Fates Entwined

14

"We need you to go to the Leo pack with Jordan," Ayla said. “You might be able to use your moon magic to recover those shifters' memories or find something the others have missed."

"Me? What about Larkin? She's much more skilled with moon magic than I am."

"Larkin is busy helping the other Moon Witches get settled. Besides, she's still adjusting to life on Earth and doesn't understand pack dynamics like you do. Dealing with the Leo pack could be tricky. I would go myself, but..." She gestured at her very pregnant belly. "It has to be you, Stella."

"You're also the best tracker we have," Kaden said. "We know you have issues with the Leos, which is understandable after what we went through. But you need to put those feelings aside to help these shifters."

"Trust me, I don't like this any more than you do,” Jordan said. “But one of the shifters who went missing was my cousin's son. He’s only eight. He's back now and seems unharmed, but we need to know what happened to him and make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

My heart softened at the hint of fear in his voice. Despite my personal feelings for Jordan, I had a responsibility to help those shifters and stop any more kidnappings. If I got a chance to stop Roxandra at the same time, even better. "I’ll do whatever I can. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," Jordan replied.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. As our eyes locked, the air between us seemed to thicken with unspoken desire and tension. Unable to take it any longer, I stood abruptly. "I need some fresh air," I muttered before storming out of the house through the back door.

Once outside on the deck overlooking the forest, I inhaled the cool night air, feeling as though I could finally breathe again. My mind raced, wondering how I would survive this mission without either strangling Jordan or kissing him. It would be tricky, but I couldn't say no. Not when kids were going missing and I might be able to stop it.

The back door closed behind me, and I heard footsteps on the deck. Jordan's scent filled my nose as he moved to stand beside me. I studiously ignored him, staring into the dark forest.

"This isn't how I wanted our reunion to go either, you know." His voice was rough with some emotion I couldn't identify.

I scoffed, still not looking at him. "I didn't want a reunion at all. I was perfectly happy pretending you didn't exist."

"And how's that working out for you? We both knew we'd have to face each other again sooner or later."

"Did you ask them to get me to help you?" I finally turned toward him. "Is this your twisted way of forcing me to be with you?"

He scowled, hurt and anger flickering in his eyes. "No, this wasn't my idea. I wanted Ayla or Larkin to help me. If it were up to me, you'd stay here, where it's safe."

"Why should I believe you?" I shot back. "You tricked me into activating the mate bond, even though you knew I didn't want it."

"I know, and I'm sorry for that. I thought if you experienced our bond, you might understand..." He shook his head and his expression hardened. "Forget it. What's done is done, and all I care about now is protecting my pack and stopping Roxandra."

The s****l tension between us was palpable, like a live wire sparking and crackling in the air, and I fought the urge to move closer to him. "I’ll find her, have no doubt about that. But don't expect me to fall into your arms just because we're stuck working together."

He glared back at me, his anger mirroring my own. "Don't worry, I won't be holding my breath. As soon as this is done, you can return here and go back to forgetting I exist."

He turned his back on me, his shoulders rigid as he stormed back into the house. I waited a few minutes before following him, already dreading what tomorrow would bring.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Morning came way too soon, especially after a night with little sleep. Outside my bedroom window, the sun crept above the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange while I stuffed everything I needed into a duffel bag. I'd packed enough clothes for a few days, but it was impossible to know how long I’d be with the Leos. It was Saturday, and with any luck, I'd be back before school started again on Monday. Otherwise, they would have to find someone to cover my class for me.

After a quick shower, I stood in front of the mirror, my heart racing as I took in my reflection. Long, dark brown hair framed my face, and my blue eyes looked back at me with uncertainty. On my bare arm, my Ophiuchus pack mark stood out, reminding me of my place in the world. I tried to imagine a Leo mark there instead and shuddered.

When I emerged from my room, Larkin was waiting in the kitchen with a sympathetic smile and the faint scent of lavender I'd come to associate with her. She handed me a travel mug full of coffee. "Thought you might need this."

"Thanks. You're my hero." I grabbed a granola bar to shove in my mouth when I got a chance. I didn't think I'd be able to stomach anything heavier. The thought of going to the Leo pack had my guts twisted in knots.

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"Are you offering to go instead?"

"No..." She poured herself a cup of coffee. "I have to go to Lunatera and meet with some of the Moon Witches who want to move to Earth. But even if I could go, we both know you're a better choice."