well cared for.”
Shawn’s words send a cool rush of shock through me. I’d been so worried about the wedding itself, I hadn’t thought too much about the other elders.
It was just too much of a relief to get away from the Eccles council. I forgot how secluded Clover has always been, and the reason why.
