Page 24 of Captive Witch

“Thank you for helping me,” Jaz says, her voice small. “I-I think I’m going to go home now, if that’s okay.”

“Of course,” I say, letting her go. “If you need us—”

“I know,” she says with a sad smile. She leans over and kisses my cheek before walking through the yard and back around to the front of the house.

“She loves you,” Adara whispers, gaining my attention. Her dark eyes are red-rimmed and watery. “I’m so sorry for ruining everything. Her wolf was right—all I bring is misery to everyone.”

I cup her cheek. “Don’t say that. You’ve brought so much more to my life than a few miserable moments. Look how much everyone loves you. They were all worried about you when you were gone.” I smile, searching her eyes and wishing I could erase the pain etched deep inside her. “You’re everything to me, little witch, and one wolf’s stupid name for you won’t change any of that.”

Closing her eyes, she rests her head against my shoulder. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I ask, my cheek sitting atop her head.

“For everything. For always reminding me I get to choose who I am.”

I inhale slowly. “Adara… How did you access Jaz’s inner world? That shouldn’t be possible.”

“I wish I could tell you…”

“You didn’t use magic?”

She shakes her head slightly. “I can feel it when I focus it into my hands. I didn’t use a spell this time.”

“Do you think you could repeat it?”

She pushes away from me, sitting up. “What do you mean? You want me to try it again? On who?”

“Me.” I smirk. “I’ve been to my wolf’s world only twice, only once more than Jaz. I’m curious.”

I don’t know if I like this idea.

You don’t get to complain,I tell my wolf.I’m not asking you to make it easy.

Adara takes a deep breath, chewing on her lip again. I run my thumb over it, leaning in to kiss her mouth. “If it doesn’t work, or if it does, either way is fine. Entertain me, little witch.”

I lift her hands, placing them on my chest with my own wrapped around her fingers. Leaning my forehead against hers, I reach for my wolf. Her hands warm within mine, and suddenly, I’m pulled forward. Opening my eyes, I’m standing on a black sand beach, its dark waters stretching far to the left. Obsidian mountains line the horizon in the distance, and a field of white asphodels dance in the breeze to my right. Squinting at the flowers, I walk toward them, bending down to run my fingers along the white and yellow petals of something I’ve never seen before.

Narcissus flowers.

Standing, I whirl around and lock eyes with the large black wolf.

They’re… new. Just appeared a month ago.The black wolf’s eyes shine with a glint, then he looks back over his shoulder.

Adara stands on the black sand, arms wrapped around her middle, staring off in the distance over the dark waters. Shock and pride swarm within me, and I run to her, placing my arms around her from behind and spinning her around. “How did you do this?” I ask, kissing the curve of her neck.

“I don’t know,” she says, laughter making her breathless. “I just… It feels like I guided you. I don’t know how. Gideon!” She yelps when I don’t put her down, kicking her feet in the air when I get closer to the glassy black waters. “Is that water even safe?”

I chuckle, holding tighter to her as I wade into the water. “Of course it’s safe. Nothing in my world will hurt you. You’re safe here.” The water reaches my waist, and I turn her to face me,holding her face in my hands. “Do you know how incredible you are? This is incredible. I’ve been alive forcenturies,and I have never heard of anything like this.”

“I don’t understand why you’re so excited,” she says, draping her arms around my neck, “but I love seeing you like this.” Her smile is wide, and her eyes are filled with mirth.

“Has your wolf told you the power of their inner world?”

Her brows furrow as she shakes her head.

A wolf’s inner world helps a werewolf access the rest of their powers,my wolf says, drawing our attention to the shoreline.By connecting with us on this level, we become one. One soul, two minds.

“Being able to guide a wolf to their inner world like this, it could mean showing each member of our pack their true strength,” I say. “You can bring our packstrength.”

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