Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
“Mystic and Leah. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved her to be my son’s mate, but that was never meant to be. I waited until Mystic was of age and transitioned. She stayed at my request, but I knew the two were just good friends.”
“He likes to touch her.”
“He’s a bear. We bears like to touch and cuddle. Leah always came for sleepovers. We don’t want to harvest her magic, or sacrifice her. We care for her, and for her coven. They have helped us over the years.”
Killian averted his gaze and looked at Charlie. “We need a place to stay for the night.”
“There’s a cabin on the outskirts of town. Mystic will take you both to it. I hear the rumors are true.”
“How do you get gossip?” Killian asked, hating that people knew what he had done to Leah.
“When a well-respected alpha finally finds his mate, and rather than mate with her that very night, rejects her and sends her packing, there is no way news is not going to travel.”
Killian ran a hand down his face. “She’s young.”
“But that is not all that bothers you.”
Staring at Charlie, he saw the sadness in his eyes, and on closer inspection, the light shining in them seemed to resemble a silver star.
Killian looked away, and then turned back to Charlie.
“Do you work for the witch?” Killian asked.
“I work for no one.”
“I’m on a quest,” Killian said, attempting to keep his voice down.
“And?”
“Well, forget it.”
“I’m an old man, Killian. I’ve seen many things, lived through a great deal, and I know that not all quests are easy. Whatever it is you seek, it comes with the direction for your journey, as well as what you need to learn within your heart.”
Is that what he needed? The wisdom of an elder bear? No, that couldn’t be right. He had been searching for days for the silver star, and the only place he’d come close was staring right at him.
“Tell me what bothers you,” Charlie said.
“Nothing bothers me.”
“Leah being young is not the only thing holding you back. She is a witch.”
“I know. She doesn’t scare me.”
“I know. Words and riddles are what bother you.”
“A prophecy.”
“Of what is supposedly foretold.”
“You don’t believe in prophecies?” Killian asked.
“I believe that nothing is certain in this world. We are not puppets waiting to be played with. Prophecies are deadly things. They can be written by anyone who interprets the future in different ways. Good, bad, ugly. It can mean the same thing and yet completely different.”
He made no sense.
“Leah is young. She is kind. She is good. She is everything you’ve been searching for in a mate, and yet you are willing to remove that bond for the sake of your pack. For riddles and words.”
Killian ran a hand down his face. “I know how important Leah is to me and I don’t want to do this.”
“Then why do it? Why not have a taste of what freedom feels like?” Charlie asked. “Leah is your mate. You are bound to her, unless you’re willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.” Charlie stopped and lifted his head to the sky. They were not outside. “The moon feels strong tonight.”
The moon wasn’t full, but Killian knew what he meant. It wouldn’t be long until the moon was full. There was a risk of being around his mate when that time came. He’d struggle to control himself. With Leah so close, he’d want to mate with her, and his wolf would be the dominant party. There would be no way he could stop it.
“What would you do?” Killian asked. Never in all his years did he expect to ask a bear for advice.
“I have a son. I’m happily mated, Killian. For me, that decision is easy. We’re stronger with our mates than we are apart. Your fear is blinding you.”
“I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Then tell me why you’re on this quest.”
“She’ll ruin my pack,” Killian said.
“Will she? Or will she be your pack’s salvation. I am growing tired in my old age. Words of wisdom do not come without a cost.”
Killian got to his feet first. He was tired of seeing Mystic constantly touching Leah. They needed to rest and be gone at first light.
“I’ll go. Thank you for your hospitality.” Killian held his hand out and Charlie took it.
He felt the firmness of the man’s grip. The threat was real. Charlie was old, but he could take care of himself, that was for sure.
Getting to his feet, he approached the table where Leah was laughing at something Mystic said. She shouldn’t be so willing to give out her laughter or her joy. The moment she saw him, all smiles slipped.
“Killian?”
“We need to leave for the night,” he said, looking over her shoulder at Mystic who gave him a nod, and he was pretty sure there was a smirk on his lips, but he ignored it.