Page 58 of A Cursed Noel
It kills me to look ather. I do, anyway. Memorizing her small delicate features, thosegreen eyes that dig like arrows launched from her soul, thatbeautiful face I’d destroy a thousand armies for, and that heartmine will never rightfully beat without.
I wept when we buriedthe remains of my father. Allowing only three tears to fall, one foranger, the other for grief, the last one for love.
And I weep now, thethree tears that glide down my cheeksall for love.
I bite out the words ofyet another agonizing goodbye. “It’s time,” I say.
Whether it’s Mimi’smagic pulling me away or perhaps the little mercy she has to give,Celia’s head drops against my shoulder, and she fades into a deepsleep.
I don’t remember whatmy life was like without her. I don’t remember feeling much ofanything, from the rocks my bare feet slapped against back home, orthe feel of that first cold rain that comes with fall.
I only remember Celia,her scent, her touch, her warmth.
I fight the pull ofMimi’s magic, my wolf howling in agony.
Everything hurts.
Everything in me tellsme this is wrong.
Her skin feels coldwithout me.
Who will keep her warm?
Who will keep her safe?
Who will keep herheart?
I want to be that maleshe needs, the one the world needs to stand beside her when the timecomes. I want to demonstrate the integrity, intelligence, and couragemy father always expected. It’s only then will I come close todeserving her love.
Damn. There’s so muchpain. For me, and my wolf.
I howl as I’m tornaway from her, the torment of our separation more than I can bear. Asshe fades from sight, the spirit of my wolf jets away from me andinto her.
I think he’s gone.But it was just a part of him.
Just enough of me togive to her.
Chapter Sixteen
Mimi is a fuckingnutcase.
It’s my only thoughtas I roll to my knees and rub the mini-drumline marching across myhead.
My eyelids fly openwhen I see her on her back, her little feet twitching and her toessmoking. I rush forward and tilt her up.
She coughs the smokyremains of her spell into my face and grins at me with the four teethshe has left. She scrutinizes me closely. “That should do it,”she says with a nod.
I glance around theburnt surroundings that used to be my backyard. The woodpile isglowing with embers and the pump is nothing more than a warped pieceof metal. The roof of Dad’s old shed caves in and the whole thingfalls on its side.
What’s left of thewell-cover crackles and disintegrates, falling with a splash. Theonly reason I don’t snap Mimi’s neck is that the house isuntouched.
“You set everythingon fire!” I growl.
Mimi frowns at me andgives me the onceover. Her frown relaxes and her beady eyes twinklewith enough naughty to shame a skin magazine. “That’s not all Idid for you. Is it, young alpha?”
“Huh?”
Her tiny fist punchesme affectionately in the shoulder. “You’re welcome,” shereplies.