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A little nervous she’ll follow through on the threat, I fall silent and sip from my glass. I can already feel the effects of the spirits.

Vera sighs and pours herself another glass before she speaks again. “If someone asked me nicely, I might tell them how to win over my hardheaded granddaughter.”

“How do I win her over?” I ask.

The witch gives a pointed look and drinks her wine.

“Vera?”

“I said, if they ask me nicely,” she repeats.

“Please tell me how to win her over,” I ask, unable to stop the edge of a growl in my words, but she doesn’t chastise me again.

“If there’s one thing my granddaughter is afraid of, it’s being trapped. By her parents. By a man. She will not bow down to anyone, even if they’re her fated mate. If you try to control her, she’ll never give you what you want.”

She must have read the confusion on my face because she adds, “Her heart, Conall. You want her heart.”

The words are gentle. Kinder than any spoken to me in a very long time.

“If you want to keep her, you have to give her the freedom to be who she is. You have to show her your presence isn’t a prison, but a blessing. She must be certain she’ll always be safe with you.”

Her words insult me. “She’s my mate, created just for me. I would never be a danger to her.”

Vera pauses, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “Every man Scarlett has ever cared for has either left her or tried to control her. Even if she eventually trusts you not to hurt her, she won’t let herself believe you won’t abandon her. Time is the only thing that will prove it.”

I stare at her as she drains her glass, corks the jug, and stands. “Now, you know what you need to do, so it’s time for you to skedaddle. I need to finish recharging my magic in the sun before the day gets much later.”

I’ve never heard of a witch recharging their magic in the sun, only in the moonlight, but I’m not going to argue with her. Not after she helped me. Or her threat to make all my fur fall out the next time I shift.

“Thank you, Vera,” I say, also getting up.

“You’re a good man, Conall. You’ll be good for my granddaughter.” A sly smile takes over her mouth. “So would the young woodsman who walked her to the cottage earlier.”

Her words unsettle me a bit because I can sense she’s leaving more unsaid. Before I can determine what it might be, she continues, “If either of you hurt my baby, I’ll hex you both so badly you’ll wish you were dead.”

With her threat issued, she gathers the glasses and jug, then disappears back into the house.

Not wanting to see her naked for a second time, I leave the garden and wander into the woods, following the scent of my mate. As much as I want to claim her, I also want to give her what she needs. I want her to be happy as my mate. The only way she’ll be happy is if I put her wants and needs ahead of my own. It’s instinctive for me. And for my wolf.

My animal side is fine with the plan. He knows she needs us as much as she needs to be free. We’ll watch her and learn how to woo her.

I wish I shared his optimism, but I recognized the stubborn gleam in Scarlett’s eyes. I’ve seen it in my own reflection often enough to understand I have a battle on my hands.

A battle I must win.

Chapter Eight

Hunter

The walk to Vera’s is peaceful. Scarlett talks to me more than she has in the past few years. She’s also smiling more, laughing more. Her entire demeanor is lighter.

Because I’m enjoying this side of her, I’m reluctant to leave when we reach her grandmother’s cottage.

“Thank you for helping me with Conall this morning,” she says, coming to a stop by the garden gate. “And for walking me here.”

She holds her hand out for the bag and basket I insisted on carrying for her. Though I want to resist, I hand them over. As much as I want to remain in her presence, I can’t force her to talk to me.

“He’s probably already on his way here,” I say.