Chapter Seven-Jaxson
Wasn’t like we planned to roll into Castor’s Corner, New Jersey.
Hell, it wasn’t even on the damn map.
Me, Ryan, and Conrad had packed up our shit and set our GPS for Maccon City—the unofficial supernatural capital of the Northeast.
Big Pack territory.
Plenty of opportunities.
Shifters welcome.
That was the goal.
But fate? She had other plans.
One minute we’re cruisin’ along, shooting the breeze and arguing over gas station jerky brands.
Next thing I know, I see it.
A goddamn fire made of pink, teal, and gold sparking into the night sky like a glitter bomb set off by a horny unicorn.
I slammed the brakes.
The truck hydroplaned—with no water present.
Ryan cursed.
Conrad hissed.
Then bam—front right tire hits a hydrant.
An oddly placed one, I might add.
Truck dies right there.
Dead as a doornail.
That’s when I knew something magical was pulling us in.
So we followed the scent.
Wolf senses locked in. Magic and something sweeter—like honey, citrus, and summer sweat.
And then we saw them.
Three Witches.
Naked. Glorious. Powerful.
But I didn’t see three.
I saw one.
Curves for days, attitude for miles, and a mouth I wanted to taste in every filthy way I could dream up.
Brown hair whipping in the moonlight.
Magic sparkling off her skin.
Snarky as hell.
Evie Castor.
Mayor.
Witch.
My fated mate.
And yeah, she doesn’t know it yet.
Hell, she barely looked me in the eye without a scowl. But I felt the pull deep in my bones.
The second I saw her? My Wolf snarled.
Mine.
She can fight it.
Be all prickly and political.
Doesn’t change a damn thing.
Because I’m already gone for her.
I wanna lick her from head to toe.
Want her in my lap, my bed, my life.
Wanna hear her moan my name while I sink my teeth into her soft skin and give her my claiming mark.
Stamp her with my scent so no other male even thinks about lookin’ her way.
And when she finally lets me in?
Game over.
'Cause I’m Jaxson Reid.
I don’t run from fate.
I hunt it down, wrap it up in my arms, and never let it go.
And Evie?
She’s already mine.
I watched her walk away—Evie.
All curves and confidence, muttering under her breath like she was cursing me in three languages.
Goddess, I hoped she was.
I'd take her hex over any blessing just to keep her eyes on me.
I let out a low growl under my breath and turned back to the guys.
Ryan was still staring at the one with lightning in her fingertips—Donatella, I think Evie called her.
And Conrad? The big guy was practically vibrating, eyes glued to the bubbly blonde with cookie crumbs on her cheek. Maribella.
Goddess help him, I think he already imprinted on her over baked goods.
I pulled them both aside, behind a scraggly pine and out of Witch earshot.
Didn’t want to be singed before I made my case.
“Alright,” I said low, voice serious now. “I’m stayin’.”
Ryan blinked. “Stayin’ the night?”
I gave him a look. “Nah, Ry. I mean I’m staying. In this town. For good. She’s here.”
“The mayor?” Conrad asked, brow furrowing. “Evie?”
I nodded once. “She’s it. My mate. I felt it the second I saw her—hell, maybe even before. Like my soul slammed the brakes before the truck did.”
Ryan let out a soft breath.
“Shit.”
Conrad grinned.
“Called it. Knew something was up the second you got all weird and smiley.”
I shoved his shoulder. “Shut up. So, what about you two? You in?”
They didn’t even hesitate.
Ryan glanced toward Donny—who was still glaring daggers at him while aggressively stuffing her robe into a tote bag—and gave a slow, crooked smile.
“Yeah. I’m in. I don’t care if she fries me where I stand. That woman’s a goddess in a silk robe laced with sass.”
Conrad nodded toward Maribella, who was sneakily eating another cookie and acting like no one noticed.
“She’s sunshine and snacks. I’ll follow her into a volcano.”
I snorted.
“Y’all are whipped already, and we haven’t even had breakfast.”
Ryan shrugged.
“Speak for yourself. I’ll be cookin’ her pancakes by sunrise if she lets me.”
We grinned at each other, three grown-ass Shifters caught in fate’s fishing net like love-struck fools.
But we weren’t running.
We were staying.
In Castor’s Corner.
With our Witches.
Now we just had to convince them.
And pray to Gaia they didn’t turn us into toads before we got the chance.