Page 24 of Magic's Rise

“What?” His brows arch. “Feminine hygiene? It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“All part of the cycle of life.” Tris walks over and plucks the sock from my foot, leaving my toes cold. “Also, you can’t get pregnant with your IUD.”

I drop my hands back to my lap. “They’re planning some kind of super, wolf-sperm thing.”

“Even if they are, which I doubt, it won’t work.” He slips my sock over his hand and rubs it against my thigh. “That’s not how wolf sperm works.”

Eyes wide with trust, I stare up at my BFF. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” He touches my nose, zapping me with a tiny lightning bolt and making me jump. “There’s nothing super about what’s in their balls. Dr. Shultz even confirmed it when I asked.”

Still uncertain, I peer over his shoulder at Owen, who nods, but Haut stays suspiciously quiet.

“Nope.” I make an X-mark over my nether regions with my arms. “Rowe is closed for business.”

Haut snorts. “Like that will last.”

“It will because I’m going to Silver Hollow.” I take my sock back from Tris and put it on. “I’m serious about this.”

“The hell you?—”

Owen’s hand on Haut’s arm stops him, and soft blue eyes meet mine. “Why do you want to go?”

“They need help with their barrier.” My shoulders square. “It’s failing like Hartford Cove’s was. If it falls, all supernaturals will be at risk.”

Haut scoffs. “Then let them find their own witch.”

“Time is too limited for that. Levi came here as a last resort.” I slide off the table and walk to him. “This is the right thing to do, and you know it. I’ll be back by the end of the festival.”

The muscle in his jaw clenches before he finally sighs. “Fine, but I’m going with you.”

I shake my head. “With how many strangers there are in town?—”

“You’re not leaving Hartford Cove again without me.” A feral light enters his eyes, and his breaths quicken. “That is not negotiable.”

Worried he’ll slip too far into his wolf again, I press a hand over his racing heart. “It will be okay. I’m not running away this time.”

“If you’re going on this adventure, I’d be more comfortable if Haut was by your side,” Owen adds. “I want to go myself, but my position as Alpha is already tenuous.”

“All the more reason for Haut to stay to back you up!” I look to Tris. “Tell them.”

He shakes his head. “Owen’s a big bad Alpha, more than capable of handling himself.”

“And I’ll be here to watch his back.” Ambros touches my hand. “I can’t leave the vampires here without a leader. Not with so many new wolves around.”

“Fine, Haut can come with me to Silver Hollow.” We need his car anyway.

“And me.” Tris slings an arm around my shoulders. “Where you go, I go.”

“Well, duh.” I lean into his side. “But will Dr. Shultz be okay if you’re not here?”

Tris has been taking on more and more responsibilities at the vet/clinic, and with how packed the town is, that just means there’s more potential for injuries.

“She has her husband for back up, and a few of the new wolves are trained in medicine.” He squeezes me close. “They’re thinking of staying, so this will be a good trial by fire for them.”

“Great.” I clap my hands to settle the matter. “Now, we just need to tell Levi. Where is he?”

“Cooling his heels in lockup.” Haut glares at the floor beneath our feet. “Where he can stay until morning.”

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