Page 36

Thirty-Three

ALEC

By the middle of the night, I pass the border into Alberta, and the remaining stretch up to the Rockies is quick and familiar. All too soon, I reach the small picturesque tourist town of Banff, nestled between mountains. Given the time, tourists are tucked into their hotels while residents remain in their homes until morning, when it’ll be another day of dealing with the masses and selling overpriced tourist shit to them.

On the very edge of town, farthest from the main core, is the set of roads the members of Highridge Coven live on. It’s there I feel the pulse in my stomach, the invisible cord tugging me towards the last house up the slight incline.

I pass the Sinclair house without a glance, scenting my Bride by the walkway but nowhere near the building.

By the final house, the flood of power is nearly visible—if one knows what to look for. Witches have a tell. The florals, the candles, the sickening natural fragrances wafting from the wood-sided house, but it’s the one beneath all that owning my focus.

After running all night, Harlow’s scent rocks my core, my gums reminding me I’m hungry, despite only drinking yesterday. She left me, though, and the monster must be reassured we have her back.

I pace up to the house, following both her sweet scent and the bond. There’s another witch inside, but she won’t be an issue as long as she knows not to keep my Bride from me.

Her feelings prick at my nerves. She’s happy. Apprehensive and nervous, but pleased, and it pulls me to a stop, my irritated snarl spooking a bird chirping on a branch nearby.

I have to be smart about this. She’ll be defensive, even if there’s nothing she can do to hide herself from me. Nothing that’ll prevent me from taking her.

Not even herself.

It’s with the bond I reach out to her, testing something I’ve only ever heard about occurring between mated pairs. With her not being a vampire, and not having drank my blood to complete the connection on her side, I can only hope it works even a fraction.

Harlow.