Page 99 of Spellbound & Speechless
“You could say that.”
“Huh. So…” He lifts a brow. “You and Aspen? I didn’t see it coming. I thought you weren’t looking to date.”
I run a hand through my hair, smiling wryly. “I really wasn’t. I wasn’t making excuses when I shot you down.”
“No, no. It’s not that. I’m kind of surprised she…” He trails off, lifting a shoulder.
“That she would end up with a guy like me?” I snort. “Yeah. It took me by surprise, too.”
He holds up his hands defensively. “I didn’t say all that. You know that I think you’re a catch.”
But I’m sure he’s thinking it. The whole damn town is, but I don’t care. As long as Aspen wants me, I’ll be there. As soon as I get rid of this corrupt witch, I canreallybe there for her. I don’t think I can rest easily until my father’s killer is in the ground.
One way or another, I have to be the one who ends this.
“I’m not exactly here on a social visit,” I say.
“I figured.” He takes the ball from his dog and throws it, sending the animal running through the park. “You’re asking for pack help again? Is that it?”
I wince. “Well… yeah. I guess I am.”
“You know I want to help,” he says. “And I will, as much as I can. The Hawthornes are great, and we all love them, but convincing the other guys will be the hard part. People outside the pack have betrayed them before?—”
I shake my head. “I get it.” With a slow exhale, I collect myself. “I’m here because I want to be a part of the pack. I’ve had enough time to think about it, and I’m sticking around in Starbrook now. I’m ready.”
His lips part. “No shit?”
“No shit.”
If his senses are anything like mine, he can hear my racing heart. It doesn’t matter. This is for Aspen. The wolfin me is clawing at me, begging for a way to keep her safe…
And he finds comfort in the idea of a community, too. I can admit that now.
My mother’s voice in my head says that no pack willeverkeep her safe, but I can’t keep listening to that voice. I’m on a different path than hers now, and I’m accepting it.
“Well, then…” A smile creeps onto Antoni’s face. “Now we can get down to negotiations. Our leader will be happy to take you in.”
“Good to hear it.”
“Let’s go find him now. He should be at work—he’s a mechanic.”
Chapter 35
Aspen
“Aspen? Come here, will you?”
I jump at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. I’ve been tiptoeing around my home all morning, and it’s not her fault. There’s only one person to blame, and lucky for us, the corrupt witch isn’t anywhere near the house.
She disappeared. Again.
Mac’s mother peers at me from her spot by the fireplace. The pillows and blankets on the couch let me know she slept there. My stomach sinks.
“You could have slept in my bed,” I blurt out before she can say anything else. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they would make you sleep on the couch.”
She grunts. “Don’t worry about me. I slept fine.”
“Oh.” My shoulders drop. “Good. That’s good.”
