Page 68 of The Witch’s Daughter

“Lisa lived alone in the woods, carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders,” Sage said. “We were all surprised when she came out of isolation and declared she was opening her home to train the new generation of wolf-witches.”

I knew the stories of this. Lisa was a powerful wolf-witch herself and was blessed with future sight like Calla. I’d always assumed she knew something we didn’t, but she died before cluing the rest of us in.

“I was still coming into my own power at the time. Tisiphone must’ve been, what? Six? Seven?” Sage stretched out her lower back, looking for a place to sit. I gently guided her to the nearest boulder.

“Thanks.” She nodded before continuing her story. “Tisiphone was burning bright with her gifts at the time. Her sisters never showed any magical aptitude, preferring to train with the wolves instead, but here comes Trish, following us around and casting her own childlike spells.”

A lump formed in my throat that threatened to choke me. This was a magic of its own. The story Sage was weaving, laced with love of a mother.

It was a stark reminder that it didn’t matter how powerful I was; at the end of the day, a cold hearth and cold sheets awaited my return to Cadejo Pack.

It doesn’t have to be this way… My wolf gave a mournful howl as he thought of his mate.

I shook my head, refusing to go down that road with him again. Maybe it was always supposed to end like this. With me learning the truth, and giving her up.

No. Don’t say that.

“Seven.” I coughed, clearing the pain from my throat. “Tisiphone was seven when Lisa started the school. I came that year at the same age.

“That’s right.” Sage nodded. I hated the look of pity in her eyes. “I remember.”

I did too.

An abandoned alpha wolf with too much magic and paws too big for his frame. I came tumbling into Cerberus woods when Victor dropped me off, and Lisa’s cabin became a home for far too short a while.

And I remembered the day at the graveyard, right after Lisa made me promise to take care of Tisiphone, when my mate released me from my vow, pushing me away.

I’d bounced from pack to pack and home to home among the other wolf-witches, never staying too long in one place so as not to disrupt the order of things, until I was of age to return to Cadejo and take my destined role.

I’d done it all for her.

Yet I still didn’t know why.

I do.

“We should get back,” I said.

Sage didn’t move from her seat. “It’s crazy how biology works. I know we don’t study much science out here, but genetically, my three girls are as close as can be, yet they are all so different. Meg leads with her head and hides her romantic heart. Alec is my… wild one.” Sage smiled fondly. “But Tisiphone gives herself to everyone around her and pushes away anyone who tries to return the favor. I think she suppresses her true nature to stay small, so that others can shine brighter. She’s more like me than I care to admit.”

“I’d say that’s an accurate description.” I nodded, feeling the ache deepen in my chest.

The sun broke the horizon with a pale strand of light. My skin crawled with the need to get back, to do something to help with the emotions swirling inside me. Still, Sage sat.

“She’s also an awful lot like you,” the witch said. “I think that’s why you were meant to be together.”

I stared at her without blinking.

“Don’t bother to deny it.” She waved her hand in the air. “It’s been a long few days of travel and I’m too tired to argue. But I’ve never needed the sight to know you were always supposed to be a part of our family. Fate doesn’t make mistakes, even with shifters as stubborn as the two of you.”

“I…” I wasn’t quite sure what to say.

Sage rolled her eyes. “Now, I’m a little upset because I sent her here with the hope that forcing the two of you to spend time together would fix whatever is broken. My mate disagreed, but I told him you both needed this chance.”

She glanced up with pleading eyes. “Please don’t make me have to go back and tell Maddock I was wrong. I’d never hear the end of it.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her unexpected words, but there wasn’t much else funny about this situation. “I messed up. I pushed her too hard. I shouldn’t have let loose my wolf like I did. She’s probably never going to talk to me again, and even if she does want to, I can’t go back in there. I’m banned from the warlock’s trials. I… I failed to protect her.”

Sage slid off the rock and reached for my face. I was forced to lower my head to receive her touch.