Page 29 of Spellbound & Speechless (Witches of Starbrook #2)

Aspen

“Do we have to tell her right now?” Mac asks, lounging in my bed— our bed now. I suppose we can get rid of the little cot. We haven’t used that thing in days.

“Yes.” I sigh. “If we don’t tell her, she’ll know.”

“How could she possibly know?”

“Well, if I know my sisters…” I press my lips together.

“Rowan will know, but she won’t say anything.

Laurel won’t be able to tell until she looks at Rowan and realizes Rowan knows, and Laurel will say something.

That’s how Juniper will know. Or Laurel will do a tarot reading.

Or Juniper will be able to tell, but don’t ask me how.

Also, they can probably sense the magic on us, Mac. Just trust me. They’ll know.”

“Alright, alright…” He chuckles. “You convinced me. We can tell them.”

Merging with Mac feels right. It’s as if my soul has been craving it since long before we met.

After it’s done, there’s only peace. We hid our ribbons in a safe space, where we’ll take them out each anniversary, and life should continue as usual—but it can’t. Hiding what happened from my sisters isn’t wise .

We’re witches. I have to tell them before their intuition does, and I have no clue how they will take the news. We have already put it off for a few days.

Juniper was worried about our relationship before.

You would think she would understand, considering her solid relationship with Ozan, but nothing will stop Juniper from being protective of us.

Her ability to protect the people she cares about is one thing I admire about her, but it’s frustrating now that it’s interfering with my happiness.

Mac tilts his head to the side, his steely eyes sparkling blissfully.

I glare. “What are you doing?”

“Just thanking your goddess for you.” He reaches out. “Come back to bed. Let’s forget about them for another hour or two.”

I roll my eyes and step out of his reach, padding to my vanity. “No. You get out of bed. I need you by my side.”

He groans. “Then I’ll be there.”

“Good.” I splash a few drops of potion against my neck, hiding the marks he’s been leaving there. It would be easy to heal them instead, but I like to remember that he marked me as his mate… just for me, for no one else to see.

Crawling back into bed with Mac would be easy, but I won’t take the simple route. We make our way downstairs. The breakfast table is as bustling as ever. Timber, Ozan, and my sisters lounge around the kitchen, with the dog quietly begging for scraps.

Even Erie is here, perched on the windowsill, watching me with a knowing look. She may be here for emotional support, but my familiar is as curious as anyone else. What a little gossip.

“Good morning.” Rowan’s eyes narrow.

Just as I thought. Not only does Rowan know me better than the rest, but she’s always paying attention. Oh, I wish she would stop, just for a moment.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and sit, avoiding her gaze. “Morning.”

Mac says nothing as he settles in next to me.

We’re all crammed around the table, and it feels right to have a full table once again.

There’s no longer an empty seat for our mother.

Instead, Juniper sits at the head, with Ozan next to her.

They hardly notice us. Their heads are ducked together as they whisper to each other, as if they’re lost in their own dimension.

Juniper will understand. She must. I’ve never known my oldest sister to be interested in love, but she seems to be changing. She’ll be able to see how Mac and I adore one another.

Mac fills his plate, and my stomach fills with butterflies.

I don’t bother with the food, picking a knife to clink against my water glass. “I have an announcement!”

Mac looks at me with wide eyes. “Why don’t we wait for everyone to eat?” His next words are whispered. “It’ll put them in a better mood.”

I lift a shoulder. “Why should we?” It’s not like the announcement is bad; it should be celebratory.

Rowan leans back in her seat, crossing her arms. Juniper turns her head to give me her attention.

It’s not until Juniper looks at me, with all her older sister wisdom, that the butterflies in my belly flap their wings with nerves rather than joy. My big sister knows love now, but will she understand me doing the mating ritual before she does? Before Maple? Before I told either of them about it?

I’m going out of order with this relationship, and I know it. The mating ritual is usually done after the wedding… but Aphrodite blessed us. That’s what truly matters.

“Well?” Laurel is practically bouncing in her seat. “What is it? Is it about the boutique?”

“No, no.” I swallow thickly. “It’s personal. Not business.”

“Mhm…” Rowan lifts her brows and looks away.

She knows. She must know, but how could she?

“Mac and I…” I look at him, grounding myself in his features. Even though there’s worry in his eyes, just seeing him sets me at ease. I exhale softly.

“Not pregnant.” Juniper sighs, rubbing her temples. “Please tell me you’re not pregnant.”

“No!” I giggle, shaking my head. Juniper jumping to that conclusion may be good—it makes the reality much less severe. “Mac and I… we’re fated mates. Fated and chosen.”

Laurel gasps, but other than that, there’s no verbal response. Not for several long, excruciating moments.

I look away from Mac to find Juniper staring at me.

“Are you sure?” She points the question at me rather than Mac, even though he may have more answers than I do.

“I… I wasn’t before, but I feel it now.” I swallow. “And we have Aphrodite’s blessing.”

“Then you’re fated mates? Wolf mates?” Juniper turns her glare to Mac.

His posture slumps, his confidence disintegrating under her stare. “Yes.”

“And you’ve decided to be chosen mates, too?” Juniper asks.

Mates may be fated to meet , but choosing to be together solidifies the connection. It’s not a choice I take lightly, and I don’t doubt it until Juniper questions us .

Are we moving too fast?

“Yes.” My voice shakes. “We performed the ceremony last night.”

Even Maple seems uncertain, letting out a nervous laugh. “But that’s so soon!”

“I know.” I exchange a look with Mac, who remains quiet, staring down at his plate. “With everything happening right now, we wanted to protect our bond… and each other. Isn’t that what being mates is all about? Protecting one another?”

“Yes,” Ozan says firmly. “It is.”

Juniper looks at him, and something unsaid passes between the couple. He slips his hand over hers and squeezes her fingers, smiling warmly.

“Well then.” Juniper closes her eyes, inhaling slowly. “This isn’t how it’s done, but…”

I know it’s not. It’s an event I’ve dreamt of for so long, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Staying alive matters, and we have the protection of Aphrodite now. She gave us her blessing.

Juniper finishes her thought. “I guess there’s a celebration to arrange.”

I perk up, a smile replacing my worried look. “Really?”

“Of course!” Maple claps her hands together. “Goddess, this means I have a cake to make, doesn’t it?”

“Yes!” I wiggle in my seat. “Pink, please! And pearls.”

Mac finally relaxes, stifling his smile against a glass of orange juice.

I’ve had my entire life to think about this cake, and the dress—the dress I’ve been designing for myself all along.

Oh, thank Aphrodite, the hardest part is over. Now I’ve told my sisters, and this will be a glorious affair.

“Rowan?” I stop my sister before she can join the others in the living room, where they make calls and decorate invitations.

The table is still cluttered with the mess from breakfast, and the air is thick with the scent of fresh syrup and rosemary. It’s a blustery morning, enough that the wind chimes dance as a soundtrack to my wedding planning.

I’m already overwhelmed, and if there’s one reason I should have slowed down our mating, it’s for the party planning. We haven’t had a big family affair in some time—at least not one I was around for—and I already know the stress and chaos it comes with.

Especially when we’re doing it so fast. This weekend. That only gives us a few days to plan. Getting this one thing out of the way will help.

“Yeah?” Rowan tucks her tablet under her arm.

Talking to Rowan is more nerve-wracking than telling the rest of the family. Out of everyone, she had the least obvious reaction. It’s impossible to know if she’s happy for us, or supportive, or what she’ll say to the question I’m about to ask.

Rowan and I may not be as close as we were growing up, but I think we can become closer now that we’ve matured. That’s what I want.

“Well.” I swallow thickly. “You know, for the party, I was wondering if you wanted to?—”

“Yes.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t even ask you yet.”

“I know what you’re trying to say.” A tiny smile appears, just enough to crinkle the corners of her eyes. “I want to be there for you, and if you want me to be the maid of honor… consider it done.”

Witches don’t always have typical roles, but the maid of honor is one I’ve always loved—and I always wanted Rowan to take the position.

“Oh, thank you!” I wrap my arms around her shoulders, bringing her in for a hug.

It takes a moment to remember Rowan doesn’t like hugs. She’s stiff but hugs me before I can pull away. Her hand claps against my back once, twice.

“I’m happy for you,” she murmurs. “I knew this was an important time for you in love.”

“You were right. It’s written in the stars. How beautiful.” I giggle under my breath. “I’m happy, too. I know it’s all obscure.”

She lifts a shoulder. “Who cares? Obscure is good. You’ve always been the least obscure of us, so… I like this. It’s a fun change.”

“Love changes people. Hopefully, it’s for the better.”

“I think it is. And you know I take my duties seriously, so if there’s anything you need me to do…”

“I’ll make a list.”

Rowan likes lists.

“Perfect.”

I feel Juniper’s presence before she announces herself. “Am I interrupting?”

Rowan shakes her head. “Nope. I was just leaving.” She shoots me a look as if to say good luck .

Great. As helpful as Rowan is, she’s already leaving me alone to deal with Juniper, who is probably upset. Only Ozan seems to calm her down, and he’s nowhere to be seen now .

“All right.” I smile weakly. “I’m ready for my lecture.”

“I’m not here to lecture you.” Juniper’s lips flatten into a tight line. “I want to make sure?—”

“You have to believe me. I want this.” I step closer and fix her with an earnest stare. “I do.”

“The mating bond can be strong for wolves,” she intones. “Are you sure he isn’t pressuring you into this?”

“No. He isn’t.” I shake my head. “It was my idea. Mac and I met at such a bad time, when everything was already going wrong, and… I want the goddess to protect our relationship.” I deflate. “It’s selfish, I know.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Then it was a choice of the mind, not of the heart. Somehow, that makes me feel better.”

“Don’t get me wrong. My heart wants this, too.”

“And I know you always go after what you want.”

I roll my eyes playfully. “Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?”

“It’s not,” she says. “I want to make sure you’re ready for this. To a witch, this is marriage. You’re getting married. You already practically eloped.”

“Yes. I know.” I hold her shoulders. “Your baby sister is getting married. I’m sure that’s hard for you to grasp.”

“You have no idea.”

“But I’m ready for this. I’m twenty-five.”

“Aspen. That’s still so young.”

“But it’s old enough for me to make my own decisions.” I lift a brow. “Isn’t it?”

“You’re definitely old enough for that,” she says, “and I will support this decision and any other you make. I only want to ensure you’re not getting wrapped up in the mating bond. ”

My expression falls, and my hands do, too. “I love him, Juniper. I do. Mating bond or not, we’re in love.”

Her jaw is still tight, but she nods. Acceptance. It’s not excitement, but it’s better than the alternative. “Good. Then I’m happy for you. Mom would be, too.”

“And I’ll be as happy when you and Ozan have your ceremony. You’re mates too, aren’t you?”

“It’s different for us. We spent decades dancing around each other before we accepted our bond.” She lets out a puff of laughter. “And it’s different for witches overall. You’re with a werewolf.”

“I know. That is different, but that just makes it more romantic.”

Juniper shakes her head. “If you say so.”

“Trust me. It’s perfect for me.”

I’ve heard of fate and mates, but it was never supposed to be this strong. Being able to feel and sense each other is new, and I think it’s the wolf side of the connection. Of course, Juniper can’t understand it.

“Ozan finalized his divorce a year ago, you know,” Juniper mumbles.

My eyes widen. “Oh!”

“So, I wouldn’t hold your breath for our ceremony.”

I observe her quietly, tilting my head to the side. “You know what? I don’t think I’ll need to wait long.” Glancing into the other room, I spot Ozan sitting on the couch.

He watches us with a worried look as Laurel chatters away, discussing guests and flower arrangements. Rowan sits next to Laurel and shows something on her tablet.

“I see the way he looks at you,” I say, turning back to Juniper. “Aphrodite will be happy to bless your union.”

“I hope you’re right.” Juniper turns away and collects plates from the table, piling them into the sink. “In time, I’ll be ready for that, too.”

“I usually am right when it comes to matters of the heart, but it’s alright to take your time. We have different paths. That’s all.”

And while I wear a face of confidence for my sister, I hope I’m right this time, too, for both of us. We both deserve something good after facing such a loss.

Through the loss, I’ve gained so much. I’m with my sisters again, and I found true love. Juniper is right. Mom would be happy. She has so many reasons to be happy for us.

“Juniper?” I say.

Her hands are soapy when she turns to look at me.

A big smile lights up my face. “Would you like to see the dress I’ve been designing?”