Page 34 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

“Man,” Ryder mused. “Did I look this pathetic when you dumped me?”

Freya frowned at him and quickly turned away, toward the apartments.

“We leave in ten,” she called over her shoulder.

I stood frozen in place. For once, my magic was silent. It came alive for Freya, but I guessed it fell silent for her too.

Ryder clapped a hand over my shoulder, and I stiffened.

“She’s cold when she wants to be,” he said and sighed. “My dad told me not to mess around with a witch. They’re dangerous, and not because of their spells.”

Chapter Ten

Freya

Igrimaced at the black SUV that awaited us. I loathed vehicles, but my coven had no established portals in New Orleans, and none of us—not even Cadence—could create a portal that far-reaching. There was always Arion, but the four of us couldn’t fit on his back.

A car’s better than a plane,I thought. We couldn’t take a plane because of Walker’s out-of-control magic, but I was secretly grateful. Getting in a death-trap in the sky was the only thing worse than getting in a death-trap on the ground.

As Walker packed his and Cadence’s things into the back of the SUV, I reminded myself that the iron-clad wall between us was a good thing. It was what I wanted. It was what was best for the safety of the coven.

It did not matter that it wasn’t what was best for my heart.

Ryder snorted. “And here I thought the make-outs were bad. I think the longing glances might be worse.”

I glowered at him and climbed into the passenger seat. Arion hopped into my lap. “Whatever. You’re the one destined to find a mate and subject us to your puppy love.”

Ryder flinched, and I instantly regretted my words. Wolves were destined to have mates, though true mates had become increasingly rare. Many now settled down with romantic partners the human way, rather than waiting for the soul-binding magic of true mates. Ryder had a complicated history with the reality of his people, considering his mother had found her true mate and left Ryder's father, pack, and Ryder himself for the other half of her soul.

Ryder chuckled. “You must really be upset to make a comment that bitchy.”

Just like that, my guilt dissipated. “You’re driving.”

Though he knew how, Ryder hated driving. It frustrated him as badly as it did me to rely on a machine to get somewhere. That wasn’t, however, why I made him drive. If I had to sit beside Walker in tense silence for the next several hours, I might call upon the High Witch to come kill me herself.

???

Several hours and lots of bickering between Ryder and Walker later, we arrived at a campsite in Wyoming and agreed to pull over for the night. We had each taken turns driving, except for Cadence, and I was eager to get out of the back seat. I nudged the young witch awake. She jolted, and Arion jerked beside her. After hours of pacing in the small space, he’d finally managed to fall asleep.

My rest had been brief and poor. As I clamored out of the SUV, I rubbed my dry, exhausted eyes and bumped into a familiar, very male body.

I lurched away from Walker so quickly, I hit the SUV behind me and almost lost my footing on the gravel ground. He caught me by the waist, and heat spread from where his largehands splayed across my body. I met his gaze. His lust mirrored my own.

Just as quickly, Walker released me and turned away.

I swallowed and focused on our surroundings.

The night sky was a blanket of stars. We were parked on a small gravel path off the main road. I basked in the fresh, unfiltered air, and the gentle chirping of insects and rustle of leaves. Mountains surrounded us like a cradle. Though it was a crisp night, it would be comfortable enough with a fire.

“So much better than a hotel,” Ryder said.

I couldn’t disagree. I walked to the back of the SUV to grab my things, but Walker handed me my bag. I took it without meeting his gaze.

“What’s going on between you two?” Cady asked. “I tried to keep my mouth shut, but seriously. This—” She pointed between us. “—is some of the greatest awkwardness I’ve ever seen. And I’m in middle school.”

“Don’t ask, kid,” Ryder said and grabbed his things. “Just don’t ask.”

The four of us walked down the gentle slope to the campsite. The gravel path led to a small, dirt clearing with a firepit in its center, which overlooked a large pond. There was just enough space for a couple of tents, which Walker made quick work of setting up. While Ryder checked the perimeter, Cadence and I gathered firewood.

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