CHAPTER NINE
Alaric spoke patiently, “Tell him what you told me.”
Cass stepped next to him. He had been pulled (shouted at) into Alaric’s bedroom with us…along with Theron King, Rune Mason, Wolfe Cooper, Finn Baker, Poppy Carvene, Mina Kramer, and Megan Marshall.
The whole damn gang was in here.
I cleared my throat and wrung my hands in front of me. “When I came here that very first night, something happened. It was as if my body had been taken over. I couldn’t stop it. I was there inside my head, saw what was happening, but I couldn’t stop it. It happened a few times that night, and then again today during the ceremony. Like, when I stopped walking down the aisle, that wasn’t me. Or when I fucking bent over in front of him—that wasn’t me, either. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Cass opened his mouth and then shut it. His eyes narrowed on his handsome features, fury erupting behind his eyes. A moment later, he held out his hand. “Touch my hand.”
I did so.
And he let go. “Okay, I’ve touched you… That’s how this spell goes.” He closed his eyes, and then the fur on his coat started to quiver.
My arms rose above my head.
They dropped back down to my sides.
His eyes opened. “Did it feel like that?”
“Yes!” I shrieked in horror, taking a step closer to my husband. “Oh my god. You aren’t the one doing that fucked up shit to me, are you?”
“No, it’s not me.” He shook his head slowly and rubbed his chin. He flicked his gaze to Theron, holding there thoughtfully, and then pulled his gaze back to me. “I think it’s Mr. Valentine back in action. I told you about him.”
I shuddered and stepped into Alaric’s waiting embrace. He rubbed my back in slow circles until I was no longer shaking, my arms snaking around his stomach and holding tight. I shook my head. “Why is he doing this?”
“I don’t know. But I think it is curious. Everything he’s been doing can only be performed by a seer.” His silver gaze cast back in his dad’s direction. “But you killed the last seer before me, right? Now isn’t the time to lie, Dad.”
Theron lifted an agitated brow. “I fucked his world up. He’s dead by my hand as is written down in the seer documents.” He bared his teeth—a little. “Don’t ever question my word on shit like that, son.”
Cass sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Dammit, I thought I was onto something.”
Alaric growled, “Back to the current matter. How do we stop him from messing with my mate?”
Cass snorted. “I can block it. That’s easy enough. If I don’t, he could easily turn her into a bear and have her attack you.”
I ground my teeth together. “A bear? What?”
He glanced up and down my frame. “It’ll wreck that dress. You probably want to keep it.” He inspected the other women in the room and, reluctantly, settled on a redhead. “Ms. Carvene, the dress you’re wearing won’t tear from this. But when I turn you into a lioness, just don’t go batshit crazy. It’s a little odd until you get used to it.”
Her brown eyes blinked. “What? A lioness?” Suddenly, her eyes lit from within. “You mean you can change a mate into animals?”
Cass held up a quick stopping hand. “Don’t get too excited. It’s not just any animal. It’s your destined other half’s animal, the man you were born for, in a female version. It was created so a mate and her shifter could play together.”
Her blinking slowed, but then she grinned. “Fuck yes. I’ll get to see what Godric talked about all the time. I’m going to be a lioness. How long does it last?”
“For as long as I hold the spell.”
“So I don’t need to get naked.” Poppy picked at her flowing dress. “This will probably hold up.”
Cass tipped his head down and closed his eyes, the fur on his coat ruffling again in an unseen wind. “Remember, don’t attack anyone. Especially the woman who isn’t immortal yet.”
“I’ll behave,” she murmured.
My eyes widened when a tornado of white sparkles erupted inside the room. Alaric had never shifted in front of me yet, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. This was a marvel to behold, if only it would last just a little longer.
“Done.” Cass tipped his head upright as the tornado started to disappear. “Let’s see the mighty lioness.”
