Page 30 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Devon

I said goodbye to Zoe and Amaris yesterday. It’s been an unusually tough couple of days, and I hated to see them go. My energy is dragging today. I snort, realizing how much I miss the tea Jeni used to bring me every morning. That odd thought gives me pause.

I’ve been trying to figure it out since Amaris told me I always put Jeni’s feelings before hers. From the time we were wolflings, around ten or eleven, I’ve been protective of Jeni, almost obsessively so. However, we’ve only ever been friends, except for that one awful night we crossed a line. Even though neither Rue nor I remember it, the thought makes me feel sick and Rue furious.

Since Jeni’s arrest last week, I feel oddly free of her. Without Amaris's insistence that I resolve this, I wouldn’t even give Jeni another thought. I’m done with her.

I sense Enforcer Hill standing at the door just as he knocks. "Enter, Hill," I bellow.

The door swings open, revealing Enforcer Hill and Enforcer Fillion clad in their typical black tactical gear. "Alpha, did you want to see us?"

"Yes, I would like an update on the investigation." I gesture towards the chairs in front of me, and they each take a seat.

Hill dives right in. “We have signed confessions from both Mr. that’s her jacket."

Hill rifles through the dresser, then suddenly stills. "Alpha, I think I’ve found what we’re looking for." Inside a drawer is a plastic bag that looks like it contains herbs. He carefully pulls it out, revealing a book underneath, which he also takes. Holding the bag, he opens it and sniffs. "Ouch!" He recoils. "Black magic." He extends the bag toward me, and I catch the sulfuric odor without getting too close. I nod, and he reseals the bag.

I take the book from his hand and open it. "It looks like Jeni’s journal." I flip through the pages, appalled at what I learn just from skimming. "She outlines exactly how she’s manipulating me and experimenting with blends and spells to subdue Rue and destroy my mate bond with Amaris.” I pause, rubbing my hand over my face as I stumble to sit in the chair by her dresser. “Wow, she really fooled me. Amaris is right on all accounts. Jeni should’ve never been trusted.” I turn back to the journal. “There are even entries in here of concoctions and spells that her mother used on Alpha Quinn, detailing the successes and failures. "Oh, my goddess!” I exclaim, turning the page. I recognize the poem, or should I say spell, written there—the one she sang the last time she brought me tea.

Flashback

"What are you humming?" I ask.

"Just a cute little ditty about tea." She giggles.

"Sing it," I prod.

? ” Just think how it would be, oh, so sweet, ” ??

? “A spell, then a drink, and love’s complete , ??

? “Sip the tea, it’s magic, you see, ” ??

? “A pinch of love, and a new family, ” ? ?

? “A dash of binding with every pour, ” ??

? “Drink up and you’re mine forevermore. ” ??

End of flashback.

"Hill, here is the spell she used on me when she brought me tea. She may have been humming it under her breath before, but she sang it the last time."

"You think she's a witch?" Enforcer Hill asks.

"I think she might have witch ancestry because I’ve seen her wolf," I reply. "Let's pause this and start anew in the morning. First, call Alpha Jenson's lead enforcer, Enforcer Orson, and inform him of what's happening here. I believe he could offer some insight into the situation. Alpha Blake was headed there next when he picked up Jeni and Sheila. He mentioned needing to collect another prisoner accused of tampering with mate bonds. Let's compare notes.”

“Next, once you finish searching this room, send a sample of the tea to Amaris for analysis. After that, meet up with me. I’m hoping for answers. I might have been under a spell all along. Now, go get some rest."

He nods. "Will do, Alpha. Come on, Fillion, we’re officially off the clock."

"Yes!" Fillion grins.

We leave the apartment, locking it behind us. I tuck the journal under my arm. I think I’m in for an eye-opening night of reading. I yearn for answers. Goddess! Can you help me understand? I desperately want my family.