At least, she wasn’t ready to hightail it out of here. “Look, she’s marked, and we need her to break the prophecy or curse … whatever you consider it. If she doesn’t leave with me to help find the other girls, we’re all at risk.”
“You being together would be even riskier.” Logan’s eyes flicked to me, and he frowned. “It’d be stupid. The Hallowed Guild could take you out in one fell swoop.”
Gabby asked with confusion. “Hallowed Guild?”
“It’s the secret society that wants us dead.” That was a blunt description, but it worked.
“What? Why?” She wrapped her arms around her body and hugged herself. “How am I nineteen and don’t know any of this?”
I was surprised that she was older than me.
Aidan filled her in on all the details. We’d probably have to inform the other girls as well. At least, she and I hadn’t known anything about the curse or the secret society.
“Oh my God.” Gabby’s eyes landed on me. “That’s awful.”
“It is, and if we find the others, we can finally end the war between shifters and witches.” She needed to understand how important this was.
“But I don’t want to leave.” She took a step back. “This could be a whole misunderstanding.”
I hadn’t been prepared for her to not want to go. I’d assumed once she’d heard the story she’d be in. “You have to.”
A low growl came from Logan’s throat, but Gabby ignored him.
A fist pounded on the door, interrupting the tension in the room.
It’s Olive. Aidan opened the door.
“I see you’re all up.” Olive gazed around the room and settled on her granddaughter. “Is something wrong?”
“She wants me to leave here.” Gabby glanced at the ground as she shook her head. “But I don’t want to.”
“Oh, honey. I don’t want you to either.” Olive walked across the room, her earth-brown gown flowing behind her. She pulled her granddaughter into her chest. “Especially since I just found you, but this is too important to turn your back on.”
“But what if the prophecy is wrong?” Gabby stepped out of the hug and grabbed Olive’s hand. “What if leaving is the wrong decision?”
“You have to leave with us. It’s not negotiable.” I wanted to cringe at the words; they sounded a lot like Logan’s, but this was for the good of our race.
“Once again, you aren’t my alpha.” Her body stiffened as she turned to me. “Just because you’re the golden one doesn’t mean shit to me.”
“I told you we needed to leave.” Logan stepped toward her as if he intended to grab her and take off.
Aidan stood in front of the door and crossed his arms. He was ready to fight to make sure Gabby didn’t leave with anyone but us.
“If you think she’s not going with us, we have a problem.” Aidan squared his shoulders, making it known he didn’t plan on backing down.
“It may not mean shit to you, but you’re leaving with us.” I couldn’t waver. Maybe this was the first real test of my destiny.
“I’m tired of the two of you telling me what to do.” A cruel smirk appeared on her face. “There’s only one way I’ll leave the family I just found.”
I had a feeling I knew where this was going. It was the way of the wolves. She’d found something she wasn’t willing to give up unless she found me worthy.
“We fight. If you win, I go with you. If I win, I stay with my grandmother.” Gabby stared me down, letting her strength shine through. “Only the two of us. I’m not petrified anymore. I had all night to think, and staying here is important to me. So convince me leaving is actually worthwhile.”
Aidan linked with me. Absolutely not.
But he didn’t get to make that call. I did. “Deal.”
“No, unacceptable.” Logan’s body stiffened.
“I hate to tell you two macho dudes, but the ladies just agreed.” Beth pointed at me and winked. “And my girl has this.”
Yeah, I hoped I did.
“Then, there’s no time like the present.” Gabby headed to the door and stopped in front of Aidan. “So move.”
“Maybe this isn’t wise,” Olive said.
“I would usually agree with her, but Emma has this.” Aidan looked at me with pride. You beat her ass last night.
Yeah, let’s hope it ends the same way. I tried to sound confident for him.
“Can they even back down now?” Samuel looked at me and then at Gabby. “Isn’t that like some kind of animal code?”
He was right. Neither of our wolves were willing to back down. “Let’s do this so we can head out for the next girl.” I had to sound confident even if I wasn’t.
“Coral! Amethyst!” Beth yelled over her shoulder. “You don’t want to miss this.”
Not bothering to deal with Beth’s antics, I approached Aidan and pressed my lips to his. I’ll be fine.
Damn straight you will be. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.
I had a feeling he was alluding to knowing I’d win. He wouldn’t hesitate to step in, which meant I couldn’t lose.
“Let’s go.” Gabby walked around Aidan and opened the door.
I pulled away from him and grinned. I turned and followed her to where we’d fought last night.
The others followed behind.
“It’s not to the death.” I wanted to make that clear. Neither one of us needed to be taken out. If we were to fight to the death, we’d be handing The Hallowed Guild a victory without them doing a damn thing. “And in human form.” I didn’t want to ruin the few pairs of clothes I had left.
“Fine.” Gabby stood in front of me and raised her fists.
You need to take her hard and fast. Aidan linked with me, and he was so tense even the words spoken through our bond were clenched. No one ever expects it. She’ll go for your neck like last night. Her wolf will control it.
Okay, it wouldn’t hurt to try.
I glanced behind me and realized that only the wolves were out here. Samuel, Olive, Amethyst, and Coral were in the house, watching through the window.
Logan stood next to Aidan with his arms crossed. They were like carbon copies with the unpleasantness radiating off their bodies.
“I’ll be the referee since those two idiots will try to stop the fight at the first punch.” Beth motioned to us. “So, go.”
I crouched into a fighting position, and Gabby stood straight as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Aidan wanted me to attack first, but my gut said no.
Just as I’d expected, she took off toward me, rearing her arm back to punch me in the face.
I could end this now, but it would be a huge blow to her ego. I ducked, causing her hand to catch air. Straightening, I kicked her hard right in the stomach.
“Ugh,” she groaned, stumbling back several feet.
“I thought you wanted to fight,” I goaded her.
You need to end this, Aidan said with concern. You don’t need to get hurt.
Don’t worry. I got back into a fighter’s stance. I’m only humoring her.