Page 76 of Bewitching the Wolf

I fail to see the point of this last rune, but I trust Felicia knows what she’s doing.

As we stand looking at the cape, it shimmers and gives itself a little shake, and I sense it’s ready to get going.

“Thank you,” I say.

Felicia smiles. “No need to thank us, dear boy. Thank the magic that has allowed wolves and wixens to join and combine our powers. And, of course, Otis, for his programming skills. He’s helped to combine the runes with technology.”

I nod. “I am grateful to you all for your support.”

I look at Tippy as I speak. She’s gazing at me with love and a little fear in her eyes. I want to reassure her that I’m okay, that our mate bond give me more courage than any magical runes ever could.

I stride up to her, and I don’t hesitate. In front of everyone, I take her in my arms and kiss her.

Her lips mold to mine as we kiss, deep and long and sweet.

There is complete silence around us

But when we finally draw apart, there are four smiling faces, and four sets of hands applaud. “About bloody time,” Brody shouts.

Silas’s smile is a little embarrassed. And Otis, the great big soft-hearted orc that he is, wipes away a tear.

And then I step into the center of the room. Otis places the cape around my shoulders, and I feel its energy vibrate. Tiny sparks emit from its folds as it readies itself for portal travel.

I’ve only ridden the portal cape once before, and it was a rough crossing. I have everything I need, the tiny bugging devices carefully secreted into a zipped pocket in case I get shaken about.

Tippy’s gaze locks with mine and she murmurs, “Come home safe.”

My heart fills with love. “I will, I promise.”

And then I tug on the runes in the lining.

And disappear.

CHAPTER 21

TIPPY

I stare at the spot where just a moment ago Jax stood, decked out in a red velvet cape.

He looked incredible, almost regal, his head held high, dark hair swept back and his eyes shining as they held mine

And then there was a spark and poof! Just like that, he’s gone.

There’s nothing, not even a wisp of vapor. I almost wish he still vaped, so that little plume of peppermint could remind me he’d been here.

But of course I don’t want that. Not really. I know he’s so much safer now, without those damn things in his pocket.

Goddess willing, he’ll be back before sunset.

“That all went smoothly,” Aunt Felicia beams. There’s murmured agreement before Otis excuses himself to go check that the computer systems are primed to pick up signals from the bugging devices, while Brody and Silas remain in the vault to keep a careful watch on the books of runes.

I stand forlornly, with the carpet bag of needles and thread in my hand.

“There’s nothing more we can do now,” my aunt says, taking it gently from my grasp. “We have to trust in the runes. You’ve done a wonderful job, and you must be exhausted. Go and get some rest, darling.”

It’s tempting. My fingers are sore from sewing. Each rune letter had to be placed separately, and sewn in the right order. But it’s not just my fingers that are sore. I’ve been pretty acrobatic these past few days in ways I’ve never experienced before. And then our final night together, when Jax knotted me, was intense. Beautiful, but intense.

But resting doesn’t sit well with me either. I am too restless, too edgy. I will be until Jax returns. I’m not expected at Digger’s today, he’s given me an extra day off, and suddenly I have a strong urge to visit Vixenville on the south side of town. To see my mom and my little sisters.