Chapter 108

While Genevieve braced for a fight with me, I stepped outside to smoke. At least, that was what I told her. I needed to make a phone call—one I didn’t want her to listen to. I walked the border of our yard with a lit cigarette between my lips as the phone rang on repeat. Every time it went to voicemail, I hung up and tried again.

“What fucking part of leave a goddamn message don’t you get?” Lane demanded when he answered.

“Who did you fuck in Reno?” I asked instead.

“Which time? I’ve been there many times.”

“This last time,” I said. “She might’ve had purple hair.”

“Ah, the little witch,” he murmured. “She was feisty. Fun to throw around. Why do you ask?”

“Because you slept with a fucking hunter,” I told him. “My hunter. And she cursed your heart.”

“She tried,” Lane scoffed. “Her magic was shoddy at fucking best. That was your hunter?”

“Yeah. She cursed you so I wouldn’t be able to get your help while she hunted my pack.”

“You really did fucking step in it, didn’t you?” He chuckled. “Look, it was a crappy fucking attempt to curse my heart. I just figured she was one novice witch that I fucked and forgot to call back.”

“So, you’re good? You’re not going to fucking die on me?” I replied.

“It’s nice you fucking care,” Lane said. “But you can’t kill the immortal. Might’ve fucking hurt for a hot minute, but then I would’ve fucking ripped her apart.”

“You can’t,” I told him. “You wouldn’t have been able to. Your magic doesn’t work on hunters.”

“I’m aware now of what she is,” he retorted. “Why are you calling, wolf boy? I doubt you give a fuck about my goddamn heart.”

“I need your help.” He was right. I didn’t give two fucks about his heart. I was too fucking worried about my pack. “I need you here.”

“I can’t beat her magic, Killian. I can’t do what you’re thinking I can.”

“No, no…. I know you can’t. But even without your magic, you’re single-handedly the strongest person I know,” I stated. Yeah, maybe I was appealing to his fucking ego, but it was the truth. “I need your help to protect my family. I know you’ve got your own shit going on and I wouldn’t push the fucking matter if it wasn’t important. I need someone here in case…”

I couldn’t say the words.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Lane said quietly and ended the call.

I exhaled slowly and glanced back at our house. Genevieve stood on the back porch, arms crossed as she watched me closely. How much had she overheard? Did she understand how much I fucking hated this? Would she hate me for doing it?

I hoped to hell she understood I had to do this for her. I had to do this for all of them.