Rachel squealed, “Oh my God!” and threw the door open, pulling me into a hug. “Where the fuck did you go last night? You were there, then you were gone before dinner came.”
My brow arched, surprised Rachel even noticed. “Can I come in? I brought your morning medicine.”
“Yes, of course. In, now, and tell me what that growly asshole did to you?”
“Did to me?” I asked cautiously, wanting to hear this story. Remy probably filled her head with a bunch of nonsense. Never mind the fact Dylan could have done real damage. I wanted to hold onto the belief Sean scared me worse than he needed to in order to make me work the spell.
Either way, Dylan begged me to put him under, and I did. If I closed my eyes I could feel the scratch of claws and feel of fur when he pinned me to the wall. He’d been massive, towering over me. Yeah, I was terrified. And Sean was right. Dylan could have really hurt me and not even realized it.
I took a deliberately slow breath and handed her the coffee. She dragged me to the dining room and sat down. “So what happened last night?” she asked frantically.
I turned the tables. “Your date is an ass. How do you put up with him?”
Her brow drew together. “What do you mean?”
“He drugged Dylan while we were in the bathroom. Know anything about that?”
Her brow crinkled. “Drugged? What do you mean drugged? Remy is the sweetest, most caring guy I know. Why would he drug anyone?”
“He’s not who you think he is. Then again, it turns out I’m not what you think I am. I need you to tell me what happened last night. Why did your eyes glaze over while he droned on and on, bragging about the lamest advertising ads I’d ever heard of?”
She shrugged. “I zone out when he starts talking. That’s not what he’s good for. He’s long and hard, and knows how to use that thang.”
“But you just said he was sweet and caring?” I snapped. “Which is it? Is he a good lay? Or a good guy—because I really doubt he’s a good guy.”
“Um,” she blushed, looking away, “a good lay. Come to think of it I can’t remember much of what he says ever.” Her eyes opened wide, a look of shock on her face. “Do you think he hypnotized me or something crazy?”
“Yeah. Seems pretty damned likely. We need to figure this out. What happened last night?”
She frowned. “I guess I zoned out, because by the time food came out, you were gone. Remy said Dylan was making you uncomfortable, trying to feel you up under the table. Then you got pissed and left. He said the monster probably pinned you down and raped you.”
“And you didn’t think to come check on me?” Sierra blurted out.
She frowned. “I was really drunk by then. And Sean’s truck was in your driveway. I figured he was dealing with the asshole.”
“First of all, Dylan’s not an asshole. Your piece of shit whatever the hell you want to call Remy drugged him with a potion that—shit.” I rubbed at my head.
Rachel’s eyes grew round. “What is it?”
I sat up straighter. Dragging her onto the crazy train was the last thing I wanted to do. I had no clue how she’d react, but she needed to understand Remy was dangerous, and to do that she needed to know what was really going on.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts and jumped in. “I’m about to tell you some crazy shit, and I need you to go with me. I thought Sean and Dylan were mental until I saw proof I couldn’t refute, no matter how much I wanted to.”
She gave me a funny grin. “Okay, you know I would believe anything you tell me. You suck at lying.”
I sighed. “Remy is a witch. So am I, but I recently found out.”
“Say what?” Rachel exclaimed.
Lifting my palm, I whispered the spell. Fire danced over my hand before I waved it out. “Magic, Rachel. I cast magic.”
Rachel’s mouth fell open and her eyes nearly rolled out of her head they were so wide. “Shut up!”
My brow arched. “You just saw it.”
Her head bobbed. “Okay, okay, yeah, you’re right. You were saying?”
“Your boyfriend, or whatever, does it too, but he gave Dylan a potion to make him feral. Dylan is a werewolf, so yes, he could have hurt me in theory. He begged me to put him to sleep, so I did with a spell.”
“This is insane, and if I didn’t know you so well, I’d have you committed.” She let out a strange laugh, then sighed.
“I’m not crazy.”
“I know. Why do you think I’m not calling the funny farm?” Rachel took a sip of her coffee and tapped her fingers on the table for a moment, which usually meant she was considering all the angles.
I blinked slowly. “So wait. You aren’t freaking out?”
She shrugged sheepishly. “Used to see your brother playing with magic. Used to think it was a dream until I confronted him. He made me promise never to tell you. And I had a huge crush on him, so I agreed.”
I shook my head slowly.
Then her eyes got wide. “Dylan really turns into a wolf?”
Nodding, I gulped. “Yeah, and something worse. He shifted into a beast that wanted sex. He fought it, I put him under. He slept off the effects in my basement. He didn’t hurt me, he begged me to stop him, because he is not a monster.”
She sat back, her face scrunched in thought. Then she asked, “How do you know Remy gave him anything?”
“A vision. My grandmother gave it to him. Told him to show me how werewolves are monsters, and to bring me to them. Don’t you remember Dylan drinking something with Remy before I left?”
She shrugged. “He always drinks before dinner.”
“Rachel, you were putting up with that bullshit boasting, so what gives? What has he done to you?”
She shook her head. “He’s hot. You know me. I think with my pussy when the getting’s good.”
I banged the table with my hand. “Do you like anything about him, besides his magic cock?”
She giggled, then frowned. “No. Not really.”
“Look, I don’t know what he’s going to do when I am not freaking out over Dylan, so I need you to get out of town for a bit. You mentioned you wanted to take a cruise, right? Maybe tell work you have to deal with a family emergency, then hop on a cruise for a couple weeks. By then I should have this mess sorted out.”
Her brow arched. “But he’s in advertising, not potions.”
“Just because he’s a witch, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have another job. Look at Sean. He owns his own contracting business with Dylan, and he’s both a werewolf and a witch.”
“And your brother is pretty cool.” She frowned. “You really think Remy could hurt me?”
“He’s brainwashing you, babe. Every time some asswipe tries to boast, you rub it in their face you’re better at whatever they do. And you’re always right.”
She frowned. “You’re right. What the hell?”
“What do you say? Can you take a vacation, leave today?”
“You can fix this?”
“I will. Just get out of town so I can.”
“Deal. I trust you, and only because you’re the only reason I made it through science. You always figured out how to solve everything.”
I grinned. “You know I love ya, hon.”
Rachel came over to give me a hug. Then stepped back, concern in her eyes. “So where is Mr. Growly?”
“With my brother, dealing with pack business.” I gave her a smile I didn’t feel. All I wanted was to find Dylan and apologize for sending him away. I needed to do a couple things first.
“Should I dump Remy before the cruise?”
“No, definitely not. Don’t want to raise any suspicion. I need you to go so you’re safe, if this all blows up.”
“I could help.”
“No. You really can’t, hon. Go.”
After chatting with Rachel for a bit and helping her pick a cruise, I went home and called Doctor Radcliffe.
“Hey, Sierra. You up for another consult next week?”
“I am. I’ll do anything in my power to sway you over.”
“Well, I’m getting pretty serious with a guy out your way, and I think the move would be good for me. Beats a nearly two hour drive.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yes. I needed to know we’d work before I mentioned it.” I sighed, trying to think of something convincing to say that didn’t give it all away.
“I’ll take you as soon as you can make the transition. I know they’ll need you for some appointments, and it will likely be a few weeks, but get the ball rolling and we’ll make this work.”
“Great. Send me the details, and I’ll talk to Doctor Reggie. And thank you.”
“Don’t you dare thank me. I’ve been trying to steal you since I saw your work in person.”
“Very true.”
By the time I was done with a few more phone calls and a handful of emails, I was all set to start at ACMC in three weeks. I would still consult with Hahnemann, but I could be with Dylan every night with the move. Not that I wanted to get rid of my house, we could use it when I needed to be in the city, and there were too many memories of Mom to let it go.
The rest of the day was spent packing up a few days of clothes, dropping Rachel off at the airport, and talking to my brother when he asked me if I could forgive Dylan.
I evaded the topic the best I could. He needed his head on straight for this Alpha battle, and Dylan was his second, whatever the hell that meant. Sean was surprised I didn’t give him shit about fighting, but I’d read more of Mom’s journal’s and I was starting to understand the nature of the pack and how bonds worked.
At first I thought I’d call Dylan in the morning, only I couldn’t sleep. The need was insane. Nothing relieved the ache in my heart and my loins.
By two AM I gave up, grabbed my bags, and hopped in the car with three little words on my tongue. I knew I’d beat him to his house. He had been so devastated I needed to say it first. I needed to lay it out there and show him I was invested in this.
Our connection flared the moment I told him I loved him, then he made love to me, showing me better than words ever could how much we needed each other.
Curled in his arms, I knew I could never give him up. Now I needed to tell him about Rachel and talk to Sean about that box. A week to figure out the curse and end it for good. I needed the time to figure it all out and put an end to the evil that would take Dylan from me if I wasn’t careful.
Finally where I needed to be, I let his heartbeat lure me into sleep.
* * *
He woke me to make love, then took me in the shower. Before I could get dressed, he announced he was fixing us lunch. I pulled on a dress and found him making sandwiches.
With my decision made, I sat at the table. “We need to talk.”
“About?” He glanced over his shoulder with a hope filled smile. “I told Rachel about what happened. Convinced her to take a cruise. Hoping with her gone for three weeks I can deal with the curse permanently and maybe do something about my grandmother and her coven.”
He turned back with a glare. “Did you run into Remy?”
“No. He wasn’t there. And I got her going before the asshole got off work.”
He took a slow breath and nodded before bringing us plates.
Hoping to give him a reason to forget the fact I did something I knew he’d hate, I decided to fess up. “And I already talked with Doctor Radcliffe at ACMC and will transfer in three weeks. I can’t ditch my patients, or the scheduled surgeries, and I may be asked to consult in Philadelphia from time to time. Monday I have to go back to work and take care of my patients.”
He nodded slowly, a smile replacing the frown. “Does that mean you’ll move in?”
“Yes. Yesterday was hell without you. And yeah, you scared me, but Sean made it worse than it had to be.”
Dylan caught my face in his hands. There was such sadness in his eyes. “No, Sierra. We’ve seen wolves go feral. Sometimes when they lose their mate, sometimes if given a potion, sometimes if they’re hurt. The only time they hurt their mate, as far as I know, is when magic is involved. I fought, but I was losing control.” He shook his head and I wrapped my arms around him. “Sierra, I could have really hurt you if you didn’t put me under.”
“You didn’t. You fought. And that’s all I want to hear about it.”
He gave me a dubious look before nodding to my plate. “Eat. We’re going to Sean’s in a bit for dinner.”
Rolling my eyes, I dug in. I still needed to figure out what I could do about Anabeth. If I could find the object and destroy it, they’d only replace it later. I needed to find a way to keep the coven out. I hoped Sean had an answer.
Dylan finished his sandwich fast, then told me about Bradley and the challenge. I almost felt bad for Bradley, but the asshole had brought it on himself.
“And how is Sean?”
“Fine by the time we left. He suffered a few bruises and a scratch down his side. Bradley has broken bones, which will take time to heal, but his gashes should be healed by now. Sean was more interested in keeping him down than taking another person from Theresa.”
“And how is Theresa doing? She still okay I couldn’t take the curse from Christian?” I looked away. As much as I wished I could have fixed it, there really was nothing more I could have done at the time.
“She understands. She doesn’t blame you, she’s not upset. Her brother, she’s not happy with, but she doesn’t blame Sean for that. Bradley challenged Christian too, and the alpha before. He hasn’t learned he doesn’t have what it takes.”
“I’m sorry I let you go yesterday,” I whispered. “Between Rachel, Sean, and dealing with switching hospitals, I needed time. I guarantee I wouldn’t have been much help for Sean’s preparation. All night I worried about Sean, but most of all you believing I hated you. I didn’t want to call either of you to fuck up whatever mojo you had for dealing with Bradley, and I only talked to Sean because he called me. But I was afraid to talk to you because I didn’t think I could fix us before you had to go.”
“How long were you waiting for me?”
“An hour or two. I needed you in my arms.”
He pulled me closer and kissed me. I was dizzy before he pulled back with a smile that lit me on fire. “We should go before I find a dozen reasons to keep you in my bed all day and night.”
Gently pushing at him, I nodded. “Yeah, but I need to see him for myself and ask him a question.”
The ride over to Sean’s was fast. “Whose car is that?” I asked.
Dylan’s brow arched. “Maybe he’s getting a little hanky panky.”
A groan escaped as I climbed out of the car and hurried up the steps. A woman was talking in frantic tones and Sean seemed to be cooing at her. Without waiting, I opened the door to see Sean pulling a blond into his arms as he tried to soothe her.
“Ashley?” Dylan asked, giving Sean a knowing look.
Sean flipped him off over her back with a death glare.
And then I remembered how Sean said staying away from a mate was hell. I looked up at Dylan and gave him a look that drowned his smirk.
“Hey, Sean. Everything all right?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Someone died in Ashley’s pack last night. Similar to our curse, only it was a woman on her thirty-fifth birthday.”
“Anyone else turning thirty-five soon?”
Ashley turned toward me, her hazel eyes filled with tears. “Not for a few months. Still, it was my best friend. I found her curled on the floor, her skin rubbing off, blood oozing around her. The smell—oh God, the smell was horrible. Everything was exactly like Sean warned me about.” She sniffled. “I came here first, but then remembered Sean should have been dead a few days ago. Before I could turn around to hunt down Theresa, Sean stepped onto the porch. You really saved him?”
I nodded. “I’m Sierra, by the way. And you’
re Ashley?”
Her arms wrapped around me so tight it was hard to breathe. “Thank you for giving me hope. You don’t have a clue what it means to me.”
Oh, I had an idea. “I still need to solve this curse for good, but if you have a few months, I’ll tackle that next. Okay?”
“Thank you.”
Sean gave me an arched brow. “You okay now?”
“Better than ever. We need to talk, though. And I need to ask you about a wooden box your father gave you.”
He frowned for a moment, then a grin broke across his face. “The treasure box. Funky knife in it. It’s hidden in the hollow post of my old bed at your house.”
“Good.” At least now I knew why I couldn’t find it while they were at the funeral. I drew a breath and resolved to find that later. I might need to bring Dylan back to my house.
Dylan motioned to Sean to follow him outside.
I managed a smile at Ashley and decided to jump into business.
“So, tell me everything about your friend. I need as much as possible to figure this out.”
She nodded and started with the gruesome details.
Chapter 20
Dylan
The door shut and I spun to face Sean. “Fucking Ashley? All this time and it was Ashley.” I couldn’t believe it. Sean and I met Ashley at the same time. She was a member of a pack about twenty miles away. The first time we met, we’d gone to speak with her Alpha and see if they’d heard of any other packs with our same problem. How in the hell did I not see their connection then?
“Yes, it’s Ashley.” He flopped down onto one of the chairs on the porch.
He looked exhausted. After the challenge and hunt, he probably hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep, now this. “Hey, man, sorry. I can’t understand how I didn’t figure it out before.”
He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “We kept it hidden by not seeing each other in person. It was mostly me who stayed away. I couldn’t do that to her.”
Leaning back against the post, I crossed one ankle over the other. “So you think I made a mistake?”
“No,” he sighed. “The closer it got to my birthday, the more I regretted not spending the time with her that I had. You’re right, the pull of your mate is almost impossible to ignore. I’m still not sure how we did it as long as we did.”
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