Page 73 of 3 Shifters to Break a Curse

The rest of the walk was peaceful and playful. By the time we arrived at the gas station, I was dreading leaving.

Once the men loaded the bags into the back of my car, they encircled me. Then Cadence rushed out and into the middle of them, pushing her way through to get to me.

“You’re not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?” she asked as she moved.

I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

She pulled me into her tight embrace, squeezing me to her. “Safe travels. Come back in one peace, okay?”

I laughed. “I’ll try.”

She smiled at me and then shared a glance with Luke. “Well, I better get back inside.”

I nodded. “See you later.”

She waved and headed back inside. I leaned against the door of the car and shoved my hands into my pockets. The men closed in around me, all with forlorn expressions.

I smiled at each of them. “I hate that I’m leaving you.”

“We’ll be fine,” Luke said. “Go do your coven thing.”

“Our biggest wish for you is to be safe,” Ezra said.

“I promise to come back as soon as I can,” I said.

“Yes,” Rin said, forcing another giggle from me.

“How long do you think you’ll be staying with us?” Luke asked.

I shrugged. “For forever if you still want me.”

“What about your coven?” Rin asked.

“I’ll figure some way out to make it work,” I said. “Maybe I can split my time between here and there?”

“You wereserious when you said you haven’t figured out all the details, weren’t you?” Luke asked.

I shrugged. “I’m winging it.”

I realized days ago I couldn’t leave them forever. I couldn’t leave them at all, but they were graciously giving me the space I needed to do my coven responsibilities and I loved that about them.

The men drew closer, wrapping me in a big bear hug. Literally and figuratively. When they pulled away, I smacked a tear from my face. I still hated that I was leaving them, and I was going to miss them terribly.

Rin pulled me into him. “Maybe when you get back, we’ll have an even bigger surprise waiting for you.”

“I shouldn’t be gone too long,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. “Maybe a week.”

Ezra said, “That’s perfect.”

He pulled me into him. I breathed in his scent and wished I could have stayed a little bit longer.

“Take as long as you need,” Luke said, snatching me from Ezra’s embrace. “Just keep in touch with us.”

“As often as I can,” I said.

After giving Luke a hug, I climbed into my car. The men stood off to the side, sending me off. I drove onto the highway, and for the first time in way too long, feeling whole and complete.

Not too long into my trip, I realized the ritual I had cast truly did work, in a way.

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