Chapter 20

After Jess selects my new favorite outfit—yes, he’s the one who chose it—no, I didn’t agree at first—yes, he completely disregarded my protests.

No, I’m never taking off these leather pants and a sweater that reads “How about no”—we finally arrive at a cozy little diner. The place is bathed in warm colors and the tables are small and charming.

Best of all, they serve cheeseburgers. Massive cheeseburgers. Every wolf’s dream. Or maybe just mine. Jess lounges in the chair as if he’s at home, just kicking back. I can’t help but roll my eyes at him.

“Can you at least pretend to be...” My words are abruptly cut off by a loud bang and the sound of shattering glass.

I instinctively raise my arms to shield my face. The few humans in the diner scream in panic.

Peeking through a gap between my arms, I see four large wolves standing outside the window. I recognize one of them as my father.

“KATE, RUN!” Jess’ urgent command propels me into action. I dart behind the counter, expecting him to follow, but he doesn’t.

Peering over the counter, I see him locked in combat with one of the unfamiliar wolves. He seems to be holding his own, his opponent covered in blood.

I quickly scan the diner for the other three wolves, but they’re nowhere in sight. A throat clears behind me and I instantly recognize the scent as my father’s.

I turn around slowly, flames already dancing from my hands.

“So we meet again.” He seems far too relaxed. I tilt my head to the side and force my best wicked smile, despite the panic churning inside me.

“Hello, father. Did you really have to make such a mess? You could have just sent a text, or is that too complicated for you?” His face registers surprise for a moment before he masks it with his poker face.

“Well, well, well. She actually told you, what a surprise.” The sounds of the ongoing fight behind me are a constant distraction, and it takes all my willpower not to turn around.

Sirens wail in the distance, undoubtedly heading our way.

“I’d love to chat, dear father. But I’m a busy woman.” I hurl a fireball at him. He doesn’t dodge, but the fire doesn’t hit him either. The ball breaks and the fire swirls around him.

“Little protection spell. Isn’t witchcraft just amazing?”

His laughter sends chills down my spine.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a coffee machine within reach. I grab it and hurl it at him.

I don’t wait to see if it hits. I vault over the counter and sprint towards Jess.

He’s struggling now, pinned beneath the other wolf.

They’re both drenched in blood and I can tell Jess is injured by the way he’s favoring his back paw.

I launch myself at the wolf, the sudden impact sending us both sprawling. Before he can react, I swiftly snap his neck.

My father has vaulted over the counter with incredible speed.

“LET’S GO!” I shout at Jess. He scrambles to his feet and we bolt out onto the streets.

Even though he’s in wolf form and should be faster than me, he keeps pace with me.

When I steal a quick glance at him, I see he’s not putting weight on his injured paw.

I tap into my magic and channel it into him. I hear a sigh of relief as I heal his paw.

We weave through the streets, and I risk a quick look behind us, but no one is following us yet. We don’t stop running.

The wolves could pick up our scent.

The few humans we pass stare at the sight of me running alongside a wolf.

I can’t blame them; it’s an unusual sight, even for him.

After about twenty minutes of running, my leg muscles start to protest.

I duck into a dark alley, Jess hot on my heels. I’m panting slightly, mentally kicking myself for neglecting my training.

Jess shifts back into his human form, and I’m painfully aware of his nakedness. I make a point to look anywhere but at him.

“For fuck’s sake!” His anger is palpable. “How the hell did he find us?” I don’t respond.

How are we going to get back without being noticed? A naked man walking the streets will surely attract attention.

Not to mention the police and who knows who else will be on our tail.

There were far too many witnesses. How could they have been so careless?

I hear a heartbeat that isn’t Jess’s and scan the alley.

Jess seems to have heard it too, but I can’t locate the source.

Before I can warn him, something drops from above, landing on top of Jess.

In the blink of an eye, I unleash my fire at the wolf, but it bounces off him too.

Before I can launch another attack, my hands are yanked behind my back and snapped into heavy cuffs.

“My dear daughter, I expected better from you.” His words send a shiver down my spine. “Are you done playing around now? I’d like to take you home.”

I struggle against the cuffs, but the more I resist, the tighter they become. I look at Jess in panic, but his body is limp.

My father steps around me to face me, and I tilt my head up slightly to meet his gaze.

“You’re very pretty. Those eyes... They’re your mother’s eyes.” I grit my teeth, trying to think of a way out. I can feel the magic in the cuffs, and a wave of annoyance washes over me.

Damn witches with their damn spells everywhere. I can’t fight and carry Jess while I’m cuffed.

“Sorry to disappoint you, daddy. But my home is not with you.”

He moves so fast that when he appears in front of my face, I instinctively recoil. His hand wraps around my neck as he pulls my face closer to his, our noses almost touching.

“You’ve always been mine to come home to.” I can see the anger in his eyes and instantly know I’ve hit a nerve.

“What are you going to do? Lock me up? You and I both know that spell will wear off, and when it does, I won’t be so easy to push around.” His head falls back, and his laughter echoes through the alley.

“Once I’m done with you, you won’t ever want to leave, sweety.” His words put me on high alert.

A wave of fear washes over me, and I can’t help but glance back at Jess, sprawled out on the unforgiving concrete. “Don’t sweat it. By the time he comes to, we’ll be nothing but a memory.”

Suddenly, darkness engulfs me as something is yanked over my head. A sharp prick in my shoulder follows. I swear, my life is one big shit show.