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)
On one of her many visits with Klaus, the Alpha had mentioned how worried he was about pack females, and some of them were not able to control their wolves. Lucinda knew how difficult it was for some of the wolves. She tried to keep her distance from the pack, as she knew how tempting it was for them to seek her out to use magic.
Magic was dangerous and deadly. The cost of doing business was far too high.
After Klaus’s sadness, she had decided to try and experiment with suppressing the wolf inside the woman long enough to give birth. She knew it was a risk to even attempt. Meddling with someone’s wolf could have dire consequences. She created the chamomile into a tea, but there was no way for her to test it. She’d need her subject to be willing, and to ask Klaus for his permission, and of course there was always the risk something could go wrong.
She had never told another soul about this experiment, at least she didn’t recall telling anyone. Apart from her book. Her missing potions book and the missing chamomile. She didn’t know how long it had been since she misplaced her book or the herb.
She couldn’t help but think about Casey. She’d seen the young woman many times, even as a child, at a distance, and knew the girl would grow to be a fiery wolf. There was so much passion, love, and loyalty in her. Lucinda, herself, had sensed the young woman’s wolf at a young age. This is why she’d been so shocked to discover the young woman hadn’t transitioned. If there had been anyone within the Arlington pack she could bet her witchcraft on who would successfully transition, it would have been Casey.
The tea had to have worked, but that meant someone had to have known what it was used for and then been in a position to give it to Casey. Who? There was only two people she knew she could trust with this information.
Lucinda quickly rushed out of her home.
****
“What do you think?” Dex asked.
Casey glanced around the small dining room. There was already a table and four chairs. She’d noticed the few pieces of furniture, and it didn’t take a genius to know his father had been responsible for making this place freaking awesome.
Neither Dex’s parents nor her own had opted to come with them to check out this new place. From what Dex had told her, Klaus had handed him the keys and he was to let them know what they thought.
“I think it’s amazing,” she said.
“You know what this is, don’t you?” he asked.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “What? You don’t think I saw we’re equal distance from my parents as well as yours? Close to the pack, for whenever you need to … be present. It’s the perfect starter home for the soon-to-be Alpha.”
There was enough space, but not too much, to also raise not one but a few kids. She was still trying to wrangle her head around the pregnancy thing. The confirmation hadn’t exactly made it easier to accept.
“If you don’t like it, we don’t have to stay.”
She walked toward him, resting a hand on his chest. “I know that, but I also don’t want to be the only one to have input in what house we stay at. I think it is a decision we should make together.”
Dex sighed and cupped her face, tilting her head back. She loved it when he did this. Staring up into his eyes, that dark blue shade with a hint of amber, letting her know his wolf was so close to the surface.
One day, she wished she would get to know what it felt like to finally run with him. To be by his side as they embraced the future together.
“You want to know what I think?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s what I just said.”
He leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. “I want whatever you want, Casey. You’re my home. No one else, and no other place. Wherever you want to be is where I want to be.”
She couldn’t help but feel the tears fill her eyes. “There you go saying all those magical and amazing things.”
He laughed. “I do my best.”
This time, she kissed him, going onto her tiptoes to press her lips against his. “I want to be wherever you are,” she said.
“Good.”
She couldn’t help but glance over at the table.
Dex followed her gaze.
“I have no idea what is wrong with me,” she said.
“I’m guessing it’s the hormones.”
“I’m not that far along, but you are driving me crazy, and I need you.”
She grabbed his jacket and moved toward the edge of the table. Casey didn’t need to ask him to lift her up. He picked her up and placed her on the edge of the table.