“Spencer, are you okay?” Finn put his hand on my knee as we sat at the table in the steakhouse.
Shit. Did I space out again?
“I’m fine,” I gave him a weak smile. He looked up at the waiter next to me. Dammit, how long has he been standing there? “I’ll have the same as he’s having,” I said to the waiter while pointing at Finn.
I tried to keep up with the conversation the rest of the dinner, but I couldn’t fool Finn.
When we arrived back at the hotel and everyone went inside, he pulled me away from the entrance.
“Spencer, what’s going on?” His arms locked around me. “Are you scared?”
“What?” I slightly frowned at him. “I’m not scared, Finn. I’m worried.”
“Don’t be. You know I’ll never let anything happen to you.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about. Don’t you get it? If those bloody relics go off, they’ll figure it out. Not just about me. About all of us.”
“They won’t. We’ll get the relics in time. We’ll find a way, I promise. I’ll blow up that bloody safe with dynamite if I have to.”
That’s exactly what scares me.That you’ll do something reckless and get yourself killed. And that was if Eric and company didn’t get to him first.
I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to do something, and right now the idea that came to me when I told Eric that I’d take him up on his offer was the only way to go.
I planted a kiss on his lips. “Finn,” I said quietly, looking deep into his gorgeous eyes. “You know how much I love you. Don’t do anything reckless, okay? If something happens to you . . .” Oh, God, I’m such a jerk. I’m telling him not to do something crazy when what I’m planning on doing is completely nuts. “Do you trust me?”
“Do you really have to ask that?”
“Then please,” I cupped his face and my lips reached for his. “I’m begging you, no matter what happens next, don’t do anything rash.”
“Did I scare you with all that dynamite talk?” He whispered, brushing his lips against mine. “I promise I’ll be careful with it, I won’t blow myself up,” he chuckled.
I punched him in the shoulder. “I’m serious.”
“Come on.” Grinning, he put his arm around my back and pulled me toward the hotel.
When I walked into the room, I found Mom sitting at the desk and staring at her laptop screen.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for spells. When we get that scroll, it won’t open itself, you know.”
“Right,” I heaved a breath.
“I’m trying to find something I could work with. Some ancient witchcraft books, or a hint where to look for them.” She tore her eyes from the screen and gazed at me. “You’ve been too quiet tonight. Are you okay?”
I wished I could talk to her, tell her about my completely crazy idea, but if I did, it wouldn’t lead to some encouraging words or any kind of comfort. All it would do is piss her off, and it would end with a yelling match followed by putting me under twenty-four-seven watch.
My plan wasn’t perfect, and I would have to improvise most of the time. Before acting on it, I had to tell someone what I was about to do. I couldn’t share my idea with Mom or Finn.
Neither of them would ever be okay with it. But there was one person who I hoped would understand and support me.
Alister? I linked to him.
Yes, Spencer. What is it?
I need to talk to you. Could you meet me in the lobby?
Sure. On my way.
I listened, and when I heard Alister come out of his room and close the door behind him, I waited for a minute before heading downstairs.
Passing by the front desk, I exchanged a polite smile with the receptionist, then glanced at Alister sitting on one of the couches at the other end of the spacious room.
“Alister, I need your help,” I said as I sat across from him.
He nodded. “I’m listening.”
“I need you to drive me to Nashville tonight.”
Alister fixed me with his gaze. After a moment of silence, he said, “You’re going to him, aren’t you?”
“Yes. And I’m not coming back. Not until I get the relics.”
With a deep sigh, he rested his forearms on his knees, interlocked his fingers, and leaned forward. “Spencer, it’s dangerous. Are you sure you can do this?”
“I have to. There isn’t much time left, and we’re out of ideas. This is the only way.”
“Finn will lose it. You know he’ll kill me, right?”
“I need you to convince him that this was the right thing to do and keep him from coming after me. Also, you’ll have to come up with something in case he asks you where you’re going in the middle of the night.”
“Don’t worry about that. It’s Clare who. . .” He shook his head. “Spencer, she’ll go crazy when she finds out.”
“Yeah.” I nervously pushed back my hair. “Promise me you’ll look after her.”
He released another sigh and leaned back.
“I’ll keep her safe. I promise.”
SPENCER
It was almost midnight when Mom went to the bathroom to take shower. When I heard her open the tap, I pulled my bag out of the closet and quickly stuffed it with clothes.
The moment I zipped the bag, Finn linked to me.
Spencer, are you asleep?
Not yet. I had to tell him that I was going to, so he wouldn’t try to talk to me until tomorrow.
Do you want to go for a run?He asked.
My heart ached. I missed him already and I so didn’t want to lie to him.
Not tonight. I feel a little off today, and . . . my eyes are closing.
Okay. I’ll see if Liam and James are up for it. Sleep tight.
Finn. I paused.
Spencer? What is it?
I love you, my handsome wolf.
I could hear his heartbeat rise through the wall between us.
I love you too, my gorgeous Alpha.
Tears flooded my eyes as I imagined him learning the truth tomorrow. I knew that his first thought would be that I chose Eric over him.
It’s okay, I tried to calm myself. He’ll forgive me when everything works out. When I come running back to him.
But the next thought that hit me wasn’t that positive. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I make a mistake and they find out who I am and kill me? What if this is goodbye?
“Spencer?” Mom called from the shower. “Honey, I forgot my bathrobe. It’s on the bed. Could you bring it to me?”
I heard voices in the hallway. One of them was Finn’s and the other one James’s. As the voices faded, I linked to Alister.
Are they leaving?
Yes. All three.
They would be in the woods for at least a couple of hours, and it would take only half an hour for Alister to drive to Nashville and back. They wouldn’t even know he was gone.
Then we should go too. I can tell Mom I’m going for a run with them.
I’ll wait in the car, Alister replied.
I needed to get out of the room while Mom was in the shower so I could carry my bag out.
I grabbed the robe from Mom’s bed and went to the bathroom. Luckily, she was still in the shower, and I didn’t have to look her in the eyes while lying to her.
“Here you go.” I hung the robe on the hook.
“Thank you, honey.”
“Mom, we’re going for a run. Don’t wait up.”
“Okay,” I heard her say as I closed the bathroom door behind me.
Choked with guilt, I grabbed the bag and rushed out into the hallway. When I came to the parking lot, Alister, who was waiting next to his car, took the bag out of my hand and put it on the back seat.
With my wolf’s eyes, I looked around, then toward the woods, making sure Finn wasn’t somewhere close, then slid onto the passenger seat.
Alister started the engine. “Spencer,” he gave me a warm look. “It’s not too late to call this off.”
“I’ve made up my mind. And I hope you believe in me.” I glanced at him with a bitter smile. “Do you?”
“If anyone can do it, it’s you,” he smirked. “And if I didn’t believe that; I wouldn’t be here.” He stepped on the gas.
I pulled out my phone. It was still off just in case Eric would try using it again to find our location.
“Let’s see how badly he wants me there.”
I turned the phone on, found Eric’s number, and sent him a text: It’s me, as promised. Meet me at the Nashville Bus Station in twenty minutes.
From the corner of his eye, Alister looked at the screen as it lit up with a notification a few seconds later.
There were only three words. On my way.
A wave of panic shot through me from the sudden realization of what I was getting myself into. I knew nothing about packs or what was waiting for me there. What if Eric was some sadistic, dominant douchebag? I knew that Aaron was a tough man who would probably expect me to fall in line. But I had no desire to obey him. What do they do to the ones who don’t follow the rules? And what are those damn rules?
My panic attack didn’t pass unnoticed.
“Spencer, I can hear your heart, and it’s about to jump out of your chest,” Alister said softly. “Say the word and I’ll turn around.”
“No. I’ll be fine.” I heaved a deep breath. “I just need a moment to gather my thoughts.”
* * *
ERIC
I took my t-shirt off and was about to lay down when my phone lit up. My heart hammered as I saw her name on the screen. I picked up the phone from the nightstand and read the short text.
After I sent the reply, I just sat on my bed with my eyes fixed on the screen for a moment.
I knew it. I knew you’d come to me.
I pulled out a fresh black polo from the closet, put it on, and eyed myself in the mirror.
“That’s right, Spencer. You’re mine now,” I muttered under my breath.
I grabbed my car keys and stormed out the door.
* * *
SPENCER
By the time we arrived at the bus station, I was feeling much better. I assured myself that I had nothing to be afraid of. I’m a witch and if it gets too bad, I’ll use magic and put them all in a coma.
“Remember, you can’t use magic,” said Alister.
Bloody hell.
“I remember,” I replied with confidence.
“And Spencer, try not to shift while you’re there. The color of your fur is unique.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. I’ve never seen anything like it. It might make them suspicious.”
Great. Is there anything I’m allowed to do?
“Alister,” I sighed. “I don’t know how long it might take before I find a way to get my hands on those relics.” If. If you find a way. “There’s no reason for you all to stay at the hotel anymore. But I don’t think it’s safe to go back to Finn’s place either.”
“Don’t worry about that, I’ll take care of it. Besides, Finn’s place is too far from here in case you need us. We better stay close to you.”
Alister pulled over and stopped the car in front of the bus station building.
“I know you’re doing this to protect Finn. All of us. And I know you wouldn’t call Finn even if your life depended on it. But I’m here for you. If something goes wrong and you need help, call me, and I’ll snatch you out of there.”
“Thanks, Alister.” I gave him a weak smile. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” My eyes narrowed as I watched a car pull over and park at the opposite end of the building. “That’s him. I gotta go.” I pushed open the door, then looked back. “Tell Finn . . . Tell him to wait for my call.” Alister nodded. “Thanks for the ride.”
I opened the backdoor, pulled out my bag, and as I started walking, I saw Eric come out of his car.
“Hey.” He couldn’t suppress his triumphant smirk.
Alister drove by, and in the headlights of his car, I saw Eric’s blue pupils glowing as he looked at me.
“Hey,” I said, gazing back at him with my wolf’s eyes.