I turn to the others, and Emily and Arianna nod. Only Gwen remains hesitant, and I notice her reservations since it's her first time being surrounded by the werewolves who captured her before in a more comfortable, easy setting.
“Is that okay, Gwen?” I ask as I head over to her. “We don't have to stay if you don't want to.”
Gwen nervously peeks over my shoulder, scanning the room as if she's searching for danger. She finds nothing, then returns her attention to me.
“I guess I'm cool with it. I just don't wanna be overstepping.”
Sighing, I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. I'd brought Gwen along to visit Dominic and Cecelia as a way to make up for wrongfully capturing her. I want her to feel welcomed, and Hunter agreed with my sentiments.
What I saw during the ritual to see into Gwen's past and find out if she was innocent shocked me. Perhaps it's why I felt compassionate when Hunter told me about his past, and how he spent many years as a lone wolf between Virginia and Maine.
Being a lone witch wasn't easy for Gwen, with no coven and sisters to rely on to support her through her transitions and help her train her powers. I felt the sadness in her memories, and that's why I've been feeling so guilty for plucking her out of those woods that were the only home she ever knew, a safe haven for her where she didn't have to deal with people.
I can only hope that bringing her out here to join my friends makes her feel welcomed and makes up for the way we treated her since we found her.
She didn't deserve that.
“You're not overstepping, Gwen,” I assure her with a warm smile. “You're one of us now. I consider you my friend, and you're a sister.”
Gwen's blue eyes light up like crystal balls. “I am?”
“Of course you are!” Arianna yelps excitedly behind us. “Delilah welcomed me into the sisterhood back when I wasn't even sure I was a witch. I know what it feels like to be alone, but you don't have to be.”
“Exactly,” I add. “Being a witch means you have sisters around to support you. I know it can be hard sometimes, but it doesn't have to be that way.”
Gwen blushes as she nods thoughtfully. “Gosh! I never thought I'd even meet others like me. I always thought I was the only one who was different,” she shrugs.
I take her hand and lead her to the sofa, where the other girls are seated.
“Different?” Cecelia scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I know whatthatfeels like. My mother was a human. I'm only half a wolf because my father was a shifter. I've felt different my whole life.”
“That didn't stop you from snagging Nightmist's most eligible bachelor!” Emily teases, and we all giggle, even Gwen.
“Yeah, Dominic is hot, and this is coming from a married woman,” Arianna chimes in with a suggestive whistle.
Cecelia blushes. “Come on, guys! I didn't do anything special. It was fate that dictated our bond.”
“Oh, come on, Cece!” I snickered. “I've seen the way Dom looks at you. That's more than just the fated mate bond talking. He's only got eyes for you.”
Cecelia's blush deepens, while Arianna taps my arm lightly. “Yeah, same way Hunter looks atyou, D.”
I gasp in shock when the conversation suddenly turns to me, and I feel heat rising on my face. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
Arianna tilts her head to the side, arching one brow suspiciously. “Oh, I know everything, Delilah. I sensed it at my wedding. You don't have to hide.”
Flustered, I feel like I've been put on the spot. “I can't believe you'd expose me like that!” I gasp in shock, playfully lifting a hand to my chest and dropping my jaw.
“Come on, it's like you said, we're all sisters,” Gwen chimes in with a playful smile. “I sensed the tension between you two from the moment I met you.”
Groaning, I throw my face into my hands, my voice muffled when I speak. “Fine…Hunter and I are fated mates….”
“See? I knew something was going on between you two during black ops!” Emily exclaims, excitedly clapping her hands. “I just didn't realize it was so serious.”
“Oh, there's nothing serious about this,” I blow out a breath through puckered lips as I lift my face, shrugging nonchalantly. “Hunter simply helped me out of my predicament with my parents and the prince. We've just agreed to be friends.”
“Right…” Cecelia rolls her eyes as if she's not convinced. “Friends….”
I'm hardly convinced myself, but it's something I've been trying to maintain, despite how drawn I am to Hunter. He'd just opened up to me, and suggesting friendship seemed like the right thing to do when I didn't want to scare him off.
