Page 33 of Howling for Cupcakes

“He ripped that dream away from you,” Molly finished softly, understanding and sorrow etched into the lines of her face. “Oh, Mari. I’m so sorry.”

Mari shrugged, the ache of that loss a familiar weight on her shoulders. “I couldn’t bear the thought of bringing a child into that toxic environment, of subjecting an innocent to his cruelty. So I locked that part of myself away, buried it deep.”

Molly was silent for a long moment, the only sound the gentle clink of china as she set her mug down. Then, her voice tentative but threaded with hope, she asked, “But things are different now, right? You’re free of him, building this incredible new life. And you’ve got Arden, who I bet would be an amazing father.”

Mari’s breath caught, the image of Arden with their baby flashing through her mind once more. Warmth bloomed in her chest, fierce and bright. “I... yeah. Yeah, he would be.” A disbelieving laugh bubbled up her throat. “Can you imagine? Arden with a toddler on his hip, all protective and doting and...”

“Sexy as hell?” Molly supplied with a wicked grin, waggling her eyebrows.

Mari threw a napkin at her sister, giggling helplessly. “You’re terrible. But... you’re not wrong.”

Sobering, she traced the delicate pattern of her mug with a fingertip, wondering at the fragile hope taking root in her heart. “I guess I hadn’t let myself consider it before now. The idea of being a mom, of having that chance again after everything. It seems... too good to be true, almost.”

Molly reached over, covering Mari’s hand with her own. Her eyes were bright with affection and certainty. “It’s not too good to be true, Mari. It’s exactly what you deserve, after all the darkness you’ve been through. A beautiful, bright future filled with love and family and sticky little handprints on everything.”

A watery laugh escaped Mari’s lips, her vision blurring with sudden tears. “You really think so? Even though I’m so much older now, after...”

“Please,” Molly scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. “Plenty of witches have healthy, happy babies well into their forties and fifties. Perks of being magical and all that.”

Wonder and trepidation warred in Mari’s chest, the idea taking tentative root. “I... wow. I guess I never thought... I mean, if it happens someday, if it’s meant to be...”

“Then you’ll be an incredible mom,” Molly finished, squeezing Mari’s fingers. “And Arden will be right there with you every step of the way. I’d bet my last cinnamon roll on it.”

Mari squeezed back, overcome with love for her sister, for this fiercely loyal woman who’d been her rock and her guiding light since the cradle. “I love you, Molly. I hope you know that.”

“I love you too, Mari. More than anything.” Molly smiled, soft and sure. “And I can’t wait to spoil your future witchlets and wolf pups rotten.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Mari laughed, poking Molly in the side. “Arden and I are still figuring things out. But... it’s a nice thought. A really nice thought.”

Molly grinned, looping an arm around Mari’s shoulders and tugging her close. “One step at a time, sis. But for what it’s worth... I think you and Arden are going to have a beautiful future together. Babies or no babies.”

For the first time in longer than she could remember, Mari let herself imagine a future unburdened by shadows and fear. A future filled with laughter and love, chubby baby cheeks and Arden’s smile, warm and bright as the rising sun.

It was a beautiful dream. One that, inch by tentative inch, was beginning to feel within reach.

EIGHTEEN

Once again, Arden waited for her after the girls’ night to walk her home. He would never let her feel lonely again for even a short walk home. As he and Mari approached her house, a strange scent stopped him.

“Hold up,” he said, lifting his nose into the air. “Do you smell that?”

She sniffed. “Smell what?”

Arden sniffed more, following the nauseous smell to the gate surrounding the lawn. He wondered if this was a spell. But if that was the case, why couldn’t his witchy mate sense it?

“We need to call Luna,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

Mari nodded, fear flickering in her hazel eyes. “I’ll give her a call.”

Within minutes, Luna arrived with Tabitha in tow, their expressions grim as they surveyed the scene.

“You’re right, Arden. It’s a potion that’s magically enhanced to stay undetectable by magic folks. But apparently, the potion creator didn’t take a shifter’s nose into account.” Luna declared, her brow furrowed in concentration. “It’s spread around the perimeter of the yard. The intent is clear—to cause physical harm to Mari the moment she stepped past the gate.”

Rage boiled within Arden, his wolf snarling at the thought of anyone daring to hurt his mate. “She’s staying with me,” he growled, leaving no room for argument.

Luna and Tabitha set to work, their magic weaving through the air as they neutralized the potion’s effects. Arden watched, tension coiled in his body, until the last traces of the malevolent energy dissipated.

That night, Mari stayed with him, her presence a balm to his frayed nerves. As dawn broke, they rose early, determined to end the harassment.

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