Page 39 of Spellbound & Speechless (Witches of Starbrook #2)

Mac

“Are you sure you won’t come?” Aspen peers up at me with her big blue eyes. Fuck. I want to give in. I’ll give her anything she wants.

Thinking of Ozan scolding me, like I’m a child, makes me steel my resolve.

“You know I want to be there.” My jaw tightens. “I’m the one who started all of this, but…”

It’s early morning, and the house is quiet—a rarity in the Hawthorne Home. This is the only peace we’ll have all day.

She rests her head on my chest. “I know.”

There’s more Aspen wants to say. It’s nagging at our bond.

I rub her back. “You’ll tell me everything that happens. Got it?”

She nods. “You’re still a part of this. Don’t let one silly man make you think otherwise.”

“You’re right. He can’t change that.” I lift my head and press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ll see you at the bar tonight, and we’ll catch up. Stay safe until then. I can run across town in a flash if anything happens. ”

“I know you can, but?—”

“I won’t be far.”

“ Mac .” She laughs, burying her face against my neck. “I trust you. I trust us. It’s time for you to trust me .”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. All the trust in the world can’t make up for the evil shit that corrupt witch can do.”

My pride is still too strong to go with her to the meeting. Not yet.

ASPEN

We haven’t seen the corrupt witch in the daytime, so it feels safe to meet in the bar in the morning. Her powers should be at their weakest now.

But honestly, what do we know? Our grimoire gave us some information, but it didn’t answer this question. We still don’t know enough. Either way, we can’t keep coming up with excuses. No more delays. It’s time.

Everyone is here—my sisters, Ozan, and even Mac’s mother, dear Edith. Only one person is missing. Mac isn’t ready to be around Ozan or even my sisters, and I can’t say I blame him.

Joining a family only to feel like an outsider, like he’s the problem, is bound to make someone want to keep their distance.

“Well.” Juniper slams down the grimoire and flips through the pages. “I guess we should get started.”

“Wait a minute.” Ozan’s eyes narrow. “Where’s Mac?”

I tilt my head to the side and lift my brows, fixing him with a look of disbelief. “Did you expect him to come? He’s still waiting for an apology from someone .”

Mac hasn’t asked for an apology, but I’m waiting for Ozan to say sorry. It may not be enough to bridge the gap, but it’s certainly a start.

Edith snorts but says nothing else. She is far better at remaining impartial than I am.

Silence passes through the room for several long moments as Ozan and I stare at each other. I’m half expecting Juniper to have to nudge Ozan out the door. To my surprise, he goes on his own.

Ozan’s head hangs as he walks through the room. “Right, right… I’ll be back,” he mumbles.

Hopefully, he won’t return alone.

The tension in the room fades when Ozan leaves, and I step closer to Juniper, my expression softening. “Are you all right?”

She nods. “The scratches were harmless, and a healing potion removed the scars. Ozan was worried that… well…” It doesn’t appear she can finish the thought.

“That the scratches would corrupt you?”

She nods. “We did some research, and that doesn’t seem to be the case. Corruption is more complicated.”

“It probably still hurt like a bitch,” Laurel says.

“Indeed.” Juniper clears her throat. “We need Ozan’s help, you know. He’s the only one who can cast a spell like this.”

“I know.” I lift a shoulder. “And I want his help, I do, but none of this would be possible without Mac. Blaming him isn’t the right move.”

“He isn’t to blame,” Juniper says. “We all know that. There is only one person to blame, and soon, she will return to where she belongs. ”

“That’s the spirit!” Maple scurries out of the kitchen and sets down a tray of fresh pumpkin scones. “Now, everyone, eat up. We can’t plot the demise of our enemies on an empty stomach!”

MAC

Ozan’s heavy footsteps always give him away.

I sigh and stretch out my fingers, prepared for whatever is coming.

Part of my new life, of no longer living like a lone wolf, means accepting moments like these . That doesn’t mean I have to like it. It would have been easier to show up at the meeting and act like nothing happened, but my ego wouldn’t let me.

I’m expecting Ozan’s ego to act up again, too—for him to tell me to stop being sensitive and get back to work. That doesn’t seem to be the case. There’s a sheepish look on his face, and he smells… like sour guilt?

“Well… this is awkward,” he says.

“I know. You made it that way.” I stand up and cross my arms, waiting for him to say more.

“Look.” He meets my gaze with a calm expression. “I know you understand why I overreacted. When is the last time you saw me yell at anyone like that?”

“Never. Must be special treatment, just for me.”

“ No . It’s for her.” He points a finger at the door. “For Juniper—and I know you would be the same way if something happened to Aspen. If something scratched her, a being we barely know a thing about, you would look for a source, too.”

“But I’m not the fucking source.”

“I know that. I knew it then, and I know it now. Blaming you was messed up, and I’m not here to blame you again.

” He exhales slowly. “I came to apologize. I’m sorry.

You’re on our side; fighting each other will only give the corrupt witch more ammunition.

I want to get rid of her as much as you do.

I have family here... I have Juniper… and I have magic of my own to protect.

All of that is at risk as long as she’s around. ”

We’re in similar positions. He’s right. I understand him, and he may be one of the few who understands me. We always got along well enough before the night of my wedding. Like it or not, he’s part of my pack now. Or maybe I’m part of his coven. I don’t know how it works.

I’m a lone wolf; navigating situations like these doesn’t come naturally, but it’s time for me to get used to it. If Antoni’s gossip is right, this is nothing compared to the wolf pack’s drama.

“I forgive you,” I say, “but don’t make a habit of coming for my neck.”

“I don’t plan on it, but I didn’t come here for you, me, or us. I’m here for them —for the people we love. They’re starting a plan to take this witch down, and you’re wasting time licking your wounds.”

My jaw ticks. “I thought you were done being an ass to me.”

“That’s not my intention this time.” He lifts his hands. “I’m speaking the truth. Maybe it’s too blunt, but they need our help. Both of us. I want to know that we can work together, regardless of what happened before. ”

“We can. I think we have to work together. You’re the only one who can cast a spell like this, right?”

He lifts his brows. “Sounds like you know a thing or two.”

“I don’t. Aspen does.” She taught me everything I know, even if she’s constantly underestimating herself. I sigh. “C’mon, man. Let’s see what we can do to help them out.”