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Chapter 9

Jarrad didn’t want to open his eyes. He couldn’t believe his mate had used him to work a spell. That she’d taken something so primal and sacred, then tainted it with cool calculation. The clearing and its altar were sacred to the Moon and used for Alpha matings and fertility rites for the women of the pack. He was terrified she’d warped his people’s magic somehow, twisted it for her own purposes.

In the heat of finding his mate, he hadn’t even paused a moment to think it might all be a lie.

After all, wasn’t that what witches did? Used the magic of nature for their own purposes? His people asked, and the Moon provided. It was as natural as breathing—you sent a prayer and the Moon either granted your request or you weren’t meant to have what you desired.

For Jarrad, all he’d ever asked of the Moon was to keep his pack safe. And, when his loneliness smothered him, to bring him his mate. Now he’d finally found her, but his mate had endangered his pack, bringing the Inquisition and their madness to his town.

And what had she done with the magic of his people?

He didn’t know what to do. And the Moon gave no answers.

Everything within him burned to protect Tabitha and their pup, but she was a stranger. And a witch. What if she’d done something to him to mimic a mating bond? Deep in his soul, he knew that wasn’t possible. That their bond was soul-deep and true. However, logic told him something different. That he didn’t know if he could trust her.

Did he stand by his mate, who possibly was manipulating him to protect her, or protect his pack, who could suffer if the Inquisition realised the wolves were in league with their target?

Jarrad knew he had to get out of bed, to ask questions and get answers, but he didn’t want to face her. Her hurt had woven with his own in the bond until he didn’t know whose was whose. There was also her anger to contend with.

Steeling himself, Jarrad rolled out of bed, showered and, when he could avoid it no longer, went to confront his mate. The scent of her pup hung thick behind one of guest room doors, so he’d have at least some chance of a conversation with her before Luna woke.

Tabitha sat in the kitchen with her brother, talking to him in such low tones even Jarrad’s wolf’s ears couldn’t pick up the meaning. Immediate suspicion roared to life inside him. What did she have to hide from him? A low growl escaped him.

Perhaps misinterpreting the reason for his ire, Ryan moved a little further away from his sister. Tabitha just stared at him, a frown creasing her forehead. She knew there was no jealousy in the bond.

“We have to talk,” he stated, taking a seat and giving Ryan a pointed glare.

“You say that a lot,” Tabitha snarked.

Moon help him, even that was sexy coming from her mouth.

“But I don’t think it means the same thing for you. You see, last night, when I wanted to talk, you—”

“Privacy, please,” he ground out between gritted teeth as Ryan crossed his arms and straightened to his full height at the door. Not even a brother should know what occurs between mates.

“I don’t go anywhere when she’s in danger, fur-face.”

Jarrad growled his annoyance. Ryan drew himself up, preparing for a fight.

Tabitha gave her brother a nod, indicating everything was all right. It irritated him as much as her apparent trust soothed. Surely everyone knew a wolf would never hurt his mate.

But was she his mate?

“Go upstairs, Ryan. Entertain Luna when she wakes up. Give me a chance to talk to this idiot.”

Her words sent fire racing through him. He growled, and once again, Tabitha had to shoo her brother from the room.

“Don’t forget to tell him about—”

“I will, don’t worry. Now scram.”

She smiled at her brother, but both men knew it was forced. It never lit her eyes. With a warning look at Jarrad, Ryan trudged upstairs to his niece.

Tabitha turned to him. Her blue eyes were icy cold. Where yesterday they’d burned with fire for him, today they were dead as charcoal in a cold fireplace. It hurt more than he wanted to admit. Still, he had his pack to think about.

And when dealing with trouble, it was better to go on the offensive.

“What selfish spell did you work with pack magic?”