Page 111 of Bewitching the Wolf

“Will that be difficult for them?” Tippy says, her pretty brows pleating. My sweet mate is already worried for the welfare of the human population.

“Not as bad as we initially thought. The problem isn’t actually the air itself. It’s the fact that humans have forgotten how to breathe it,” Bradley explains now.

“You’re kidding? So they never needed the solutions their bio tech industries were chasing?” I stare at Bradley in shock and he shakes his head with a rueful smile.

“Earth air is no longer toxic to humans, and hasn’t been for at least a century. But their immune systems still misread it as poisonous, sending them into anaphylactic shock. Retraining requires special exercises and gradual exposure. And probably some of Tippy’s health elixirs.”

“Happy to help.” Tippy beams.

“So Sammy and I will have to go through that program?” Clem asks.

Bradley nods. “Yes, you will. But your younglings, when they are born, will take their first breath of air with no problems at all.”

“And us monsters. When can we return to Earth?” Otis asks.

“Very soon. Winters has gone. Now we welcome the era of Summers,” Bradley says, smirking at his pun, and I find myself wondering if our two surnames were a coincidence, or if they were also part of the web of magic. I glance at Mom and she inclines her head, answering my question without words.

“But between winter and summer there has to be spring,” Traggar says. “The Spring Moon festival will be the first to be held on Earth in four hundred years.” He looks over at me and Tippy pointedly. “It is a time for courting… a chance to fully recognize your mate bonds with one another. And to officially take on your role as High Priest of the Dawnwrought Coven, Jax.”

“I will be proud to pass the baton to my son,” Mom says solemnly.

“The first werewolf to ever take on the role,” Traggar adds. There’s a resounding cheer and I feel a lump in my throat.

“Thanks, guys,” I says gruffly, unused to being the center of attention, let alone admiration.

Luckily, before I can make an idiot of myself by blubbing like a baby, Sally pushes back her chair “Well after all that good news, let me serve the food before you all die of hunger.”

Tippy jumps up to help. I love the ease with which she hands out big bowls of steaming, fragrant food and fills our glasses with mead. I love her sweet smile as she encourages us all to partake and the intimate way her hand lingers on my shoulder as she leans over me.

And then it strikes me: Tippy is not serving us. She is giving of her wixen magic, feeding our bodies, replenishing our souls with her loving nature.

That is the gift she has always given. That is why everyone loves her. It’s her kind heart as much as her beauty, that draws monsters to her.

Gods, how I long for the evening to be over. I want to be alone with my beloved mate in the velvet darkness, to whisper words of love into her soft, pointed ears as I claim her.

Finally, my wish is granted.

“Jax, and our warriors all,” Mom says, raising her glass as we finish eating. “You have done divine work today. You have freed monsters and humans alike to reclaim their rightful place on Earth. The Dawnwrought Coven and our angel Ariel thank you. And now we must rest and recharge our energy for the tasks ahead.”

We say our farewells and go our separate ways, some to bed down in the sheriff’s big old house, while Traggar drives me and Tippy back to Wolftown.

In the dark interior, I hold Tippy’s hand. I feel her little claws needling like a kitten at my palm. I should be exhausted, but my body is alight, my cock hard as rock. I gaze down at my mate hungrily, and her eyes shine back at me, full of promises for the night ahead.

TIPPY

As the evening has worn on, it’s been more and more difficult to take part in the proceedings.

Maybe I should be ashamed of the fact that I can’t pull my thoughts away from being fucked by the guy I love… but, well, I’m not ashamed.

I am exhilarated.

We are a modern-day Agdar and Leonora.

And our mate bond is part of the magic that has led to freedom for all monsters.

That is surely something to celebrate.

Back in Wofltown, we wave goodbye to Traggar and walk sedately into our den. As the door closes behind us, I find myself with my back against the rock wall, Jax’s body pressed into mine. Our mouths crash together.