Page 108 of Witch Unexpected
“Grimswood witches aren’t permitted to spell the wolves in our packs,” Tor reminds me, his tone tight. “Not without permission. If they do, the wronged wolf can mete out a punishment.” He locks gazes with me. “I’m owed,” he growls. “The witch spelled me.Shebroke the terms of the covenant. Her heart is mine.”
Ah fuck. I look to Sten and Arne, who’ve been silent and watchful all this time. They returned a little while ago and I dragged Tor over hoping that being out of the trashed cabin will cool him down. Charlotte’s tucked up in bed, no clue what’s happened. The front of the cabin looks untouched. It’s the back that’s trashed.
I shoot them a pleading look. Come on, help me out here.
Sten steps forward with a sigh. “This is different, Tor. The witch is a traitor to the coven, a murderer of witches, and therefore the witches have first claim on her life. I’m certain whatever punishment they mete out will be just.”
Tor’s lip curls. “Not enough.”
He strides toward me, toward the door. Oh fuck. I’m big, and I can hold my own against Tor in a friendly scrap, but not like this. Not when he’s pissed like this.
I stand my ground, blocking his path. “Calm the fuck down, Tor.”
The rumble in his chest morphs into a snarl. “She orchestrated attacks on our home, on our territory.”
Rage stirs inside me. Rage at the audacity of the invasion. It’s the beast waking up and latching onto his comrade’s rage. A growl reverberates in my throat, and Tor’s eyes glow with a silver sheen, egging me on.
Shit. I squeeze my eyes shut, taking back control.
“Enough!” Sten’s hand lands on Tor’s shoulder. “Control yourself.”
Tor gnashes his teeth. “Iamin control. If I wasn’t, you’d be flat on the fucking floor.”
A growl erupts from Sten’s throat. “Don’t forget who you’re speaking to. I’m still your alpha till the ceremony, nephew. Don’t challenge me.”
Tor blinks slowly, chest heaving with the effort of controlling his rage. “Get your hand off me.”
“You’re not invited past the woodland,” Arne says calmly, trying to reason with him. “You’ll be breaking terms.”
“What’s going on?” Charlotte enters the lounge, wrapped in a dressing gown. “Torsten?” Her hand goes to her mouth in shock. “You’re here. How are you… You came back.” Her eyes fill with tears.
The fight seems to bleed out of Torsten. “Charlotte…”
The rumble in his chest dies as he bridges the distance between them and reverently folds her into a hug. They remain like that for long seconds. Charlotte is the first to break away.
“What is this? Why were you fighting?” She looks from Tor to Sten.
“They found the traitor,” Sten says.
Charlotte sucks in a breath. “Oh my.”
“She spelled Tor, forcing him to stay away,” Arne adds.
Charlotte’s expression hardens. “In that case, Grimswood justice will be dire.” She reaches up to stroke Tor’s cheek. “I won’t have my son taint his hands with her dirty blood.”
Tor closes his eyes and exhales. “You’re right.”
I sag against the doorframe and exhale in relief. Thank fuck that’s over. But the Grimswood witches better make sure the sentence they hand down involves pain. Or I’m not sure anyone will prevent Tor from exacting his own vengeance.
* * *
CORA
Sloane and Brie flanked Pen, sat in a chair in the center of the room. Poppy and Jessie were stationed, one by the window, the other beside Anna, who looked like she was about to topple over. The only thing holding her up was Jessie's hand bracing her elbow.
I locked gazes with Pen. “Why?”
Pen rolled her eyes. “Because I wanted to, that’s why.”
