Page 42 of Witch of My Heart

I sent my carrier a quick photo message of me, Cord, and Duke at dinner the night before. I was sure Duke probably sent him and Uncle Blake selfies, but just in case, I wanted to give him some solid proof that I was really okay. He was always the worrier out of my parents.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cord

It didn’t surprise me that when Blithe and I headed over to see our possible new house that Duke came along. The thought of having an extra person in the new house soothed the ruffled fur on the back of my cat’s neck. Duke and Blithe were cousins, but sometimes acted more like brothers. Whatever kittens or puppies Blithe and I had would be his family too. If his willingness to fight almost everyone within arm’s reach for Blithe was anything to go on, I figured he’d be a protective uncle too. Kids could never have too many people who loved them. Hell, if my dad’s siblings had been alive and present when Ginger showed up maybe our story would’ve turned out differently. I shook the thought away and Blithe squeezed my hand.

“I’m here,” I laughed and bumped into him with my hip.

“How did Starry take the news that I was perhaps whisking you down the block?” Blithe teased.

“I don’t think it’s fully set in for him yet,” I said. “Not that he’d be mad about me moving out. I’m sure he’s ready for his own space. I know Xi probably is. He’s nice and all, but I’m sure he wants to walk around naked without Starry telling him to put pants on because I might come out.”

“If I forget to wear pants, cousin, what’s going to happen?” Duke chuckled.

“Nudity doesn’t bother me,” I said before either Alpha could say anything else. “That’s between Starry and Xi. I’m not saying I want to see Xi naked. I’m just saying him walking into the kitchen naked wouldn’t phase me. I walk around naked all the time.”

“That could be interesting,” Blithe said, his grip on my hand tightening like he might pull me in for a kiss on the middle of the sidewalk.

“He means in cat form,” Duke sighed.

“I know what he meant. He ismymate,” Blithe said.

“Don’t get all catty on me,” Duke smirked.

“Are you two fighting over me?” I blinked, confused.

“No,” they both said at the same time, their voices turning serious.

“He is a bit territorial,” Duke shrugged. “He’s always been like that. He once bit Darian Hemlock – you know the Dean of Hemlock Academy for taking his seat.”

“Huh?” I blinked at Blithe.

“I was two and woke up from my nap with Darian sitting on the sofa in my spot next to my dad. I wasn’t having it,” Blithe laughed. “The day before there had been some documentary on about how wild wolves fight for dominance or some nonsense and I decided to show him who was boss. Let’s just say he never sat in my chair again. My poor carrier was mortified, though.”

“Wrynn about pissed himself laughing, though,” Duke laughed, his eyes lighting up at the memory.

“So, what were you two arguing about?” I asked them.

“We weren’t arguing,” Blithe said.

“Then why point out that I’m your mate and not Duke’s?” I blinked, butterflies exploding in my stomach.

“I didn’t point out that you weren’t his,” Blithe shook his head.

“He just wanted to say you were his mate,” Duke laughed.

“What? I think Bobby and Liam would prefer me not climbing on top of the meeting hall roof and yelling it to all of Heartville that way or finding the water tower and painting it there,” Blithe smirked.

“Would you do that?” I blinked.

“I mean, if graffiti gets you off, yeah, I would,” Blithe shrugged.

“Don’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair,” I shook my head and gave his hand a squeeze. “Not everyone with a mate could fit their name on there.”

“You’re way too sweet for my cousin,” Duke laughed as we stopped in front of the house where Bobby and Liam waited on us.

“You should see his punching bag at the gym, Duke. You wouldn’t say that then,” Bobby chuckled and I blushed.

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