14. Jace

The night before hadn't gone exactly as planned. First, Shayna had come by to bust my balls about something, but I hadn't given her the opportunity because I kept asking if she or her mate Dustin had noticed anything about Eren or heard anything weird about Kirsten. She'd finally given up.

When Kirsten had shown up, I'd been over the moon, but my wolf had damn near completely taken over. Things had gotten intense—fast.

I'd barely slept. I needed to see her, talk things out. With a clear head, maybe we could discuss what she'd learned.

If I was her tether, then this pull between us had nothing to do with the curse. That wasn't something anyone, even a witch, could cause. It would be like trying to shake hands with God. There were many powerful witches in history, but not one of them could force someone to be a witch's tether. Keeping me from finding a mate was child's play compared to that.

Which brought up another uncomfortable question. If I was her tether, and Kirsten was my fated mate, did that mean none of this was related to the curse at all? Could both things be natural occurrences?

Halfway out the door to go see Kirsten, my phone rang. As I dug into my pocket, I experienced a little thrill of boyish excitement. Maybe it was Kirsten. The thought of hearing her voice made my heart flutter like I was a little kid on Christmas morning.

My happiness and excitement faded like a plane going down in flames when I saw the name on the caller ID.

Eren Miller.

With something like a sigh and a growl, I answered. "What do you want, Eren?"

"Is that any way to greet a fellow alpha, Mr. Stone?"

"I said, what the fuck do you want? I'm busy and don't have time for bullshit."

"Fine, fine. I'll cut to the chase. We've chosen a location for the annual mating party. It'll be on my pack lands. I have the perfect location to host."

"Uh, excuse me?" I bit out. "That's news to me? That isn't a decision you can make unilaterally, Eren. Or did you forget that it's a partnership between the five nearest packs?"

Asshole was trying to call shots without discussing it with us? What kind of balls did he have? The mating party was a tradition my father and a few other alphas had begun nearly a hundred-and-fifty years ago. The main reason was to show unity and happy cohabitation with the other packs. The true reason was so younger shifters could meet and mingle with others and hopefully meet their fated mate.

I would have thought the whole thing a silly, pointless tradition if not for the fact that Shayna had met and fallen for Dustin at the party three years before. Regardless, the location was always discussed beforehand, and in all the years I'd been alpha, I'd always voted against having the party on Eren's pack lands. The guy was a sleazeball. The party was supposed to be peaceful, with no fighting allowed, but I didn't trust Eren as far as I could throw him.

Eren barked a laugh. "If you wanted to vote against it, then why weren't you on the call last night?"

"Call?" I asked dumbly, eyes narrowing. "What call?"

Eren chuckled, and my skin crawled at the sound of it. White-hot anger exploded in my chest. "Something funny?" I said, hoping he could hear how pissed I was.

"You know," Eren said, "when Dustin told me you brushed off your sister Shayna when she was trying to get you to check your email, we all assumed you would join in on the call, confirming. You are that type of person, aren't you? Too big and important to deal with a reminder from the little sis?"

I froze, the sudden and undeniable fear that I'd forgotten something very important drenching me like ice water dumped from a bucket. Email? I switched the phone to speaker, and while Eren kept blathering about how unreliable an alpha I was, I pulled up my email app. I'd been so preoccupied with Kirsten and the curse that I couldn't even remember the last time I checked it.

The first unread email I had was from almost a week ago from Ivy Shaw, alpha of the Goldstone Pack an hour north of Crestwood. It had been sent to everyone to inform them of the conference call to discuss the mating party.

My stomach dropped as I scanned the responses. Every alpha had given a thumbs-up to the meeting—that is, every alpha except me. The next email was from Dustin, checking that everyone was okay with the meeting time. That had been sent two days ago. Suddenly, I remembered the conversation Shayna and I had right before Kirsten had arrived. She'd shown up out of the blue, and I'd been in a shit mood.

"Hey, brother. Are you good for tonight?"

"Do you know what I've got going on right now?" I asked, exasperated. "What are you talking about?"

Shayna sighed, rolling her eyes. "The thing tonight. Dustin wanted me to—"

"It's fine," I'd said, cutting her off. "It's all good. Don't worry."

She eyed me with that pissy look she got when I was treating her like her dad rather than her brother. Finally, she flopped her arms down at her sides.

"Okay. I'll tell Dustin you're good."

If Kirsten hadn't shown up, I probably would have texted Dustin to find out what Shayna had been going on about. But Kirsten had shown up. Her smell, her voice, the way her body had looked, all of it had made my wolf go mad. All other thoughts had fled my mind. I'd forgotten about the conversation, and now I'd have to pay for it. I closed my eyes, wincing at my screw-up.

"You still there?" Eren asked.

"I'm here," I snapped. "Your place. Just send the location details."

"I'm glad to hear that."

If I didn't allow my pack to participate this year because of my feelings toward Eren, not only would I look like a dick to the other alphas, but to my own people as well. Everyone looked forward to the mating party. I couldn't be the lone holdout. Not when people were relying on the gathering to possibly find a mate. As much as it pained me, I'd have to bring my pack to Eren's location.

"I've got a great spot," Eren went on. "Everyone was really excited about a new venue. Honestly, it was a moot point, you not being there. It was unanimous. Your vote wouldn't have mattered, anyway. It's going to be an amazing party."

"Uh-huh," I said, desperate for the call to end.

"Listen," Eren said, his voice going low. Conspiratorial. "Can I ask why you barred Kirsten from your town? You told me she was your fated mate. If that's the truth, why keep her all cooped up there in that little cabin?"

"Is this really what we're going to talk about?" I asked.

"Is it because she's a witch? I didn't take you for the bigoted kind. I mean, I know things between witches and shifters have been a little tense over the last several centuries, but this seems a little extreme, doesn't it? I'd have thought you'd jump at the chance to align your pack with a witch. You'd be the first since the schism to have an alliance with a witch. That would automatically make you one of the most powerful packs in the world."

"Are you going somewhere with this?"

"All I'm saying is there are advantages, and I can't figure out why you aren't taking them. Think of the power she could help you attain, the spells she could do for you. And I bet that pretty little tongue could do some amazing things."

"Enough," I growled.

My inner wolf had been patient, letting him spout his nonsense, but we'd both reached our limit with his bullshit. He had some kind of fixation on Kirsten, and it was time to end that shit right here and now.

"I'm going to say this one more time," I said. "Kirsten is off-limits. To everyone."

Unperturbed, Eren said, "I don't get this weird chivalry you feel toward her. Witches are meant to be owned. Used. That's their purpose. Hell, they created us. We're stronger, faster, more powerful. You'd be a fool not to take what has been offered up to you on a silver platter."

"I'm not you," I snapped. "I have no intention of using Kirsten. And if that's what you think about witches, maybe you need to reread the history. We were supposed to be their companions, but we turned on them. That's how I read it."

Eren chuckled. "I should have known someone as weak as you would see the world that way, but I shouldn't be surprised. A weak response from a weak alpha."

I snarled and prepared for a comeback, but the line went silent before I could speak again. Seething, I stared at the phone, forcing myself not to toss the fucking thing into the forest. There was no way I could go see Kirsten now. Not with how angry I was after that conversation.

Eren knew who and what she was, but he was right. It was wrong of me to keep her confined to her cabin. All it would take was for Eren or one of his minions to spread the word, and then soon my whole pack would know there was a witch in their midst. Not only that, but they'd know their alpha had hidden it from them. Honestly, it surprised me that Eren hadn't done that already. I had to cut this off before it went too far.

Instead of throwing my phone, I dialed Waylan.

"What's up, buddy?"

"I'm going to cut to the chase," I said. "I need to call an emergency meeting this afternoon, so get the other council members on it. As soon as everyone can be there. We'll meet in the rec center behind the school."

"Emergency meeting?" Waylan sounded nervous and confused. "What's going on?"

"It's time to tell the town what's going on."

"Your curse?" Waylan barked. "You're telling them?"

"Oh shit, no," I said quickly. "About Kirsten being a witch, I mean. I want to give her access to the town. I can't tell them about the curse. Not now, because Kirsten might be able to help. If that doesn't pan out, then…" I trailed off. "Maybe then I'll own up. For now, it's just about Kirsten. Get Stephanie and Abigail to help. Make sure Langston's there, too, in case there's any uproar. Hopefully not, but it'll be good to have him on hand."

Langston Monroe was the final member of my town council. The hulking enforcer had taken over as the sole police force in Crestwood when his father, Tatum Monroe, retired. As the alpha, I dealt with large-scale issues and problems, but I was only one person. Smaller things—bar fights, domestic arguments, shoplifting, things like that—I left to Langston. He was more or less the de facto sheriff of Crestwood.

"All right," Waylan said. "I'll talk to them, and we'll start making calls and sending texts."

"Good," I said. "I want this done, and soon."

A few hours later, Waylan and the others proved they could do the impossible. Nearly the whole pack was jammed into the rec center, wall to wall and front to back. The only ones not in attendance were folks who couldn't get off work on short notice or were out of town for vacations or business. But from the looks of it, ninety-five percent of the pack was here.

Waylan stood near the back door beside Langston. Stephanie and Abigail flanked either side of the room at the emergency exits. I stepped up to the lectern at the front of the room, and the murmurs of conversation died almost instantly. Everyone was excited and nervous to hear what was so important.

"Good afternoon, everyone," I began.

There were some mutterings in return, but silence took over once again. With all those eyes staring back at me, I decided it would be best if I came right out and said what was going on. No beating around the bush. Just rip the Band-Aid off.

"I had our council members call you here so I could give you some information. I think most, if not all of you, know of the old cabin just on the outskirts of our territory? A woman named Lola Holly used to stay there on occasion and sometimes brought her granddaughter along. Her granddaughter is now an adult and is staying at the cabin for the summer. Her name is Kirsten Holly, and she's a witch."

I'd expected a huge eruption of questions, accusations, and fear. What I hadn't expected was the initial two or three seconds of dead silence. After that, the noise came, a wall of sound as pack members broke into conversation and raised their voices to ask questions.

At the back of the room, Langston leaned in to whisper in Waylan's ear. From the big man's shocked expression, Waylan had kept the secret well. Abigail was staring at me with open-mouthed wonder. Stephanie, however, was frowning at me and looked a little upset at the news.

Once the noise began to subside a bit, I raised my hand to quiet them. "I know this is a shock. That's why I wanted this to come out now rather than to have it slowly spread and cause chaos. I want to allow her access to the town to shop, dine, what have you."

"Why's she here?" a woman up front called out. "Is she spying on us? Does she want to curse someone? We all know witches hate shifters."

"Good questions," I admitted, and Waylan raised an eyebrow at me. I wasn't going to admit that I'd already been cursed by a woman who lived in that house a hundred years ago. "Ms. Holly had no knowledge of witches until a few days ago. She's a latent witch only now coming into her powers. There is no fear that she has ill intent."

"Bullshit!" a man near Abigail shouted. "Witches get their power at sixteen. If she's saying otherwise, she's lying. And if she's lying, then she has something to hide."

"I think this is a great thing!" an older woman called out, shouting down the other man. "Shifters and witches have been enemies for too long. Why can't we welcome her? We could be the first to mend the relationship."

The argument went back and forth. Many for Kirsten being able to visit, a small minority wanting her to stay away, and an even smaller group wanting us to actively encourage her to leave all together.

"I'm with Devin," someone said, pointing across the room. "She has to be lying. No offense, Jace, but I think she's pulling one over on you by saying she's a new witch."

"I don't think we can trust her," a familiar voice said, and my stomach dropped. Stephanie had stepped forward. "She's a witch, Jace. How can we ever trust her? I don't like it."

"I vetted her," I said, and my anger rippled through the words. Stephanie flinched. "I spoke with her, and I put my reputation on the line. I say she's telling the truth."

"That's what I mean, though," another pack member, Brock, said. "Jace, she can say all she wants. But in the end, we can never know whether it's true."

Langston stepped forward, then. "Are you saying our alpha is incapable of telling when someone is lying? Is that what you're saying, Brock? Stephanie? Because I don't like where those comments are heading." He gestured at me. "If Jace says he vetted her, then that's that. An alpha's word is law, and our alpha has honor, unlike some others. My vote is that she has free rein in town."

Hearing that from a council member, as well as a giant and formidable man, hushed most of the dissenting voices.

"I don't rule with an iron fist," I said. "I won't do anything without my pack voting. So, all for Kirsten Holly being able to come to town, raise your hands."

A large majority raised their hands, and inwardly, I breathed a sigh of relief. On the surface, I kept my face passive and calm.

"And all those against?" I asked.

A smattering of hands rose, but only a few. Unfortunately, Stephanie was one of them. I met her eyes as she raised her hand, and the look on her face was one of distrust and hurt. Maybe she thought I should have told the whole council what the deal was before the meeting. In hindsight, that may have been the best way to go.

"All right. Motion passed," I said. "I'll head out to Kirsten's place later and give her the news. I want to be clear, though, I expect everyone to welcome this woman. There will be no foul behavior toward her. Your alpha has spoken, and your pack has voted. If I hear of anyone being nasty, you will come talk to me, and it will not be a pleasant talk." I paused, letting my words sink in. "You are all dismissed to go on back to whatever you were doing. Thank you for your time."

The crowd filed out, murmured conversations rumbling through the building as they did. Waylan gave me a thumbs-up. As she made for the back door, Stephanie glanced back at me, gave a slight shake of her head, and rounded the corner.

Well, that was a kick in the stomach. I'd need to mend fences with her. My council needed to be on the same page. Stephanie might be upset now, but I'd have to make her see this was for the best.

I waited until that night to go over to Kirsten's place, mostly so I could work up the courage. This was a business meeting, and I didn't need my wolf to take over and give me a raging erection while we spoke. By eight o'clock, when I felt like I finally had myself under control, I drove over. I didn't want to shift and give my wolf the energy to push me.

The lights were on in the cabin when I pulled up, and I turned the truck off and walked up the steps to the door. After knocking firmly three times, I stepped back to wait. My careful planning and internal discussion with my wolf vanished the moment Kirsten opened the door.

I gaped at her.

Her hair hung in wet ringlets around her neck and shoulders, black and glistening with moisture. She wore a robe that left little to the imagination, a satiny thing that clung to the wetness of her skin, the hem brushing the middle of her thighs. She must have just gotten out of the shower.

I swallowed hard and did my best not to look at the curve of her breasts. Apparently, I should have called first.

"Uh, hi," I said, clenching my hands into fists to keep my composure.

"Jace? Is something wrong?"

Despite my warning to myself, I couldn't help my gaze from traveling up and down her body a second time, taking all of her in. Kirsten's breathing picked up. I could even hear her heart rate climb.

"I…" My voice was gravel. Clearing my throat, I went on. "I had a meeting with the pack. They've all agreed to let you into town to shop. You're welcome to come and go as you please."

Her eyes widened. "Really? Wow. Thanks, that means a lot. I appreciate it." She smiled and bit her lower lip. "Uh, does that mean I won't be getting any more deliveries from you?"

That did it. I couldn't stop myself from taking two quick steps forward, almost pressing myself against her. Only heroic willpower and my respect for her stopped me from dragging her forward for a kiss.

Kirsten gasped at my sudden movement, but she didn't move away. We stood like that, her breasts grazing my chest with each breath. I was hard already, my cock throbbing in my pants.

"No more deliveries," I whispered. "Not unless you ask. But make no mistake, we have unfinished business."

Kirsten looked up at me, pupils dilating until they looked like black pools. Her lips twitched slightly as though she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words, and her breathing came in shallow pants. God, I wanted her. All I could think of was tearing that thin robe from her body and taking her right there on the threshold, but I restrained myself. Even if her eyes, body, and scent told me she wanted me, too, I had to hear it from her mouth. Once I heard those words—and only when I heard those words—would I give her what she wanted.

What I wanted.

Reaching forward, I took a lock of her hair and twirled it around my fingers. "You'll need to tell me when you're ready," I whispered. "When you can finally admit to yourself that you want me the way I want you, say the words. Tell me, and I will do it. In a second. Remember that."

I tucked her hair behind her ear, then strode away. My wolf howled at me to turn around and go back, to take her in my arms, but I resisted. God only knew how.

When I got into my truck and backed up, I looked at the porch. Kirsten stood there, hand on her chest. If she did want me, she'd have to do what I'd done—tear down the walls that held her back. Until then, we'd both be frustrated.