by Jen Talty
Jackson opened his mouth but had no response. He had no idea. The only feelings that had changed, or intensified were those he had for Amanda, he sure as shit didn’t feel confident to bring those up with her father.
Yet, until a few minutes ago, he’d had a protective arm around her waist.
“I had a shot the morning after you banished the spells from my body,” Jackson said.
“I would too, under those circumstances.” Alfred waved his hand in the air as if to toss something away. “Also, you’ve been living with that spell for so long that it’s touched your core personality.”
Jackson glanced to the ceiling. Before the Oscar win, he’d been riding a high confidence wave. Never cocky, since his mother taught that humility would take him far, but he had to admit that after he’d been awarded the biggest award his industry could offer, his self-doubt intensified. He constantly felt like he waged a battle inside his head between who he knew he was, and who he believed the world saw him as.
“Can someone cast this spell on me again?”
“No,” Amanda said, her fingers curling around his biceps, rubbing gently, before gliding down his arm and taking her hand in his.
He didn’t resist.
Having her next to him gave him strength, and he felt a calmness he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“My father made you an untouchable.”
“What is that?” Jackson asked, staring into a set of blue eyes that sucker-punched his ability to see past her, not that he wanted to.
He couldn’t decide what had made him feel more out of control of his own life: having some witch cast a fucked-up spell on him. Or knowing deep in his soul that Amanda would forever be the only woman he wanted to be with.
“Anyone who tries to use black magic, or any magic on you, will suffer,” Alfred said softly, looking down at his mug, cupping it with both hands.
For the first time since Jackson had met the man, he showed a sense of vulnerability.
“Good way to catch the culprit,” Jackson said, fanning his thumb over Amanda’s soft skin on the inside of her wrist. “So, why the spell on my house?”
“To protect my daughter, your family, and wolf friends.”
Jackson nodded, studying the man sitting before him.
Alfred kept his gaze on the mug, twirling it between his fingers.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Amanda squeezed his hand. “The spell has an expiration date and until then, my father’s powers are rendered useless.”
“What?” Jackson said, snapping his head in her direction. “The most powerful wizard known to your kind has no powers? Because of me?”
“This is crazy,” Decker said, shaking his head. “I feel like you’re the only man who can save my brother from this crazy witch and now you’re telling us you can’t.”
“My powers are needed to protect him. I fear whoever has blocked him, based on the near miss with an eighteen-wheeler and animals sent to cause him harm, goes along with this whole mating thing,” Alfred said.
Jackson coughed, heat rising from the pit of his stomach. He was barely ready to admit to himself that mating with Amanda was his fate, much less anyone else.
“We might as well address the elephant in the room.” Alfred took a long sip, draining the mug.
“I think I’ll head out now,” Decker said, standing. “I’ll see myself out.”
Jackson’s heart beat so fast he thought it would jump right out of his chest. He’d always felt uncomfortable around anyone’s parents, always believing they saw him as nothing but a murderer’s son.
A long silence filled the room. Jackson continued to hold Amanda’s hand, which trembled slightly.
Or maybe that was him.
“Dad, I don’t think this is the time or place to bring this up.” Amanda’s voice dripped with a confidence he wished he could muster, though he didn’t feel as intimidated as when he’d first met her father. “We need to focus on catching whoever did this.”
“Whoever did this, knew that he’d imprint on you as his mate. That is not something that most wolves know. And let’s not forget what the spell requires.” Alfred lowered his chin, his dark gaze leering out from under his eyelids. “Of the twenty-nine potential suspects, I’ve narrowed it down to three.”
“How on earth have you done that?” Jackson asked, thrilled they’d moved from the mating topic.
“Before I made you an untouchable, I checked all of them for black magic.”
“Daddy, you can’t do that without the council’s blessing. I’m shocked they agreed.”
“They didn’t,” her father said.
“Oh, no,” Amanda said softly, tugging her fingers from Jackson. She made her way across the kitchen, taking her father’s hand. “When they find out, they could strip you permanently of your powers and your title.”
Jackson’s heart tightened, constricting his breath. “I can’t let you do this for me. You have to find a way to reverse it.”
“It’s too late for that, son. And I’m not doing it just for you.” He patted Amanda’s hand. “I know neither of you are ready to even really discuss what is happening between the two of you. I understand in the wolf community, mating occurs in a variety of ways, but it’s still a predetermined match, since compatibility is so important.”
Jackson wanted to race off into the woods. He couldn’t be the one to destroy another royal witch.
“I’m begging you to stop this. I can’t be responsible for anything happening to you, sir.” Panic gripped his insides. The crushing pain in his chest made it impossible to take a deep breath.
“You’re not responsible for any of this, and I would gladly give up my powers to protect any one of my girls and the men they are destined to be with. I know this isn’t easy. Normally, you’d have time to get to know one another before declaring an undying love, but we need to accept this. Embrace it. And catch the witch who tried to prevent it.” His voice vibrated against the walls.
“I love you, Dad.” Amanda embraced her father, kissing his cheek. “I know this isn’t easy for you, and I wish things could have happened the way they were supposed to.”
“Me too because I think Jackson here is a good man.”
Jackson swallowed. There was no point in fighting this anymore. He sucked in a deep breath and moved across the room. “I’ll do everything I can to always keep Amanda safe.”
“I know you will,” Alfred said, stretching out his hand.
Jackson shook it. A warm calm settled in his belly. Amanda rested her arms on her father’s shoulder. Her eyes danced when she smiled at him. He planned on making sure their courtship would be more like it should have been had someone not messed with destiny.
“Who are the three witches you narrowed it down to?” Jackson asked.
Alfred took out a small notebook from his back pocket. “My third cousin Benny, but honestly, I think he’s too stupid to carry out magic of that magnitude. As kids, he could barely turn a toad into a rabbit.”
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Jackson asked. The vision of the wolves he’d met in the woods turning into sparrows came into his mind.
“Yeah, Dad. You would have crucified me and my sisters if we ever tried a spell like that.”
Alfred let out a small laugh. “Times were different when I was a child. We used spells like that to practice and strengthen our witchcraft. Only those who practiced black magic, destroyed the practice.”
Jackson scratched the back of his head. “But he could have been honing his craft all these years.”
“True, but he’s still kind of dumb,” Amanda said.
“Then there is my father’s brother, George.” Alfred flipped the page. “But I suspect he’s using black magic to keep his sex life going.”
Jackson choked on his own laugh. “They make a pill for that.”
“That’s what I told him,” Alfred said.
“I never needed to hear this conversation.” Amanda breezed by
, running her fingers down Jackson’s back before grabbing the coffee pot and pouring another round. “Who’s next?”
“My sister.” Alfred leaned back, folding his arms over his chest. His dark eyes glistened with orange specks. “She’d always been a rebel without a cause as a child. The dark side seemed to have a constant pull on her until she met and married Henry. She took on her Royal responsibilities with style and grace. I have a really hard time wrapping my mind around the idea this could be her, but she makes the most sense and her magic is powerful.”
Jackson didn’t like the sound of any of this. “Any chance she could know you tested her?”
“No.” Alfred shook his head. “Only I would be able to tell something like that. But, she’d easily be able to tell I had given up my powers.”
“Does your spell on my house prevent anyone from coming inside?”
“The only ones who have free access are the two of you, and your siblings. Even I need permission from of you to cross the property line.”
“Where is your wife?” Jackson asked.
“At home,” Alfred said, cocking his head.
“I saw your car here, so I suspect you didn’t fly.”
“I don’t fly everywhere, that would be rude,” Alfred said.
“I understand, but how easily would it be for her to know you had no powers?”
“All she’d have to do was be in the same space as me.”
“So, if she was flying overhead, and you were driving below, she might be able to sense that?”
Alfred nodded.
“Maybe you and your wife should stay in my house until you get your powers back.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
The song Looking out my Backdoor by Creedence Clearwater Revival rang out.
“My phone,” Amanda said, jumping to the kitchen table, digging into her purse. “I’m surprised it’s not dead since I didn’t charge it last night.”
“Who is it?” Jackson asked.
“Auntie Alley.” She looked up at him with wide eyes.
“Answer it,” he father bellowed.
“Hey Auntie, how are you this morning?” Amanda tapped the speaker button, placing the phone on the center of the table.
“Worried sick about you, darling. Why are you lying about that wolf? Don’t you remember what he did to your uncle?”
Amanda glanced between her father and Jackson.
Jackson rested his hand on her back, rubbing up and down gently.
“He didn’t do anything, and I’m not lying.”
“You’re not falling in love with that creature. He’s not for you.”
Jackson took the notepad and scribbled: Ask her to coffee. He glanced over at Alfred, hoping he agreed.
He nodded.
“Why don’t we have breakfast? It’s been forever since we’ve had a chance to chat. We can talk about this then. In person.”
“I’d really love that.”
“How about we meet at Ricki’s in an hour?”
“Perfect, dear. See you then.”
Amanda tapped the off button on her phone. “I can’t believe she could have done this.”
Jackson pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. “Maybe we’re wrong,” he whispered, knowing they weren’t. She made the most sense, and she had always been the most vocal about her distaste for wolves, and in particular, Jackson and his family.
“I hope we are, but she’s the only woman on the list.”
“I’m surprised you’re so quick to place blame,” Jackson said, both arms circling around Amanda in a protective hug. Her hands glided across his lower back, fingertips gently digging into his muscles.
“I’m not. I’m just being safe,” Alfred said, the corner of his lips turning downward. He scratched the side of his cheek. “I’m hoping we rule her out, but then that leaves us with few suspects that make sense.”
Amanda looked up, gently brushing her lips against Jackson’s in a sweet, tender kiss. “I need to go shower if I’m going to meet her.”
“Jackson is going with you,” Alfred said in an authoritative tone.
“I planned on it.” Jackson wasn’t sure if her father’s inflection was about protecting his daughter from harm’s way.
Or protecting her from his kiss.
His embrace.
His love.
He opted to believe the former based on their earlier conversation and the fact that the more he accepted, and welcomed the idea of mating, the bigger the deep, emotional kinship he had for Amanda.
“We need to have a clear plan with this meeting since I can’t be there.” Alfred pulled out his phone. “I’ll get your sisters to hide somewhere, so they can keep an eye out.”
“Good idea,” Jackson said. “I’ll put my sisters on the house and get Decker and a few of his buddies to hang around the coffee shop as well.”
“If it’s her, do you really think she’ll try anything in public?” Amanda asked.
“Who knows, but to be safe, I’m going to call a couple people on the council I know, tell them what I suspect. They will be bound by witch law to check it out and bring the proper local authorities.”
“This really sucks,” Amanda said as she turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Jackson downed the rest of his coffee, realizing he was going to excuse himself so he too could get ready.
In his room.
Where Amanda was.
“I hope your sister had nothing to do with this.” Jackson might not have ever liked the woman, or what she’d said about him and his family, but she was Amanda’s aunt.
And he was falling head over heels for Amanda.
“My sister has been practicing a type of magic that is banned by all witches, but for a Royal to use it, she will have to face a trial and could lose her powers and be banished from the coven.”
“That seems harsh.”
“Well, I’m thinking if she didn’t cast the blocking spell, she’s probably responsible for the unlucky one, which is just as bad in other ways because it has stripped you of things you deserved and manipulated people’s minds to think badly of you.”
“You never thought badly of me.”
“My magic is above that,” Alfred said.
“Amanda never thought bad of me.”
“She’s your mate.” Alfred held up his hand when Jackson tried to speak. “And before you go down the family line, we might not mate like wolves do, but there is one special person for us, and our lives only become complete and make sense when we find them. It’s a close bond we share, so when that special person comes into our lives, our entire family is bonded to them.” Alfred dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out an old picture. “I was going to wait to show you this, but what the hell.” He pushed the photograph across the table.
“That’s me.” Jackson snapped up the image, staring at himself at maybe three and a half or so, with the biggest smile on his face that he’d ever seen, holding a baby, but it wasn’t a baby he recognized.
“Yep. And that is Amanda. I had forgotten about this picture, but my wife, she remembers everything and when we suspected you and Amanda might be a match, she pulled it out. It was the only time I believe you ever met, and it was right before we had to fire your father.”
Jackson’s heart melted into a puddle of heat in the center of his stomach. His entire life all of a sudden made sense. It was like he could remember the exact emotion and connectedness to the baby in his arms, as he did to the woman he held last night.
Tears burned his eyes, but he blinked them away.
“My sister is a powerful witch and I know she has the ability to cast such a blocking spell. I really want to believe she didn’t, but I don’t doubt she could have done her best to make sure your life was so unlucky and so unappealing that it would make my daughter want nothing to do with you, denying both your fates.”
“This is a lot to take in.” Jackson set the picture down. He had to admit, much of the self-doubt an
d even self-loathing because of who his father was seemed to evaporate into thin air. He wouldn’t deny the effect the image had on his mind, heart, and soul.
“I understand, but I need to know that you’ll always do your best to take good care of my daughter and love her like she deserves.”
“I will do my best to make sure no harm comes to her,” Jackson managed, the room spinning around him
“And the latter?” Alfred asked.
“I can’t say that I love her right now, but I can’t say that I don’t love her. All I can say is that I know I will love her.”
Chapter 9
A soiree of anger, frustration, and fear filled Amanda’s outer aura, and she knew her aunt would pick up on it right away. She’d probably be looking for it. Auntie Alley had a master’s degree in bio-chemistry, which wasn’t unusual for a witch, but she’d graduated in the top 1% of her class and according to her siblings, she never had to study a single day in her life.
Mastering witchcraft had always come easy to her as well, but it was Amanda’s father who retained the high priest status in the coven, something that Aunt Alley openly admitted bothered her as a child. One of the things that Amanda had admired about her aunt had been her sharp tongue and always speaking her mind. But Aunt Alley had always been rigid in the tradition, something that now appeared to be fake.
“Kiss me,” Amanda said as Jackson rolled his jeep to a stop in the parking lot of Ricki’s Family Diner. Ricki’s was the greasy spoon for the rich and famous with its overpriced twenty-five-dollar eggs and bacon breakfast. Out of towners came just to get a glimpse of the stars, and you could be guaranteed you’d see at least one at any given time. No matter how expensive, the cinnamon rolls were to die for.
“Don’t you think we gave the paparazzi a good enough show at my house?” Jackson glanced over his shoulder, waving at the half-dozen reporters and photographers. Most usually camped out in the lot to see what new rising couple would make an appearance.