Page 51 of Plus-Size Mate

“What does it matter if she's part werewolf?” Eddie asked, looking to Jack. “Surely that makes this union all the stronger.”

Jack nodded, but a part of his expression was doubtful. “I need to know, Winter, do you think your only being part witch will affect the protection spell?”

Winter's hand grew steady then, and somehow, Eddie had complete faith in the words that came out of her mouth next.

Straightening, Winter looked Jack dead in the eye and said, “If it were going to, then I'm pretty sure we would have had more trouble than we did last night.”

That was a good enough answer for Eddie. He squeezed Winter's hand and was relieved when she returned the gesture.

Jack glanced down at the coffee mug clasped between his hands before he looked to Winter again and said, “Then there's only one thing I have left to ask.”

Eddie felt a shiver run down his spine. Why did Jack sound so damn ominous?

Eddie's free hand tightened into a fist as he prepared himself for whatever was coming.

“In light of learning of your parentage, do you choose to remain here in Nightstar or join your father's pack?”

Eddie's mouth practically fell open. “How can you even ask her that?”

When he glanced at Winter, he saw she was just as shocked as he felt.

Jack looked at Eddie, his expression quite serious as he said, “As alpha, it's my job to ask the hard questions.”

He looked back to Winter then and added, “I know the bond between a wolf and their father. I have to ask the question. And nobody would blame you if you did choose to leave.”

Winter's face darkened then. She glowered at Jack so aggressively that Eddie believed for one second she might actually lunge at him.

Then, instead, she spoke, “There is no bond between me and that man or his pack. The blood that runs through my veins is witch. Who my father is bears no meaning to me.”

Eddie had to stop from breathing a deep sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted was for Winter to believe he had ever doubted her.

She continued, “I was born here in Nightstar, and one day I'll die here. Besides, how could I leave now, when my life is just beginning?”

The way she looked at Eddie made his chest swell with pride and affection.

Eddie's doubt faded quickly. An understanding passed between them in that moment, one that Eddie would treasure for the rest of his life.

This was as it was always meant to be. Even the bond and loyalty a wolf felt for its sire could not pull them apart.

“I'm relieved to hear you say that,” Jack admitted. “I don't think the spell would work if you were to leave.”

“It does raise one question, though,” Eddie said. “If this spell works off connections between the members of our pack, and knowing those who are allowed within the safe zone, wouldn't a werewolf who shares blood with the witch who cast the spell have a loophole?”

Winter cleared her throat, shaking her head. “This spell is complicated and precise. It works off loyalty more than anything. Anyone who seeks to do a member of Nightstar harm will be stripped of their wolf while in town. You saw him lastnight. My father was a cowardly piece of shit the second he realized he couldn't call on his wolf.”

“And the spell worked out even better than we could have hoped. Not only did it work, but it allowed us to capture Christopher before he learned of its existence. Things couldn't have worked out better if we'd planned it.”

“What will you do with him?” Winter asked, and Eddie cringed. There was really only one answer for a man like Christopher. He would never give up, not until he had drawn his last breath.

Jack sighed and shook his head. “For now, we'll keep him locked up, but every day we allow him to live, he poses a threat. If his pack takes it upon themselves to try and rescue him, we'll—”

Jack was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing in his jacket pocket.

Eddie stiffened. Was it too much of a coincidence that someone had called him while he was discussing what could go wrong with Christopher as their prisoner? Had he already found a way to escape?

Jack paused, taking the phone from his jacket. When he looked at the screen, he said, “it's Will. I should take this.”

Both Eddie and Winter nodded in silence.

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