Page 8 of His Spellbound Mate

She was an enigma, one that Neville couldn’t afford to ignore. He had sensed her power, the way it thrummed beneath the surface, controlled but potent. She was hiding something, something that might be connected to the recent disappearances and the dark magic in the woods. Neville couldn’t shake the belief that fate had brought her here to him and that their destinies were intertwined, that whatever path lay ahead, it would lead him straight into the heart of her secrets.

As the moon rose higher in the sky, its silvery light filtering through the trees, Neville felt the pull of his wolf grow stronger. The full moon was only days away, and with it came the promise of a battle he wasn’t sure he was ready to face. But face it he would. He was the alpha, and it was his duty to protect his pack, no matter the cost.

He turned to Garrett; his expression set with determination. “We need to move fast. Get the others ready. We’re going hunting.”

Garrett nodded and disappeared into the woods to gather the rest of the pack, leaving Neville alone in the clearing. He took one last look at the scorched ground, at the remnants of the dark magic that had brought them here, and then turned his back on it.

With a final, deep breath, he called forth his wolf. It wasn’t something he did lightly, but he knew he needed his strength and heightened capabilities to lead his people. He let out a low, mournful howl, and then, with the scent of the unfamiliar still lingering in his nose, he disappeared into the night, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.

There was a storm coming, one that threatened to tear apart everything he had built. But Neville Lawless had never backed down from a fight, and he wasn’t about to start now.

Chapter Five

Tamzyn

The next morning, Tamzyn entered Luna Steven’s New Age bookshop. The bell above the door chimed softly as she stepped into the warm, incense-laden air. The shop was a haven for the curious and the mystically inclined, its shelves crammed with books on everything from crystal healing to ancient folklore. It was also one of the few places in Silver Ridge where Tamzyn felt she could let her guard down, even if only a little.

Luna, the shop’s owner, was the closest thing Tamzyn had to a friend in this remote town. An eccentric woman with wild, curly hair and a penchant for flowing skirts, Luna had welcomed Tamzyn with open arms when she first arrived in Silver Ridge. Over time, they had developed a bond, one built on mutual respect for the unseen forces of the world, though Luna had no idea just how deep Tamzyn’s connection to those forces ran.

Tamzyn spotted Luna behind the counter, thumbing through a worn leather-bound book with an air of intense concentration. She approached quietly, not wanting to startle her friend.

“Hey, Luna,” she greeted softly.

Luna looked up, her bright blue eyes lighting up with a smile. “Tamzyn! It’s good to see you. I was just going through an old grimoire I found in the back. You know how I can’t resist a good dusty tome.”

Tamzyn couldn’t help but smile at Luna’s enthusiasm. “I can imagine. You always find the most interesting things.”

Luna closed the book and set it aside, giving Tamzyn her full attention. “So, what brings you by today? Looking for something specific?”

Tamzyn hesitated, wondering how much she should reveal. She had never told Luna the full truth about her past, about her powers, or about why she had really come to Silver Ridge. But she trusted Luna more than anyone else in this town, and right now, she needed information.

“There’s something strange going on, Luna,” Tamzyn began, choosing her words carefully. “I’ve been sensing… unusual energy in the woods, something dark. And several children have gone missing. All but one have been found, but now there are two hikers who have disappeared. I think it might be connected to something supernatural.”

Luna’s expression grew serious, the playful spark in her eyes dimming. “I’ve heard about the disappearances. People are starting to get worried. You think it’s something more than just bad luck?”

Tamzyn nodded. “I’m certain of it. There’s been dark magic in the woods, and it’s not something I’ve encountered before. I need to know if there’s any history here, anything that might explain what’s going on.”

Luna leaned back, her brow furrowing in thought. “Silver Ridge has always been a strange place, you know. There are a lot of old stories, but most people dismiss them as legends. Still, if you’re sensing something, it’s worth looking into.”

She got up from her chair and motioned for Tamzyn to follow her to the back of the shop. Luna led her to a small, cozy room lined with shelves of old books and scrolls. The scent of aged paper and sage hung in the air, calming and familiar.

“This is where I keep the good stuff,” Luna said with a wink. “Books and records that most people wouldn’t even know to look for. A lot of it was left behind by the previous owner, who was a bit of a recluse. He had a deep interest in the town’s history and its… let’s say, less conventional aspects.”

Tamzyn watched as Luna pulled a heavy volume from the shelf, its cover cracked and worn with age. The title was barely legible, but Tamzyn could make out the words “Silver Ridge: The Hidden History.”

“This might help,” Luna said, handing the book to Tamzyn. “It’s full of old tales and rumors about the town. Some of it is probably just superstition, but there might be some truth hidden in there.”

Tamzyn took the book, feeling the weight of it in her hands. “Thank you, Luna. I’ll look through it and see if I can find anything useful.”

Luna smiled, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. “Just be careful, Tamzyn. Silver Ridge has secrets, and not all of them are meant to be uncovered.”

Tamzyn nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. She had already stumbled upon more than she had intended, but she couldn’t stop now. Too much was at stake.

As she left the shop, the book tucked under her arm, Tamzyn felt a strange sense of foreboding settle over her. The day had turned gray, clouds rolling in from the coast, promising rain. The streets of Silver Ridge were quiet, the usual bustle subdued as if the town itself was holding its breath.

Back at her small, cluttered cottage on the outskirts of town, Tamzyn wasted no time in delving into the book. She sat at her kitchen table, a cup of tea growing cold beside her as she carefully turned the brittle pages. The text was dense, filled with archaic language and handwritten notes in the margins, but she pressed on, searching for anything that might explain the dark magic she had encountered in the woods.

Hours passed as she read through tales of early settlers, strange disappearances, and whispered legends of creatures that lurked in the shadows. Some of it was clearly folklore, but there were threads of truth woven throughout, hints of something darker that had been hidden away for generations.

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