Page 126 of Witch Unexpected
In more ways than one.
Chapter Thirty-One
Iwas exhausted. My body felt like it’d been hit by a freight train, but according to Anna, that was normal. They’d siphoned power through me, using me as a conduit. Apparently, that was a thing they could do if needed, if shit got bad, but it fucked me up so hard I could barely walk.
Luckily for me, I had three big, bad wolves to carry me home. Not that it took three to carry my limp ass.
Tor managed just fine, cradling me to his chest as we strode through the woods. Part of me wondered why Jasper hadn’t made an appearance tonight. He never failed to show when I was in danger.
It was worrying, but my brain was too foggy with sleep to worry, and the new connection with the alphas was a warm, distracting buzz in my veins. One that would intensify once I’d recharged a little.
“Anna says she’ll be fine after a good night’s rest.” Leif sounded subdued.
“You should go to the pack house,” Tor said. “Tell them the news. Do what you need to. Sten and Toke will take care of the other packs, and Charlotte…” His voice cracked. “She’s the witches’ problem.”
“I can’t leave Cora.”
“You can; you just don’t want to. I get it. I feel it too, but Vita Pack needs to be informed of Arne’s death. You’re officially the pack alpha now.”
Go, Leif.This voice was new, soft-spoken, and melodious.We’ll watch over her until you return.
Rune? Was that his voice in my head? I wanted to open my eyes, to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.
I can’t believe Charlotte did this,Rune said.If the gargoyles had been here…
“But they weren’t. Charlotte knew they wouldn’t be. It’s the only day in the year they leave the mansion, and she knew that. She played us. She used Pen as her contact, and she fucking played us. I can’t—” A low growl rumbled against my chest.
The next thing I knew, I was being lowered onto a soft mattress. My boots were tugged off. Fingers grazed my waistband, calloused and gentle, then pulled away.
Best to leave her clothed, Rune said.
“Right,” Tor said. “Boundaries.”
It won’t be easy, Rune said.
“I know, but when has easy ever been fun?”
You’re looking forward to the challenge, aren’t you?
Tor was silent for a long beat. “I’m interested to see which one of us breaks first.”
Me? Break? Like fuck.
“Come on, let’s let her get some rest.”
Maybe one of us should stay?Rune sounded unsure.
“She’s safe now,” Tor said. “With Charlotte in custody, The Order has no way to get to her on Grimswood grounds.”
Consciousness slipped away and dreams tugged me under, but in the next instant my eyes were wide open, staring into darkness. Then the darkness moved.
A shadow in my room. A man.
I wanted to move, to cry out, but my body was immobile.
Cerulean eyes bored into me, then widened in shock. Where was his face? Why couldn’t I see his face? Oh god, there was a man in my room, and I couldn’t fucking move.
The bed beside me dipped and I screamed internally.
