by Sarah Makela
He stared at me, his eyes were stony at first, but they melted into a look of sadness. “Mia, babe, you have to know how that sounds. I wouldn’t leave you for the world.” Something in his eyes shifted before he forced his emotions in check. “You mean more to me than the Pack. We’re meant to be together. Nothing will stop that.” He brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Let’s get your friend safely home. We’ll talk more about this a bit later.”
I nodded, knowing I was probably overreacting. I couldn’t help it, realizing he was becoming more werewolf. He meant everything he said, but how could he hold to his word? The wolves held a lot of power over Chad, so it made sense that they would do the same with Ethan since he was a lower rank. I wasn’t stupid.
He leaned in pressing a sweet and tender kiss on my lips, but I burned for so much more.
* * *
Tension radiated from the backseat of Ethan’s car. Ever since we walked in, Jessa narrowed her eyes at me, but she didn’t say much. The silence bothered me more than her getting upset. Maybe I should’ve let Nolan call one of his friends.
No, I wouldn’t second guess myself.
“How are you feeling, Jessa?” Ethan asked, trying to break the awkward silence.
“I’m fine. Thank you.” She kept her hands in her lap and sat with a ramrod posture. I looked away, not wanting to meet her gaze again. “Turn right at the next street.”
Ethan did as she requested.
I stifled a groan. My hopes of talking with her about my ankle would have to wait. She wouldn’t be willing to talk, not with the way she was acting.
“I don’t think Mia should go to the shop for a few days,” Ethan said, glancing in the rearview mirror.
I couldn’t believe him. “What?”
“Your ankle. You need to rest.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me a look that said he didn’t want to hear it.
“If you can’t drive to pick up Jessa, then I don’t see how you’d drive to the shop. Much less having to deal with customers and whatever else needs to be done.” Ethan returned his gaze to Jessa in the rearview mirror.
I turned in my seat a little, but even that movement hurt my ankle a little. I frowned at her. “It’s fine. I can watch over the shop for a few more days since I know you still need to recover. The doctor said he wanted you to rest, so I know you’re not up to going back to the store yet.”
She frowned at me then looked at Ethan. She wasn’t exactly a fan of his, but she didn’t dislike him as strongly as she’d detested Greg, which was an improvement. The only problem she had with Ethan—at least that I knew of—was that he would become a werewolf. Since Jared had attacked her, she hated all werewolves. She didn’t want to hear that Chad and Ethan had helped rescue her; even though Chad pissed me off, he knew I wasn’t a bad person.
“I know you’re trying to look out for her, but I need Mia’s help with the shop.” Jessa just looked sad. “If I was in better shape, I would agree that she should be home resting, but unfortunately that’s not the case.” She stared at me, meeting my gaze. “I’ll go in and get you something that should help with the swelling.”
What would she give me that I couldn’t get from the shop? “I already used the comfrey poultice and tried a potion for the pain.”
Ethan appeared both parts curious and skeptical; then again, a few weeks ago I wouldn’t have even broached this subject with him in the car.
Jessa didn’t look too comfortable with him here either, but she was more open about magic than I was. Plus, we knew he would soon be something more dangerous to society than us. We were real witches, but witches were nothing compared to werewolves on the hunt. At least when it came to the magic I knew about. I’m pretty sure black magic witches were capable of truly horrific things, but that wasn’t on my radar, so far at least.
“What I’ll give you is stronger than that, but it’ll be fine. My recipe is written down at home.” She looked between Ethan and me again. “You can read over it.”
“Thanks, Jessa.” I gave a small smile, even though I felt so awkward being here with her and Ethan at the same time. I just wished we wouldn’t have had to go through this conversation.
“Keep off the leg as much as possible.” Jessa shrugged. “It’s fine if you can’t do the normal cleaning routine, as long as nothing looks too dusty or dirty. It can go a few days until one of us is feeling better.”
“Yeah, don’t overdo it, babe.” Ethan made another turn onto the road that lead closer toward where Jessa lived.
At least the car trip was slowly going better. I hadn’t liked the way it started with both of them going after me for my ankle. At least Ethan hadn’t gotten around to truly scolding me for jumping out the window yet. Maybe he’d forgotten. From the look on his face, I doubted he did. I bet this conversation had reignited the idea, but I’d deal with them and their concerns. It was nice knowing they cared.
“I know my limits.” I settled back into the passenger seat, and Ethan slid his hand into mine. I wasn’t sure if it was only for my benefit or to show a united force in front of Jessa, but I was sure he would’ve done it regardless because he knew I was uncomfortable.
“I know you do. We care. That’s all.” Ethan stroked his thumb over the top of my hand.
“Thanks.”
“There’s a stool in the back of the shop that I use sometimes to get up to the higher shelves; you can prop your foot on it,” Jessa piped up. “If you need help finding it, call me tomorrow.” Her tone had normalized a little, becoming less grumpy and more like the friend who was always there for me. Definitely more than a certain brother who would rather get it on with his latest girlfriend than take me to pick up my best friend.
“I will.” I smiled back at her. “Thank you.”
Ethan squeezed my hand a little. “I’ll take you before I go in. You’ll be there earlier than you’d probably want to be, but at least you won’t have to drive.”
I wasn’t looking forward to waking up at his ungodly hours. One of the things I liked about working at Jessa’s shop was that she opened at a reasonable time. I didn’t need to be awake before the sun climbed into the sky. However, for the next few days, it looked like that would change.
I groaned, rubbing my other hand over his. “I guess I’ll need to pack my e-reader.”
Ethan chuckled, the low sound caressing my body. “Guess so. You’ll probably be bored out of your mind waking up so early.”
“At least it’s better than driving with my foot like this.” Maybe I could look through some magic books.
I wouldn’t bring my grandmother’s grimoire with me out in public, especially not to Eternally Magick when Selene could come back. If any other witch found out it was on me, they might steal it for themselves and soak up the knowledge within, making themselves much more powerful. So much knowledge had been passed through the generations; to lose it would be horrendous.
I had thought about having the grimoire digitized since then I would know it was safe, no matter if there was a fire or whatever else. However, I hadn’t gotten around to it. The tome was huge and filled with so many ancient pages.
“If you need something to read, I have plenty of books in my office.” I knew Jessa meant the werewolf book. I’d been weaker then. Now I wasn’t. I knew what was good for me without having to look to Jessa for approval.
“That’s fine. I already have a few books I’m interested in.”
We slipped back into silence while Ethan drove. Within no time, we were at Jessa’s place. I remained in the car while Ethan walked with Jessa to the door. She said a few things to him, but from how he acted, I knew she hadn’t said anything offensive, probably just that she’d get whatever potion she had for me inside while he waited on her door step.
Great going, Jessa.
I rolled my eyes, wishing I’d gone home and used the rest of the salve I’d made. Even though it had a little of the love potion I had been affected by before. But it was tied to Ethan, and w
e were together, so I didn’t see how it would be a problem.
But it was about time I pitched the stuff and made a new, untainted batch. If I did use it and it backfired again, I wouldn’t survive it. I refused to have my relationship with Ethan go the way things went with Greg.
Ethan came back to the car with a small plastic grocery bag. “Here you go.”
“Thanks. I really mean it.” By the time I looked back to Jessa’s house, she had already shut the front door. The lacey white curtains moved a little, but they soon fell back into place.
Sighing, I tried not to feel disappointed when it came to Jessa’s behavior. For a moment, I’d thought we were past that, but now I didn’t know.
“Where to now?” Ethan asked. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Yes,” I said, looking him over. His stomach grumbled. “Have you?”
“I did earlier with Nolan, but I’m hungry again.” He gave me a wicked grin. “Although, there’s something delicious sitting beside me.”
My body felt like it burst into flames at the comment, and the temperature in the car ratchet up at least ten degrees. “You’re not the only one feeling that way.” I tried to remind myself we needed to talk, not fall into bed and rut like bunnies all night long. We needed to figure out what was going on with one another. Or at least I had to know what was happening with him and the Pack before we went to bed together.
“Good. Let’s head to your house.” Sizzling sensuality from his voice made my thighs wet. “Nolan may or may not be home tonight.”
I wouldn’t give my thoughts on that subject since from what I’d heard, I was pretty sure Nolan would be spending the night. The two of them were almost as bad as Ethan and I.
Jessa lived on the other side of our medium-sized town, closer to the shop than where my family, Ethan, and I lived.
The trip home seemed to take forever.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mia
My quaint house towered over us, whispering what was undoubtedly going to happen once we stepped inside. I relished the anticipation that coursed through me.
Ethan slid his hot palm ever higher on my thigh. His hand trembled with pent-up sexual frustration.
I could relate.
He pulled away, getting the keys from the ignition before striding to the passenger side. He opened the car door for me, but I wasn’t sure how I’d get out since easing myself into the vehicle had been painful enough. Now I’d have to position myself carefully to climb out. I wasn’t looking forward to this, but only a little bit further and I’d be able to lie in bed with Ethan and relax my ankle. I couldn’t wait.
Ethan slid his hands underneath me. Before I realized what he was doing, he lifted me from the car. I wrapped my arms around his neck, savoring the closeness. He used the car remote to lock it while he carried me to the front door. I unlocked it with a little struggle before we were finally inside.
The older lady who lived next door had something else to talk with her friends about now. These days she wasn’t quite so obvious with her spying, but she was still as nosy as ever.
That was the one bad point about living in my grandparents’ former home. However, I liked not having to pay rent. Besides, my grandmother had left it to me in her will, along with the grimoire, which she’d kept in a special compartment in the spare bedroom. The same place I kept it when I wasn’t actively using it.
No one else knew where I hid it, and that’s exactly how I’d like to keep it.
Ethan set me on the couch. “Rest here for a moment. Let me help you with your shoes, and I’ll take mine off before we head upstairs.” He bent beside me. I wanted to run my hands through his soft hair and down his hardened jawline. He was so incredibly handsome. I couldn’t help loving him.
“Thank you.” I had opted for strappy sandals, since wearing tennis shoes with the swollen ankle was something I’d wanted to avoid. His hands brushed my foot as he unbuckled the sandals. “Is there anything you’re concerned about with the Pack that you haven’t told me? At least anything important?”
He snatched my sandals from the floor and stood, but his gaze remained lowered avoiding my eyes. There was something on his mind, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know what it was. Maybe I could take the question back before the subject got too serious.
“You deserve to know. I’m not thrilled about this, and I will fight it if I can. The Pack wants me with a female werewolf.” He shifted his attention to the ceiling. His breathing came out slow and steady as if he was trying to keep himself under control.
Lightheadedness washed over me and tears burned my eyes.
The Pack was crazy. They couldn’t do this to us. Chad hadn’t mentioned any of this. Why hadn’t Ethan told me sooner? I couldn’t lose Ethan to the wolves, not like this. My fears were coming to pass. I’d hoped I wouldn’t lose him to the Pack, but now I might be doing just that and for an entirely different reason.
“H-how long have you known?” The words didn’t even sound like my own voice had spoken them.
“Not long. I found out last night.” He knelt at my side again. “I didn’t want to tell you before I had a chance to talk to Chad and fight this. No matter what, I won’t let them split us apart.”
I nodded, but I wasn’t confident that he could make much of a difference when it came to fighting the will of the Pack. Their Alpha’s authority wasn’t something to be questioned, or at least that’s what I’d read in the werewolf book. I only hoped Ethan didn’t try too hard and end up getting himself hurt or killed. I’d rather have him alive and with a girl werewolf than dead.
“We could run away if I’m not able to work things out with them. They can’t have infinite reach.”
He tilted my chin up so I’d look at him.
“They don’t need infinite reach. Other Packs out there will have their own ways of doing things. You never know how bad they’ll be. At least Chad seems interested in helping you, while the Pack thought about killing you. If that’s how this group is, how will another group be?” I leaned back on the couch. Part of me wanted to throw a blanket over my face and disappear, but hiding wasn’t the answer to this.
“It’s going to be okay. We’re going to work through it. I’ll figure out how I can get them to pay attention to what I need. Chad said if I help them with a missing person, I could leverage some influence with the Alpha. He might be more interested then in my desires than dictating to me.” Ethan brushed his lips over mine, but the kiss spoke his frustration more than simply showing passion. He ran his hand over my side, from my shoulder all the way down to my hip.
I wanted to curl into his warmth and wrap myself in him. He was safe and if I had to, I would reassert my own power to the Pack. They might not like me, but I had enough belief in our relationship that I wouldn’t let the werewolves stomp all over me. They didn’t know I was closer to a novice than most witches.
Besides, I’d charred their former second in command and almost killed their Alpha, even though that last part had been a complete and utter accident.
“I know we will.” I trailed my hands over his torso.
He dropped my shoes beside the couch and bent closer, pulling me into his arms, once again taking the utmost care not to hurt my swollen ankle. He lifted me into his arms, then hastily kicked off his shoes before walking upstairs with me.
When we finally got to my bedroom, he laid me in the center of the bed before crawling on too. I was ready for his love and happy he’d told me the truth about the werewolves wanting him with a female wolf, even if it cut me to the core.
Honesty was something we could work with. If I didn’t know what was going on, then it felt like he was withdrawing to protect a dark secret.
I moved a little under his firm body. My foot brushed against his leg and pain radiated out from my ankle. I grimaced before I could hold it in.
“Are you okay, babe?” He glanced down the length of my body. “Here, let me make sure you’re comfortable before we even think about going fo
rward with this.”
Ethan never failed to surprise me. He took such wonderful care of me while I was hurt that it made me want to do whatever I could to be there for him too. How could I have ever questioned him?
I wanted to bathe him in love and lust until neither of us could walk straight. “I’m okay. Just brushed my foot against your leg on accident. I should’ve been more careful.”
He grabbed one of the pillows and carried it to the end of the bed, where he very gently propped my foot up. “This should help a bit. At least you’ll be able to relax a little more and your foot would be in the best position to heal.” He trailed his palm over my shin, then he slid it up to my thighs. The path his hand traveled left behind fire and pleasure, and I wanted to close my eyes and sink into the wonderful feelings caressing me.
“You’re right. This feels so much better.” I grinned at him, unable to help myself. “You’re very good.”
He winked and slid onto the bed next to me, propping his head on his palm. “If you need more proof on how good I am, let me know.” He leaned in and gave me a lingering kiss. “I wouldn’t want to pressure you into anything you’re not comfortable with.” His words were the only sign that he was willing to stop right here. Everything else made him look like a predator ready to pounce its prey.
The worst thing was instinctively I knew this must be his beast coming to the surface, yet I still wanted him inside of me. I didn’t care about the fact werewolves scared me, or that he was slowly becoming one. Right now, he was Ethan and that was all that mattered.
“I don’t feel pressured into anything. Don’t push me away. I know you can smell how much I want you.” I caressed his cheek with my fingertips, closing the distance between us again.
His soft lips brushed mine, slowly at first. The press of his tongue demanded access to my mouth. I opened for him, letting him taste me and claim me as I wanted him to do with my body, which for the moment was slow but steady. We both enjoyed sex harder and wilder, but that wouldn’t go down well with my ankle like this.