Page 45 of The Witch’s Daughter

“I’ll walk you to your tent.” The words I spoke were automatic, ingrained. I didn’t even think before I said them.

Because that’s all we want to do.

Tisiphone didn’t want that, though. Her glare told me as much. And for the first time, I was glad she didn’t have her full power anymore.

She was already killing me.

“I don’t need you as an escort, Alpha.”

Calla sucked in a quiet breath. The twins nudged each other. Gentry looked everywhere but my face as Trish held her ground.

“Fine,” I grit out, slowly lowering myself back to the seat. I knew this dance. Knew my place. And I was sick of getting my toes stepped on.

“Fine?” Her jaw dropped. She quickly closed it. I was surprised she sounded shocked. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it?

“Sleep well, Tisiphone. Big day tomorrow.” I raised my cup to my lips, downing the rest of the mead as I stared at the trees in the distance. My wolf whined in pain and I ignored him. Her tent wasn’t that far away. She could walk there. Alone. Without me.

Besides, I was wanted somewhere else tonight.

17

Trish

That was easy.

Too easy.

“I hope you don’t mind if I walk back with you,” Gentry said as the two of us headed the same direction.

Ah—this was the catch.

I looked over my shoulder to see Jaxon staring off at the trees in the distance while the stars in the night sky and Halley’s Comet twinkled above him, and I didn’t know why there was an anxious flutter in my chest.

But I couldn’t concern myself with that. This was my lucky break. I just had to find a way to shake Gentry now. Not that I disliked him. Honestly, it was strange. Everyone had been super nice tonight. Even the teasing was kept to a minimum.

Very strange.

They could say it all they wanted, that I’d been the one to ditch them, but when everything fell apart, they hadn’t come to see me either. Except Jaxon…

I felt the tug tighten in my chest, but I kept walking, heading west when I should’ve been going north.

Gentry was always the nicer one. Still, I didn’t want him or anyone from my “coven” following me tonight. This was my taste of freedom. My little bit of hope—one I hadn’t had in years. And if it all went spectacularly wrong, then I didn’t want an audience.

A tingling sensation had filled me all night at the thought of Charles and his magic being the ticket to help with my situation. It wasn’t intuition, exactly. I’d tried to listen to that and ended up making myself feel crazy. It was more like giddiness of the possibility. Not even fighting with Jaxon could put a damper on my excitement. It was nearing midnight. Maybe, just maybe, this was the last day I’d be separated from my power.

Or it’s the night you get us killed.

Quit being so dramatic.

“You’re really going to show up again tomorrow despite your Alpha’s command?” Gentry asked.

His question caught me off guard.

“She didn’t actually say that.” I tried to justify my actions. “Kera wanted information. As long as I’m not putting myself in danger, she’ll understand.”

It wasn’t like I could disobey a direct order. Alphas had the power to bend the shifters in their packs to their will, especially if it was for our own good. Besides, I’d never directly defy her. She wasn’t a bad Alpha, like some of the stories we’d heard of other packs.

Poor Jaxon, my wolf sighed.