Page 5 of Bear to be Wild
“Right, right, I know,” I replied, as if I wasn’t even entertaining the option. “But what if…”
“Maribelle,” she echoed in the same tone, a notch higher in warning.
“I’m just saying, we’re blessed with magical gifts. We might as well use it for our benefit.”
“Uh huh,” she said with skepticism. She crossed her arms across her chest, reminding me of that infuriating shifter’s professional photo that had unfortunately burned its way into my brain like I had a photographic memory.
“What if we do a simple sound-muffling spell? You know, just a ward between this wall to soften the volume.” I pointed at the wall separating us from a class that sounded like my worst punishment come to life.
Charlotte tilted her head and tapped her chin. “I suppose that wouldn’t be too out of line. It’s not like you’re messing with someone’sfree will.” She emphasized the last two words, a clear reference to my prank on Van.
“Will you help me?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “No, I’m not getting involved. I don’t even think the sound is that noticeable. You’re just fixated on it. Just focus on our music instead.” She gestured toward a speaker playing soothing melodies.
I ignored her advice and raised my chin. “Fine, I’ll do it myself.” As I walked back into a back room where I had my magical supplies, I muttered to myself. “Totally ethical. Not against any rule.” In fact, it would be better for everyone—clients, him with being able to teach his class at whatever unearthly volume he wants, and me with my sanity.
I searched through my magic books and found one with a muffling spell. Perfect. It would work for seventy-two hours, which was fine. It was a simple spell using crystals and oils, and I could repeat it again as needed. I gathered the materials and placed them on a worktable.
I focused on steadying my breath with deep inhales and exhales, tapping into my center. Picking up the first crystal, I glanced down at the steps and wove the spell with intention, projecting toward the wall. I turned the page and continued through the steps. The crystals vibrated with energy and glowed with a warm golden light.
A quiet hum grew louder, resonating throughout the room—and then sputtered.
“What—”
The pink quartz in my hand grew hot, vibrating against my palm. A small orb of energy grew inside my chest. Weird. It snaked out in front of me and then snapped across the room like a snake, coiling right into the wall that separated the spa from the fitness studio.
Something was wrong. I dropped the stone onto the table and staggered backward, eyes wide as the energy thrummed with more vibrancy inside me. When it settled, a disturbing awareness snapped into place.
“No.” My voice was barely audible.
A heavy weight thumped on the other side of the wall, followed by a startled groan. Then all fell silent for a few terrifying seconds.
My breath caught. A bonding thread pulsed toward that wall.
What was going on?
Turning my focus back to the book, I flipped through the pages. “What have I done?” I whispered as the horror settled over me.
Charlotte rushed in, glancing around with wide eyes. “Everything okay back here?”
I shook my head rapidly, as if I could undo my mistake as quickly as pressing Ctrl+Z on a keyboard. No such luck.
“I—um—made a mistake.”
“How?” She tilted her head.
I pointed at the book. “I seem to have mixed up two spells.” Biting my lower lip, I admitted, “I must have flipped to the wrong page.”
She glanced at the open book and gasped. “Nooo… A binding spell?”
And with how the magic was already working inside me, drawing me toward him, I knew exactly who I’d accidentally bonded myself to.
“Yup.” I swallowed, and my mistake tasted like sour regret on my tongue. “I’ve accidentally bound myself to Mr. Beast Mode.”
CHAPTER 4
ROAN
