Page 264 of Alpha Mates

It’s strange, because I only feel that urge for the wolves in my pack. But looking at the pitiful mess of a witch in front of me, it nudges me to do something about this.

“Well …” I start slowly, “that doesn’t really answer my question. You wanna try again?”

Her eyes jump up to me, wide a second before a chuckle sputters out of her. My lips twitch, against my better judgement.

“Forget that question,” I mutter. “You clearly can’t answer it.”

That gets me another laugh, and just like that, the brewing clouds scatter.

“If you got too strong,” I press, “how do you control all your magic now?”

“I don’t,” she says, straightening suddenly with a devilish smirk. “I let it out. But I’m a bit low in the energy department at the moment, so I’m just filling the tank back up before I go back to wipe out my lovely coven.”

There were a few alarming things about that statement.

First of all—“You’re going to kill yourentirecoven?”

“Scary, right?” she replies, eyes gleaming.

Second of all—“This is you on a low tank?”

She nods, delighted, freeing another manic cackle. “Imagine what I’m like at full power.”

I’d rather not. And probably couldn’t if I wanted to. If the average witch was this strong, we’d all be dead—or at least briefed about it.

The fact that Katerina wasthispowerful and no one thought to mention it means she’s either very good at hiding, or she’d been kept a secret so that no one would know. Maybe her coven was responsible for that. Maybe she wants revenge.

Whatever the story was, I don’t care as long as it stays far, far away from our pack. As it was, we’d gambled with her long enough. The others were probably freaking out, and I didn’t want to be anywhere near Katerina if her coven found her before she found them.

“Well …” I announce, standing and adjusting with Julian in my arms. I tuck him close before fixing my gaze on the strange witch. “I assume you’ll show up when you want to cash in that favour.”

Katerina nods briskly and flicks a hand towards the air beside us. The tear reopens with a soft hiss. “And if you need my services again, just sayKat.”

I snort. Fat chance of that, but—“We’re on a nickname basis now?”

She glowers as she stands, brushes the dirt off her pants. “Hardly. I hate the name.”

“Then why—”

“My name is Katerina, not Kat,” she snaps. “I’m not a fucking pussy. But if you call me that, it’ll work.”

Not touching the crazy stacked in that one. I shrug and turn towards the tear.

At its edge, I glance back. The witch is already sauntering away towards her distant home.

“Hey, Kat!” I call.

She spins, purple eyes blazing with rage.

“I just wanted to say thanks. From the both of us.”

She falters, blinking at me like I’ve spawned a second head. “Oh,” she mumbles, “uh… you’re welcome, mutt.”

Snarling, I leave Kat to overthink the concept of gratitude.

I step through the tear and I’m happy to find solid, familiar-ish ground beneath my feet instead of a cliff drop. I take a deep breath, savouring air that isn’t tainted with magic or witch stink.

“Aiden!” Emitt shouts, already at our side with enough relief to saturate the entire pack bond. “Thank Goddess! Where did she take you?”