Chase is my mate. The words sound foreign in my mind as I say them. How could this happen?
My muscles ache and burn to the point I feel as if I could throw up. It doesn’t matter how hard I push myself; my wolf isn’t going to burst free. With Chase, I felt as if she would, but the farther I get from him, the further I feel her retreating inside of me. I’m about to lose her again. She wants her mate, but I can’t give him to her.
The main road is about a quarter mile away. My lungs hurt from sucking in the brisk air, but I keep on pushing. Up ahead, I can see a red sedan, and leaning against it is Evangeline. She waves me over with a big smile on her face.
“Come on, mon amie. You sure are slow.”
Sweat drips down my forehead, and I glower at her. “Just get me out of here.”
We get in the car, and she slams on the gas, the car lurching onto the road. Evangeline looks over at me and grins. “It wasn’t so bad. There are only three wolves close by, so I know I can keep them under the entire night. They’ll wake up as if nothing ever happened.” She beams as if she’s proud of herself. “At least they’ll have good dreams.”
Evangeline has light magic. There are many who turn to the dark side; the magic is seductive and alluring. Most think it’s more powerful, but it’s not. Rolling down the window, I stick my head out to get some fresh air. My heart won’t stop racing, and it makes me feel dizzy and unsettled.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Evangeline staring at me. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be excited to leave.”
“It’s nothing,” I say, rubbing my chest. “I just need to rest.”
A few minutes pass by, and we arrive at a quaint bed and breakfast on the coast. It’s a two-story, white house with black shutters and a gazebo out front. When we get out of the car, I hear the ocean waves below, crashing against the rocks.
Evangeline walks around the back of the house to a small cottage nestled by a garden. We stop at the door, and she pulls out the key. The second I step inside, my emotions explode all over the place. Not even the earthy atmosphere of the cottage calms me down. I pace the floor, but Evangeline steps in front of me, taking my hands in hers.
“You’re scaring me, Kara. What happened?”
My lips tremble as I lift my wrist with the bracelet. “I know you can’t get it off of me, but please tell me you know another way.”
Frowning, Evangeline slowly slides her hand toward the magical relic. It repels her just like it does everyone else. I’m the only one who can physically touch it.
“This goes way beyond witch magic, both light and dark. The fae are stronger than us.” Her golden eyes bore into mine. “I’ve never personally met a faerie, but I’m sure I can find someone who knows a spell to find one. Maybe we can get answers there.”
That seems like a giant long shot, and one I’m not sure will work. No random faerie is going to help me when they don’t know anything about me. They’ll want something in return, and I’m almost afraid to find out what that might be.
Letting her hands go, I turn away, and my breath hitches. My stomach feels as if it’s turning in on itself, revolting against me. I want to break down and cry, but it’s no use. Crying isn’t going to get me out of this clusterfuck of a mess I’m in.
“What happened tonight, Kara? Tell me,” Evangeline urges, her voice laced with worry.
Closing my eyes, I can still feel Chase’s hands all over my body and how amazing it was to have him claim me. I fist my hands in my hair. “Shit, what have I done?”
When I turn to face Evangeline, she looks into my eyes and gasps. “Oh my God,” she exclaims, slapping a hand over her mouth. “You slept with the alpha, didn’t you?”
Swallowing hard, I avert my gaze and nod.
Evangeline inserts herself in my path and grabs my face, squeezing to make me focus on her. “You wouldn’t be acting like this if it was simply a booty call. I know you, Kara. So what am I missing?” Tears form in my eyes, and her mouth drops open. “He’s your mate, isn’t he?”
“I’ve wanted to find my mate for so long,” I whisper. “After living over two hundred years, why did it have to happen now? Why does it have to be Chase?”
Evangeline smiles sadly. “The Great Luna obviously wants you two together.”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. My only goal is getting this goddamned thing off my wrist. I can’t focus on anything other than that right now.”
Huffing, Evangeline drops her hands from my face. “Seriously? You need to go back to your mate. If anyone can help you, it’s him. I’m all for taking you away from here, but this is stupid. I know how it works with wolves and their mates. You being here with Chase was meant to happen.”
“No,” I growl, storming over to my bag to grab my phone. “I want to get back to Virginia. That’s where my home is, and it’s where I need to be.”
Evangeline throws her hands up in the air. “Are you always this stubborn? You can’t go out into the world without protection, especially not being as weak as you are.” I glare at her, and she flashes back. “Don’t even look at me like that. That bracelet overpowers everything, which means I can’t shield your presence. You won’t be able to defend yourself. Every horny, unmated male will be able to sense you wherever you are. Here, with Chase, he can protect you.”
“I don’t need protection!” I shout, rummaging through my bag. I find my phone and toss my bag onto the floor.
“Who are you calling?” Evangeline demands.
I search for flights to Virginia, and it just so happens there’s a plane leaving in three hours with only a couple of seats left. “I’m not calling anyone. I’m finding me a flight home.” Usually, I fly first class, but this time, I don’t care. I secure my ticket, knowing I’ll probably be stuck by a screaming baby. At this point, it doesn’t matter. I’ll endure whatever I have to just to get away.
“Kara, please. Think about this. Chase is your mate. You can’t tell me it didn’t feel good to be with him tonight.”
It felt amazing. “It doesn’t matter,” I lie. “Either you take me to the airport, or I’ll find another ride.”
Evangeline grumbles to herself and marches over to the corner of the room where her purple suitcase sits. “Damn, you’re infuriating. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you go by yourself.” She tosses her bag onto the bed and disappears into the bathroom to grab her toiletries. “I was hoping to see more of California.”
I didn’t want to drag her into my mess, but I am glad she’s coming with me. “I already booked my ticket, but I’ll get back on and grab you one before they sell out.”
Evangeline walks out of the bathroom and shoves her toiletry bag into her suitcase. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Virginia.” There’s a sadness to her tone. I know why she left Virginia and how it tormented her to do so. I don’t want to hurt her even more, but the reason for her broken heart is why I need to go back. If she can’t help me, I have to seek out another who can.
Sighing, Evangeline sits on the bed. “All right, I’m packed.”
I log into my airline account to purchase her a plane ticket, but there’s nothing available on my flight; they just sold out. “Dammit,” I hiss. “The flight’s full.” I scroll through the others, and the next one doesn’t take off for another six hours. “I’m putting you on another flight. I’ll forward the confirmation to you.” I send her everything and hurry to the door. “We have to go.”
Evangeline shakes her head. “You’re going to owe me big time for this.”
Yes, I am, especially when she finds out my plan.
We climb back into her rental car, and she drives me to the airport. It’s late, so when we pull up at the terminal, there isn’t a long line at the drop-off.
I open the door, but Evangeline grabs my wrist. “Please tell me you’re going straight home when you land in Virginia.”
She’s the only person in the world I’ve never been able to lie to. Her grip tightens on my arm. “Kara, I know that look on your face. You’re keeping something from me. I’m hoping like hell you’re not going to do what I think you are.”
She knows. “I have to, Eva.”
Her eyelids stretch wide. “Kara, no. You can’t go to him. He’s the last person you can trust.”
His name is Xavier King, Evangeline’s lover and my friend for many years before turning to dark magic. But, unfortunately, the power got to his head, and it destroyed their relationship. So when they split ties, I let him go, too. Out of all the magic in the world, I thought light magic would be my ticket to freedom. Sadly, it’s not.
Pulling my arm away from her grasp, I slide out of the car. “I have to try other ways. If it means dark magic, then so be it.” I sprint toward the airport entrance.
“Kara, stop!”
I’ll apologize to her later. I don’t want to hurt her, but she has to understand the dire situation I’m in. I can’t live the rest of my life without my wolf. Every day without her, I get more and more desperate.
I have no choice.