Page 46 of Lycan Witch

The relief that pours through me as my suit is shredded when I shift is unmatched, like a breath of air after being buried alive. I’m not sure what I expected when I jumped through the window, but it wasn’t a young woman with light brown hair and bags under eyes. Glancing around the gathered group, I recognize everyone but her. Darrold’s blond wolf stands beside her, Kaylus circling the air above us.

Frank stands before me, now shifted back to his human form. “Gideon, this is Chloe.”

A small smile spread over her face. “Hi,” she says softly.

I shift, narrowing my gaze at her. “Explain.”

She flinches at my voice, but nods. “I cast a familiar spell, which lets me talk with another witch’s familiar, like Kaylus.” She gestures above us to the raven, who caws. “He told me everything. Apparently, Addy asked him to follow you here, so he came to get me to help. After the familiar spell, he brought me to… um…” She looks over at Darrold.

“Darrold’s house,” Frank supplies.

“Yes. Sorry,” Chloe says sheepishly, struggling to make eye contact with me. “I was able to tell him what happened, and he brought me to Frank. I enchanted the bolt cutters while they regrouped and went over whatever details.” She lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Now, we’re here.”

“Why would you help me?” I ask, looking around the forest, waiting for a trap.

Chloe huffs a laugh, humorless and sad. “I have more in common with Adara than you’d realize. I’ve been trying to update her on Monique’s plans, but once she shut down our office, I lost my job and all my access.” She wipes a tear from her cheek. “It’s my fault. I should’ve worked harder, attended council meetings. I should’ve grown my powers to be able to join the huntresses or something. I—” Covering her face with her hands, she takes a shaky breath.

Darrold steps closer to her, nudging her elbow with his snout.

Sniffling, Chloe wipes her cheeks with the heels of her hands and looks at me. “I know Adara, and I know she’s happy with you. She’s meant to be a part of your pack. I won’t let Monique take that away from her if I can stop it.”

I take her in, from the bags under her eyes to the guilt weighing heavily on her shoulders, making them slump forward, as if she’s curling into herself. Glancing up at Kaylus, I heave a sigh. If there’s anyone I trust to have Adara’s best interests in mind, it’s the raven. So, if he’s the one who got Chloe for help, then I trust that he knows what he was doing.

Looking back at the three faces before me, I nod. “Alright. Let’s get back, then figure out what’s next.”

Chapter twenty-one

Adara

With a sigh, I roll over in bed and stare at the peach colored wall. The sun rises, the first rays of light peeking in through the window behind me, and I watch as the light makes shadows dance across the wall. It’s been three days since I came to stay here with Mila. Three days since my mother showed up, using a charm to look and sound like Gideon. I inhale sharply through my nose, my anger rising at how easily she was able to trick me. I should’ve known it wasn’t him—and a part of me did, looking back on it. I knew he smelled off, but it didn’t hit me until later that it was because his cedarwood and caramel scent was mixed with patchouli.

I throw the covers off with a huff, sitting up and cradling my head in my hands. I let her run me off. I let her beat me down, breaking three of my ribs along with Frank’s nose. And what did I do in return?

Nothing.

I did absolutely nothing.

The only thing I still don’t understand is why she’s always alone. Why is she not with the huntresses? Why are they not with her when she comes for me?

Knowing about the curse charm, and remembering her coming to the bar, it just doesn’t add up. None of it makes any sense.

Why wait to take me down on your own when you could come with an entire team and be successful?

Unless…

Unless she wants to harness my immortality for herself.

Unless she’s working alone for a reason.

Thinking that makes my stomach sour, but it’s hard to deny the truth of it all, the likelihood of it happening. Not only do I have fire magic, that she’s tired to suppress my entire life, but now I’m an alpha’s mate. It’s like dangling a fresh, bloody steak before a lion’s den. Monique can’t resist the temptation of gaining immortality, but also all my power.

“Addy?”

The sound of Kaylus’s voice makes me jump, and I snap my head around to look at the window where he sits, perched on the sill.

“Are you okay?”

I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “I’m not.” I fling myself back, laying on the pillows and pulling the blanket up to my chin. “I let her win, Kaylus. How will Gideon ever be able to look at me the same again?”