Page 61 of Alice and Her Shifters (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 2)

As we all sat in front of a fire, drinking spiced ale and munching on fruits and cheeses Milo had found in the kitchen, we discussed who would be a solid fit to stand watch for the next few days.

“Are you sure leaving is what you really want?” Calvin asked Allison.

She stared at the fire for a brief moment. When she met his gaze again, she nodded with a somber expression. “Yes. I have to go home. I have a life there to live, and I can’t leave my sister like this.”

My heart sank. I hated how she was so determined to leave. I wished there was something I could do to make her stay.

“Then we should leave in the morning after you have had a proper rest,” Calvin said. “Thoughts, Milo?”

“You are consulting me?” he asked. “Why?”

Calvin shrugged. “You pulled through. Your methods were shitty but, in the end, we did what we all came to do. In a roundabout way, you held up your end of the bargain.”

“As much good as that did,” he muttered, pointedly glaring at Allison. “The red witch was supposed to die.”

“I told you, I’m not a killer,” she said, unapologetically.

“If she’s not dead, she has a chance of breaking free and killing us all in our sleep,” Milo muttered. “But what do I know? I’m just the guy with the curse she placed on me. And now we’re going to leave her in that cell with no one to stop her if she manages to escape.”

“She doesn’t have anything to cast magic with,” Allison said.

Milo chuckled sarcastically. “And that had worked out so well for you when you were in a cell. Besides, not everyone has to have an artifact or charm to use magic. They only enhance and channel what’s already there.”

“Still not a killer,” Allison said. Her words came out clipped. “There’s nothing that will change that.”

“There is no point in arguing about this now,” King said. “If you need someone to stay behind and keep an eye on things, I’ll be happy to do so. But I can’t spare more than a few days.”

“Thank you,” Calvin said. “That would be a big help. Are you sure that won’t be too much?”

“Not at all,” King said with a wave of his hand. “Allana, Gunner, and Declan have things handled.”

Calin nodded. “I owe you this time.”

King chuckled. “Oh, I’ll come to collect, trust me.”

“Never doubted you, my friend,” Calvin said.

“I’ll help escort Allison home,” Jasper said. “I’m heading the same direction anyway.”

“Thank you. I appreciate the offer,” Allison said. She switched her attention between me, Calvin, and Milo. “In the morning then?”

Milo and Calvin nodded.

Allison’s devastatingly beautiful blue gaze rested on mine. I shrugged. “Too soon.”

She smiled softly. “I’m sorry. This is the way things have to be. Besides, me going home doesn’t have to mean goodbye forever.”

“I understand,” I said. After a few moments of silence, I added, “We should get you up to bed. You’ll need to be fully rested for the journey.”

“I agree,” she said and stood from her seat. “But I’m taking a bath before bed. I feel like I have layers of dirt and grime covering me. It’s gross.”

“A bath is well deserved,” Milo said.

She settled her gaze on him. A crease of confusion appeared above her nose. “Thank you... I think.”

“Welcome,” he said with a smirk.

“For what it’s worth,” Calvin added, “I agree with Milo.”

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