My eyes bored into hers, hoping she would not only hear my words, but feel their truth as well. “We were not stuck with you, Andie. We were blessed the day we found you. He would die for you, as would I. There are no doubts or regrets or questions of what if. Having you is exactly what I want.”

  Her eyes glistened, and she licked her lips. “I don’t want to lose either of you.”

  “You’re not going to. I told you everything was going to be okay, and I meant it.” I placed her hand over my heart. “I feel that right here.”

  I didn’t like making promises to my mate that I wasn’t sure I could keep, but I also didn’t want to let doubt into either of our minds. We needed to believe this would work out or else we would give Moira even more power over us, and that wasn’t acceptable.

  Andie pushed up on her toes and kissed me. “I love you so damn much.”

  “And I love you.”

  I guided her onto the bed, easing her back. My intent was to be gentle and slow, but Andie gripped my shirt, her eyes pleading with me. “Make me forget everything except for you.”

  My lips crashed down onto hers and, in an instant, my body was on fire only for Andie. Energy flickered over my skin, and the need to claim her was stronger than even when we’d first bonded.

  I scraped my teeth over her neck, then her shoulder, and knew there was no getting around leaving my mark tonight. Maybe it wasn’t the right time with our bond being tampered with by magic, but with this, I wouldn’t ignore my instincts.

  I ripped my shirt over my head and helped Andie with hers when I was done. I lifted off her long enough to kick the rest of our clothes to the floor and pull her to the edge of the bed.

  Her legs fell open for me. She was trusting me with her body, and I wasn’t going to disappoint. My hands trailed up her legs, and the higher they went up, the tighter they squeezed.

  My head dipped forward, and I licked up her center, starting as low as I could until I reached her clit, where I sucked hard.

  Andie gasped, and her hands grabbed on to my hair, tugging me closer. “Holy shit, don’t stop.”

  I did as she commanded but also brought one of my hands forward, slipping two fingers inside her slick pussy. She contracted around them and cried out, encouraging my efforts.

  My mouth and fingers fucked Andie until she was hardly breathing—until she was quivering beneath me. In and out, sucking and licking, all of it over and over to make her forget the shit we’d been dealing with.

  Not only that, but to remind her that no matter what happened, I was going to love her in every way possible for as long as I could.

  She began tugging on my arm, and when I lifted my head up, she shook her head. “You’re not done down there, but I want the other half of you.”

  Fuck.

  My balls tightened just from her words. I wanted to tell her “no,” but there was no way that I could. Instead, I pushed her farther back onto the bed and complied with her request.

  My knees rested on both sides of her head, and before I could take another breath, she had my cock in her hot mouth.

  I groaned and lifted my hips to give her a better angle before pulling her legs toward my head. My fingers rubbed over her clit and her moans vibrated against my dick as she squeezed my balls.

  Shit, she was going to make this finish before I wanted it to be if she kept that up.

  I pushed two fingers deep inside her, curling them inward before tasting her delicious pussy again.

  She shook beneath me, fighting her own release, but I wanted to hear her scream, and I wanted it right then.

  My hand pulled back and I buried my face between her legs, my tongue ravishing her until I felt her tensing.

  Her teeth grazed against the head of my cock. She licked and sucked, but her efforts were slowing while mine were increasing.

  Andie’s head jerked to the side, and she screamed while my dick twitched against her neck.

  I didn’t lift my head up until her hands gripped my thighs. When I turned around, her eyes were brighter than I’d ever seen them, and she wore a lopsided grin.

  My lips captured her grin before I tugged her off the bed and flipped her over in one motion. Her hair fell to one side from the movement, and I grabbed as many of the thick locks as I could while raising her hips until she was on all fours.

  She glanced back at me, lips glistening. “I love you. All of you.”

  My chest rumbled in response, more from my wolf than myself.

  I pressed her lower back down, then moved my hand around her front. She was still dripping for me, and I slid inside her with one hard thrust, nearly coming when she contracted around my cock.

  My hips moved until my dick was almost all the way out before I slammed back into her. She tried to drop her head as her moans got louder, but I still had a hold on her hair, keeping her right where I wanted.

  “Fuck, Foster,” she muttered, and I knew she was close again.

  Our night was far from over, but I wanted her to remember this moment with clarity, so I let go of her hair and pulled her up as I settled back onto my ankles.

  Her ass was sitting on my thighs while I was still buried deep inside her. She tried moving up, but I kept her closer.

  “I’m going to mark you,” I stated before dragging my teeth over her sensitive skin again.

  My words weren’t a question, but I gave her a moment to take them in. When she pushed her head to the side, exposing more of her porcelain skin, I took that as her acceptance to my wants.

  Andie’s hips moved from side to side, and I brought one of my hands forward to give her the relief she was searching for.

  When she sucked in a breath from my touch, I used her distraction to extend my canines.

  “Mine,” my wolf growled, only the sound didn’t stay inside my head.

  “Always yours,” Andie panted.

  I sucked on the spot where her neck curved into her shoulders. She shuddered, and then my teeth pierced her skin.

  If she were a wolf, she’d be doing the same to me now, but she wasn’t, and while I worried I might feel like we were missing something, I knew as soon as her sweet blood trickled into my mouth that there was nothing I could have imagined better than this.

  The separation I’d felt between us earlier was shattered, and heat spread from my chest. Andie’s euphoria filled my mind in those few seconds, lighting everything inside me on fire. Energy sizzled over my skin, and my dick twitched inside her warmth. I wanted to stay this way forever, locked together, just me and her.

  Andie’s nails dug into my arms, her moans growing softer, and I pulled back, running my tongue over the bite. Between our bond and her natural healing abilities, the marks were already closing over, leaving two small puncture marks that were only a few shades darker than her porcelain skin.

  She slid up and off my dick before turning around and pressing my shoulders back onto the bed while smiling softly. “That was almost as powerful as last night.”

  “Almost,” I agreed.

  A wicked grin grew on her precious face. “Now it’s my turn.”

  I’d rested on my elbows when she pushed me back, but Andie wasn’t having any of that. She wanted control and she’d have it.

  Andie shoved me the rest of the way back, and I gripped her hips while she guided herself back over my cock.

  She sank slowly, almost torturously so, until she was fully seated. Her knees spread, and she rolled forward, putting pressure right where she wanted.

  I lifted up, timing my thrusts with the roll of her hips. She gripped my chest and threw her head back, her pussy already gearing up for another release.

  This time, I wasn’t far behind her, so I held her tighter.

  Andie’s head lolled forward, and she opened her eyes to find me watching her every movement. The way her breasts bounced as she moved over me, how her chest swelled from ecstasy, and how her skin glowed from the magic she was trying so hard to hold in.

  “Let go, Mate,” I demanded as I drove into her over and over.

  She nodded, and her lips dropped open. Before she could make a sound, I sat up and captured her mouth, holding her to me while my dick twitched inside her throbbing pussy.

  Minutes ticked by before she came back to me, but I wasn’t done with her.

  I wouldn’t ever be.

  17

  ANDIE

  Foster’s touch had a way of making me forget every thought. He’d taken all of my stress and tossed it right out the window by reminding me what was most important: the time we had together.

  No longer would I let the fear of losing him, his wolf, or even myself guide my decisions. I’d woken up this morning determined to keep a positive attitude. No more freak-outs, no more bouts of crying, and no being angry with the way things were going.

  I had to believe that every step forward—or backward—and every bump in the road was guiding us toward where we were meant to be. As long as we kept fighting and trying, we’d get there, and we’d find the ending we were striving for.

  And if we didn’t? Well, then maybe it wasn’t meant to be. At least not for us. Maybe our sorrow was meant to pave the way for someone else’s happily-ever-after. To prevent another family from feeling the way we’d been. If that was the case, I’d find a way to accept that as well—I chuckled to myself—mostly because I had no choice.

  “Are you ready?” Foster asked me when he came back into the bedroom.

  I nodded and pressed my hand over my chest. “Though, I wouldn’t mind going back to last night. The walls were down for a while there.”

  When Foster had bit me, the separation I’d felt had disappeared and it had been just me and him. No worries of magic or spells or necklaces. Just my mate and me. That moment had left a mark on my soul that I would never forget.

  Foster’s hand gripped the back of my neck. “I felt that, too. We’ll get back there soon.”

  I wanted to believe him more than anything, but it was hard. Instead, I nodded and changed the subject. “Did you talk to Holden? Any thoughts on how to contact the Moon Goddess?”

  He reached for my hand. “He didn’t think it was possible, but that doesn’t mean he’s right. He’s going to contact the East Texas Pack, who had the most communication with her recently, and see what they have to say.”

  Hope sparked within me. “Do you think they’ll come here to help us?”

  Foster shrugged. “Not sure. I know they had their own problems they dealt with, but I can’t be sure the aftermath is sorted out. Alphas don’t often like to leave their packs, either.”

  I still held on to my optimism. That was part of believing everything was going to work out just the way it was supposed to.

  “Well, since we’ve learned nothing this morning, let’s hope Reah might have something for us that she didn’t think to share before,” I said, reaching for my jacket. It had been raining earlier, and I wasn’t sure if Reah would want to let us in the house after how closed off she’d seemed before.

  We might have been family, but we didn’t know each other, and I wouldn’t push myself on her. She’d kept her past a secret for a reason, and I wanted to respect that.

  Foster pressed his palm against my lower back, and we walked outside. I caught sight of the clouds still looming above and decided to open a portal to Reah’s instead of walking.

  “Do you know where you’re going?” Foster asked as he gave me some space. I was getting better with my magic, but I still needed to focus.

  I nodded. “I texted Charlie for the information.”

  With practiced effort, I closed my eyes and pushed my energy forward, focusing on what I wanted. Since the portal didn’t need to be secure, it wasn’t necessary to use a verbal spell to get it opened. I was rather thankful for that, because all the Latin-esque speak wasn’t easy to remember or pronounce.

  On the second try, Reah and Benjamin’s house came into view. It was a small cottage out in the trees. There were other witches who chose to live out there, finding safety within the coven without having to be part of the everyday activities. Though, according to Charlie, they were mostly elder coven members just living out the rest of their days in as much peace as they could find.

  Reah was still young, though. She’d lost a husband and her family, but she still had so much life left to live. I hoped one day she would find a reason to come around again. Maybe Benjamin helping more within the coven would be the first step in making that happen.

  I closed the portal, and when we were halfway up their short concrete pathway, Benjamin opened the front door. “Hey!”

  He waved animatedly at us, his locks of red hair bouncing around above his ears.

  I returned the gesture. “Morning, Benjamin.”

  “What are you guys doing all the way out here?” He leaned against the post holding up the small, covered porch.

  “I was hoping to chat with your mom if she’s up for it,” I said.

  Benjamin glanced at the door, then back at us. “She’s up. Let me ask her real quick. Do you mind waiting right here?”

  Foster answered first. “Not at all.”

  Benjamin nodded and darted back inside, closing the door behind him.

  I sighed. “I had a feeling she might be leery of guests, even if I’m family.”

  Foster wrapped his arm around my waist. “Do you think she’ll talk to us?”

  “Yeah, we just might be doing so outside. Which is better than nothing. Well, as long as it doesn’t rain on us,” I said, looking up again. The sky was ominous, and I didn’t like that my mood was trying to match the vibe.

  Foster followed my gaze. “It’s not going to rain.”

  I raised a brow. “And you’d know that because…”

  “Wolf senses,” he said seriously, and I laughed.

  “That’s an odd one, even by supernatural standards.”

  He pulled me tightly against him and lowered his voice. “Are you making fun of me, Ms. Bishop?”

  My skin heated, and my pulse sped up. “Possibly. What would you do if I was?”

  He leaned down, presumably to whisper the answer, but Benjamin came back outside, and we both straightened as if we’d been caught by our parents in the act.

  Benjamin chuckled. “Come on in.”

  I blinked several times before Foster nudged me forward. Benjamin already had his back to us, leading the way, and I looked up at Foster, who just shrugged.

  Clearly, I was the only one of us who thought we’d be standing outside.

  Reah was in the kitchen. She was humming a soft melody I didn’t recognize and putting some muffins on a tray. Orange juice and four glasses were already waiting on the wooden tabletop.

  I glanced back at the living room, noticing only a couch with three seats, a small television, and a table between them with a halfway-finished puzzle that I was pretty sure was going to be a garden of wildflowers when it was done.

  “Good morning,” Reah greeted us, placing the tray of muffins in the middle of the table. When I met her gaze, she was smiling and more at ease than she’d been the day before.

  “Good morning,” I said. “I’m sorry to just drop in, but I had a few questions for you that were better asked in person.”

  Foster pulled a chair out for me, and I took a seat while waiting for Reah to respond.

  I ended up between Foster and Benjamin and across from Reah, which I preferred since I hoped to be talking to her most.

  Once she was settled, she placed one hand over the other on top of the table and sat up straight. “What did you want to ask?”

  My eyes shifted toward Foster, and he nodded, pressing his hand on my jittery thigh.

  I wasn’t used to having family. I didn’t know how to broach the subject, so I just dove right in, hoping I wasn’t about to offend Reah or freak her out.

  “I was wondering about my mom’s side of the family. Did any of the witches or warlocks have special powers?” I asked.

  Her lips pinched together at one side. “Not that I know of, but like I mentioned yesterday, we didn’t really stick together as a coven. Information wasn’t shared freely outside of immediate families. I only knew what I knew about your mother because she took it upon herself to look after me once I started going to the same school as her, even though she was years ahead of me.”

  Well, that wasn’t really helpful, and I wasn’t sure how much I should say. I hadn’t told Beatrix we were coming here, and I didn’t know how secret this syphon ability was supposed to stay.

  “Did something else happen?” Benjamin asked with a mouthful of muffin.

  Foster gave my thigh another squeeze, and I took that as a sign to be truthful. His wolf would have a better sense than I did if I couldn’t trust them. Maybe this conversation would also begin building the bridge to having a real relationship with Reah one day.

  “Well, I found out that even though I have Junie’s magic now, I’m still not capable of bonding with Foster the way we should be able to. We thought maybe we’d found a loophole in the system, but it backfired. When I took on my aunt’s powers and…” I paused, suddenly realizing I was about to talk about having sex in front of a seventeen-year-old boy who seemed more sheltered than others his age. While awkward, it was too late to stop.

  “And when I accepted the bond with Foster, I began pulling energy from his wolf. If Beatrix hadn’t found a temporary solution, the animal spirit might have died. Even now, we have less than a few weeks until we’re out of options. Worse, we don’t know the consequences for Foster if we can’t figure out how to stop me from syphoning from him or we can’t get my necklace back from Moira.”

  “Damn,” Benjamin muttered.

  Reah’s narrowed eyes leveled on him. “Language, Son.”

  He cringed. “Sorry, Mom.”

  I cracked a smile until Reah frowned at me. “I wish I could say I’ve heard of such things, but I’ve never even met a cross-race couple. I was so young when I left with Jeffrey, and once we entered Moira’s coven, we never left until it was time to run.”

  “Is there anything you can tell us about her coven?” Foster asked. “Like where it’s at or what kind of shield they have protecting it?”