Fates Entwined

28

“I never would have imagined the stars would put Jordan with an Ophiuchus and a Moon Witch, but the Sun Witches did a lot of damage trying to change fate. I’m not going to be the one to say what’s right and what’s wrong.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry. Jordan isn’t my mate. Not anymore.”

She gave me a coy smile. "No?"

Before I could argue some more, Jordan returned from down the hall. “That was Cannon,” he said, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “People are getting nervous about the kidnappings, and I need to do some damage control.”

"I can start working on the wards while you do that,” I said. “We can get more done today apart rather than working together.”

Debra reached out and put her hand on Jordan’s shoulder. “Be careful."

“I will,” Jordan said and gave her a quick hug. "I won't go outside the wards today, and I'll make sure Griffin is safe too."

"Thank you."

We said our goodbyes, and then Debra floated back the way she’d come, silent as a ghost. I watched her go with a frown. She’d given me a lot to think about.

“Are you okay?” Jordan asked as we walked toward his car. “You’re very quiet. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you alone with my mother.”

“I’m fine,” I said, which wasn’t quite a lie. I didn’t know how to feel. I’d built my parent’s killer up in my head to be this monstrous, rage-filled man. Debra wasn’t him, but she'd been married to him and she hadn't stopped him. But maybe she hadn't been able to stop him either. Maybe she was just as much a victim of Evanora's Sun Witches and the former Leo alpha as Jordan had been.

“If she was rude or anything⁠—”

"It was fine. I’m touched that you care, but I promise, I'm okay."

"Good." He paused in front of the convertible, then handed me his keys. “You should take my car. It’s not too far for me to walk.”

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, it'll be faster for you to do the wards that way. Plus it will make me feel better, knowing you can drive away if Roxandra shows up again."

“Thank you,” I said, palming the keys with some hesitation. It felt weird to be saying goodbye, even if it was just temporary. How had this change happened so quickly between us?

Suddenly Jordan pulled me into a crushing hug, wrapping his arms around me completely. I stiffened at first, raising my hands to shove him away, but I couldn't. He was so warm and muscular and he smelled good, like a mix of sunshine and sage. I closed my eyes and leaned into him, letting my hands rest on his shoulders.

“Be safe." His voice was a little gruffer than usual, and something in my heart twinged.

“You too." I pulled away and headed to the driver's side. I had to admit, I was pretty excited to drive Jordan's sports car, especially on such a beautiful day. The top was already down, and I couldn't wait to feel that warm desert air in my hair as I sped away.

When I got inside, Jordan whistled. "You look good in it."

I winked at him. "Damn right, I do."

He laughed and the sound sent a rush of heat through me. I drove off before the flirting continued, although I found myself wishing Jordan was by my side.

But I'd worry about that later. Right now I had work to do.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I shielded my eyes as I stepped across the Sun Witch wards and started walking along the perimeter. The hot, dry desert air was so different from what I was used to, and I took a sip from the water bottle Jordan had made sure I brought. I was surprised how hot it was out under the sun even though it was fall. I was used to cool breezes and the changing leaves, but this felt like summer back in Coronis. I had a brief pang of homesickness as I thought about home. I missed the deep cover of the leaves in the forest and I missed my pack. I missed working with the children and seeing Kaden, Ayla, and Larkin every day. But to my surprise, I didn't hate this place either.

I paused along the perimeter and looked out at the vast Arizona desert. I still was shocked by how beautiful it was, in its own way. Everything was so open, with warm colors and cool rock formations. Someday I’d like to explore it more as a wolf, to breathe in the desert's scents and chase the trails of lizards and other animals I'd never encounter back home. With Jordan, maybe. The thought wasn’t as unwelcome as it would have been just a few days ago.

I continued walking outside the perimeter of the town, eyes fixed on a rock formation with a couple of scraggly trees in the distance. That would be a good landmark to start at and mark my progress with. It should only take me a few hours to do the wards, and then I would go back to Jordan's place and relax by the pool as my reward. Maybe I'd even get a chance to read my book.

As I got closer to the rock formation, I noticed that there was a reddish-gold wolf standing there that looked like a smaller version of Jordan. He didn’t run away, but simply watched me as I approached.

I waved and set my water bottle down on one of the rocks. “Hey. Are you Griffin?”

The wolf took a few steps back and then shifted back into his human form. He moved to stand behind a boulder, which covered him from the waist down while frowning at me. “How’d you know?”