Page 58 of Castings & Curses

“Well. True. Still. So far, nothing’s changed my mind.”

“We just need to up the stakes of the game,” Soraya said.

“I didn’t know there were any stakes,” Muezza said. “Besides the obvious one of a pawsitively purrfect match. Or not.”

“Of course, there are stakes. There always have to be stakes when you’re dealing with earthbound cats.”

Bygul sighed. “So, what are the stakes, Soraya?”

“I promised Moonbeam she could fly on the witch’s broomstick if she manages to get Natalie to see Corwin as a hero.”

“Are you serious right now?” Tivali demanded.

“I’m wondering the same thing,” Muezza said. “Isn’t that expecting an awful lot out of the wolf?”

“What?” Tivali shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant. How could you promise Moonbeam that? She could get hurt, Soraya! What if she falls?”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Bygul said. “Witches don’t reallyfly on brooms.”

“Of course they do!” Soraya exclaimed hotly.

“Yeah, everyone knows about the brooms,” Tivali said.

Bygul looked at Muezza, who simply twitched his tail and said, “Sorry, boss, but they’re right. Witches. Brooms. It’s kind of a thing.”

Idiots.

He was surrounded by idiots.

* * *

Corwin wokethe next morning absolutely determined that this would be the day he would finally win over his mate.

Now that the cat was out of the bag, so to speak—thanks to his interfering mother—he didn’t have to worry about how Natalie would react to the news that she was his mate.

The news was already out and since it was out, he figured that meant he could move full-steam ahead.

Up first: time to move in with his mate.

An hour later, Corwin dumped an armload of electronics and video games into the trunk of his car, slammed it closed, then jumped back when he saw Jared standing there. “Uh, what’s up, alpha?”

“With me? Not much. What’s up with you?”

Corwin shrugged. “Nothing. Just putting some stuff in the car. Just in case.”

Jared peered into his backseat, which was piled high with clothes and books and other odds and ends. “That’s a lot of stuff for just in case.”

“Fine. You caught me. I’m moving in with Natalie.”

“Huh. That’s interesting. DoesNatalieknow that you’re moving in with her?”

Corwin shrugged. “I figured I’d tell her when I get there. Besides, it’s what mates do, right? They live together.”

“Yeah, but usually, they have a conversation about it first.” Pippa popped up behind Jared, to offer her opinion. “Take Jared and me. We talked about it and we came to the conclusion that it makes sense for us to live here, since Jared’s the alpha of the pack and all.”

“Right. And that’s why I’m moving in with Natalie. I figure she’s the leader of your coven and I’m just the beta of the pack, so I can make the sacrifice and move in with her.”

“Whoa.” Pippa shook her head. “Look, I’m not telling you how to approach things with Natalieorhow to handle your mate. I’m just saying you might want toavoidthe word sacrifice when you have this conversation with her.”

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