Page 106 of Spellbound & Speechless
“I thought you would avoid me forever,” she mumbles.
I press my forehead to hers. “No. Never. Is that really what you thought?”
“I don’t know. You wouldn’t be the first man to make me think you want something serious only to leave me behind.”
My eyes flash red—the anger isn’t toward her, of course, and I know better than to make it seem like it is. I just can’t believe someone would hurt her that way.
“That isn’t me. What I feel for you—itisserious. I mean it. You’re the one. I mean everything I’ve said to you.”
“I know.” She closes her eyes. “At least, I hoped it was true.”
“What I said this morning… I only meant that I’m focusingmoreon protecting you now. It’s important to me that you know that. This is all for you.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“I was an emotional wreck. Maybe I misspoke.”
“Maybe.” She sighs, running her nails along the side of my neck. “But I have good news for you, darling. Something that will bring us a few steps closer to where we need to be.”
“Oh yeah?” I mumble, relaxing under her touch. “What’s that?”
“A spell.”
My wolf’s ears perk up, my beast rousing in my chest.
Aspen pulls back. Her smile is unlike any I’ve ever seen; she is devious and dripping with venom. She’s never looked prettier. “We know how to banish the wicked witch.”
Chapter 37
Mac
“Areyou sure you won’t come?” Aspen peers up at me with her big blue eyes. Fuck. I want to give in. I’ll give her anything she wants.
Thinking of Ozan scolding me, like I’m a child, makes me steel my resolve.
“YouknowI want to be there.” My jaw tightens. “I’m the one who started all of this, but…”
It’s early morning, and the house is quiet—a rarity in the Hawthorne Home. This is the only peace we’ll have all day.
She rests her head on my chest. “I know.”
There’s more Aspen wants to say. It’s nagging at our bond.
I rub her back. “You’ll tell me everything that happens. Got it?”
She nods. “You’re still a part of this. Don’t let one silly man make you think otherwise.”
“You’re right. He can’t change that.” I lift my head and press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ll see you at the bar tonight, and we’ll catch up. Stay safe until then. I can run across town in a flash if anything happens.”
“I know you can, but?—”
“I won’t be far.”
“Mac.” She laughs, burying her face against my neck. “I trust you. I trust us. It’s time for you to trustme.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. All the trust in the world can’t make up for the evil shit that corrupt witch can do.”
My pride is still too strong to go with her to the meeting. Not yet.
