CHAPTER 16
Rue
All my life I’ve believed that I would live a short, mortal existence as a witch. A blip in the grand scheme of things. Especially for someone at my power level. I knew I wouldn’t end up in a history book somewhere with the title “The Greatest Witch Who Ever Lived” shortly after my thirteenth birthday when all of my friends were casting spells leagues above what I could accomplish.
Although, it seems my magic is changing... evolving somehow. The way I could sense the mystery woman’s emotions and see into Veronica’s minds can’t be a coincidence. And now that I think about it, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence I managed to stop the not-so-feral from entering the cabin the day he tried to lure me outside.
The question is, why now? Why am I changing?
Or have I always had a knack for these things and never noticed it? Is it why I’ve always been witchily good at reading tea leaves?
Psychic witches are extremely rare. I can’t say I’ve ever actually met one. And it’s not taught in schools because the likelihood is so low.
I reach up to feel my neck, still in shock. I’m already healed without the assistance of Slade’s blood and the tiredness that comes along with it. Immortal. Me. I’m immortal. Little old powerless Rue Delacroix.
Look at me now, witches.
Unlike the majority of my peers, I haven’t wasted my time tirelessly searching for ways to extend my lifespan. From what I’ve heard, there are some temporary options out there, but they all come at a cost. Which is why I’ve never looked into them further.
And it’s not because I didn’t want to be immortal, because who wouldn’t? Anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves.
An infinite amount of time to get through all the books one could ever dream of? A millennia or more to master my art? Yeah. Sign me right the hex up.
But I didn’t dare allow myself to dream of it because I didn’t want to be consumed with those thoughts and miss out on actually living.
So for Slade to tell me that not only am I now a stronger, more enhanced version of myself, but that my life is tied to his and I heal faster... It was quite the exploding potion he threw on me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m over the moon. But it’s a lot to take in and a lot of emotional wounds I’d thought I’d healed are opening themselves as I think about my past more and more.
The tip of my pencil breaks, and I let out a curse, snapping out of my thoughts. Drawing is always what I turn to when I need to give my brain a break. My way to escape and silence my thoughts by pouring myself into something, heart and soul. Which is why I’m excited I managed to find a notebook and pencils in the desk in Slade’s room.
Thank goodness he has about a million pencils in his drawer. I’m trying not to judge his taste, but I totally am. These things suck. For a vampire of his stature, I expected better stationary, but they get the job done, so I guess I can’t complain too much. I do make a mental note to ask the wolves what happened to the supplies I bought before everything went to hell. My fingers itch to get my hands on each item and test them out.
Taking a deep breath, I allow my hand to glide across the paper in long movements, then short ones to add detail. The image is coming to life with every stroke. Using my pinkie, I smudge a small part to give it more dimension, then blow to get rid of the excess charcoal. Goddess Divine, I’ve missed this beyond words.
I stop to admire the full picture. It’s almost finished, it just needs—
Someone clears their throat, startling me. After years of being told my work is mediocre and I should focus on my magic studies instead, my first reaction is to cover my artwork so it’s not ridiculed. But when I glance up to find Kathan staring in shock, the ghost of a smile coming across his lips, I decide to turn it to face him instead. “What do you think?” I ask, holding my breath.
Kathan steps closer, taking in the piece before him. Somehow, I managed to capture every intricate detail of the wolves, from the way their fur glistens under the moonlight to the intensity in their eyes. His gaze lingers on the artwork, and I can see different emotions flickering across his face as he reaches out tentatively, his fingertips hovering just above the paper as if afraid to disrupt the fragile beauty. It’s hard to place exactly what he’s feeling, so I wait for him to speak.
His voice finally cuts through the silence, filled with awe. “It’s breathtaking,” he whispers. His eyes flicker with recognition, and for a moment, a hint of vulnerability flashes across his face. “Is this us?” he asks, his fingers lightly grazing the surface of him in wolf form, then onto Caylix and Rhys.
I nod. “Yes, it is,” I reply. “From the moment I first saw you all in your wolf forms, I knew I needed to draw you someday, to commit your beauty to paper. Your wolves are so majestic.”
He lets out a soft chuckle, his green eyes finding mine. They flash gold for a moment, as if his wolf is also giving me his approval. “You’re an amazing artist, Rue. This should be in a gallery or something.”
I snort. “It’s not that good—“
“Yes. It is,” he interrupts before I can finish. “You’re beyond talented, sunshine. Let me give praise where praise is due.”
You can praise me all right, sir. Right between my thighs as you fuck me and tell me how much of a good girl I’m being for taking your monster cock, but I’m not sure that’s what you meant.
And now my cheeks are on fire because that thought took everything to an entirely different level I didn’t mean for it to go.
Kathan’s nostrils flare and his eyes darken as he no doubt scents my arousal. He steps even closer, the tension between us palpable. His voice drops to a low, husky whisper that sends shivers down my spine. “Mmm, does our little witch enjoy a bit of praise?”
My head is nodding before I even make the conscious effort.
His lips quirk. “Noted.”
Needing something, anything, to change the subject and get us off that topic, I blurt, “So, uh, what brings you by?”
His smile fades and I hate that I inadvertently erased it. Seeing him smile is so rare, I wish I could’ve savored it instead. “Actually, I was wondering if we could talk. There are some things that I need to get off my chest. If you’re feeling up for it?” The vulnerability in his eyes matches the vulnerability in his voice, the burden of what he wants to say weighing heavily on his shoulders.
“Of course, Kathan,” I say softly, standing so I can place a comforting hand on his arm. “I’m here.”
He takes my fingers into his, leading me over to the bed where we can be more cozy. When he goes to take his hand away, I squeeze, keeping it in mine. He seems taken aback, but thankfully, interlaces his fingers with mine instead of pulling away again. I’m not letting him do that ever again.
Kathan takes a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what’s to come. I watch as his green eyes search mine, his hesitation evident. He’s always been so guarded, so careful with his words and emotions. But now, sitting next to me, he seems to be on the verge of baring his soul. His voice is low and measured as he begins, his words carefully chosen. “First, I have to ask. How much do you know about higher magic?”
I open my mouth to answer, then stop, thinking it through. Higher magic is considered dangerous, lethal even. It’s not practiced very often and frowned upon by the Witches Council. Some higher magic spells are even banned because of how deadly they can be. “I’ll be honest, not much. Other than knowing how reckless it is to use.”
“Exactly.” Kathan’s grip tightens, his thumb caressing the back of my palm absentmindedly. “Lance and I met when we were in our teens and we clicked instantly. He was rebelling against his mother at every turn in any way he knew how. And I was right alongside him, getting into things I shouldn’t have. But the danger appealed to me.”
With how reserved he is now, it surprises me a little, but for some reason, I can picture him as an angsty teen rebelling against society. But friends with Lance Lacroix? That, I wasn’t expecting.
Tessa and Darcy used to give me all the juicy gossip about the hottest boy in school and all the trouble he’d cause. I never liked him. Something was always off about him.
Kathan swallows and I give his hand a reassuring squeeze to let him know I’m still listening, but I don’t dare interrupt to ask questions. “Now that I’m older, I realize Lance was doing this to convince his mother he didn’t need to be on the Witches Council, as he never wanted the responsibility, but as her only son, she was adamant about it.
“Fast forward a few years and Lance meets my sister, Kallie. She had a wild soul, maybe even more so than mine.”
He pauses, lost in his mind. As I patiently wait for him to continue, I think about what it would be like to have a sister, but my parents died when I was young, I don’t really remember them at all, so I guess I’ll never know.
At one point in time, I thought Tessa and Darcy were close enough to be family. Sisters from different witches and all that, but as we grew up, things changed. Power levels and politics came into play. And after meeting Arya, and learning what true friendship is, I know they were never my friends.
“Much like my friendship with Lance, they fell in love equally fast. But witches usually mate in threes, and someone who is destined to take a spot on the Council never takes a mate outside the coven. Their relationship was doomed from the start, but I loved them both, and I wanted to see them happy, so I supported them, despite the anxious feeling in my gut.
“But I’d also matured enough to see a pattern in Lance’s destructive behavior. On nights where I wanted to stay in and chill for once, he’d drag Kallie and I out and get us into all sorts of trouble. With his mother on the Council, she’d always bail us out, and Lance would show up black and blue the next day, ready to raise havoc again.
“Lance has always had a fascination with other supernaturals and our extended lifespans, but he was deeply curious about vampires. One night, he fucked with the wrong vampire and that vampire almost killed him. Kallie and I managed to save him, just barely. Lance was never the same after that. He became afraid of vampires and was obsessed with figuring out a way they could never harm him again.”
My gut churns with unease as I listen to the pain and regret laced within his story. The room feels heavy with this dark burden he carries, and I find myself holding my breath, afraid to hear what comes next.
“So,” he continues, his voice laced with bitterness, “Lance stumbled upon a forbidden book in his mother’s library, one containing spells of higher magic, said he’d met a witch willing to help him cast it. He was convinced he found a protection spell that would prevent a vampire from harming us. Something in my bones told me not to have anything to do with it, but Kallie trusted him implicitly.” A tear slips down his cheek, breaking a little piece of my heart. “Whatever happened the day he cast that spell killed Kallie, and twisted him, changing him into something else.”
I let out a horrified gasp. “Oh my Divines, why is Lance still free? Killing another supe is a death sentence. You can be stripped of your magic!”
Kathan’s mouth twists. “His mother is powerful, sunshine, and she has powerful allies. At that time, I wasn’t an alpha in charge of a pack yet, so without any sort of influence, I could do nothing as they covered her death up like it never happened.”
A surge of anger rises within me, burning like a flame. How could they cover up Kallie’s death like that? How could they let Lance continue on as if nothing happened? The injustice of it all gnaws at my soul, but I remain silent, allowing him to pour out his heartache.
Kathan takes a deep breath, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. “I’ve spent years searching for a way to bring him and his mother to justice, but have failed. They covered their tracks well. Even the autopsy report stated foul play wasn’t involved.“ He snorts bitterly. “So I’ve never had any ground to stand on. And if I did bring it up, and they ruled in favor of Lance and Stephanie, they could have our tripack stripped of our status...”
“Which is why you haven’t,” I finish for him.
He nods. “So, when you arrived in our lives, I didn’t see you for who you are. I couldn’t. I could only see you as a ploy, a way for Stephanie to spy on us, learn our secrets, and as a reminder that they won. And for that, I’m truly sorry. I see now that you are so much more than that.”
I shift onto his lap, straddling him, and wipe his tears away with the pad of my thumb. Surprise registers in his eyes before he wraps me in his arms, burying his nose in my neck. His pine scent wraps around me comfortingly.
I see now why he was so hurt when he saw Lance and I together. It was triggering, and he lashed out. How could I blame him for panicking and taking off, knowing what I do now?
Would I have acted any differently if the roles were reversed?
Probably not.
“Can you ever forgive me for the way I’ve acted?” he murmurs. “If not, I understand. But I at least need you to know that Rhys and Caylix were only trying to help me. If they had known, if any of us,“ he corrects. “Suspected the enforcer was going to kidnap you, we never would’ve left you alone and vulnerable. I accept full responsibility for my actions and will spend eternity making it up to you, if you’ll let me, sunshine.”
I lean back, gazing into the big, burly shifter’s eyes, which are so full of regret and anguish it physically makes me ache. A stream of compassion washes over me, intertwining with the fiery anger still burning within. Taking his face in my hands, I tilt his head slightly and press my lips gently against his.
His response is immediate, a hand coming up to cradle the back of my head. The kiss is soft, tender, yet filled with hunger that’s been repressed for far too long, flowing with all the emotions we’ve both been carrying. This says more than words ever could as we sink into each other, trying to erase the pain and misunderstandings of the past.
Kathan’s grip tightens around me, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. The warmth of his body seeps into mine, stoking the fire and burning away the hurt inside. But not the need for justice.
Our tongues dance together in a passionate rhythm, the taste of him filling my senses. His lips move fervently against mine, seeking solace and redemption. Each kiss is a silent plea for forgiveness, an apology etched into the very essence of our connection.
I pull back, breathing hard. “Who would’ve guessed you’d be such an amazing kisser?” I tease.
He growls against my lips, his fingers lightly digging into my hair. “You haven’t seen anything yet, sunshine.”
A mischievous smile spreads across my face as I feel Kathan’s hot breath against my skin as he dips his nose to my neck, licking a line from my pulse to my ear on the side of Slade’s mark. A shiver races down my spine, settling between my legs. Phew. My heart isn’t the only thing now throbbing. The tension between us crackles in the air, the hunger and longing for each other now consuming every inch of our beings.
Kathan’s calloused hands roam over my body, his touch surprisingly gentle. His fingers trace the edges of my curves, leaving a trail of electricity in their wake. Every caress, every whispered word against my skin, sends pleasure coursing through me. When he puts his hands under my ass to drag me on top of his clothed cock, he hisses a breath through his teeth at what he finds. “Shit. You’re not wearing panties?”
“Nope,” I respond, popping the P. “Slade ruined the only pair I had. And I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time for this shirt to go too,” I state before slowly undoing each button then sliding it off my shoulders, baring myself completely to this wolf—my wolf. His eyes feast upon me, eating up my naked flesh like I’m his last meal.
Kathan’s chest rumbles, his large hand coming up to cup my breast as he tweaks my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “Mmm, I’m sure that bastard vampire lord did it on purpose because fuck, this is so hot.”
Like he can’t hold back any longer, Kathan effortlessly lifts me and shifts me underneath him. His mouth hovers above my core. “May I?” he asks.
“Please,” I whimper.
Kathan’s lips descend upon my pussy, his tongue teasingly tracing circles around my throbbing heat. Waves of pleasure ripple through me, and I arch my back, seeking more contact, more of him. He obliges, his skilled mouth working its magic, driving me to the edge of ecstasy as he tastes and sucks and savors me.
I arch my back, gripping the sheets tightly as he delves deeper, his mouth becoming my sanctuary. I lose myself in the sensations as his hands roam my body with an urgency matched only by my own desire. He kneads my breasts, his touch igniting sparks of pleasure that shoot straight to my clit, building with each stroke.
When he growls at the same time brushes his thumb over my clit, I detonate, shouting his name as he feasts on my cunt, drawing out my release. My juices soak his face as he comes up for air, and it only makes him that much sexier.
“Clothes off. Now,” I demand, not wanting to waste another second without him inside me as I push him off and sit up. The time to slowly explore each other’s bodies can come later. Right now, I need his warm cock filling me up and I need it immediately.
He hesitates. “Are you sure? I’m not sure if I deserve—“
It’s my turn to let out a growl. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. Everyone has their own damage, Kathan, including me. I won’t hold yours against you. Ever.”
Kathan’s eyes soften, gratitude shining in their depths. Without another word, he swiftly rids himself of his remaining clothes, revealing a sculpted body, and a sprinkling of hair across his chest.
I can’t help it, I laugh. “You weren’t kidding about chest hair, huh?” I ask as I run my hands up his chiseled abdomen, tracing the contours of his muscles, reveling in the warmth beneath my fingertips before making it to his chest. It’s so soft it makes me want to lay my head against it and fall asleep.
“Of course not, sunshine,” he responds, a grin on his lips. He grips his throbbing cock, bringing my attention to it as he strokes himself.
Divines help me, he’s going to ruin me. And I’m going to love it.
Ho-ly. I mean, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen his dick, but it’s the first time I’ve truly been able to admire how large he really is.
Can confirm men who can’t fit into tiny booths do, indeed, have big cocks. Big, big cocks.
The sight of him fully exposed before me sends a spike of lust pounding through my veins. “You sure that’ll fit, big guy?” I question, feeling slightly nervous. All of my men are well endowed, but Kathan is by far the most massive.
“Oh, it’ll fit, sunshine,” he all but purrs. “Your body was made for mine.”
With newfound determination, I reach out and bat his hand away before wrapping mine around his cock instead, feeling the thickness and warmth of him in my palm. He lets out a low growl, his eyes flashing with hunger as he takes in the sight of me touching him.
“I’ll take your word for it,” I respond, my voice somewhat shaky with anticipation. “Now, please fuck me.”
“With pleasure.”
My back hits the soft mattress. Kathan slides his knee under mine, spreading me wide for him. His eyes never leave mine as he prowls over me and my heart flutters in my chest as he lines himself at my entrance before slowly nudging his head inside. He works the tip in and out of me, gradually sliding in further every few thrusts, giving my body time to adjust as he kisses my breasts all over.
When he finally sinks into the hilt, his breath hitches and I see his eyes roll back in his head before my vision is overtaken by stars.
“You’re doing so well, sunshine,” he whispers, thrusting softly. “Are you ready for more?”
My eyes meet his, a challenge in their depths as I find my voice. “Yess,” I hiss. “I’m ready for more. Don’t hold back.”
A predatory grin forms on his lips, and he surges forward, propelling deeper and harder than before. My breath catches in my throat as the pleasure builds, the sting of our friction mingling with the throbbing ache between my legs. He slams into me as though he’s determined to ruin me, to make me come undone.
With every stroke, I writhe beneath him, urging him on. Each thrust feels like rapture, his hips moving in a steady, deliberate rhythm. His girth fills me in all the right places, dragging against my walls in ways that have incoherent sounds tumbling from my mouth.
As he hitches my legs up higher to hit a different angle, he pants, “Look how well you take my cock, sunshine. So fucking good.” The room is dimly lit, but I can see the lust shining in his eyes as he encourages me to look between us. The sound of his praise, and the sight of him sliding in and out of me has my walls squeezing around him. “Fuck,” he curses. “You’re so damn tight. This pussy was made for me.”
“More, Kathan,” I plead, somehow knowing he’s still holding back. His eyes morph into gold as his wolf rises to the surface, increasing his strength and speed. I smile. “There’s my wolf.”
When his finger slips between us and finds my clit, the pressure building in me explodes. I come hard, screaming my release as Kathan works my body, playing me like I’m his favorite instrument. His body glistens with sweat, his muscles rippling as he fucks me through my climax and straight into another one, his pace never faltering.
When I turn my head to show him my neck, he immediately slows, scraping his canines over my pulse point. “You want me to be the first to claim you, sunshine?” His words are spoken softly against my flesh. “You want me to mark you? Show you exactly how devoted to you I am?”
“Yes,” I whimper. “Please, Kathan. I want to be yours. I want you.”
“I’ve been yours since the moment we saved you. Let’s make it official,” he responds before sinking his teeth into my skin, just enough to mark me, before sealing the wound with his tongue.
The bond between us flares, my skin glowing a deep shade of red. Every emotion we’re both feeling at the moment flows between us: lust, desire, love, understanding, healing, devotion, everything. When I reach up to touch his heart, almost like something unseen is guiding me, a spark of my red flows from my fingertips into Kathan’s chest, directly above his heart.
Before my very eyes a mark appears where my fingers touched, matching the one on my neck and the side of Slade’s thigh. A curious grin spreads across his face as he finds what’s captured my attention. “I didn’t know Slade’s mark could extend to anyone else.”
“Me either, honestly. But it suits you. Suits us. I hope you like it.”
He places a tender kiss on my forehead. “Strangely, I don’t mind at all.”
When he rolls his hips, his dick throbbing inside me, a whine escapes my lips. “I don’t think I have another one in me, Kathan.”
He chuckles darkly. “Oh, sunshine. I know you’ve got another one in you. Come on, ride this wave with me. You can do it,” he says, sliding all the way in and grinding against me. The friction is exquisite, the heat of his body and the sensations driving me wild. My walls squeeze around him as I move in time with him. “See? Such a good fucking girl you are.”
My body responds to his praise, the pleasure growing within me like a bomb about to go off. Each thrust takes me higher, closer to the edge, the tension building inside me like a coiled snake ready to strike. And when he hits that spot deep inside me, I explode in a burst of light, a cry tearing from my throat.
My heartbeat roars in my ears over the sound of our bodies colliding. Skin slapping against skin reverberates through the air as we get lost in the moment. “Yes, Rue, that’s my girl, yes, fuck—“ he pants as he spills himself inside me, his cum coating my walls.
Our gazes lock, and our souls merge, our thoughts and emotions intertwining in a way that feels more real than reality itself. I don’t want this to end. Ever.
As I lay there, barely able to breathe, he pulls out of me slowly, the ragged sound of his breathing echoing in the room. He moves beside me, tucking me into his side. I rest my head on his chest over his mark as he traces the one on my neck with his fingers.
“Mine,” Kathan growls, his voice low and rough.
I give a nod. “Yours,” I whisper in response.
As we bask in the afterglow, our skin still glowing from the bond, I can’t help but close my eyes and fall asleep, knowing I’ll be held and cherished by my big, grumpy shifter.