Page 9 of Spellbound & Speechless (Witches of Starbrook #2)

Mac

My good hearing fucks me over more than it helps me. I don’t need to listen to this, and I don’t want to hear it. Tarot readings are a personal thing. They’re talking about Aspen and some man, and it’s none of my damn business.

I feel a connection with Aspen, but she doesn’t. That’s good. If someone else is distracting her, even better. I have things to keep me busy, too.

My wolf acts before I can tame him. I want to go the other way, to give them space, but I burst inside instead.

The reading comes to a fast halt, and the guilt over being the one to end it arrives just as quickly.

They were talking about something important.

Even after I walk away, they don’t continue the reading.

There I go, ruining everything.

The rest of the day passes like usual.

I take my place guarding the door, and everyone gets to work.

My goddamn wolf is the only thing that keeps it from being a typical day. He’s on high alert, as he should be. In theory, this should make me a better security guard. The wolf in me is stronger, faster, and protective…

Too protective, selectively protective. That’s the problem. He’s mainly concerned with keeping one witch safe.

I don’t take my eyes off Aspen all night. She’s doing better at her job, gracefully dancing through the room to deliver the drinks and food, but every almost-slip… every sharp turn…

I want to catch her, to make sure nothing happens to her. I dig my nails into my hands to keep myself in place.

She doesn’t look at me all night. All her smiles belong to other people.

Good. It should be that way. Getting involved with me is a bigger risk than she knows. She’s already in trouble. The corrupt witch is already after her, making her dangerous for me , even if she doesn’t realize it.

I can’t find a moment of relief until her shift ends. She’s going home, and if there’s another attack, she won’t be here to see it.

The comfort doesn’t last long. Before I can exhale a sigh of relief, my wolf growls. Aspen is walking outside alone. None of her sisters offer to walk her to her car.

What the hell?

I guess a town like Starbrook is supposed to be safe, but it’s not anymore. My wolf pushes me out the door.

It’s not just my wolf, either. Dammit. It’s me . There’s a corrupt witch out there, and Aspen’s magic smells strong and sweet. Anyone would want to take a bite.

I approach her of my own volition, clearing my throat as I follow her out the door. “Let me walk you to your car.”

She glares at me over her shoulder. “Oh, now you’re being a gentleman?”

I glare right back. “Yes. I am. ”

Or I’m trying to be. Can’t say I’m good at it.

She complains when I’m friendly and when I’m not. There’s no winning with Aspen, but I don’t care. If I keep her alive, my wolf may let me sleep at night. Considering the evenings I’ve spent tossing and turning, that’s a win.

When I’m up late in my little motel, I’m usually thinking of her. Fuck. That’s a lie. It’s always about her. I won’t let my thoughts wander far, but they’re always there.

The feeling, the need that haunts me at midnight, is still here now. Her little pink dress shows off those long, perfect legs—and it’s low-cut. I don’t look for long, but my wolf growls. He has ideas of his own.

Taste… touch… fuck ? —

“I don’t need you to take care of me.” Aspen stomps through the quiet street, rotting leaves crunching beneath her feet as she leads me to her car. “Now no one is watching the bar.”

“Ozan is there.”

“He was useless last time. Forgive me for not trusting him to keep my sisters safe.”

He wasn’t useless, considering that his magic weakened the corrupt witch… but she trusts me to keep them safe? Interesting.

My lip quirks up at the corner. “I wouldn’t say he was useless . That’s harsh. Besides, this will only take a second. Nothing will happen.”

Aspen doesn’t lead me to a car at all. No. Her ride is a little pink electric scooter. As if I needed another reason to worry about her safety.

“Gods,” I mutter. “What is that?”

“Well, here I am. You can go now.”

“This isn’t yours. You’re fucking with me.”

“Yes, it is.” She hops on and kicks up the stand. “Do you have an issue with my scooter? It gets me around just fine. Has for years.”

“No, no. No issues.” I pick up the pink helmet and plop it onto her head, clicking the buckle into place. My fingers graze against her soft skin. I’ll be thinking about that touch for a while. “Uh… safety first.”

She’s still glaring at me.

“Do you really want me to go so badly?”

“Seriously?” She shakes her head. “I do not understand you. Not at all. You pushed me away last time. You are not allowed to ask me questions like that.”

It’s unfair. She’s right. I can’t offer Aspen anything she deserves, and she doesn’t know my mind is splitting me in a million directions.

My throat tightens. “Sorry.” I duck my head and back away. “Just wanted to get you safely to your car—or… not a car…”

“A scooter.” She buckles her helmet. “Well, I’m here now. You can go.”

“I will. I have a bar to protect.” Yet I linger. “Goodnight, Aspen.”

The only response she gives is the purr of her little engine. When she drives away, with her hair blowing in the wind, it feels like she’s bringing a piece of my heart with her.

My mate…

No. No, she’s fucking not . My wolf is protective because he thinks she is, but it doesn’t matter what he thinks.

I will never have a mate, and that’s my choice. Fate determines mates, but they don’t have to be accepted. I have no intention of accepting her—or anyone else—at my side.