Page 9 of Perfectly Charmed Pixie

Dear Gaia, I hoped not. Beyond the straight-up cruelty of it, I wasn’t at all certain the pixie would survive.

The beta wolf nodded confidently. “My alpha wants it completely destroyed. He also said he doesn’t want the pixie to be able to bond again.”

I nearly choked on a breath of disbelief.Was this were for real?

Fingers fisting, I tested the protective magic shields, confident they wouldn’t so much as crack. When I was sure, I said, “Tell your alpha that what he’s asking for is cruel and sadistic. No monetary figure on the planet would inspire me to attempt such a thing. For the record, as I said earlier, I have no idea if it can even be done. Bonded pixie magic is the strongest there is. Breaking it would be near impossible, and even if that weren’t the case, I would never try. Anyone that would is an asshat, and I have no inclination to deal with those types of clients and their blood money.”

As predicted, the beta didn’t like that one bit. “You dare insult my alpha?”

“You bet your whipped ass I do.”

I didn’t even flinch when the beta roared, throwing his weight into the invisible shield. Violet spiderwebs of power scattered around each hit, but just as I’d thought, my shield didn’t so much as buckle.

Just because the shield held didn’t mean I didn’t feel it. Every attack was an internal bruise. But those bruises were minor, and nothing compared to the physical damage those claws would create if they connected the way the beta wished.

I stood back and waited for the wolf to either wear himself out or realize the futility of his actions. This were was in my shop, on my ground. He didn’t stand a chance and should have known it. Pride made creatures all kinds of stupid.

Byx stayed in the back. Her presence was a comforting weight. My magic would hold, but it was nice knowing a brownie had your back, even one too young to wield all their powers effectively and safely.

When my werefriendran out of steam, I casually asked, “Are you done?”

That got me another growl, but not much more.

Satisfied, I nodded toward the door. “If that’s all, then I ask that you kindly leave.”

Lips pulled back into something twisted and half-feral, the beta threw out an expected threat. “You have no idea who you’ve just pissed off.”

“Oh, I have an inkling.” I threw the beta a wink that made his face flush a deeper shade of crimson. “I’ve got a funny habit of pissing off powerful individuals. Trust me, whatever threat you’re about to provide, I guarantee I’ve heard it before and probably with better delivery.” I wished it was a fib. Instead, it was the unfortunate truth.

The rattle of teeth sang through my shop as his mouth slammed shut. With a final “you’re a fool,” the beta spun and blasted through the door. I was certain he intended to slam the thing, just like Vera. And just like always, the door had other ideas and slid shut with a lazy yawn.

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before too,” I mumbled.

“Too many times,” Byx agreed, climbing up on the stepstool beside me. “Is there some type of crazy everyone’s breathing in?” Byx asked, sincerely baffled. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone wishing harm on a pixie. I mean, why would you? That’s like kicking a puppy.”

I huffed out a sound between a laugh and a groan. “Agreed, but somehow I doubt that disturbs Arie Belview’s conscience much. In fact, I’ll bet he’s kicked plenty of were puppies in his time.”

“You really think that’s who sent him?”

“I’d bet the shop on it,” I answered easily. “There aren’t a lot of alpha wolves around the area, and he’s the one with the most clout. He’s also the only one that would ask for something like that. I don’t know what pixie crawled up Alpha Belview’s ass, but I feel sorry for whoever it is. I doubt Arie will stop with me.”

Byx stood silently, drawing my gaze.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Byx huffed. “That’s more than you can afford, Van.”

I chuckled. “True. Still, I’d like to know what finally shut your trap. That way I can use it again in the future.”

I jumped when a shot of electricity zipped through my hip, flaring down into my leg. It wasn’t as strong as Georgiana’s had been, but it still stung.

“You deserved that,” Byx accused before I could call her out on zapping me.

Rubbing my thigh, a slow grin lifted my lips. “Yeah, won’t argue that.”

“Good, otherwise I’d zap you again.”

I held up my hands in surrender. “Got it. Shutting up now.” I made a zipping motion across my lips.

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