Page 22 of Fire Touched

Chapter Ten

Killian

I leave the alpha estate, feeling a chill from Prescott’s words. She finds you. Despite that, I know I made a progressive step toward an alliance between the Earth and Fire Packs. We’ve never been friends, and though I barely know any of the history Verron mentioned, it’s the present and the future I’m more concerned with. We can’t keep Julian locked up. His people will come after him. They will find a new leader, even for an interim, and they will get him back. Which puts all of us in danger.

‘You’re a very angry, brooding-looking young man.’

I turn to find an old woman looking me over. She waves a hand. ‘Such tension for someone who had such a good time this morning, hmm?’

My mind flicks back to the shower and I choke. ‘What—?’

The woman just laughs. ‘Come along. I hope you like tea.’ With a swift turn in the morning light, her purple robes dance about her like a blanket stitched of twilight.

What the fuck? ‘You’re Elga, right?’

‘Perceptive,’ she calls. ‘Important. Yes.’

I blink as I catch up with her. ‘Are you being sarcastic with me?’

Elga just waves me down. ‘Try not to be so aggressive, dear. It might charm your mate when she’s in the mood, but not me, and certainly not those in leadership roles. Stars, no wonder men struggle to form alliances.’

‘What are you talking about, witch?’ I growl.

She pauses at an elegant cottage and slowly turns. ‘You’ll show me respect, wolf, or I will take it. Surely you have a modicum of common sense in there.’

A growl vibrates my rib cage. I’m getting the distinct impression I don’t like this woman.

Elga stands back, the door to the cottage opening. ‘Please. Enter.’

I grit my teeth. She’s their High Priestess, a powerful witch. I’m trying to make friends here, I remind myself. No matter how aggravating they may be. I inhale, trying to calm myself, and step into the cottage. It’s surprisingly large, warm and… cosy. And smells great. My gaze finds a table of freshly-baked cookies and a tea tray.

‘Help yourself.’

Without touching anything, I turn to her. ‘They said you met Katherine.’

‘Yes, a lovely young lady. We had a nice little chat. I believe you’ve been attempting to help her use those fire powers of hers?’

I round on her, fists clenched. ‘I have been helping her.’

Elga looks at me with sympathy. ‘Take a biscuit, dear, and join me.’ Once I sit down—two biscuits in my hand—she nods and continues. ‘Killian, you are born with more fire in your blood than most. The son of the alpha, you are heir to lead a proud wolf pack. I understand why you are the way you are. But the characteristics that define you in that role will, and have, hindered you in others.’

Both delicious biscuits in my mouth, I garble, ‘What do you mean?’

Elga smiles. ‘You’re aggressive. Proud. Stubborn. Possessive.’

Swallowing the damn fine biscuits, I half-rise from my chair.

Elga raises a hand, motioning me back down. ‘And quick to anger,’ she adds.

I sit, gripping the arm rests of the chair. ‘What is your point?’ I grind out. How on earth does Katherine like this woman for anything other than her baking?

‘Let me ask you something,’ the witch begins, her voice low. ‘In the infirmary, when you spoke to Carter, did it feel like you were doing the right thing, apologising to him?’

‘What, are you clairvoyant?’

Sharp, silver eyes bore into me.

I take a moment to think. Sure, Katherine gave me a bit of a hard time, but she didn’t tell me to go and apologise to Carter. It just… sort of sunk in that I should. When I had Katherine in that shower, it was all too clear that she’s mine. And he saved her. Finally, I nod. ‘It felt like the right thing, yes. What’s your point?’

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