Page 48 of Only You, No One Else

CHAPTER 30

Mark was still reeling from what he’d seen in that study by the time Dean dragged him away from Caster and into the mansion’s impressive garden. He was in awe of Riley’s power; there was no way he would ever not be. But was it possible that the witch was even more powerful than she’d already proven to be? Mark was unfamiliar with magic, but he’d never thought it could control another person so entirely.

He shook his head of those events, knowing he would never come to terms with what he’d seen if he lived to be a thousand, as his wolf clawed at the barrier. The animal sensed the outdoors, but he pushed back. This was not the time for a transformation. The undeniable purpose in Dean’s stride meant he had some explaining to do.

Far enough away from the house, Dean stopped, his movement so abrupt, Mark almost ran into him. He braced for the Alpha to reach past the barrier and sighed when he didn’t. Instead, Dean grabbed his shoulders. “What did he do to you?”

For a second, confusion clouded his mind before Mark caught up with the urgency in his brother’s energy. He closed his eyes, unwilling to hide his pain from Dean anymore. “He tried to control me. But Caster was there and…”

“How is that even possible?”

Dean’s low whisper was not what he’d expected, and when he opened his eyes, the urgency was gone. His brother waited for him to find an explanation.

Mark took a breath. “The protection spell…”

Dean frowned, the full weight of his hands still on Mark’s shoulders.

Mark tried to find the words to explain something he didn’t understand. “Remember when I told you about the protection spell and how they connected it to Caster?”

His brother’s nod was small.

“It somehow called Caster into my mind space. And he…”

Dean surprised him by smiling. “He protected you.” That smile reached his eyes, its intensity relaxing Mark. “See? I was right. No one can protect you better than he can.” He released his hold, and Mark relaxed further when the smile didn’t disappear. “Except me, of course.”

Mark started to laugh, but the joy fell apart at the reason why his brother hadn’t been there to protect him.

Dean anticipated his question, shaking his head. “Don’t worry. I have it all under control.”

“How can you say that to me? I am still your Head of Security, aren’t I?”

Dean stared at him, but Mark was not about to allow the intimidation to stand, meeting his gaze with all the determination he could muster. Dean sighed. “Fine. Half the council and most of Zeke’s immediate family, except Zach.”

Of course, Zeke would go after his own family first, but his youngest brother Zach had always been estranged and kept away from werewolf business.

Dean misunderstood his silence. “I took care of it.” He shook his head when Mark started to speak. “You have too much on your plate. Let’s deal with this first. We can’t let him have you.”

Caster’s words, colored by the determination in Dean, drew him away from the thousands of scenarios in his mind if Zeke were to somehow overpower his brother. It was almost impossible. The witch would have to enhance his power a hundredfold if their goal was to match Dean’s will. And that was how a Prime Alpha controlled other wolves. Not by magic as the vampires thought, but by the force of his will.

The best course of action right now was to find and disable both Zeke and the witch.

“Will you stay?” He asked, knowing he would need Dean if he had any hope of attaining that goal.

Dean nodded. “What do you need?”

His own determination reinforced by his brother’s support, his mind did what it did best. It was time for a plan. He wasn’t about to let Zeke take his family away from him, both the family he’d been born into and the one he’d acquired. They needed Amelia first. Only more information would tip the balance in their favor.

***

It was the strangest thing he’d ever felt and yet unsurprising. There had been an inkling of recognition, something deep in his psyche awakening as soon as he’d seen the projection of Amelia a few hours ago. But now that she was here in front of him, Mark couldn’t ignore the pull towards her. It was as if he’d known her his whole life, but that was not possible. Until that memory of the worst night of his life, he’d never seen her before.

Her brown hair was pulled back away from her face to reveal the familiar green eyes, kindness shining through them as she smiled at him and held out her hand. His response to her was automatic, foreign and indescribable. Her skin was warm against his, the familiar touch bringing him more peace than he hoped to feel in one lifetime. Was she using magic to calm him? The only time he felt this sense of calm was when Caster was in the room.

He tore his attention from the diminutive witch standing in front of him to scan the room for the one person he needed to see, but Caster was not here. He met the Queen’s smile from across the room, still unwilling to step away from Amelia and the calming effect she had on him.

Dean’s immense presence just over his shoulder was undeniable, as was the support he was certain of from his brother. Edie and Adella were also here, as was another woman, another witch he’d never met.

Amelia tugged at his hand, her hold firm, but soft. “Come sit. I haven’t seen you in so long. How have you been?” Her smile fell, and she shook her head. “I’m sorry. That is a stupid question. I wouldn’t be here if everything had not gone terribly wrong.”