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The only thing that werewolves can’t seem to get over is their mistrust of witches. It’s practically ingrained in our DNA, making it all the more interesting that I became best friends with Anthony and was accepted by his entire family.
I had known Paige since she was sixteen when I came home with her brother from Pacific Academy at Fifteen. At the time, she was just my best friend’s annoying little sister. However, two years later, I was hit with one hell of a surprise when I came for a visit on her eighteenth birthday.
She had grown so much in that short time. Her mom had been going off on her for getting her nose pierced again, making it three piercings, a ring in each nostril, and her septum. I could barely pay attention to their argument since my nose filled with the sweet aroma of her skin. My eyes locked on every flip and movement of her purple-streaked hair.
She was my mate.
It had taken everything in me not to pounce on her right then and there to claim what was mine. But she hadn’t been ready. I would have only frightened her had I done so. It probably would have confused her as well; and at the time, I had been just as confused. It wasn’t typical for a werewolf and a witch to be mates—especially a future alpha and a promising witch from a powerful family. Logically, we both should belong to someone of our own kind.
Although I hadn’t claimed her, I still made sure she was safe. I ran off any potential date. I guarded her throughout the day and night, except for last night.
I ground my teeth at the thought of her being chased through Sunset Cliffs National Park. I knew she sometimes took that route home, usually to collect native herbs and plants for her mother’s spell work. Had I known she was going to take that route last night, I would have made sure to be there to guard her, but instead, I was at the packhouse accepting the official title of the next in line to be Alpha.
I had always known that I would take over. Last night was more for show and tradition than anything, but I would have skipped it in a heartbeat if I had known she needed me. I held back a growl of agitation at the thought of her running scared and being chased by some unknown werewolf bastard.
“So when should I move in then?” Paige asked, snapping me from the thoughts. “My premotion has me a little on edge, and the cards showed me that a hidden enemy is in my present time—so the sooner, the better to get all this going.”
“You’ll move in tonight,” I informed her, walking back to the door to her house to let her mother and brother know.
“Whoa, wait! Hold on, I know I said the sooner, the better, but can I at least have time to tell Mom what’s going on and pack my stuff?”
“Don’t worry, darling,” I assured her, opening the door. “I’ll handle all that.”
“Handle all of what?” Anthony asked from the kitchen table, scowling at the both of us.
I smirked at my friend, throwing my arm over Paige’s shoulder and pulling her into my side before presenting her mom with the killer smile I knew melted her heart every time I showed it.
“Paige and I are mate bond snapped in place!” I announced proudly.
“Thank Venus! My prayers are answered!” Her mother cheered, throwing her hands in the air.
Paige stood dumbstruck, staring at her mother before turning to Anthony, who was still scowling between us, his eyes narrowing on Paige’s face.
“I’m going to have to move her to the packhouse tonight, Mrs. Ramirez. I’m sorry to take your daughter away on such short notice, but it’s pack law for mates to live together.”
“No, no!” Mrs. Ramirez exclaimed. “I understand. I’ll go and get her things packed. Important things first, then you can come back for the rest.” She moved toward the stairs, paused, and ran up to hug Paige and me. “Welcome officially to the family!”
Paige followed her mother up the stairs, calling her to slow down and not touch her things. I smiled after her, ignoring her scowling brother seated at the table.
“What the fuck was that?” he demanded.
“I told you,” I said, turning to him as Paige disappeared from view. “Our mate bond snapped into place.”
“That’s total bullshit, and we both know it.” He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back into his chair. “You told me just yesterday that she wasn’t ready to accept it yet…that you were still waiting. What the hell changed?”
“Someone followed her through the park last night,” I admitted, his eyes darkening as I explained. “He led her to believe that he was her mate, and now she wants to find a way to dissolve a mateship.”
“What does that have to do with you announcing that she’s your mate? Did you tell her or something?”
I shook my head. “No, she thinks that this is an act. She asked me to pretend to help her avoid whoever followed her last night until she finds the spell to reject the bond.”
Anthony walked over to me, his dark brown eyes piercing into mine. “What are you going to do about the pack?”
I gave him a cocky grin, lazily shrugging my shoulder. “As far as I’m concerned, an alpha does what he wants. If they don’t like the mate that fate has gifted me, then they aren’t my problem.”
“Derrick isn’t going to like it,” Anthony mused. “Aren’t you the only one he’s even considered taking his place as Alpha?”
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. Even if the pack rejects my claim as Alpha, he won’t kick me from the pack. Not with everything else going on. He needs all the strength he can get on his side.”
