SOMETHING WICKED

by Mitchell, Liza

“Mom and I cast a spell to relive her pain. The next day she died. And her witch’s mark was a deep purple. We asked the goddess to take away her suffering, and she answered by taking Grandmother’s life.”

  “Fuck.” Grace exhaled. “Fuck, Cara, that explains a lot.”

  “So you believe me?”

  Grace nodded. “Yes. But I don’t know what we should do about it.”

  “You two need to cast a spell to find Brianna. Now. I’m more concerned about getting her back safely than finding out who has her. Let the other women’s coven handle that.”

  “Which coven?” Eileen leaned forward. “Wildwood?”

  “Maybe? Whichever one Claudia belongs to.”

  “How do you know Claudia?” Grace asked.

  “She’s Chief Brooks’s wife.”

  “And the Wildwood high priestess,” Eileen interjected. “She’s married to Chief Brooks now?”

  “Why wouldn’t she introduce herself to me?”

  Eileen shrugged. “You didn’t recognize her, and she hasn’t seen you since you were sixteen.”

  “So that means the Wildwood coven is looking for the kidnapper. But what can we do?” Cara asked.

  “Grace and I cast a spell last night after the police left for the evening. There’s not much more we can do. Unless you want to help.”

  “Fuck no.”

  “Please, Cara,” Grace said quietly. “We just need you present and open.”

  “Grace, you two are plenty powerful without me. Remember the last spell you cast?”

  “Damn it, Cara. Don’t punish Brianna because you have sixteen-year-old guilt you’ve never dealt with.”

  “Guilt? It’s not my fault! I asked the goddess to help, and she fucked us all!” Cara bit back. She didn’t stop practicing magic because she felt guilty; she’d accepted that Grandmother’s death was the consequence of her actions. What she couldn’t accept was that the goddess fucked around with witches who practiced white magic; meanwhile dark witches had the world wrapped around their fingers. It was bullshit.

  “We will ask that Brianna is found alive,” Eileen said calmly.

  “So what if she’s found as she takes her last breaths? Hey, she was alive.” Cara threw up her hands. “Nope.”

  “Cara, we have to try! You have to try.” Grace rummaged around her purse, pulled out a smudge stick, and lit it. “Cleanse. Now.” Her eyes were wet, and Cara watched a tear roll down Grace’s cheek.

  “Fine.” She composed herself and breathed in deeply. She knew she couldn’t just go through the motions. Magic was all about intention. Her heart was racing, and her blood pressure was easily six hundred over ten thousand. She exhaled and imagined Malcolm’s forehead pressed against hers. Her heart slowed. She drew the bundle of sage to her face, she thought of Malcolm’s vetiver and basil cologne, and her arms grew heavy. She passed the sage over her torso and pictured Malcolm’s hands sliding down her arms and sweeping her anxiety away. She sat there breathing in the herbs until she felt her mind empty.

  She opened her eyes and passed the smudge stick to Eileen. Cara bent to the ground and reached her arms forward, resting them on the ground around her head with her third eye pressed against the earth. Her sisters rustled around her, probably lighting candles and making offerings, but Cara remained still, opening her chest and counting her breaths. She vaguely realized new herbs were burning.

  She hadn’t noticed when the grove went silent, and she was oblivious to the passing of time until she felt a hand rubbing her back.

  “Cara, get up. We’re done.” Eileen knelt next to her. The sun had set, and both Grace and Eileen looked exhausted.

  The three of them knelt in silence before standing and walking out of the grove. Cara felt almost more helpless now than she did when they had stepped into the circle hours before.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CARA

  Cara reclined in the car seat next to Malcolm. They hadn’t said much since leaving her house, and she wasn’t even sure where to start. Her body felt heavy with exhaustion, but a nervous energy pumped through her. She didn’t know where to begin processing tonight, or this past week. She’d spent the last sixteen years separating herself from all things non-human—despite the fact she wasn’t human herself. On top of it all, here she was going home with a wolf. Home.

  She watched Malcolm. Just two nights ago they had taken this same drive and so much had changed since then. He stared at the road, grinding his teeth, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. The engine revved, begging to shift into the next gear. She squeezed her thighs together and lay back. She wanted to wash away the stress of the day. She gazed at Malcolm’s shadowed profile and leaned into the car’s vibrations. She had yet to see him naked, but she’d felt his tight abs against her ass. His arms were chiseled, and she could imagine what his broad shoulders looked like under his shirt.

  His hand came to rest on her thigh, and her stomach tightened. He looked at her, his eyes dark, then back to the road as he slid his hand farther up her thigh. She opened her legs, wishing she was still in last night’s dress. His hand pressed against her cunt and she tilted her hips, grinding against the heel of his hand. Damn this car. She desperately wanted to be close to him. She felt calm and safe around him, something she hadn’t felt in years.

  She watched him through heavy eyes. Her gaze traveled to his erection straining against his pants. She wanted him so badly, her mouth watered. She reached over the gear shift and drew her finger along the edges of his crown. He inhaled sharply, and his cock pulsed under her hand. She undid the button to his pants, slid the zipper down. He froze and watched her. She smiled at him as she pulled his cock out. It was fucking impressive. She moved to her knees and suspended herself over the center console. Precum gathered at his tip. She flicked her tongue, sliding it into his slit and tasting him for the first time.

  Malcolm’s hand slid down her back and into her pants, grabbing hold of her ass and pulling her closer. She closed her lips around the head of his cock and teased him, slowly bobbing up and down, circling her tongue around the tip. Malcolm growled, and his fingers dug into her flesh. She dipped, taking his length into her mouth. He relaxed, and she immediately went back to working just the head.

  “Fuck, Cara, don’t be a fucking tease. You aren’t going to like the consequences.”

  “Hmm,” she hummed with his cock still in her mouth. She tilted her head and looked up at him. “I’m not one of your wolves; I don’t have to follow your orders.” He snarled and glared down at her. His eyes had changed from hazel to an electric green. And she felt sharp nails dig into her. He really couldn’t control himself. She felt so powerful, like the fucking goddess. She bent her head again and slid her lips down the entire length of his cock.

  He tore his hand from her pants and moved it to the gear shift, flying down the road. He brushed a hand through her hair, pulling it back from her face. His nails—claws?—scraped against her scalp as he grabbed a fist full of her curls. She continued to hum on his cock, bobbing up and down. He thrust into her mouth, his movements growing rougher and faster until he finally drove his cock into the back of her mouth, pulling her hair to hold her head still, and came into her mouth. She smiled swallowing his cum, sucking every last drop from his cock.

  The car stopped, Cara hadn’t even realized that he’d pulled into the driveway. He burst out of the vehicle, not even bothering to put his dick away, and flung open her door. She was suddenly lifted into the air and thrown over his shoulder as he marched to the front door. He carried her into his office and slammed the door behind them.

  “You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered, holding her tight against his still hard cock.

  “Do you want to see what you do to me?” She wanted to make him lose control; she wanted to see those green eyes. She stepped away from him and unbuttoned her pants, sliding them down her thighs. She left her panties on and grabbed his wrist, guiding his hand to her cunt.

  CHAPTER NINE


  MALCOLM

  She was trying to destroy him, and he liked it. She pulled his hand toward her pussy, and he curled his fingers, slipping them between her lips. She was wet, fucking dripping. He could feel her soaked panties on the back of his hand. He pushed his fingers deeper, watching her face. He loved the way she challenged and teased him. He massaged her with his fingers and pressed her palm against her clit. Her eyes grew unfocused, and her legs started to shake.

  Fuck yes, she was his.

  He guided her to his desk, teasing and pushing her across the room, his hand never leaving her cunt. She kissed him hungrily, and her hands fluttered down his shirt, undoing the buttons. He slowly withdrew his hand from her pussy and peeled his shirt and undershirt off while she removed the rest of her clothes.

  She lifted herself onto the desk and wrapped her legs around him. His cock ached as he pressed the head against her cunt, sliding it along her lips up to her clit. She shivered, and he did it again. They were both panting, and she kissed him eagerly, her hands scrambling over his biceps and forearms.

  He moved to guide his dick inside of her. “No. Not yet,” Cara whispered, pushing his hand away. He pulled his lips from hers as his skin began to tingle. He breathed in deeply, searching her eyes. A small smile crept across her face. “I just wanted to see you wild again.”

  She was such a fucking tease. And he found it so hot. He roared and scooped her off of the desk, almost throwing her to the ground. She grabbed for him as he drove into her. She cried out, asking for more. He could do that. He could claim her. Ruin her for others. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her nipples harden against his chest. She moaned as he thrust into her. She planted her feet on the floor and rocked her hips as he slammed into her, greedily looking for more of him.

  He couldn’t get enough of her either. She felt like silk or velvet. And she was so goddamn sexy, into playing games, into getting fucked. He loved feeling her naked body pressed against him.

  Cara’s back arched, and she bit her bottom lip. Malcolm thrust into her, grinding against her clit. “Come for me,” he growled. “Open your eyes, fucking come for me.”

  She opened her eyes and matched his rhythm with her hips. He drove into her, and as her pussy tightened and her body writhed underneath him, her eyes closed again. He was so goddamn close, and he emptied himself into her as her fingers dug into his skin. He held his cock inside her as her orgasms erupted around him. He wrapped his arms around her and covered her mouth with his as the last waves of pleasure left her body.

  He kissed her gently before he drew himself up and scooped her into his arms. “Do you want a drink?”

  Cara nodded her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. He set her down on the couch and poured two glasses of bourbon. They sat quietly sipping the liquor, Cara leaning against his chest.

  She broke the silence, craning her neck to look at him. “So, what does being mated actually mean?”

  Malcolm’s hand stopped halfway to his mouth. “You want to be my mate?” He tried to keep his voice level.

  “I’m not saying that. I’m just curious what it entails.”

  “You’ll be mine, and I’ll be yours. Mates are bonded for life. You won’t be immortal, but you will stop aging.”

  “Isn’t there some sort of compulsory submissive obedience?”

  “I’m an Alpha; I expect that from my pack. You would be part of the pack.”

  Cara shook her head. “Not going to happen.”

  “Goddamn Cara, sometimes you make sacrifices for the ones you love.”

  “Then you make the sacrifice.”

  Malcolm growled. “I have a role. I serve a purpose. It’s part of who I am.”

  “So I don’t have a role or a purpose? I have nothing going for me so I should just fucking breed with you?” Cara was standing at this point, pulling on her t-shirt and jeans. “I just want to be with you and not be your property.”

  Malcolm started to get dressed. “I don’t know why it’s so hard to commit to me.”

  “I am willing to do that, just not the way you want me to.”

  She was his mate, couldn’t she feel that? Taking a mate was not something a wolf did on a whim. It was for forever. He would let her stay, regardless of her terms. He never wanted to let her go.

  “Cara—” He was interrupted by the door bursting open. “Simon! Get out!” Malcolm roared and charged toward the other wolf.

  Simon held his hands up in surrender, making the Alpha stop in his tracks. “Ransom found the witch.”

  “Where is he?” Cara asked. “Where is Brianna? Where did he find her? Is she okay? Who had her?”

  Malcolm placed a hand on her shoulder, and she stopped talking because Ransom and a petite, blond woman had appeared at the office door. Cara pushed the wolves aside and embraced her sister, tears running down her cheeks. Malcolm’s heart swelled seeing Cara so happy, he wanted to see that kind of joy on her face all of the time. He want to bring her that joy.

  CHAPTER TEN

  CARA

  Cara hugged Brianna, relief flooding over her. Brianna wasn’t that much younger than her, but she was as so small and so sweet that Cara had always felt protective of her. She’d failed Brianna when she’d disappeared. Now that Bri was safe, Cara needed to find out who had taken her and why.

  She held Brianna at arm’s length. “What happened? Where were you? Who took you?” Cara shot out rapid-fire questions to Ransom and her sister, not leaving any space for either of them to answer. “Was it witches? Did they hurt you? How did he find you?”

  Malcolm squeezed her shoulder. The gesture calmed her almost instantly.

  Brianna jumped in the instant Cara quieted. “Cara, it was the fucking coven. I know it.”

  “We determined it was witches. Are you sure it’s the Wildwood coven?”

  “Okay, well, I don’t know it. But I am pretty sure. People were inside the house when I got home. Three, maybe four. All women. When I woke up, I was in the dark, and I couldn’t think. Like at all.”

  “They drugged you?”

  “No! He,” she jabbed a finger toward Ransom, “found a curse on me. Anyway, they left me water. I saw a few empty bottles so I don’t think I was the first one held there. But no one came around at all until Rambo came busting in the door.”

  “Ransom,” the mercenary corrected loudly.

  Cara ignored him. “Okay, but why do you think it’s the coven and not a solo dark witch?”

  “Well, first of all, I recognized the area of the forest I was in. On our way out, we drove right by a clearing that the coven uses for more significant rituals. I know it by heart not only from experience but also because we never party around there. The coven made it pretty clear a few years ago we should stay the fuck away. Secondly, Rambo name-dropped some Wildwood witches when he told me how he found me.

  “Ransom,” he snarled.

  “How did you find her?” Cara asked, still ignoring whatever issue Brianna and Ransom had.

  “I followed the witches. It took me a couple days to hit my stride, but eventually, I came to Claudia, who seems to be the current leader of the coven. She led me to Laine, who led me to the girl.”

  “Not a girl,” Brianna shot back.

  “How did you get to Laine and Claudia?” Cara asked curiously.

  Ransom shrugged. “Sheer fucking luck. Last night, after sundown, the witch I was following had coffee with a few others. I listened in and followed Elaine because the other women bitched about husbands and kids and she obviously didn’t have people to get home to.”

  Luck, my ass. Cara was so pissed the spell worked and even more pissed that the goddess proved her wrong and didn’t pull and “Monkey’s Paw” shit. She’d led Ransom to an alive and healthy Bri.

  “Alright, so what do we do?” Malcolm’s deep voice made her jump; she’d almost forgotten that he was here. “We cannot let them continue wreaking havoc in Wildwood, and they might retaliate when they discover Brianna is missing.”
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  “Maybe the girls know how to control their own kind,” Ransom suggested.

  “Not a girl,” Brianna scoffed.

  Cara threw her hand in the air. “Fuck if I know how to fight a whole coven. It would probably help if we knew why they were attacking witches.”

  “Okay. Ransom, do you have a safe house somewhere?” Malcolm stood up and took control of the situation.

  “Yes.”

  “Take Brianna there. Keep her safe.”

  Brianna and Ransom immediately erupted in protests, each speaking louder and louder, trying to drown the other out. It wasn’t long until Malcolm roared—literally roared. His eyes had turned yellow.

  “Go to the safe house. Now!”

  Ransom grabbed Bri’s arm and marched her out of the study. Cara stood staring at Malcolm. “What the fuck was that?”

  “I don’t have to explain myself,” Malcolm snarled.

  “Fine. Have it your way, do what you want, because it doesn’t matter what I think, anyway.” Cara turned to leave

  “Cara, stop. I am an Alpha. Someone needed to take control. Ransom is under my protection. He respects my authority.”

  She was exhausted and didn’t have any more fight left in her. “Malcolm, I’m going to bed. Between our arguments over fucking mating, finding out Brianna was safe, and now this Alpha bullshit, I’m spent.”

  She walked to her room, filled the bathtub, peeled off her clothes, and sunk into the warm water. She’d never seen Malcolm lose control like that. His calm demeanor was one of her favorite things about him. But she’d seen him lose control, and she loved driving him to the edge. Was it really reasonable to expect him to govern like a human? He was a wolf, and they had their own rules.

  She laid her head back, her mind traveling down rabbit holes of “what if’s” and “should I’s.” After a while, she realized that she just kept tumbling the same questions around. She could obsess over the unknowns, or she could focus on the things she did know. Malcolm relaxed her, made her feel safe. He calmed her mind and cared for her. She liked being around him, even in silence.