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I arched my right brow. “That sounds like a threat.”
“I don’t need to threaten you.”
Her tone was soft, welcoming, sweet. Everything about the way she said it made me feel at home. While complaints galore swirled in my brain, my wolf sprinted toward her, eager to have her energy and scent. The aroma of lilacs trickled into my nose and invaded my spirit, putting all my doubts to rest.
Within seconds, my arms tightened around her and I buried myself in her stomach once more, eager to have more of her to myself. I didn’t want to share her presence with anyone except my son. And while that frightened me, it also felt like the right reaction to have.
The idea of losing her drifted into my mind, agitating my wolf. Charlotte gripped me tightly while dragging her fingers through my hair. She shushed me and whispered encouragements, assurances. Her tone alone saved me from wolfing out in the middle of the shop.
Hell, the greedy witch would have deserved it for that performance.
I stood up and nudged Charlotte to the door. “Go to the car. I’ll be right there.”
“What are you doing?”
I tapped her lips with my thumb, her resilience fading with the movement. I held her gaze and stood my ground, my voice vibrating with authority as I stated, “Do as I say, sweet cherry.” My gaze darkened as I added, “Don’t ever question me again.”
Chapter 12 - Charlotte
“Yes, sir.”
The words flowed from my mouth, a trained response that I didn’t recall ever learning. Nobody had ever earned command of my body in the past, let alone my senses and thoughts. It just wasn’t something I allowed.
Yet Adam was proving that he was worth such access. Even if he wasn't a leader like Donovan, I felt compelled to run after him, to cling to his words.
You’re treating him like a god, I warned myself while leaving my sister’s office.Get it together, seriously.
That phrase had become my mantra. Whenever things got strange with Adam—or even good—that sentence returned with a vengeance. It echoed my dissatisfaction with my behavior.
Or I was just freaked out. That was probably true, too.
I rubbed my forehead while wandering the quiet hallways, absorbing the silence around me. Such a lack of noise used to comfort me. Now it’s alarming. Because it resembles the silence that followed Henry’s kidnapping.
I had one job and I fucked it up, I thought. I picked up my pace, trotting toward the tavern door.If I fuck up this reversal spell, then Adam will dump me forever.
Entering the tavern via the bar reminded me of all the normal days I had spent here. Regular workdays rippled through my mind of this customer being upset with that entree. My heart longed for the familiarity of complaints, of dishes returned with furious notes abouttoo much sauceandnot enough moisture.
It should have pissed me off to think about it, but it felt comforting to sit in the messy nostalgia. Anybody else would have been irritated. But for me? It was just another challenge to be met. Put anyone in front of me, human or supernatural, and I’ll be sure to please their taste buds before they leave. Whatever protests they had at the beginning would soon melt away as easily as the food in their mouth.
God, I missed those days.
My eyes scanned the tavern, inhaling the empty chairs and scrubbed tables. Christopher sat at one of the booths while wrapping up silverware. The air buzzed with calm, lacking its usual energy.
Until I felt the rays of summer beam into my spirit.
The sensation drew me to the booth where Adam sat, serenity soothing my muscles as I nestled into the seat across from him. I rested my arms on the table and leaned forward while trying to contain my explosive grin. Thank the gods no one was around to see me ogling him like a horny schoolgirl.
“Good afternoon, Adam, Charlotte,” came a silky voice from the left. Bruise gave me a handsome grin while motioning to the spot beside me. “Your wolf sister sent me here to talk about the betrayed bride. May I join you?”
Okay, maybe someonehadwitnessed my ogling. But that was only true if Bruise acknowledged it.
The knowing look they shot me made me flutter with embarrassment. I scooted over, giving them ample room to sit. A respectful amount of space sat between us. And no wonder. The way Adam glared at Bruise made me clear my throat to hide my entertained giggle.
If Bruise noticed the heat from Adam, they gave no indication of it. “I’m told that the child has been cursed.”
“Yes, my son,” Adam replied, keeping a steady eye on the fae. “He was taken.”
“My deepest apologies to the beta,” Bruise said gently. “I can tell how much your son means to you and your mate.”
