Page 20 of Echo Of A Wolf

The words replayed through my head, causing goose bumps to prickle across my skin. Possession seemed too far-fetched, but it shouldn’t. Not in the world I lived in.

Was that what I was dealing with here? Possession?

Dean returned, now fully dressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt. He leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen and locked eyes with me. “I have a theory, but care to elaborate on that?”

Had Xander tried to get into his head out there, too?

Something in his expression had me thinking he had. The nervous tension I’d felt building as I tried to figure out how to explain what was wrong with Xander in a way that Dean would believe eased.

“I think he’s possessed,” I blurted.

Dean arched a brow. “Possessed?”

“I know it sounds nuts, but I think Lucius’s ghost is somehow inside him. He’s making Xander behave the way he is—so hostile and cold. I think that’s how he can get inside our heads, too.” I paused, waiting for him to tell me otherwise, but he didn’t say a single word. Instead, he stared at me. “He whispered something to me out there.”

“What?”

“Xander isn’t here anymore,” I said, feeling a chill creep through me again. When Dean didn’t speak, I grew antsy. “Well, what do you think? Do you think that’s possible?”

“I think that sucks for him if it’s true, but it doesn’t matter much because either way—possessed or not—he’s got to die now,” he uttered point blank.

All the air left my lungs.

“What? No,” I spat, scrunching my brows together. “He’s my brother, and he’s been possessed. We can’t kill him. We have to help him.”

“First, there is no we,” he said, and even as the words came from his mouth, I saw him recoil.

His wolf knew better, same as my raven—there would always be a we now. Dean could fight it all he wanted, but it would always be there.

We were supposed to be together.

We were mates.

“What I mean is, there is no we because you don’t have to do anything,” he said, running a hand through his dark tousled hair. “I can do it alone, but it needs to be done. Xander can’t be allowed to live with that kind of power, possessed or not. Didn’t you learn your lesson with the last psycho who had it?”

I had but this was my brother.

“You can’t kill him,” I insisted. “You have to help me figure out a way to save him.”

“Why?” Dean countered. “I get he’s your brother, but he’s dangerous with that ability, Astrid.”

“You’re my mate—my raven chose you—and I’m asking for your help with this,” I whispered, holding his stare. “Please.”

I’d never been one for begging, but right now, it seemed necessary. Dean was stubborn, and once his mind was made up, that was it. Begging for his help might not work, but it was an option and I was willing to try it.

Silence built between us as we continued to hold one another’s stare. When his eyes sparked with a dangerous glimmer, I shifted on my feet, bracing myself for what he said next.

“And what about you?” he asked, his voice low.

I blinked, not understanding. “What about me?”

“Do you choose me, Astrid?”

He stepped closer, his eyes falling to my lips, and a craving for him that was undeniable suddenly filled me. I didn’t bother to keep the heat out of my words or my eyes when I answered him.

“Yes, I choose you too,” I breathed.

Without another word, Dean’s lips crashed into mine. At first, they were hard and demanding, but they soon softened as our tongues brushed together sensually. As the kiss deepened, his hands glided down my back before pulling me flush against his hard body. Moans escaped both of us as we continued to explore each other’s mouths, tasting and teasing. I dug my fingertips into his shoulders, eager for more.

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