Chapter 9
NINE
NARLA
Two hours later, the wine was nearly gone, and Narla felt lighter than she had in years.
She hadn’t told them everything. Couldn’t bring herself to speak Derren’s name or what he was, what he could do, the horror that lived beneath his perfect glamour. But she’d told them enough—the threat, the silence, the isolation—and they’d responded with exactly what she should have expected.
Fierce, unconditional support.
“I still think we should tell the guys.” Junie had moved past wine to coffee at some point, and her chaos energy had returned in full force. “Leo would want to know. And Theo. And Cal would probably fly back from Paris if—”
“No.” Narla shook her head. “Not yet. I’m not ready for the alphas to get involved. They’d want to hunt, and I can’t—” She swallowed. “I need to handle this my own way. At my own pace.”
“What about Wyatt?” Cassia’s question was careful. “He’s going to keep pushing. He knows trouble is brewing, and he’s not the type to let things go.”
Narla thought about his silhouette in her driveway, the raw weight of his silence when she refused to answer, the predatory patience of someone who would wait as long as it took.
He hadn’t pushed when she refused to answer. Hadn’t forced his way into her cottage or demanded explanations. He’d just… watched. Waited. Let her close the door.
For all his suspicion, all his investigation, he’d given her space when she needed it.
“I don’t know what to do about Wyatt.” The admission felt safer surrounded by friends. “Part of me wants to tell him everything. Part of me wants to keep him as far away as possible.”
“Mate bonds don’t really do distance.” Avine’s voice was gentle. “Once the recognition happens—once the bond starts forming—trying to stay away just makes everything more intense.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“Speaking from watching four couples go through exactly this.” Avine smiled. “The more you fight it, the harder it pulls. The surge already broke down whatever walls you were maintaining. You can’t rebuild them now.”
Narla thought about the awareness that had settled into her bones since the festival. Knowing where Wyatt was without conscious thought. Feeling the pull of his presence across miles of distance.
No. There was no going back. The walls were down, and they weren’t going up again.
“Whatever you decide,” Dahlia said from the screen, “we’re with you. Even from Paris, even four thousand miles away—I’m with you. Cal, too, if you need him.”
“The alphas are going to find out eventually.” Junie shrugged at Narla’s look. “They have a way of knowing things.”
Cassia stood, stretching, “I’m going to talk to Aero about your candles. He’s been researching the surge for months. If anyone can figure out why your magic is showing mates now, it’s him.”
“The whole town is in chaos.” Narla hadn’t let herself think about that part—too focused on her own crisis to consider the wider implications. “Everyone who bought candles at the festival—”
“Is going to learn some very interesting things about their romantic destinies.” Avine’s tone was dry. “I’ve already had three calls this morning from couples who are either thrilled or panicking.”
“A married lioness saw someone who wasn’t her husband.” Junie grimaced. “That one’s going to be messy.”
“And Hux lit one.” Cassia’s voice went strange. “Saw nothing. Just darkness.”
Narla’s stomach clenched. “Nothing? That means—”
“Maybe no mate exists for him. Maybe a barrier is blocking the vision. Maybe—” Cassia shrugged. “We don’t know. He’s been avoiding everyone since.”
The reality of what her magic had unleashed settled over Narla. Her candles were exposing truths that people might not be ready to face. Revealing bonds that could break existing relationships. Showing emptiness where people had hoped to find someone.
And she had no idea how to control it.
“I need to go to the shop.” She stood, steadier now than she’d been. “People are going to have questions. I should—”
“You should eat first.” Avine caught her arm. “And maybe shower. And possibly sleep for more than zero hours.”
“I slept.”
“On your kitchen floor.” At Narla’s startled look, Avine smiled. “You mentioned it earlier. That’s not sleep, that’s collapse.”
“She has a point.” Junie was gathering her things. “Take today to recover. The shop can wait. The chaos will still be there tomorrow.”
“And if Wyatt shows up again?” Narla didn’t know why she asked. Didn’t know what answer she was hoping for.
Cassia paused at the door. “If Wyatt shows up again, maybe let him in. Talk to him. See what happens.” She smiled, knowing awareness in her expression.
“He’s been suspicious of you all this time because his panther recognized you before his brain did.
Now that the secret’s out—at least the mate part—maybe it’s time to stop hiding from him. ”