“Of course not.” He put the car in PARK and reached over to take my hand. “I’m ready for my prize.”
“You aren’t leaving yet.”
“I never claimed it was a goodbye kiss.” His eyes once again flickered to my lips. “And honestly, I can’t get it off my mind.”
My heart raced as he leaned over the center console. “Wait, I need to tell you something first.” I had to somehow make him want to stop.
“Nothing you say will change my mind.” His fingertips touched my cheek, ever so gently caressing it.
“But we probably should know certain things before doing this.” My wolf and body yearned for his touch, but I didn’t want him to regret his decision. I was determined to make him see how wrong this was for all of us.
“We have all the time in the world to learn them.” His lips brushed against mine softly at first, causing electricity to course through my body.
Not able to refuse him any longer, I opened my mouth, and my tongue ran along his lips.
He groaned and wrapped his fingers in my hair, opening his mouth and matching my tongue, brush for brush.
My wolf surged forward, and a low growl emanated from my throat. The intensity began to grow between us, and my wolf lashed against my body.
Shit, she was trying to force the change on me. I gasped and jerked back, grabbing my head.
“Elena, what’s wrong?” His voice was laced with concern.
“I need Rose.” I wasn’t ready for my uncle to know about me yet. Not now.
“A flower?” He glanced around outside like he was searching for some kind of blooming plant.
“No, witch.” With shaking hands, I grabbed my purse and pulled out the sticky note with her number written on it. “Call her, please. Take me to her.’ I had meant to make him run away by telling him a lie. But it appeared that the truth would have to do it. He already knew one of my secrets.
He unfolded the paper and grabbed his phone. It wasn’t long before she picked up.
“I’m calling for Elena. She’s screaming in pain, and she says she needs you now.” He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He squealed out of the yard to take me to her.
My wolf ran rampant inside, trying to force the change on me. If she gained it, she knew we’d finally be synced enough for her to have influence.
It took all my focus and energy to keep her in check.
“We’re here.” Mason’s tone was tense, and he turned off the car. “Are you sure we should be here?”
I slowly nodded my head, sweat covering my forehead. I didn’t have the energy to say no.
“Okay.” He jumped out of the car and opened the passenger door. He picked me up gently, and I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Luckily, the door was unlocked despite the sign being off. When he stepped inside, he pulled in a quick breath. “Witch.”
I was going to have to explain everything when this was all said and done. Maybe he’d keep my secret and leave without a fight. Then again, a part of me hoped the bond would make him want to stay, to at least protect me.
“Put her on the ground.” Rose ran into the room with her bowl. She grabbed a dagger from the counter and scrambled the rest of the way to me. “You’re almost too late.” She dropped to her knees and reached for my hand. “You have to pay the price, or the spell won’t work.”
“Get that away from her. What the hell?” Mason’s voice was laced with warning.
“Each spell requires a sacrifice.” The witch ignored him as her eyes stayed on mine. “I’m sorry.”
“Do … it ....” The vampires couldn’t be worse than my uncle.
She nodded as she reached over and picked up my hand.
“What the hell. Do not cut her.” Mason’s voice was more rasp than tone at this point.
“It’s not your decision,” Rose spoke harshly as she pierced my finger and took a drop of my blood.
My wolf roared more in desperation. She knew what was going to happen.
Rose touched my hand and mouthed the words of the spell.
Magic swirled inside me and slammed my wolf back inside her cage. As soon as her spell was completed, she ran to the back room with my blood.
I took a deep breath and relished the fact that the internal struggle was gone.
“She was close to breaking free.” She appeared from the back room and raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” My voice was barely a whisper. The fight between me and my wolf had been tiring. I was exhausted, and it took every ounce of strength to get up from the floor. “But we need to talk.”
“I’d have to agree with that statement.” Mason leaned against the cash register, staring at me as I remained sitting on the ground.
“Hey, I tried.” I wasn’t going to take any of his shit over this. I had already decided to come clean before we kissed. He was the one who was going to take the fall on that one. “Don’t get mad and grumbly on me. We can talk when we get home.” My eyes settled on Rose. “I want to know what you’re using my blood for.”
“That’s none of your concern.” She lifted her head and shook it at me. “That breaks our arrangement.”
If she thought that was going to work, the bitch had another thing coming.
Chapter Twelve
“That all changed when a fucking vampire recognized my scent.” If she thought she could play the innocent card, I knew I’d have to call her bluff now. I only hoped that Mason would stay quiet and ask
