*MacKenzie*”How are your feet, Mackenzie?” Maddox asked as I finished cleaning up the kitchen.”Mmm, fine. I am still sore, but the blisters are gone, and I can go to work. By the way, I start in thirty minutes, so hurry up here.” I checked the time and gasped, ”Thank you for the breakfast, Maddox. It was delicious.” I thanked him and looked at Conrad, who stood in the kitchen leaning against the fridge with his arms and ankles crossed.” You’re not going anywhere, Starfish. I linked Mrs. Kringle in the morning and told her you’d not be at the bakery today. I’m sorry for informing you like that, but there is something we need to talk about.” He pushed from the fridge and walked towards me. ”Can you sit, please? It might take a while.” He took my hand and pulled the chair for me.”Talk? What do you want to talk about? And what is he doing here?” I asked, pointing at
*Caris*I picked the last lovage leaves and placed them in the basket. My back was killing me because of staying in one position for too long. I was no longer the youngest woman, even though my appearance might not suggest it. Being a bear shifter has advantages and several inconveniences, including painful bones.”Ahhh.” I moaned through clenched teeth as I straightened up, and my lower back cracked.”You better know what you’re doing, Claire. Helping you in those greenhouses is way more exhausting than any training with your son. I have never suffered so much my entire life.” I whined aloud.Unfortunately, I didn't receive any response. I was left alone in the greenhouse as Claire returned to her apartment to prepare her magical potion for MacKenzie. I picked up the basket and carefully walked between the flower beds towards the exit. I shook my head when I thought about this poor girl who had no idea what kind of mother-in-law she would have.”You better prepare for the woman from
*Mackenzie*Spirit.That word rang in my head constantly for the last two hours. Nothing could have prepared me for what Maddox told me. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine such a scenario.Spirit, what does it even mean?Am I a ghost, some unknown energy floating in the air? Am I even real? I got scared suddenly. I sat in my cottage, gazing at the fireplace while Fireball lay on my lap, peacefully pouring as a stroke at red fur. Maybe he was wrong and told a complete bullshit.”You're still processing? Stop worrying. Let's wait for his return.”Connor walked in with a stack of firewood and placed it on the ground. I gave him speechless, as I had no idea how to answer.Was I processing? Yes.Was I worrying? Yes.Was I anxious for Maddox's return? Absolutely not.I was done when he mentioned celestia
*MacKenzie*I moaned into his mouth while his tongue took possession of mine. None of our previous kisses were like this one. His lips felt soft and warm, and I couldn’t stop and tasted more and more of them. Conrad tangled his fingers into my curls and tilted my head slightly, allowing him to dominate me in this position.My body was on fire, my heart was racing, and my lungs desperately screamed for the needed oxygen, yet I couldn’t stop wanting more. My hands grazed his neck and ears and locked behind his head, tugging at his hair, causing a deliciously pleased grunt from my mate.”You’re not helping, Starfish. I want to be gentle with you.” He pleaded as he nibbed at my jaw, making my breaths come out in short pants.I released his hair, tilted my head more, and slid my hands to grab his shoulders. I fisted my hand on the soft fabric, but my nails scratched his skin delicately, and he grunted warningly again.”You’re playing with fire, Mackenzie. Stop teasing me.” He warned and pu
*Mackenzie*I woke up to the sound of Fireball slurping water from her bowl. I reluctantly peeked from under my warm blanket and looked around the bedroom. My eyes were still filled with the morning sleepiness, but I was sure that the room I saw was not my bedroom. I lifted my hands, pushed away the curls that covered my eyes, and rubbed my fists to clear my vision. I blinked a few times, and my eyes met a dimming fireplace. Fireball lazily lapped up the milk while gazing at me with strange eyes. She narrowed her eyes at me momentarily before turning her head and continuing her drink, ignoring me.I pushed the cover, looked at the other side of the room, and gazed at the shreds of my clothes scattered everywhere, with a few broken flower pots and spilled soil on the floor. I gasped as I noticed the overturned chairs under the table, the tablecloth hanging carelessly from the table, and claw scratches on the wood.I widened my eyes as I tried to recall yesterday’s incident. I uncovere
*MacKenzie*I sat in the chair, looking around nervously. The dining room was filled with the beautiful intertwining smells of food, the noise of passionate conversations, and the laughter of small children. But it all suddenly stopped when Conrad and I stood in the doorway hand in hand.I knew it was terrible to show up like that at breakfast, but Conrad insisted they were dying to meet me. I tried to back out, but Conrad held my hand firmly and led me to his usual table in the middle of the room.I tried my best to look confident, but I have never dealt with so many curious eyes, let alone those judging me. My ears burnt when we reached the table, and Conrad left me alone to bring us breakfast. I clasped my hands on my lap and gazed at the wooden texture of the table decorated with freshly picked wildflowers.A dignified and loud growl came from my side, and I turned my head to see Fireball sitting on the ground, gazing at the crowd, sending them a death glare and a warning growl. I
*Conrad*I muffled the chuckle that threatened to escape my throat and gazed at my embarrassed mate, trying to hold herself together. She paled at my explanation and probably hoped to vanish into the ground. I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction. She was shy and reserved, but I thought she was accustomed to werewolves’ customs and abilities.I linked everyone to stop staring and give their Luna space as I grabbed her chin and lifted her to meet her eyes. I didn’t want to embarrass her, so I kissed her parted lips and grazed her cheek lovingly. Never in a million years would I do that to any girl, yet my little starfish made me a different man, and the whole pack saw that change in me, too.”Don’t worry, starfish. Don’t mind them. They’re happy to have their Luna finally.” I whispered in a reassuring voice.She looked at me with rosy cheeks and wide, shining blue eyes, nodding and making her red curls bounce the way I liked. I don’t know when it happened, but I started noticing an
*Conrad*I stormed down the stairs as if I had been scalded. I ignored everyone on my way as I rushed to the last cell at the back, where my gut told me I would find Miles. And I wasn’t wrong. I reduced my sprint to jog when I noticed the door to the cell open and the spare magnetic key lying on the floor.With hands in his pockets, Miles stood straight, staring into the probably empty cell. Rip stood alert, sniffing the air and straining his ears, but nothing seemed unusual. I reached Miles, looked inside the cell, and found what caught Miles’ attention.See you soon, loser.An inscription was carved on the opposite wall and then decorated with not much blood but enough to be effective. My blood boiled, and I clenched my hands into fists. I went inside looking for clues, but I found nothing suspicious apart from this inscription that aroused great anger.”I want the names of everyone who stood guard over the last two days and surveillance recordings. I want to know when he escaped an