Page 105 of Spellbound & Speechless
Weallknow. Aspen isn’t quiet about her dislikes; that’s just one thing I love about her. She doesn’t leave me, or anyone else, guessing about her opinion.
The little cot I usually sleep in is gone. Of course, it is. We’re married. We’re supposed to share a bed now… and I want to. There’s nothing I want more than to hold my wife to my chest and keep her safe all night.
I still don’t feel fully myself, and when she meets my gaze, I think she can see that. I’m not ready for more. The fear of losing her, of it almost happening, turns me into a version of myself she’s never known. Not really. The fear she’s seeing has always existed under lock and key, but it’s too big now. I can’t keep hiding it.
“It’s good that you like it.” She lifts her brows. “Because I’m keeping it either way.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Thisismy natural hair color, if you weren’t aware.”
“I didn’t know.” I lower my hand. “But it looks natural on you, so I guess that makes sense.”
“Well, now you know.” She sits back against her pillows,watching me with a passive expression. “Where were you all day, Mac?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Fucking… wolf meetings. Took longer than expected. Typical. I’m sorry for not calling.”
“So, you did it?” Her eyes narrow. “You joined the pack?”
I lift a shoulder, trying to play off the gravity of the situation. It’s big for me, and we both know it. “I did. I’ll be sticking around Starbrook. Might as well get to know the other wolves while I’m here.”
Soft relief flickers through our mating bond, and it’s hers, but the feeling turns into curiosity before I can ask what it’s about.
“And what about your mother?” she asks. “How long is she staying?”
Aspen must have been stuck with my mom all day. I feel for her, but I can’t say I hate the idea. The two people I care about most are spending time together, and it isn’t as much of a nightmare as I assumed it would be. I already have my mom’s blessing.
A grin stretches across my face. “Why? You trying to get rid of her already?”
“No!” She holds back laughter, covering her mouth. “No, no. I’ve always hated how TV shows make the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law hate one another. It’s rife with misogyny, and I refuse to play into it. Her company today was… well, it was nice to have someone else around.”
“C’mon.” I snort. “No one has ever said she’s good company. Just tell me you want her out of here. She won’t be offended.”
“Mac, stop!” She giggles. “I mean it. It’s the opposite. Iwant her to stick around. I hate the idea of her living in another state all alone.”
I frown. “We’re lone wolves. It’s what we do.”
“Well,we’rewitches. We form covens. I can’t imagine letting someone in my family live like that.”
It would be easier to accept what she’s saying, but I think back to Aspen when we first met. She was in the same shitty motel I was holed up in.
I wet my lips. “Weren’tyouliving like that?”
Her smile drops, and she nods, staring at her hands. “That’s how I know I don’t want your mom to be alone. It wasn’t right for me either. I was fighting myself—fighting what I really wanted.”
“I don’t know how easy it will be to convince her to stick around.”
“Oh, I think I can do it.”
“Probably. You’re very convincing.” I lean in and touch her hair, running my fingers through the newly dyed strands.
She bats her lashes. “Can I convince you to stay the night with me?”
“No convincing needed.” I press my lips to her forehead, hairline, and the top of her head. “That’s what I’m here for. I want to be with you, too. Tonight and every night.”
Aspen isn’t the distraction. She isn’t the problem. I’m the one getting distracted. This is the kind of thing I need to stop doing—letting my guard down—but I can’t stay away from her.
I don’t want to, either. We can spend the night together. I can hold and keep her safe, but it can’t be anything more until I get rid of the corrupt witch.
