Page 74 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“I promise I’ll do everything I can to show you that I’ll be the best mate possible for you. Thank you for being so understanding about this. I hate that I sprung it on you like this, though.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “Really. Do you want to come in? I have some iced tea.”

“That sounds great.”

As we stepped inside, I had the strange feeling that she might not have been as fine as she said. The worry and anxiety in my chest hadn’t abated. In fact, as we drank tea on the front porch, it only grew.

Chapter 21

Kirsten

The longer I thought about it, the more I realized I needed to see Tinsley again. I’d looked through every book and had found multiple ways to cure Eren’s friend, but I had no idea which one would work best. Nothing about Eren made me want to help him, but if doing a quick spell could get him off my and Jace’s back, it would be better for us all.

Before Jace had left after telling me that he would be breaking the news to the pack, he’d patrolled the property to see if anyone was or had been snooping around. If I went to the city, he’d want to know, and I didn’t want him to worry. When I called and told him my plans for the day, he’d raced over.

“I want to scope out the perimeter and head up and down the main road, too. Check for anyone lurking,” he said when he arrived.

“Are you sure Eren is having me watched?” I asked, shivering a bit at the thought.

He looked out into the woods around my cabin, and I sensed he wanted to say something important but shrugged it off. “No telling, but better safe than sorry. I wouldn’t put anything past that fucker.”

Once Jace had ensured nothing was amiss, he kissed me goodbye.

“I’ll text you when I’m on the way home,” I said.

“Be careful. I’ll see you later.”

Seeing him standing there, waving as I pulled away, I recalled our talk the day before. I’d been happy to have him ask me to be his mate, but it was all so fast. I’d read stories about people who met, fell in love, and married all in one month. That was fine for them, but I didn’t think I could handle that. It was all too much.

My brain wouldn’t shut off the entire drive to St. Louis. A tickle at the back of my mind, a scratch in my throat, tempting me to speak out, to sabotage all of this. The main thing that scared me was that I’d trusted men before and ended up disappointed. What if I trusted Jace and the same thing happened? It was terrifying having this new thing between the two of us. Something I’d never felt before, and it scared me.

To get my mind off it. I called Tinsley’s shop to let her know I was coming for a visit. I didn’t want to drop by unannounced.

“Inner Enchantments, this is Tinsley. How may I help you?”

“Hey. It’s Kirsten Holly. I’ve been up there a few times.”

“Kirsten, oh my gosh. Yeah, is everything all right?”

“Yup. I’m coming to the store. I just didn’t want to barge in like the last two times.”

“Can’t wait to see you. It’s been a bit dead, so I’ll enjoy the company.”

“Cool. Um, before I get there, is there any way you can get some books or stuff? I have a specific problem I want to look into.”

“Of course. What do you want to check on?”

I bit my lip, knowing how this was going to sound. “I wanted to, uh, look at spells and potions to cure infertility?” I ventured.

A pause, then a chuckle on the other end of the line. “I see. That’s exciting. Well, I guess we can get more in-depth when you get here.”

“It’s not what you—” I stopped speaking. She’d already hung up. “Ugh.” Embarrassing.

The store was empty when I arrived. Tinsley already had several books and what looked like magazines out. Those were actually soft-bound books that looked like they would have been new around the time Moses led his people from Egypt.

“So?” she said when I entered. “Already getting baby fever?”

“That’s not what this is about,” I said. I gave her the lowdown on what was going on with Eren and what he wanted me to do.

---