“It’s different from your little shack.”
She gasped. “It’s a cottage, thank you. And I built it myself with help from the tree spirits.”
I smirked. “I guess your place has more meaning.”
Ivy poked my shoulder and gestured toward Harlow.
I rolled my eyes. She could stay mute and it would be a fucking blessing, but Harlow snapped her fingers and her nasally voice started up again.
“How dare you! You witch bitch!” Ivy screamed, alerting some of the pack members who started whispering among themselves. “Go to Riley alone!” She spun around and stalked back the way we came.
“Witch bitch,” Harlow mused. “I kind of like it. But being around that girl was exhausting. She had so many different emotions flowing through her.”
“Sounds about right.” I pulled her hand and led her into the packhouse.
“Okay, how does this fancy thing exist out here?” she asked, gesturing to the ballroom with marble floors and stark white panel walls we’d walked into.
“I don’t know. It’s been here since before I can remember.” I brought her up the winding staircase and down a long, wide hall and stopped in front of an oak door. I brought my fist up and knocked.
The door flung open and Riley threw herself at me. “Xavier Kingston! How dare you leave us for so long!” I dropped Harlow’s hand and patted Riley’s back. Her mate, Gabe, stood in the doorway behind her with a sheepish smile as she pulled away. “And who is this?”
Harlow’s apprehension came through the matebond, and I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Riley and Gabe are much nicer than Nolan and Ivy.”
Riley choked. “Don’t even compare me to my brat of a sister.”
“Or me to that mutt Nolan.” Gabe rolled his eyes.
Harlow smiled. “That’s nice to hear. I’m Harlow.”
“You’re not a werewolf.” Riley sniffed the air. “But not human either.”
Gabe took a whiff. “Is that... magic?”
I smelled her magic back before we first met. It lingered in the air around her. “Yes, my mate is a witch.”
“Mate?” They shared curious glances.
“I was surprised too, but the bond is unmistakable.”
“Well, please, come in. I’m sure you’re here for a reason,” Riley said, opening the door wide for us.
I had a fucking good reason, but I wasn’t sure if it would matter. Sophia refused to help after Olivia was killed for fear of our pack being taken down, but it was different now. It wasn’t just about avenging Olivia anymore, it was about Harlow’s parents too, and all the innocent lives Lockhart has taken and would continue to take unless he was stopped.
SEVENTEEN
Harlow
The Maxwell pack was not what I had expected. Ivy and Nolan were insufferable, and it completely blindsided me that beings could act that way, werewolves or not. It took a lot to upset me, but those two had me angry as soon as their mouths opened.
Riley and Gabe seemed better, but I was hesitant. They seemed to be unsure of me, probably because of Olivia. I knew she was killed, but did everyone have to bring her up like somehow me being here was a bad thing?
I crossed my legs and glanced around the office. It was painted grey, and it had one floor-to-ceiling window, which faced the cleared out part of the forest. Different wolves were sparring both in human and wolf form. On the white desk sat a thin laptop, a notebook lying open, and a stack of files sitting under a wolf-shaped paperweight which was fitting.
“I’m assuming you’re back because of Lockhart?” Riley crossed her arms over each other on the desk as she sat next to Gabe.
“Yes. Lockhart is ruthless. He has also sent several warriors after me, and Harlow got caught in the crossfire without me there to protect her.” Xavier’s fists were clenched.
Riley’s eyes widened. “How bad was she injured?”
“What makes you think I was injured?” I arched an eyebrow.
Xavier gave me a side glance. “She hurt her leg and foot. But healed it.”
“Healed it?” Gabe asked. “She can heal herself?”
“And others,” Xav said, and I glared at him.
He may know them and trust them, but I didn’t. Not yet, and I wasn’t sure if I would. They hadn’t hidden their suspicion of me, so why would I hide my suspicion of them?
He ducked his head. “But you know, not a big deal or anything.”
“That’s a huge deal!” Gabe had his mouth open. “So, what happened to the wolves?”
I shrugged. “I killed them.”
“How many were there?” Riley asked.
“Three.”
“How did you kill them?”
“None of your business.” I laced my fingers together in my lap with a smile.
Xavier kicked my foot as the two wolves stared at me like I was a puzzle to figure out. Curiosity simmered off them mixed with suspicion. It upset me. I didn’t know them or owe them a thing. I certainly didn’t want them to know all about my powers. It was private for witches.
“Anyway.” Xavier cleared his throat. “Lockhart has increased in killing innocents. He also ordered a hit on Harlow’s parents, which is why it is personal for her.”
Understanding flashed behind Riley’s eyes. “I’m going to be frank. I disagreed with Sophia for not avenging Olivia. A lot of people did. Lockhart has been a bigger pain in the ass than usual and needs to be brought down. I will back you on this, but we need a solid plan.”
Gabe nodded. “We will call for a meeting tomorrow morning and devise a plan.”
Xavier’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you both. I thought it would be harder to convince you.”
Riley shrugged. “Your dumbass will do it with or without us. I’d rather you not die. I miss you as a Beta. You were better suited.”
His face scrunched up. “Who did take over as—”
The door to the office opened, cutting him off, as a curly-headed auburn woman with glasses strolled in. She froze to the spot as she stared at Xav with infatuation clouding her eyes. “Xavier?”
Apprehension pulsed through the bond as he greeted her with a lift of
