Page 59 of Fated Moons
“Sorry, sis. But who wants a werewolf as a brother-in-law?” Arianna brushed her shoulder with her left hand three times as if she were flicking something away.
Amanda bit back her excitement. That had been their signal as small children, indicating that the other sisters had her back no matter what it seemed. The sisters had never told anyone about their secret code. It had come in handy for skipping classes and dealing with boys and girls who wronged them without having to use magic.
She only wished she could tell Jackson. Leaving him in the dark could cause a problem, but she couldn’t risk projecting.
“You won’t get away with any of this,” Jackson said, his gaze darting around the room.
She had no way to know for sure what he was doing, but instinct and her growing bond with him told her he was searching for exits and any possible surprises. His need to protect what he felt was his seeped from his skin to hers.
That would help with what she now knew she had to do.
Her sister pulled out a gun.
“What the hell are you doing?” Amanda asked.
Her aunt held up her hand. “You see, she’s going to shoot me. Not a fatal wound but damaging enough. I’m going to go running from this room, screaming that your dirty wolf tried to kill me, and he was about to turn on you. If you don’t play along, your sister will shoot you too.”
“Then she’ll have to shoot me,” Amanda said with conviction.
“Please, dear, don’t make me do this,” her aunt said. “I don’t want to hurt you. Only him. He’s got to go.”
“No one is making you do anything,” Jackson said, his hand gripping Amanda’s so tightly it cut off the circulation. “We know all about your spell to prevent Amanda and me from mating. How did you know we were destined for each other?”
“You’re not,” her aunt said, practically spitting. “Your kind always imprints themselves on the wrong people. For years, we’ve been hunting this bonding down and doing our best to destroy it.”
“Well, you failed, because we’ve mated,” Jackson said with a sense of pride that filled her body with a warm glow. “I’m sure you saw the double moon in the sky last night and you know what that means. A child. Twins actually.”
Fairy dust exploded from Amanda’s belly.
“I haven’t failed because you’re either going to die or go to prison, with your father, and my niece here will get over you and your stupid mating.” She waved her finger. “And whatever vile thing is growing inside her can be taken care of.”
Jackson growled. It was low. Deep. And vibrated off the walls.
“That’s not going to happen,” Amanda said.
“Your brother knows everything. So does Trask as well as the Twilight Crossing Council.” Jackson took a step closer.
Amanda tugged him closer.
“Shut up, wolf.” Her aunt waved her hand dismissively. “You know nothing, and you will always be nothing. Your luck has run out.”
“So, you admit it.” Amanda swallowed the bile that kicked up in the back of her throat. “You were the one who cast that unlucky spell on Jackson. And you also cast a blocking spell on him as well, nearly killing me. How could you?”
“Of course I did. I needed him out of the picture. Only, I underestimated his determination. And your devotion. But I will correct all of that.”
“Over my dead body,” Jackson said with a snarl.
“Amanda, dear. I’ll forgive you for choosing him over blood, but don’t stand in my way, because I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure his kind never enters the sanctity of our coven. And the abomination you carry never sees the light of day.” Her aunt held up her arm. “Let’s get this over with.”
Summoning all the power Amanda could gather, she sucked all the energy from the room. She cast her fairy dust up in the air, letting it hover above them. When her father had sent her the spell from the cursed Book of Shadows, warning that she should only use it under the most dire of circumstances, she wouldn’t let herself believe she’d need it.
Yet it was the only way to save her mate, herself, and her children.
“Cast my pain unto my niece, let her know what it means to be least,” her aunt said. “Shoot me in the arm, now.”
Arianna pressed the weapon to their aunt’s bicep.
“Trust me. No matter what happens, don’t let go until I yank free,” Amanda whispered, hoping she could get through the spell before Jackson let go of her hand. “The werewolf and wizard are one. Though two different creatures, they are bonded by me until the deed is done. Out of the cauldron and into my mate, I cast the powers of fate.”
