Between Witches and Wolves

Chapter 15: Making Moves

Nate

“Okay,” she says, looking up at me with those big, gorgeous green eyes.

I can’t help but smile broadly when she agrees.

“Good. We can go pick up your things tomorrow. For now, you just need to rest.”

I let my hand fall back to my side, grab her empty dishes, and put them in the sink.

Nate! Emily said you were at the cabin. I’m on my way. You have some f*****g explaining to do!

Alex yells at me through the mind-link.

Dammit.

He really has the worst timing.

Not only that, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around what just happened.

I actually asked her to move into the cabin. What was that about? Why do I feel this need to keep her safe and close?

It makes no sense.

She’s just a human girl.

Ash won’t get off my ass about her either. He was so f*****g proud when she came out of the bedroom in our clothes after sleeping in our bed.

If only she were a wolf, she could’ve been our fated mate.

I shake my head.

No use thinking like that.

I just need to get over this already so we can start looking for our mate again. We’re running out of time before Dad marries us off.

I walk outside and jog about half a mile down the driveway.

Alex pulls up in a black Jeep and rolls down his window.

“Wanna ride back?”

I jump in.

“So, explain. What the f**k was so damn important that you missed training? You know Dad is furious. He had Sarah at the training grounds today, and she was supposed to be watching you train.”

“Ugh. Whyyyy? I wish he would let that go already. I don’t want to marry her.”

I wish I could get that through to him.

I know she’s a good girl and would make an excellent wife, but I don’t want just some girl.

Alex waits for me to answer his question.

I inhale deeply, then start explaining everything that’s happened since I left this morning.

He sits there the whole time, not saying a damn word.

Once I finally catch him up to Ellie waking about an hour ago and having a meal, he glances over at me.

I leave out the part about asking her to move into the cabin for the time being.

“So, you killed that asshole, right?”

I nod.

“Good. If he wasn’t already dead, I’d be leaving to go kill him now.”

He is dead serious.

“So, what now? Do I need to take her in?” he asks, looking me dead in the eye.

What?

“It’s taken care of. You don’t need to worry about that. I have her.”

My words come out rougher than I intended.

He holds eye contact with me for a few seconds.

“What do you mean, it’s taken care of?” he asks. “She can’t go back to that f*****g dump, and she needs a job now that the club is out of the question. I can hire her at the liquor store.”

Ash surges forward, and I feel my strength increase.

“I told you, I have her.”

I jump out of the Jeep.

Alex gets out after me and grabs my shoulder.

“Explain. Now.”

I can see Void surging forward in his eyes.

I swipe his hand off me.

“She’ll be working at the diner and living here, in my cabin.”

My voice barely sounds like mine at this point.

Ash is pushing for a transformation.

He won’t let Alex take her away.

Alex breathes in and out a few times.

“You can’t just make that decision for her.”

“I didn’t. I asked her, and she agreed.” My jaw tightens. “Why the f**k do you want her anyway?”

Now I’m starting to get pissed off too.

“I just want her safe,” he growls.

“She is safe with me. So back off.”

He looks at me for a moment, then turns away.

Alex walks a few steps before turning back.

“Fine. Whatever. But nothing better happen to her.”

“I’ll kill anyone or anything that tries to hurt her.”

He smiles.

“Good. Now calm down, will ya? Let’s go make sure she’s settled for the night. You’ve been summoned, so I can stay with her until you get back.”

I don’t like it.

I want to stay.

But a summons isn’t something I can just brush off.

“Fine. But keep your distance. She’s been through a lot.”

That’s mostly true.

She has been through a ton.

But I also get more pissed just thinking about him getting near her.

What the hell is going on with me? Why does she make me feel this way?

“Don’t worry. Just get going.”

He pats me on the shoulder and hands me the keys.

I mind-link Emily to let her know I’m leaving and ask her to tell Ellie.

Then I hop into the Jeep and drive toward the pack house.

I really hope this can be over quick.

Alex

Nate burns out of the driveway.

He has no clue what he’s walking into.

Dad was so f*****g pissed this time.

I walk up to the cabin, and I can already smell her.

She smells sweet to me, almost like freshly baked treats.

Everyone smells different to different wolves, but it’s always surprising to find someone whose scent you’re actually drawn to.

I walk inside and see Eleanor and Emily sitting on the couch, cuddled together under a blanket while watching funny videos on the TV.

“Excuse me. I’m Alex, Nate’s twin brother. We met a few nights ago. Nate had to go home to see our father for a bit, but he’ll be back sometime tonight. Do you mind if I sit?”

I try to be as polite as possible.

But it’s hard to ignore the fact that she’s wearing his clothes.

“Sure, I don’t mind. It’s nice to officially meet you. I’m Ellie.”

She extends her hand.

I take it gently and smile.

“I’ll be staying here until Nate can make it back. He didn’t think you should be left completely alone, just in case the drugs have some aftereffects.”

I lied.

Nate didn’t tell me exactly what drugs were used, but there was always a possibility something had been mixed in that could take hours to kick in.

Plus, I needed an excuse to guard her without seeming creepy.

“Oh, okay. I think I feel fine right now. Just really tired.”

She looks down at her hands.

“I think it’s about time for me to get back anyway. Mikey will start to worry if it gets too late.”

Emily stands and hugs Ellie.

“If you need anything, I left my number on the notepad by the bed.”

She grabs her keys and leaves.

“I think I’d like to lie back down. The food made me full and sleepy.”

Ellie tries to stand, but immediately loses her balance.

I grab her arm and steady her.

“Thanks,” she says shyly.

“Allow me.”

I loop my arms around her and carry her toward the bedroom.

I lower her onto the bed and watch as she gets tucked beneath the covers.

“I’ll just be on the couch watching TV, so yell for me if you need anything.”

I smile at her.

She smiles back.

“Thank you, Alex.”

I walk back into the living room and turn the TV down low.

Then I focus my hearing on her breathing.

After about two hours, everything sounds normal.

Her heartbeat is steady.

Her breathing is calm.

Eventually, I start to doze off.

Suddenly, I’m jolted awake by a loud thud.

I shoot upright.

“Ellie? Are you okay?”

No answer.

I focus my hearing toward the bedroom.

Her breathing is uneven.

Her heart is racing.

Then I hear her voice, weak and strained.

“I... need... help...”

I’m through the bedroom door without a second thought.

Ellie is tangled in the blankets, her face flushed and sweat dampening her hair. Her chest rises and falls rapidly as she struggles to catch her breath.

Shit.

I knew there could've been something else in that drug mixture.

“Ellie, I’m here.” I rush to her side. “Tell me what’s wrong. What hurts?”

She pushes herself upright, and I reach out to steady her.

“It hurts.” Her voice trembles. “I need help. Please... make it stop.”

She suddenly grabs me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling herself against me.

And then the scent hits me.

Her arousal is overwhelming.

Fuck.

Void immediately surges forward.

An aphrodisiac.

There had to have been one mixed into whatever Tony gave her.

I immediately mind-link Nate.

We have a problem. Get here. Fast.

I gently grab Ellie's shoulders and try to put some space between us.

“Hey. Look at me.”

Her unfocused green eyes finally meet mine.

“There must've been an aphrodisiac mixed into whatever he drugged you with. That's why you're feeling like this.” I keep my voice calm. “It'll pass. You just have to give it time.”

She shakes her head frantically.

“I can't wait.”

“Ellie—”

She pulls herself up and presses against me.

A soft moan escapes her beside my ear.

“I need it to stop.”

Void is suddenly pacing inside my head, restless and confused by her scent.

Back down.

He growls.

I said back down.

I’m not touching her like that.

Not when she’s drugged.

Not when she has no f*****g clue what she’s doing.

I start to pull away.

But before I can—

Ellie grabs my face and kisses me.

I freeze.

Completely f*****g freeze.

Her lips are on mine.

For one impossible second, everything inside me goes silent.

Then Void lets out a deafening howl inside my head.

Mine.

My heart slams against my ribs.

No.

Not mine.

Nate's going to f*****g kill me.