"Marci, you can't just hide here. You have a guest that we need to greet."
She cringed but proceeded to drag her feet down the steps.
"Promise me you won't let him get to you?" she asked. "My ex. He's very good at manipulation. Don't let him get to you."
A rock sat at the bottom of her stomach. The bitterness surfaced of her ex and his ability to make everything seem like her fault. If she'd only been skinnier, only had a better job, only gave up her job and catered to his every whim; if she'd just stop being her.
No, She didn't want to see him, but maybe this was the final closure she needed.
"I. I'm going to head over. I'll meet you there?"
She didn't turn back but listened to the tinkle of Franks collar.
"Yeah. Okay. Frank and I are right behind you."
She clutched the door and opened her senses as she opened the door. The wind and the truth hit her in the face, cold and bitter. Her mother hadn't come to check on her; she'd sent one more pawn.
She marched head first into a past that she'd slam the door on once and for all.
14
A slow burn of acid replaced his blood. Everything tingled. Flexing his hands and clenching his teeth was all he could do to keep himself in check. The bear snarling, teeth bared.
She was his mate. Jealousy of someone having touched her in the past, and the anger that he'd interfere now, boiled within him. Everything screamed to mark her. Claim her as his own.
Caleb couldn't though. Not yet. He wouldn't do that, not like this. Or would he?
A small luxury car sat dripping gray snow as it melted. The cocky shit raised a brow as she stepped closer. This was what she'd agreed to marry?
Caleb's brow creased. A long trench coat, shiny black shoes, and hair so shiny from some grease Caleb almost laughed. Had this thing just crawled out of some magician's hat? He couldn't please Marci, ever. She'd eat him alive.
Caleb wouldn't mind offering to beat some sense into the little grease stain if she'd let him.
"Marci Adams. What the hell is going on here? I drive out here, and you're not where you said you'd be. This is highly unlike you." He paused as his eyes landed on Caleb.
"Who's this guy. Hey fellow, stop following her."
The guy waved his hand at Caleb like he was some gnat.
Caleb came to a stop as Marci paused, keeping her an arms length away to give her space, and him the ability to keep her safe.
Her energy pulsed like a heartbeat; he felt it even now. She was his.
The vibrations of her magic were so different, nothing like his. Curious that he hadn't marked her, and yet, he still felt her.
He ignored it. "Answer the boy, Marci. Who am I?" He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze on one shoulder.
"No. I don't have to answer to Jeff. Not anymore."
Caleb sputtered in laughter as he watched the guy's eyes nearly pop out of his head.
"Marci Adams. Who the hell is that? Get away from my fiancé."
He slammed the door behind him and started towards them.
Instinct flared. His bear demanded to be released, but Caleb pushed him back and stepped around their mate.
"I wouldn't come any closer," Caleb growled through clenched teeth.
"Who do you think you are. Some lumberjack? You aren't a warlock, why would she be of any interest. You know she can't spin you gold, or change your wood into something valuable. You keep yourself in check, and we won't have any issues."
He laughed. "We have issues if you think she's still yours."
"Caleb, move. Let me do this."
"What do you mean think? My family has a contract with her family. She is mine. Besides, she knows we were good together. Don't you, Marci."
Caleb vibrated with anger. He wouldn't step aside; he couldn't control the shift much longer if this guy came closer.
"Caleb. Let me talk to him. Please. Let me handle this."
She ran a hand over him as she came around. He tried to calm.
"Great. You're some kind of territorial creature. Let me guess. One of those shifter things. God. You're all the same. You think you can claim whatever woman you want. Ridiculous. The whole lot of you."
"Jeff. Stop baiting him. You have no right even to be here."
The static fog of anger clouded around him. This guy needed his face rearranged, maybe a new hole to breathe out of.
"Marci. I'm dead serious. We have a contract," Jeff said.
Energy rolled off her.
"No, Jeff. I believe that if either party proved to be of little value to the family or the partnership the contract would be void. Perhaps you should have read your family's contract. I do believe that you sleeping with everyone except me makes you of little value?"
He raised his hand and pointed. "Marci. You stop this nonsense. My father expects you back in two days. You know what that line means. It means should your powers not be helpful to the business or my family. Don't be stupid. I won't tell them of your little transgression if you come quietly."
Caleb couldn't see her face, but the snow around her seemed to be melting at an alarming rate.
"Although, I highly suggest you go through a purifying ritual before the marriage. I'm sure you have that things stench all over you."
Caleb snarled and as he took a single step, Marci blocked him.
God, he was going to fucking explode and rip that fucker's throat out in a second.
"No. Jeff, don't you worry. Please give my regards to your father. I won't be coming home to marry you. We're done. You can go now."
She took a step forward.
"Marci.
