Page 75 of Spellbound & Speechless
Mac sits up and leans forward, brushing my hair out of my face. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?” I pitch my voice higher, trying to hide my frustration.
If Mac wants to act like everything is normal, maybe it is. Perhaps I’m the problem. I don’t need to know about his pack meetings; that’s his business, and he can keep secrets if he wants to.
He groans. “Stop. I can tell something is bothering you. You feel… off.”
“How do you know how I feel?”
“Aspen…”
“Fine.” My jaw tenses. “Why didn’t you tell me about the pack meeting?”
“What?” He shakes his head. “What pack meeting?”
“Oh, stop it! Laurel told me.”
He stares at the sky before it seems to click into place, his bright eyes widening. “That was weeks ago! Back when I first moved into the house. I went to a pack meeting to… well, to get some allies. More people to keep you safe.”
“Oh.” I falter, not expecting him to be so upfront. “You think the wolves can keep me safe?Whatare they keeping me safe from?”
“The corrupt witch.” His eyes flash red. “I know she’s been quiet, but?—”
Right. It’s so easy to forget about her, but he doesn’t seem to be able to. I guess Mac has a good reason to want to keep me safe.
I pull my knees into my chest and wrap my arms around myself. “Have you seen any signs of her? Or smelled any?”
“No.” He rubs a hand over his face. “But that doesn’t mean she’s gone. She’s still dangerous.”
“What if sheisgone?” I ask. “Didn’t you tell me to be optimistic and look at silver linings, or whatever?”
“This is different.” His features are as cold as stone. “‘What ifs’ are not good enough for me. I need her dead. If she’s gone, I… I would have to go. To find her.”
“Oh, Mac…” My expression softens. “You can tell me about these things. I appreciate that you were trying to keep me and my family safe.”
And I don’t want him to leave, but I won’t say it. How have I gone from the one running from Starbrook, to begging for someone to stay? No. That won’t be me.
The look he gives me is earnest and passionate. How could I have doubted him? “Of course, I am. That’s all I ever wanted to do.”
I bite my lip, chewing nervously. My next question feels silly. “Then you do… like me?”
“What the hell?” He chuckles, running his fingers through his hair. “What are you asking?”
“Like, this isn’t just sex?” I force myself to hold my head higher, even though I want to run and hide. “Right? I mean, it’s fine if it is, I just want to know where we stand… so we’re not standing in different places.”
Why can’t I stop talking?
I don’t know what I’m hoping for. Maybe some reassurance. A little comfort would be nice. I know how to set my boundaries in relationshipsnow, but he wouldn’t be the first man to latch on to a love witch just for good sex.
He wouldn’t even be the first man to do it to me.
Instead of soothing me, he laughs. Howdare he?
My jaw drops. “What are you laughing at?”
“You really don’t know, do you?”
“No! I know nothing, apparently. That’s why I’m askingyou.”
