Page 24 of The Witch’s Daughter

I’d sent him away so I could freshen up, whatever that meant, but he hadn’t gone far. I could still feel him pacing just outside the tent. Being this far from my pack and this close to him was setting my wolf on edge.

That’s because something is off.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Not you too.

Honestly, I was probably safer here than I was at home. I’d sensed it the moment I walked into the field. There was strength in this gathering of magic. I felt it ripple through the grass, sing through the trees, and dance on the breeze, calling to me.

My fingers itched to reach out and touch it.

Maybe this was just what I needed. Immersion therapy to shock my system into fixing itself. The surrounding magic was grounding. Inviting. It could be safe to call on my own and test it out here.

But I’d never be able to do that inside this tent. It was time to face the… magic.

Jaxon was right where I’d left him. I hated how that lazy grin on his face made my heart skip a beat, distracting me for a moment until I realized he wasn’t alone. The twins flanked him, whispering something that stopped the moment I zipped up my tent.

I could’ve eavesdropped, but I didn’t need to hear what they were saying to know it was about me.

“Hey Trish,” Amir said, glancing at his brother. The beads in his long black hair gleamed in the light of the setting sun. “When did you get in?”

Technically, we were distant cousins by mated pairs, but we hadn’t gotten along in years. The age difference, gender difference, and then later our magic difference separated us by miles.

Oh, and they just didn’t like me.

“Obviously she just got here,” Ahmad chuckled, nudging his brother. “Do you see any flames yet?”

“Ha ha.” I let the insult roll off my skin, used to it by now, as I stormed past the two giggling hyenas and Jaxon’s warning growl. “Where are we supposed to check in?”

“I already gave the Ossory ambassador your name,” Jaxon said. His long legs ate up the distance I tried to put between us and he slowed to match my pace. “There are food vendors set up before the bonfire at dusk. That’s the big festival kickoff event.”

I squinted at the setting sun on the horizon, breathing a sigh of relief.

I was starving.

Jaxon turned, walking backwards as we made our way through the paths laid out between the tents. “What do you want to eat?”

“I’m not that hungry.” I brushed off his easy concern, ignoring the tug in my chest. He’d do this if I let him. Hover and keep me in his shadow, acting like I was his little sister that he had to protect.

I don’t think he sees us like that.

Keep dreaming.

I didn’t fault my wolf for chasing after him. She’d always had her little crush. He was the only single alpha wolf I’d ever met, and we’d grown up together. Plus, Jaxon radiated power. Any wolf in her right mind would want to sniff in his direction.

Even now, as we came to the clearing where the vendor tents were set up, females cast glances at Jaxon, doing double takes.

I shrank further into myself, but my stomach chose that moment to growl… loudly.

Or maybe it was my wolf.

“Let’s get some meat,” Jaxon said, stepping into the closest line and blocking my view of the festival with his large chest.

I blinked up at him, dangerously close, and took a step back. “I said I wasn’t hungry.”

His lips twitched. “You lied.”

Gods, he was so frustrating.

“But I’m hungry, so you might as well eat too.” He winked.