A shiver ran down my spine as I peered down the ominous steps. I didn’t like the thought of going down there, but if Star was there, it could provide more privacy than other parts of the house. I didn’t want an audience for what I was going to ask.You don’t cross a witch. Everyone knew that. Though, the example I’d grown up with had been my own grandfather. While the true history was different, and his curse might not have been the result of his direct actions, it was still a warning. Witches could do things with magic that shifters had no power over.I balled my hands into fists and took a deep breath, steeling myself for the descent. My fear of witches and their magic was less than my fear of being bonded to Tyler for eternity.The bond was getting stronger, and I needed to stop the connection. I had reached the point of desperation. Anything to break the bond would be worth the risks.The only light in the basement came from the orange lamps softly buzzing over the rows of herbs.
I didn’t dream. Even after a shower and allowing my thoughts to wander, I didn’t once think of Tyler in a positive way. No concern for him. No desire.For the first time in a while, I felt like myself. It was as if I was waking from a nightmare.I walked into the kitchen where Sheila and the others were already eating breakfast. It was a bright and welcoming room with windows along one side and a table large enough for eight nestled near the windows. On the counter, several platters were set out, filled with pastries, fruit, scrambled eggs, and sausages. A pot of brewed coffee completed the spread. I wondered how Star got groceries in and who cooked everything.I took in the sight of my friends seated around the table. Kyle and Malcom were speaking quietly, while Sheila stared into space. Alec was the first to notice me. “Good morning.”“Morning,” I said.“Nice dress,” Sheila called.“This old thing?” I did a spin to show off the men’s shirt I was wearing. A tie acted as a belt and th
Alec’s gaze moved to somewhere behind me and a momentary scowl crossed his face.I turned to see Spencer standing in the entryway. “You’re not counting on that group of misfits to help prepare you for breaking into the king’s estate, are you?”“I don’t see any other options,” I pointed out.He poured a cup of coffee, then lifted his chin toward Alec. “The witch wants you downstairs.”“Go,” I said. “I got this.”Alec hesitated, then stood. There was so much unsaid between us, but I didn’t think either of us was clear headed enough to figure out how to say the things we needed to.Spencer sat down next to me. “You remind me of your mom, you know that?”I glanced over at him. “I’m not sure that’s the compliment you think it is.”“I’ll admit, I don’t know what she’s like now, but you should have seen her before you were born.”“Before you abandoned her?” I countered.“I made my choice. Your mother made hers. She must have known she was pregnant, otherwise I don’t think she’d have left. Sh
I was greeted by a trail of rocks outside Star’s home that I knew weren’t there before. Varied in size, the rocks led away from the front door, out into the soft grass and fading from view as they stretched toward the waterfall.“What is all this?” I asked.“My pack might be terrible, but they trained us to connect with our wolves well,” Shelia said. “The rocks are markers for each of the steps. As you complete each component, I remove a rock. They aren’t really needed, but they’re a good visual.”I glanced over at Kyle. “Did you do this?”“We just ran in the woods when we felt like it,” Kyle said. “Pretty sure there was training for Ace’s inner circle, but we weren’t there yet with Tyler.”I recoiled at the name. I didn’t want to think about Tyler at all. Though, I suppose I should be grateful that Ace was lax with his training of his son. How much worse would things have been for me if Tyler was stronger?“I can see why Wolf Creek needs the toxin to get anything done,” Malcom mumble
My heart was racing, and I paced near the tunnel, my whole body tense. My wolf wanted to leave Star’s enclave. She wanted to go to Tyler. Was that what she’d run for? Was that why I couldn’t control her?I tried to win over my wolf side, to remind her that Tyler was bad. I’d never felt more divided from my wolf. It was as if I was trapped inside her body, our souls not merging at all. We were strangers. She was in charge, and I was along for the ride.Fear gripped me, sending icy tendrils through me. I had to change this. I couldn’t let my wolf stray from me. We had to be united.She stepped toward the large rock that enclosed the tunnel and pawed at it. With a whine, she tried to push on the rock.Stop it.I was screaming internally, desperate to connect with her. It wasn’t working.We need to go back. Our friends are waiting.There was no concern for what we’d been working on, only a sense of urgency to get out of here and find our mate.No. Not our mate. We broke that bond.She growled
What good did it do me to try to magically break the bond when it amplified everything my wolf felt? The pull between us in my wolf form was unbearable. Even now, I could sense my wolf’s restlessness. She knew her mate was out there, and she was determined to get to him. At least she was still there, so shifting was probably possible. The problem was, it was likely far too dangerous. I couldn’t risk shifting again but I had to figure out how to connect with my wolf and regain some control.“Star?” I called as I took the steps to the creepy basement as fast as I dared. “Hello?”The darkened space was empty. I should have started with the main house. Frustrated, I raced up the steps and ran from room to room. I finally found Star and Alec in the greenhouse, sitting at a small round table.They both looked surprised to see me when I stopped in front of them. Alec jumped to his feet, and I got a rush of his emotions. He was concerned but that wasn’t all. There was a rage there, too. Somet
“This is a terrible idea,” Kyle said. “We should just go end the Tyler problem.”“Can you guarantee you’ll find him before Spencer needs me to go help him? What if he’s back in Wolf Creek with the others?” I wanted the bond ended, but it wasn’t worth risking my friends. This was my battle, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to fight it with the odds stacked against me. Aside from my wolf wanting to run to Tyler, there was that whole problem around killing your mate.Kyle growled. “I’m supposed to protect you. I can’t do that if you’re out in the woods with someone else.”“Alec won’t let anything happen to her,” Sheila said.“His track record says otherwise,” Kyle spat.“Hey, enough,” I said.“Listen, I know I fucked up, but you have to trust me on this. You’re both right. Tyler has to go, but we might not have time right now. You, me, and Shelia can’t go with them when they take on the king.” Alec wore a wicked grin on his lips.“That’s why you agreed to try this?” I should have known.
An awkward silence settled between Alec and I as we traversed the rough terrain. I wasn’t sure how far out he wanted to go, but with each step, we were getting farther from the entrance where I’d sensed Tyler. I was grateful for the distance. Especially since I was about to attempt to spend an entire night in wolf form. I had no idea how my wolf was going to respond. Since returning to human form, she’d made herself scarce.My connection with my wolf had been tenuous from the start, but I thought things were improving. I should never have involved magic in this mating bond. There was only one way forward and that was through my own grit and determination. I had fought my way out of hell my whole life but in the last few weeks, I’d let go of who I was. I was the girl who spit blood back in the face of my attacker. I wasn’t the type to take a back seat and watch the world pass me by and I needed to reclaim my identity. But this time, I was going to be able to have a chance when I fought