Page 6 of Captive Witch

I raise a brow at her. “Because I have a lot of mugs.”

She hums to herself. “No, that’s not it.”

Sighing, I set my paintbrush down and turn to fully face her. “Well, by all means, tell me the answer to the questionyouaskedme.”

Chewing on her lower lip, she averts her gaze. “I-I don’t know the answer. I was just wondering. Never mind.”

I narrow my eyes at her as she returns to painting. “Don’t lie. It’s not a good look on you.”

She whips around. “I’m not lying!”

“Mm, of course you aren’t. You just normally choose to ask a question, bite back at my answer, and thennottell me exactly why I’m wrong.”

She licks her lips, glancing between me and the cabinets. “I… I just thought it had something to do with Addy.”

“And if it does, it’d be none of your business.”

Irritation immediately clouds her face. “If itdoes,then I was going to tell you that you’re being a big idiot.”

Standing, I brush my hands off on my pants and shake my head. “I don’t see how I’m the idiot—”

“I don’t see how you don’t see it!” she snaps. “Addy is pack. She’s family, and you love her! Why else would you rip everything out of this room that reminds you of… of… of that horrible, awful woman and only keep what reminds you of Addy?” Jaz stomps her foot, her clenched fist flying down by her side, spackling bits of paint everywhere. “Maybe instead of sitting here destroying your house, you should go get the one person who’s ever made you smile! Because you’re not the only one who misses her, you big idiot!” She throws the paintbrush at me, the bristles making a wetslopas they connect with my t-shirt before it falls to the floor.

I barely register her storming out of the house, slamming the front door behind her. I’m stuck frozen in the middle of my kitchen, staring at the purple paint all over the floor and my shirt. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and count to five before texting Madrona, apologizing for upsetting Jaz and letting her know that she’s on her way home. Then, I reach into the sink and wet the rag I use to clean any spilled paint, wiping the floor.

Maybe I am being an idiot, waiting for Adara to change her mind and come home.

You think?my wolf scoffs.I’ve been trying to get you to get off your ass all week.

Scowling down at the floor, I scrub harder. “That isn’t what she needed. She needed space.”

Yeah? A week of space? A week without you reminding her that you love her?He paces inside my chest, desperate to follow the pull of the mate bond.

I rest back on my heels, looking at the clean hardwood below me. Maybe there’s a way to do both… to give her space while reminding her that I’m here.

Chapter three

Adara

I flop over and shove my face into the pillow. After three nights sleeping on the cold, hard forest floor—if you can even call it sleeping after passing out like that—I thought falling asleep in a warm, comfortable bed would’ve been like sleeping on a cloud. Instead, I can’t get comfortable and my wolf won’t shut up.

It isn’t my fault that you can’t think of anything but what it feels like to sleep next to Gideon.

Groaning, I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. My fur itches beneath my skin, and the mate bond tugs at my limbs, pleading with me to return to him. Turning my face to the window, the star-filled sky stares back at me beyond the glass pane.

Is Gideon sleeping alone at Frank’s house since Frank is here tonight? From what Mila says, he’s been here every night this week. Anger twists inside me when I think of the letters she showed me—the rage and hatred seeping from the ink.

Before I can think twice, I’m walking to the window and lifting it just enough to climb through. I shift once my feet touch the grass, cold and wet from the late night dew, and shake out my fur. If I sit out here tonight, maybe I can catch whoever is leaving the letters on her door.

“Addy?”Kaylus calls, returning from a late night hunt.

“I want to wait out here, see if I can catch whoever is harassing Mila.”I burrow into the brush at the edge of her lawn, getting a clear view of the front door, and after ten minutes, I hear movement coming from behind me.

Whirling around, I step back as a shadow towers over me. Clouds shift, letting moonlight shine down around us, revealing broad shoulders, dark red fur, and warm brown eyes.

“Frank?”I ask, glancing behind him for a second wolf—one I’m torn between desperately hoping for and not wanting to see.

“What are you doing out here, love? Didn’t get enough time in the forest the last few days?”Humor dances in his eyes, but his gaze flicks around the yard every few seconds.

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