Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“I guess that means Casey and I still have the good path and the bad one?” Dex asked, shoving his hands into his jeans.
The witch stopped and turned toward him, and then stepped close. Being a wolf, he was used to not having a lot of privacy, but Lucinda seemed to break through that personal barrier wall and came right up to him. She was so close that he saw the little red marks within her eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re scared.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Not for normal stuff, silly. You’re scared for Casey.” She smiled. “You’re in love with her.”
“This is not news to me.”
“I know, and it is not news to me either. Your love has been shining bright and is getting brighter as you age. She is your everything. Everything you do is for Casey.” Lucinda smiled and then clapped her hands. “And it is so sweet to see. You fear her pain. You want to know who suffers if the future doesn’t go well.”
“Is there any way you can guarantee she doesn’t get hurt?” Dex asked.
He didn’t even know why he came here, and yet she made it so clear. He wanted to take care of her, to look after her, to make sure Casey had everything her heart desired.
“You love her,” she said.
“You know I do.” She’d already said that before. “I-I can’t bear the thought of anything bad happening to her.”
“What if the cost comes to you?” Lucinda said.
“Then I will pay it. Please tell me.”
Lucinda sighed. “Knowing the future doesn’t make it easier.”
“Just tell me.”
“No,” Lucinda said. “But I will show you.”
Dex frowned as Lucinda reached out and pressed her fingers against his head. At first, he didn’t know what was happening, but then it felt like he was being pulled under, forced to sleep when he didn’t want to.
“Don’t fight it.”
His wolf didn’t like this, but Dex had to trust Lucinda. She had warned his father of the price that would be paid.
She didn’t allow any wolf to ask her for anything. She tried to protect them all, and he’d been the one to come to her. The vision was so clear, like he was living it.
He looked down at his hands, and that was when he saw them covered with blood.
“No, stop. Let him go,” Casey said, yelling.
The fear and pain in her voice tore at his heart.
He tried to scream, to tell her it was going to be okay, but nothing came out of his mouth. Dex didn’t know why nothing came out of his mouth. Then, he didn’t get chance to see what else happened, as his throat was ripped out. His last image was of Casey, sobbing, as his life ended.
He came out of the memory and looked toward Lucinda.
“What the fuck was that?” he asked.
“That is what happens if Casey doesn’t transition in time. Your life will be in the balance, Dex. She will have nothing but guilt, but the pack will also expel her, and your father will spend a lifetime hunting her.”
****
“Are you okay?” Casey asked.
Dex didn’t even respond. He looked straight ahead at the television as if he’d not even heard her. They were at her house as her parents had left and were enjoying a very rare date night.
“Hello,” she said, waving her hand in front of his face.
He jerked and turned toward her.
She offered him a smile but it was difficult to do.
“What’s the matter?” Dex asked.
“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” She pressed her lips together. Ever since he’d picked her up from the diner in town, he’d been quiet. Something was off, and she didn’t need to have wolf senses to know that.
“I need a drink,” he said, pulling away from her.
Casey was tempted to let him walk away and to not pressure him into talking to her, but that felt wrong. Getting to her feet, she followed him into the kitchen.
In the past couple of months, her parents had gotten used to him hanging around. They both loved him, and Casey understood why. Dex was amazing. She knew there were a lot of pack females who were jealous of her and Dex’s relationship. They hadn’t come out and admitted anything, but the glares said it all.
“Does this have anything to do with you going to Lucinda’s?” she asked, to which he nearly choked on the water he was drinking.
“How do you know about that?” Dex asked.
“You were spotted. I guess seeing the Alpha’s son heading to see a witch can cause a lot of gossip.”
“They should be minding their own business.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “Do you want to tell me what is bothering you?”
He finished his water, swilled out the glass, and then turned toward her. She watched as he pressed his hands on the counter and took a deep breath.