Total pages in book: 202
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
My father and the other last generation council members warned us when we took over that despite not wanting to at times, we’ll need to cooperate with the SCC whenever they sniff around. Their reach is long, and their influence is formidable. It was drilled into us that there may come a time when we need their help. I sure as fuck hope not, not if the vibe I’m getting from these two witches is any indication of the sort of relationship we can expect going forward.
I exchange glances with Erica and her vibe is uncertain. Erica is pack to me now as well as a cousin and I want her to know I’ve got her back. I know she wants Mimi to get the health benefits of this magic circle. And I know Erica is anxious to be able to move on with Riley after waiting seven years and not believing that she’d get to have a future with him. She was certain she’d have to be subjected to a severing ceremony like my father and birth mother. Vivica clued me in to the fact Erica is beyond broken from all she’s endured, and I hope that’s not clouding her judgement here.
“We must ask that you leave us, Greyson Blackwood,” Lucinda Alexander, the power suit witch with the resting bitch face announces, pulling me from my careful assessment of every scent and sound around me.
“This is a circle for trained witches. Women,” she elaborates. “Not a mixed witch and warlock circle.”
“Oh, really?” I query casually. “Thought I could just watch.”
Lucinda shakes her head. “No observers.”
I shrug with fake nonchalance. “Maybe next time. I’ll take you all where you’re going and then I’ll take off. How long do you need, and I’ll come back?”
“Three hours should do,” the hippie witch says.
“Maybe just two,” the other one corrects.
“Give us three to be safe,” the hippie witch puts in with a bright smile that I don’t read as fake, I read it as something else, though my gut isn’t telling me what.
“Fine,” I shrug. “I’ll grab a beer and a basket of wings at the tavern. If you need me back early, just call.”
I make eye contact with Erica and then Vivica, who I know read that I’m ready to help should they need me before I kiss Mimi and move back the way we came.
Unfortunately, I’m beyond certain my family will need my help tonight. I just don’t know in what capacity.
***
I’m doing my best not to show my state of mind to Riley, but it doesn’t matter. Not only do we have the pack connection, also… he’s tweaked anyway.
Rye has been restlessly pacing since I’ve been back at the water tower with them, continuously driving his hand through his hair with frustration, eyes continuously pivoting to me, assessing, because I told him I’ll get a telepathic sign from Mimi if I’m needed.
He doesn’t trust those witches near his mate and I understand this. I’m not sure anything could get me to leave her alone with them if I were in his shoes. Guess it’s good she was paired with a guy like Rye. From what I can see, Erica Savage is a full-sun flower, not one that would bloom under the shady umbrella of over-protectiveness. He’s protective, but obviously understands her position and knows he needs to give her space to be who she is. That said, he’s not going to relax until he’s got her in reaching distance.
None of us here right now are at ease. It’s the six of us, the council minus Jase, who is at my place looking after Stacy for me.
In case her brother either shows up or strikes again with another attack I won’t chance leaving her with someone I’m any less than sure can handle an emergency. I don’t want my attention to this coven and SCC matter to leave my mate vulnerable.
I’ve tried to prepare for all possibilities by having several men around the boundaries of our village watching while Jase focuses only on keeping Stacy safe.
I had an interesting conversation with the guys earlier when Linc and Jase told me just how close I came to ripping Finn’s head off last night. They said this as if I wasn’t fully aware of the encounter.
I recall every second and while it’s odd to me that I was so lost to the rut that I was disconnected from everything else to the point Jase and Linc felt I needed backup due to putting myself and my mate in a position of vulnerability, I know I was still in my right mind.
The state of rutting your mate is a natural state to someone like us. What’s not natural is having multiple males nearby while in the rut and not having a problem with their presence, particularly since three of the four were alpha.