Page 38 of Bewitching the Wolf

“It’s all connected,” she says haughtily. “And if you’re going to be a complete ass and argue the toss on everything, this won’t work.”

“Well, thanks for your positive feedback.” I snort. “You’re supposed to be inspiring me, not insulting me.”

She sticks her nose in the air. “I was told to make you potions, not baby you along. If you can’t work out why this is important, then you’re dumber than I thought.”

“You’re right. Okay, you’re right.” I grab the potion from her, and as I do our fingers graze.

Electricity shoots up my arm, and I spill some of the evil-looking liquid onto the floor. It splats on the flagstones, and she tuts loudly. “I’ll get a cloth. You can clean up your own mess.” And off she huffs, that perky white-tipped tail swishing from side to side. “And while I’m gone, put a shirt on.”

My wolf is smirking like crazy. I swear at it quietly and drag a clean t-shirt over my head.

A moment later, Tippy reappears. She puts the cloth on the bedside table and stands there, arms folded, one small foot tapping as she observes me.

I clean up the green splat and hand her back the cloth, careful not to touch her this time.

Still, she stands there, glaring at me.

I raise an eyebrow, trying for nonchalance.

“I’m waiting…”

“Are you seriously going to watch me drink it?”

“Every last drop.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

She rolls her eyes. “No, Jax. I don’t trust you. Or your wolf.”

I guess we both deserved that. A dull heat creeps up my neck. I grab the glass and down the contents, fast.

It’s bitter, unpleasant and no doubt good for me.

My wolf belches. I look into the bottom of the glass suspiciously. “Has this got flax in it?”

“Of course not.”

I’m still not convinced she wouldn’t get back at me with a fart-inducing potion. But I do feel an energizing zing in my veins.

“Now hand them over.”

“What?”

“Your vapes.”

“What, like now?”

“Yep.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“This is a detox program, not a holiday camp.”

“But I thought… I mean, can’t it be a gradual cut-down?”

“We’ve got three days, Jax. You have to go cold turkey.”

I know she’s right. There is no time to take it slowly, but the idea of being here without my crutch from day one, dealing with withdrawal and lust? This is a hard fucking ask.