Page 3 of Falling for her Guardian

Turning to follow the witches, he ensured they were safe on the walk to the Well, and then he radioed Sebastian.

“Anyanka’s coven is here. I’ll stand guard until they’re done and then escort them back to the Entrance.”

“You on break after that?” Sebastian asked.

“Hell yes.” His stomach took that moment to growl.

“All right, I’ll relieve you when you’re done, holler at me.”

“Got it.”

He holstered the walkie again and watched the females as they approached the glowing pit.

He’d asked a warlock once what it felt like to have his magic replenished, and he likened it to taking a warm bath, a feelingof contentment and peace infused with whatever power one was graced with.

He’d wondered if it was similar to how he felt when he successfully took down something large in his shift, like a moose or an elk. That always made him feel like everything was right with the world, if only for a little while.

When the witches’ magic was replenished, Anyanka walked beside him while her two coven members walked ahead, hoods drawn and shoulders hunched against the cold.

“If you’re free, you can follow me through the portal,” she said, her voice low and melodious, almost like tinkling bells.

She would be fun for a while, he was sure. But his bear was snoozing in his head.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m waiting for my truemate.”

“What’s wrong with having fun in the meantime?” Her delicate hand cupped his biceps, and he felt the warmth of her power.

He stopped near the Entrance, where the other two females waited. Anyanka looked up at him, a foot shorter than his six-two frame.

He never really knew how to turn someone down without sounding like a giant jackass. Instead of actually turning down the pretty witch, he said, “Safe travels, Anyanka.”

Her lids lowered a little and she let out a soft hum, almost an accusation, as if to say she thought him a coward for not just saying what he wanted to say.

But he wasn’t in the mood to explain himself more than he already had.

Until his mate showed up, he wouldn’t be chasing anything except animals in his shift.

“Until next year.” She lifted her hood and walked away. The Entrance was humming and glowing, highlighting the witches with gold and white.

When they were gone, it dimmed, the bones now dull. He stared at the Entrance for a little while longer.

Would his mate come through the Entrance, a witch or a fairy? Or would he meet her when he journeyed back to his home for another family event? Maybe she was human or a shifter.

Whatever she was, he fucking hoped he met her soon.

He was waiting for her, after all.

Seren Winters was having a hell of a day when she left work. Or what hadbeenher job. She’d been let go a half hour before the day ended, part of a company-wide round of layoffs.

It wasn’t like she thought working the front desk at a hotel was her life’s work, but she did enjoy meeting people, and she’d gotten pretty good at handling irate patrons in the year she’d worked for the boutique hotel.

“I’m sorry, Seren,” Matty, one of her fellow front deskers, said as he held the front door for her. The only thing she’d had with her besides her purse was a mini crockpot she used to heat her lunch because they hadn’t been able to keep personal items at the desk.

“Thanks,” she said.

“You can use me as a reference. I hope you find something soon.”

She gave him a one-armed hug. “Thank you so much, I appreciate it. If I don’t talk to you again, have a great Christmas.”

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