Page 43 of Witch Unexpected
Fuck, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’d committed to being an anchor, which meant this was now my home, right?
My stomach clenched. Breathe, Cora. This is the right thing to do. The sane thing.
“Cora?” Wren touched my hand lightly with his paw and cocked his head.
I covered his paw with my hand. “Yeah, buddy. We’re staying.”
A grumble erupted from his belly, and he looked up at me with mournful eyes.
“I know, I know. You’re hungry.”
“Did you say he was hungry?” Dottie materialized by the sofa.
It was a testament to how fucking exhausted I was that I didn’t even flinch. “Yeah, he’s hungry. Can you show me where I can get him some food?”
“Oh, no need. I can take him. We’ll bring you something back too.”
“Nah, I’m good. I’m probably just going to get some shut-eye.”
She held out her arms to Wren. “You’re safe with me, sweetie.”
Wren peered up at her, sniffed, then looked to me. “She smells safe. Can Wren go?”
“It’s up to you, buddy.”
He leaped into her arms, and she solidified enough to catch him.
“Oh my, we’re going to have so much fun,” she said. “Do you like pie?”
“What is pie?”
“Oh, my sweet boy…”
They drifted toward the door as if they were about to pass right through it.
Shit. I bolted up. “Dottie!”
She stopped and looked over her shoulder.
I winced. “You need to open the door, remember? Wren isn’t a ghost.”
She gave me a sly smile, and then with a wink, she slipped through the wood with him clutched in her arms.
Oh well, that was new. I guess outlier ghosts were different from human ghosts in more ways than I could imagine. I made a mental note as I pulled myself to my feet and stretched.
I needed bed.
The bedroom was cozy, decorated in warm colors. The bed was king-size with a comfy mattress, perfect for a good night’s sleep. Light spilled in from the balcony windows. I considered pulling the drapes closed, but sleeping in the moonlight was strangely invigorating.
I’d promised Fee I’d call, but I had no phone, so contact would have to wait till the morning. I didn’t have many fresh clothes, either. In a hurry to get out of my house, I’d packed on instinct, which meant a huge bag filled with several pairs of my favorite boots and a backpack containing a bag of toiletries, sleepshirts, a T that needed a wash, and one pair of leggings. Urgh, I needed to make a list of shit I had to buy.
I stripped down to my underwear and climbed into bed. The duvet smelled freshly laundered but was fluffy enough to tell me it was brand new. They’d prepared for my arrival… No, they’d prepared for the arrival of the new anchor, whoever that might have been.
Whose place was I taking? Who would have mated with the wolves if The Order hadn’t slain them all?
“Cora…”
I sat up in bed, clutching the duvet to my chest. “Who’s there?”
