Page 105 of The Enforcer's Rejected Mate

“Jazzy,” I growl.

“Listen, I don’t know, okay? It’s a prophecy and those are tricky things.”

“Then what’s the fuckin’ point of a prophesy?”

She shrugs. “Free will? Listen, if I could tell you I would but I can’t. It’s against the rules. Magic and the Beyond doesn’t work that way. Witches can’t interfere with your free will.”

I stare at her. I don’t get what she’s going on about but it’s big. “Speak plainly, witch.”

“I can’t. That’s against the-

“The rules?” I wave her off. “Fucking shit. This is fucked. Talking to me about my mate’s end in a damn riddle? I don’t have time for this. I’ve got Moonshadow fuckers to track, no time for your cryptic witch shit.” I stalk across the clearing, think about shifting but I don’t. I’m at the edge of the clearing when Jazzy calls after me.

“So you’re claiming her, then?”

I stop. I’ve thought of Cordelia as mine, even though I’ve tried not to, made a bargain with myself that now just isn’t the right time but soon…soon I’ll find the right time. In all of that I’ve never actually claimed her.

Not like this.

There’s no hiding that she’s mine. Not anymore after this. Fucking witch prophesies.

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“You heard the prophecy then?” She asks. “Her inevitable end bought by two, not one heart.”

“Couldn’t forget it if I wanted to,” I mutter and then because it’s easier than this, I shift. My plan to try to make it back to the pack meeting tonight is out the window. I can’t see Cordelia now. I need time to think. I run down the hill and speed towards the quarry. I’ll head off Lucian and the others, have him send the extras back to Red River before we continue on. I make it to the base of the hill when I catch the scent of Lucian and the others.

They’re downwind from me. Not far off. I bet they just arrived at the quarry.

“Do right by your mate, Enforcer! When the time comes you’ll have to decide. And don’t forget, Soul Ties go both ways. What happens to you, happens to her.”

Jazzy’s voice echoes through the trees. It bounces off the rusted old bulldozers and off the quarry walls. There’s no escaping it but that doesn’t stop me from trying anyways.

What happens to you, happens to her.

Fucking hells.

Chapter

Forty-Four

CORDELIA

The night was perfect, well…almost perfect. It would have been if Thorne had been there.

There was a moment when I thought he had come back. The other Defenders that had left at the end of the pack meeting came back. Not all but most of them, and I kept hoping that Thorne would be the next one to walk through the courtyard. I tried not to make it obvious that I was keeping a look out for him but nothing got past Clover.

Thankfully, she didn’t say anything, just gave me a knowing look and hug. “There was a fire. That’s why they went and came back. He’ll be gone for a few days scouting the borders with a smaller group, I bet.”

I’d been embarrassed at her finding me out but if it was going to be anyone at least it was my friend. “Okay.”

Clover hugged me. “Of course. Of all the people that my cousin could fall for, I’m glad it’s you!” That got us a few looks from nearby pack members. So much for her not saying anything about it.

That had been hours ago as the festivities had finally wound down. As much as I could have kept dancing I was exhausted, sowere Clover and Piper which is why I waved them off when they offered to walk me home.

“I’ll be fine. Meet you at breakfast tomorrow?”

Piper groaned, stretching her arms over her head. “As long as it’s a late breakfast.”