Page 106 of Wicked Witch of the Wolf

I plunged my magic into the soil with a request, and it answered with a peal of thunder and a rollingthwumpof power that made theMini jump off the ground and rocked the pack SUV up on two tires for a brief moment.

I beckoned Mason with a curling finger. “Come closer. See what happens next.”

The superior grin he’d worn only seconds before slid off his face. He raced to the front of the SUV, threw open the driver’s side door, and sped off, Alpha Floyd glaring at me the entire time.

“I just pushed the edges of the protection spell to the curb. It won’t affect humans walking past, except to encourage them to take another direction, so that’s—Ronan?” I raced around the front of the car and found him face down on the ground. “Are you all right?”

“I’m okay. I dropped back when you started doing your thing.”

“Droppedback? You fell.”

“No, it’s— I’m okay. Just sore. Weak.” He sat up, with my help, and rubbed his temples. “Feeling kind of befuddled.”

“That’s what the Mara blade does.”

Though the effects should’ve worn off by now.I didn’t tell him that, though. It would only add to his confusion.

“We’re protected here, but I’d feel better if we were inside,” I said, helping him to his feet with the aid of the Mini’s front fender. “You’ve seen what happens when people try to enter the property, but that doesn’t mean a bullet couldn’t get through.”

“It doesn’t?”

“It could slow one down but not necessarily stop it outright. And there are magical weapons I can’t account for—Hey.” He swayed, and I caught him against me.

“You handled him,” he said. “Protected me.”

“I told you I could.”

“Betty, I’m sorry. Should’ve called you before.” He laid his head on my shoulder, and together we managed a stumbling, circuitous route to the garden room. It was closer than my house and would keep me near the herbs I’d need.

“Yes, you should have.”

“I swore to trust you, but I didn’t show it. I’m shorry,” he slurred.

“I’m starting to see you might also have been a bit confused.”

“Confused and dumb. Why didn’t I call? I know who you are. You’re strong and amazing and sexy and pretty, and I wanna sleep with you so much, though only if you want that, and I?—”

“I accept your apology.” I huffed as he rested more of his weight on me. My tote bag fell to my elbow, and I pulled the strap higher on my shoulder.

“Do you love me, Betty bonita?” he asked, in a sleepy voice. “Because I think you do.”

“How do I know that? We haven’t even had sex yet.” I nudged the door with my foot and helped Ronan to the chaise.

“You’re such a corn dog,” he said, his eyelids slipping shut.

“Horn dog, Pallás. Get it right.” I pulled his legs up onto the chaise and arranged his arms. “Why are you so limp?”

“Rephrase that,” he murmured.

“Fair. Why are you so relaxed now? Back at Felicia’s I could’ve bounced a quarter off your ass you were so uptight.”

“Dunno. Guess it’s ‘cause I feel… safe.”

Why did the idea that he felt safe with me make my heart swell? I should still be pissed about him not calling, but I was finding it harder and harder to stay angry.

Ronan opened one eye. “What day is it?”

“Monday. And before you ask, it’s ten p.m. Your pub is open, and you’re going to need to give Karen a fat bonus when this is all over.”

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