Page 82 of Challenged Mate
And if I didn’t mate Axel, I could still be the Summit heir. As the future alpha, I could guarantee my alliance with the Wilds Pack. And the Summit Pack’s allies could be swayed to do the same.
Confidence built within me, lightening the burden that had been weighing me down for, what felt like, ages. It felt like Mother smiled down on me, and I had to credit my acceptance of my fated bond as the reason for Her support.
I’d spent so long fighting Her will. Now that I wasn’t, everything seemed so…right.So manageable.
My fate wasn’t doomed—my fate was an open door, waiting for me to cross the threshold and walk into the light.
I smiled like an idiot as I meandered down another aisle of books. Then another.
I entered the non-fiction section. My steps faltered. Sitting in a plush, green armchair at the end of the aisle was a curly-haired child. Sensing me, she looked up and I was greeted by a pair of warm brown eyes and a pert, freckled nose.
But it wasn’t her presence that stopped me in my tracks. No. It was the golden title of the heavy tome in her hands that caught me off guard.
A History of Covens
Why had I never considered there would be books about sorcerers and sorceresses?
About covens?
How much time had I wasted sitting alone in my apartment, trying to remember what little I’d learned about the magical race growing up?
Other than being told to avoid the sorcerers and sorceresses at all costs and learning how they helped packs maintain the wards around their territory, I knew very little about the magical race.
“My mom owns the bookstore,” the young girl said defensively, interrupting my thoughts. She closed the book and clutched it to her chest. “I’m allowed to read in here.”
It took me a second to understand what she said.
“Oh… No.” I cleared my throat. “I mean, of course. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stare.”
She raised a blonde brow. “Then why are you?”
If I weren’t so shocked, I would’ve laughed at her bravado. Her mom might have my best friend’s name, but this girl had her spirit.
“Your book,” I said, opting to share the truth. “Is that about covens?”
The girl looked down at the book in her arms, then lifted her gaze and gave me a look that said,duh.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Are there other books like that in here?” I motioned to the shelves around us.
“Of course. I’ll show you.” She pushed herself out of the overstuffed chair and traipsed away.
I hurried after her, just in time to see her curly hair disappear down the second aisle to our left.
She was pulling down a book from the fifth shelf, standing on her tip-toes when I arrived.
I reached out a hand to steady her, but she didn’t stumble back. She turned toward me and held out a thin, green book.
“I think this is what you’re looking for.”
I choked on spit when I read the title.
Graystone Lineage and Lore
The Graystone Coven was the largest coven in North America. And, according to Asher, they were responsible for interfering in the Alpha Games.
Or their rogue sorcerers were, at least.
