Page 24 of Cursed Wolfsbane

“I’m not!” I protest. “You’re just bossy.”

Bastian barks out a laugh. The smile Malachi was trying to suppress breaks out across his face for a moment. His eyes flick between mine after his grin drops before he bands his arms around me and crushes me to his chest. “I missed you,” he rumbles softly.

“You saw me, like, an hour ago,” I point out.

“I still missed you. Any time you’re out of my sight, I miss you, baby girl.” My heart melts at his quiet admission.

“I missed you too, Malachi,” I confess. I miss all of them whenever I’m not with them.

Reaching one hand out to Bastian, I hold his hand. “I missed you, Bastian.” I don’t want him to feel left out or like I only miss Malachi.

Bastian flashes me a genuine grin that makes my heart skip a beat. Seeing the shadows lift from his eyes and true joy lightingup his features makes me feel on top of the world. “I missed you, pretty girl.”

I’m content to sit with them like this until Bastian’s class. While I enjoy the closeness, I can’t help but think about how much I need the three of them. I’ve never needed anyone like I need them, and it freaks me out.

No one stays around forever, even if they don’t leave by choice. Needing someone is like walking into battle with a chunk of your breastplate missing. Luck might keep you safe initially, but eventually, you’ll get a sword or arrow through the heart. I can’t shake the feeling that the Wyldharts will shatter my heart just like my mom did. Only this time, I don’t think I’ll survive it.

CHAPTER 11

BRIAR

“You’re sure I can’t come with you?” Ava turns puppy dog eyes on me as I’m putting the last of my clothes into a backpack. We’re leaving for Hawthorne Grove in half an hour, so I’m finishing the last of my packing. I’m not taking much, just a few outfits, a spare pair of shoes, and toiletries. We’re listening to Ava’s playlist as I pack. She’s currently singing along to one of her favorite Taylor Swift songs, “You’re on Your Own Kid.”

“I’m sure, Bun Bun. We don’t know what we’re going to find when we get there. You’re staying here where it’s safe.” There’s zero chance I’m taking my little sister to a mage town. I don’t know about much about mages, but I know wolves are often less powerful than them. We might not be able to protect her, so Ava is going to stay with Uncle Vale and Aunt Abbie.

I haven’t been back to Hawthorne Grove in fourteen years. We left to move in with Patrick when I was seven. My mom and I never went back for a visit when she was alive, and Patrick didn’t let me go back after her death either.

“I’m practically an adult. You don’t have to treat me like a little kid, Rosie,” Ava pouts.

“I’m not treating you like a little kid. I’m treating you like my only sister who I love more than anything, Aves.”

She sighs. “Fine, but you better bring me back a souvenir. You’ll be back before I have to return to school, right?”

When Patrick ran off after he kidnapped me, forced me to drink a toxic wolfsbane brew to turn me into a wolf, and beat me so badly I almost died, Ava had the option to continue going to her boarding school with a couple guards from the Wyldhart pack or go to a different one. She chose to stay where she is because she’s made friends, loves the curriculum, and doesn’t want to have to switch in the middle of the year.

I snort. “Sure, I’ll bring you back a souvenir. Yep, this trip shouldn’t take more than a couple days at most.” The plan is to go there, get my memories, and come back. Here’s hoping it will be that simple.

Once everything’s in my new baby blue backpack, I zip it up and sling it over one shoulder. None of them will take credit for it, but one of the Wyldharts bought me the backpack after I moved in with them. It’s my favorite color and is super comfortable. I love it, and it reminds me of the last backpack my mom ever bought me. It’s bittersweet, replacing some of the stuff my mom got me with things the Wyldharts got me.

Walking into Malachi’s closet, I step in front of the full-length mirror to inspect my outfit once more. I’m wearing a long-sleeve white silk blouse tucked into dark wash jeans. As always in winter, I’m wearing my black Nicks boots. That’s one thing of my mom’s I don’t think I’ll ever replace.

I tried to dress up to look more presentable for meeting my family. My cousin Emmy is the one creating a portal for us. After we visit Ophelia McAlister, we’re planning on lunch with my aunt, uncle, and other two cousins.

To say I’m nervous would be a massive understatement. The only family I’ve had for a long time has been Ava. She’s used toall my weirdness. The family waiting for me in Hawthorne Grove doesn’t know anything about the person I am now, so I want to make a good impression.

“You look great, Rosie. They’ll love you, and if they don’t, Kai will kick their asses for you.” Ava wandered into the closet while I was lost in my thoughts. I pull her into my side and give her a quick kiss on the top of her strawberry blonde head. She’s growing up so fast, and I just want time to freeze. That way, I can have more time with her before she enters the “spending time with your sister is lame” phase.

One change I’m happy for is that all my mates have adopted Ava as their little sister. It makes me feel all gooey inside how good they are with her. She idolizes the three of them and constantly wants to hang out with them. They all indulge her whenever she’s home from boarding school, which is almost every weekend now.

Ava’s happier than she’s been in a really long time. It makes me feel like I’m finally doing something right with her.

“Any of us will, Ava,” Bastian’s deep voice calls from just outside the closet.

Ava wiggles out of my side hug and skips over to Bastian. “Don’t take too long in Hawthorne Grove. You promised to teach me how to fight over winter break.” With her instruction delivered, Ava flounces out of the room.

My cheeks hurt from smiling at my sister for the past hour. She’s a force of nature, and I hope she continues to be this full of life as she grows up. After grabbing my light blue wool peacoat, another anonymous gift from the Wyldharts, I walk toward Bastian. I stop when I’m almost toe to toe with him. “Is it time to go?”

“Yep. Dad’s calling the mage girl to portal us over to Hawthorne Grove.” Bastian pulls me into a brief hug. “Ava’s right. Your family will love you.”

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