Page 40 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“You’re worried about me?” Kirsten asked, her voice softer and less heated than it had been a moment before.

“I’m not a monster, Kirsten. I’m not forcing you to stay there out of spite. I told you about the history.” I glanced around and kept my voice low in case anyone was around. “Not all shifters have a good view of witches.” Including me, I didn’t add. “I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to someone under my protection. My pack wouldn’t hurt you, but it would raise questions, and word would get out to other packs.”

“I get that, and I appreciate your concern. I really do. It would still be nice if I could get a few things for myself. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind picking them up, but maybe it would be okay if I bought tampons and ice cream when it’s that time of the month?”

“Oh, God,” I groaned. “Are sanitary towels on the list?”

Kirsten laughed at that, a real, honest-to-God belly laugh. The sound of it sent a warm shiver down my spine, and my wolf chuffed with satisfaction.

“No,” she said after recovering. “But I’ve been reading some of these books on spells and stuff, and a ton of these things require fresh herbs and stuff. Is there a nursery or something in town that sells seeds? I want to plant a bunch of stuff around the cabin and see if I can practice some things. See if I have any talent at potions or whatever.”

“We have a garden center. It’s a little mom-and-pop place, but they have herbs and seeds. Text me the full list of all the things you need, and I’ll bring them by.”

An hour later, I pulled into her driveway, meeting her at the mailbox like last time. Kirsten got out of her own car and met me at the back hatch of my truck.

“I do appreciate this,” she said, taking a bag of groceries from me.

I’d thought a lot about what she’d said while shopping for her, and I had a compromise that would work.

“I could allow you to shop in town,” I began.

“Really?” Kirsten looked dubious.

“Yeah, but if—and only if—you figure out how to mask the scent of your magic. The same way your grandmother must have done. Either that, or give me several weeks to slowly let my pack know a witch is living nearby and make sure they understand you’re here as my guest.”

“I’ve got a lot more reading to do, but I’m sure there’s something in the books that could help,” Kirsten mused. “I’ll take a look. I found a chapter on protective wards. Once I get through that, I think I’ll be able to figure out a way to drop the barrier around the cabin.”

I turned, surprised by that. “Seriously? Already? I figured it would take some time for you to get the hang of this.”

“So did I, and I’m not very deep into this yet, but I’m starting to sense things,” she said. She lifted a hand and brushed her fingers against a crystal that hung at her neck. “I can feel the… magic inside me now. It’s getting stronger, especially now that I know.” She placed the groceries in her trunk and glanced at me, a blush blooming on her cheeks. “To tell you the truth, it gets even stronger when you’re around.”

I thought about my conversation with Eren. As much as I wanted to come and go from the cabin, I didn’t want that protection dropped until I knew exactly what his plans were. I could put my feelings and desires aside if it meant Kirsten was safe.

“Maybe wait to drop the ward until you’ve figured out how to put up one to replace it.” I shrugged. “One that will allow me in, but still keep the assholes away. You know,” I added quickly. “Just so I know you’re safe.”

She caught my eye, and we stood like that for several seconds, silence enveloping us. The moment grew heavy and intense. My wolf was damn near clawing at my skull, desperate for me to step closer. To wrap my arms around her and pull her body close to mine. Thankfully, I was still in charge and managed to maintain my composure. Though, it was a struggle.

“Okay. Sure,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips.

With an effort, I took a step back. “Uh, I grabbed you a couple other things I thought might help.”

Kirsten blinked and shook herself, obviously throwing off the same strange feeling I was struggling with. “Really?”

“Yeah.” I hurried back to my truck and opened the passenger door. When I turned back to her, I held a cardboard box filled with herb seedlings. “I thought this would help speed things along. I got seeds, too. I got wolfsbane, catnip, basil, citronella, and dill. It was all they had from that list that were already potted.”

“Wow.” Kirsten took the box from me and looked down at the seedlings. “Thank you.”

“Let me know if you need anything else,” I said as I climbed into the driver’s seat.

“I will.” She lifted the box again. “Seriously, thank you for this.”

Giving me a bright smile, she got into her car. My wolf whined as she departed. No matter how badly I fought against it, I couldn’t deny how I felt when I was near her. Gritting my teeth, I turned out of her driveway, unsure what to do next.

Chapter 11

Kirsten

I rummaged around in the storage shed behind the cabin for the rubber knee pad Nana had used for gardening. After digging it out, I knelt outside below the kitchen window, sprinkling seeds into the flower bed. I’d fashioned a label for each little patch of herbs with some old disposable plastic plates from the pantry.

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