Page 25 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

Her comforting vanilla scent wraps around me as I come to a halt just across from her home. Greedily, I suck in a breath, closing my eyes and drowning in the scent. Thoughts of her, of us, settle into my mind.

I could have kissed her tonight. Should have. I was desperately close to losing myself to her. The feel of her lips pressed against mine. The hitch of her breath as my fingers glided across her skin. Exploring and starving for more of her.

The delightful burn of the bond through my left hand. What would it feel like to bury those fingers, ignited with devotion for her, deep inside? To lick the taste from them, feel her on my tongue, a nectar created just for me.

Focus.

My eyes scan the perimeter. Finding no visible threats, my muscles relax. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean the area is safe. Dropping my nose to the ground, I draw in the scents, searching for anything off.

Crossing into Amethyst’s yard, I begin smelling that awful fucking strawberry perfume. Surely it hasn’t been long enough for Nitasha to get here since I left. Not to mention, all the lights are off in the house.

Perhaps she had been here earlier or maybe she left clothing here. There must be a reasonable explanation. But that doesn’t put my mind at ease, nor does it cure the tension I feel in the air.

Nitasha’s power is still a mystery to me. I never cared enough to know. Now I wish with everything in me I would have. All I know is she’s a witch — which could mean dozens of things. Affinities are different for every family line and come in a slew of variety.

Witches aren’t always forthcoming with their gifts. I’ve only ever known of two, water walking and immunity to fire. I have a sneaking suspicion there was more to those affinities than the two led me to believe.

With narrowed eyes, I continue sweeping the area. If Nitasha is here, I’ll find her.

As I turn the corner, my heart sinks.

“She’s beautiful, you know?”

August’s voice floods my mind through the telepathic link wolves share with one another in close proximity. Turning on my heels, I glare up at the auburn wolf as I stalk toward her.

“That knowledge better stay between you and I.” My words hold every bit of the threat I promised earlier.

August just sits back on her haunches, tilting her head at me. “You give dad way too much credit. Just because I stayed with the pack, it doesn’t mean I bend to his every will.” Her eyes shift upwards, drawing my attention to something I hadn’t noticed earlier. A scar carved through her brow.

A surge of protective fury washes through me. Typically, wounds would heal during the shift. In order to scar the cut would have to be straight to the bone.

“He hurt you?” My lips draw back in a snarl. August pads to me, placing a dark copper paw atop my own. “Don’t worry about it. My point is, I won’t tell him shit, Sky. But you shouldn’t let him and his threats come between you and your mate.” She points her snout toward the house, “Should she accept you, she’s my sister. I’ll kill him myself before he hurts her — or you.”

Pulling in a deep breath, I brush my head against August’s shoulder. “Love you, Augs.” She nips my ear, “Love you too, but don’t let it go to your head.” She pulls back, retreating a step. “Anyway, I’m going to rest a little longer at your place, then head back to Sanguine. I just had to see her for myself.”

Without another word, August’s white-tipped tail disappears over the horizon. I turn back toward Amethyst’s, but before my raised paw ever touches the ground, a twig snaps behind me. My head shoots up, eyes searching for what caused the disturbance.

I freeze. My breath hitches as in front of me, Amethyst’s cream wolf stares back with those sun-warmed eyes. “Amethyst!” I cry out through the link. She turns toward the forest behind her and bolts. “Sunlight! Please, wait!”

I’m not convinced she can even hear me, nor that she’d know how to respond. I push myself through the woods as fast as I can. Chasing a smudge of cream that disappears through the trees. Following in her direction like my life depends on it, I send up a prayer to the Goddess to let me find her this time.

To speak to her.

Leaping into the clearing, my prayer goes unanswered as Amethyst fades away... again.

The stab of pain through my chest nearly causes me to crumble. Again, I’ve lost her. The first rays of the morning sun are appearing above the pines. With no time for lamenting, I turn back toward Burrow’s on defeated paws.

Amethyst is a wolf.

An apparition.

My mate.

An anomaly.

Seventeen

Amethyst