Broken Curse

11

“No.” I wanted to do the same thing, but if we ran, they’d want to know why. They were already suspicious, and adding in the witches put a target on our backs.

“We just need to wait,” Remus agreed. “The more we appear like we don’t want to meet them, the worse it will be.”

“It doesn’t matter.” We were on the defensive. If the witches disappear now, it’ll look like we know they have a problem with them.”

Samuel ran a hand down his face. “This is f*****g crazy.”

Something inside nudged me, as if in warning. I lifted my finger to my lips, alerting the others.

Do you smell something? Aidan sniffed.

No, but something is off. Maybe we were being watched. We need to act normal.

“I’m starving.” I put the menus in the holder in the center of the table and rubbed my stomach.

“Girl, I’m ready for that meat.” Beth licked her lips.

“You have a knack for making things sound perverted.” Coral laughed. “Don’t ever change.”

“Oh, I don’t plan to.” Beth winked.

“I don’t understand how anyone could be friends with people who don’t eat meat.” Sunny shook her head. She’d been shocked when she’d learned that the witches were vegetarians.

“That’s one way of putting it.” A deep voice sounded from behind us. “In fact, you shouldn’t be friends.”

I spun around and stared into the eyes of a man who looked like an older version of Prescott.

“S

o … what do we have here?” The older man joined us on the patio and sat in a chair close to Amethyst and Coral, which made my skin crawl. His hair was slightly darker than Prescott’s light brown, and the alpha’s eyes were black, much like his soul. He adjusted his jeans, causing his black shirt to crinkle.

“A group of friends trying to enjoy lunch.” If he wanted to play a game, so be it.

“Well, the shifters I don’t mind, but there are three of you I’d rather see leave immediately,” he replied hatefully.

“We’re a package deal.” I wouldn’t let him talk down to my friends.

“Yes, I see that.” He laced his fingers together in front of his body. “Have we met before?”

Aidan linked with me, and his body stiffened beside me. He’s goading us.

Then, we have to be smarter. At least I hoped I could be. “Nope, but we get that a lot.” I forced a smile, suggesting I wasn’t concerned. “But with a group of college kids like ours, I’m sure it’s hard to tell us all apart.”

He tapped his pointer finger against his hand. “I’m certain that’s not it.”

If he wanted to force me into admitting something, he would be grossly disappointed. “Hmm, I’m not seeing it.”

Gabby batted her eyelashes. “I’m not even from this area, so I have to say you’ve been misinformed.”

“Oh, really now.” His face lit up. “Where are you from?”

She needs to stop talking. Aidan cleared his throat, diverting the alpha’s attention to him. “They’re family friends here visiting.”

The fact that the stench of a lie didn’t fill the air surprised me. He actually thought of them as family.

“You consider these witches family?” The alpha shifted his weight, leaning toward us.

Warning filled my body with its cold tendrils.

“Why? Is that not acceptable?” Aidan rubbed his chin.

We were playing a dangerous game here in front of every human that might be watching.

“Of course it isn’t.” The alpha’s eyes glowed faintly. “I would expect a Murphy to know that.”

There it was. There was no playing anymore. He knew.

“Well, you have your facts wrong. I’m not a Murphy.” Aidan lifted an eyebrow, and once again, the stench of a lie was absent. They disowned me, after all.

I hated that they had, but it was working in our favor. I wanted to apologize again, but it was futile. I hadn’t forced his hand; his father had when they’d attacked the coven for protecting us.

“Interesting.” The alpha tapped his fingers on the table. “You see, a coven and some shifters attacked us. I wasn’t there, but there is some sort of vengeance that needs to be had.”

It took everything inside me not to correct him. We hadn’t attacked them; they’d attacked us. But if I corrected him, that would confirm we’d been there. Right now, he was fishing.

Coral’s face turned pink in anger.

I decided to act fast before she blurted something incriminating and he declared war on us right then and there. “Well, I understand why you’d feel that way. I hope you find who you’re looking for.”

“Oh, we will.” The alpha straightened his shoulders. “You see, when we find the missing Murphy kid, it’ll make things come full circle.”

He can’t prove it’s you. The alpha had nothing to go on.

He placed his hand on my thigh. Yeah, I bet my dad is kicking himself tonight, but you’re worth it.

Good. I’d hate for you to resent me for it. There it was, my big fear. I never wanted him to regret choosing me.

Never. I only wish I’d made the decision sooner. He squeezed my hand. We wasted four years.

No, it made us who we needed to be to survive. I didn’t like to admit it, but after meeting Endora and hearing her story, it was true. We hadn’t been strong enough to fulfill an ancient prophecy and take on a secret society at fourteen. We’d required years to grow into the strong shifters we were today. “I’m sure everything will work out.” The words were hard to speak, but we had to reduce his suspicion as much as possible.

“Me too.” He stood. “Maybe the wolf shifters would like to join our pack for dinner? It’s not often we get visitors.”

If we said no, it would cause problems. I surveyed our group, and Ivory nodded, confirming what I already suspected. We had to say yes. “Sure, but not all of my friends are invited?”

Annoyance lined his face. “It’s in their best interest if they aren’t in attendance.”

They’re trying to separate us. Aidan nodded. “We’ll be there.”

“Perfect. Be there at sundown.” He turned and headed to leave. “Do you need directions?”

It was a test. “No, we’re good. We’ll see you then.” I purposely turned my attention back to the table, dismissing him.

Aidan chuckled. He hates that he mainly talked to you. He doesn’t like that you’re the leader of our little group.

That sounded about right. Eh, he’ll get over it.