Xavier grins at me, his light brown hair messy, in an I just got fucked way. Before, when he was with Evangeline, he was down to earth and loved to wear flannel shirts and jeans. Now, all I see is a douchebag in designer clothes.
“Kind of a million steps down from Evangeline, don’t you think?” I call out.
Xavier’s jaw tenses. “She’s the one who chose to leave.”
I wave him off. “I’m not here to judge. You and Evangeline grew apart. I know that.”
They grew apart because of his sordid ways with dark magic, but I don’t want to bring that up when I need his help. I walk up the pathway to his porch, and his eyes flash wide the closer I get.
“What the hell is going on with you?” His eyes dart all over my body, and I know he’s trying to figure out where the magic is coming from.
Holding up my arm, I slide the jacket down so he can get a good view of the bracelet. “I was hoping you’d be able to get it off of me.”
Xavier stares at it like it’s the most fascinating thing in the world. “I can do some pretty heavy shit with my magic, but nothing’s going to get that off.” I should’ve known coming here was a waste of time. Xavier laughs and sits back on the porch railing, eyeing me curiously. “I have to say, it’s totally fucked you up. You look like shit.” He flourishes a hand up and down my body. “I can’t sense any royal arcticness in you at all.”
I didn’t come to be patronized. If I had my strength, I could slice Xavier’s head off with one swipe of my claws. But, dark or not, he’s my friend … well, used to be. I don’t like the man he’s become.
“So, you can’t help me, can you?” I ask through gritted teeth. I’m tired of getting nowhere.
Xavier shakes his head. “Not unless you want me to cut off your arm. As it stands, I’d say you’re screwed.” His eyes twinkle as he looks down at the bracelet in awe. “However, I would love to meet the witch who put it on you.”
“She’s not a witch,” I huff. “She’s half-shifter, half-fae. A royal from the Royal pack in Wyoming.”
Xavier throws his head back, and his laugh echoes down the street. “Damn, you pissed off the wrong people this time. Everyone, and I mean everyone in the witch community in the country has heard of the new Royal pack.”
“I was part of the original Royal pack, Xavier. So I know how powerful they can be.”
He snorts. “You’re not one of them anymore. I may not be a wolf, but I know how unsafe it is for unmated females to be on their own, especially now that it’s obvious you’re weak.” A gleam twinkles in his eyes, and my hackles rise. “I’d be careful if I were you, Kara.”
If I needed confirmation, I have it now. I hadn’t felt safe the second I pulled into Xavier’s driveway. Keeping my head high, I step back and smile. “Thank you for trying to help, but I think I’ll be fine. It was good to see you.”
Xavier’s expression turns devilish. “Same. I’ve always enjoyed your company.”
I want to run down his porch stairs, but I take them one at a time. I’ve never been one to be afraid, but there’s a tingling in my spine that creeps the hell out of me. “Maybe we can grab dinner one night.” My car is only a few feet away; I just need to get there.
“That would be great,” Xavier calls out. “I’ll be in touch.”
My hand lands on the door handle of my 4Runner, and I rip it open. “Perfect.” I wave and slam the door, desperate to get away as fast as I can.
I back out of his driveway, but as soon as I get onto the main road, I press the gas hard, my heart racing ninety miles an hour. The farther I get from Xavier, I expect to feel relieved, but all I feel is more vulnerable.
I press the phone button on my dashboard, and Evangeline’s number is under the top three choices. It’s not often I admit when I’m wrong, but this time, there’s no denying it. I click her number, and it rings through my speakers. When she doesn’t answer, I try her phone again, only to realize she’s most likely on the plane headed my way. Soon, she’ll be in Virginia, and I won’t be alone.
Chase’s face flashes through my mind, and my stomach clenches with guilt. I hate myself for wanting him, and I hate myself for leaving him. Now that he knows I’m his mate, he won’t let me go. One way or another, he’ll come to Virginia looking for me. I just have to figure out if I want to be found.
By the time I get to my street, my mind is all over the place. There are too many questions and not enough answers. Resting my head on my hand, I lean against the window as I creep up the long driveway to my house.
Dread settles into the pit of my gut when I realize I’m not alone. Sitting in my driveway is a dark blue Ram 1500 I recognize all too well.
23
CHASE
Of course the day I really need to fly out in a hurry is the day there’s a problem getting fuel. James did everything he could but we’re several hours behind Kara. I’ve been around her enough to know that in just a single minute she can get herself into trouble. Now that we have hours there’s no telling what’s going on or where she’s at.
Evangeline tried to call her but said if Kara’s at her house, the reception is spotty since she’s in the middle of nowhere. That didn’t bring me any level of comfort. I want to call her, but I doubt she’ll answer. As it stands right now, we’ll arrive in Virginia at four o’clock this afternoon. Evangeline says her magic will be able to locate her; it’s how she found her in California.
“Are you sure you shouldn’t have brought back up?” Evangeline asks, her concerned gaze turning away from the airplane window to look at me.
And this is where the problem lies. I can’t ask them to help when they believe Kara’s the enemy. However, if I needed them, they’d be there.
“They would help if I wanted it, but this is something I have to do for myself.”
Evangeline turns back to the window, her pulse quickening. She’s picked at her fingernails the entire morning.
“Why are you so nervous to see Xavier?” I ask.
She laughs once but then her expression turns to stone. “I was in love with him. I never thought he’d be swayed by dark magic, but he gave in.” Tears form in her amber-colored eyes. “I tried to save him from himself, but I failed. I’ve always wondered what would’ve happened if I hadn’t given up on him.”
“Do you think it’s too late for him?”
She wipes away her tears. “I don’t know. Honestly, I’m terrified to see what he’s become. It’s been so long.” I can tell she still loves him, but if he so much as hurts Kara, I’ll rip him apart and not think twice about it.
“How did you two meet Kara?”
Evangeline smiles. “Xavier and I went to her winery for a wine tasting date. Kara sensed our magic the second we walked in the door. She introduced us to all her wines, and we connected. It’s like we were destined to meet.”
“Did you know she was a wolf?”
Evangeline purses her lips as if I insulted her. “Of course I knew. Although, she didn’t tell me she was a royal until later.”