Redamancy (Monachopsis Book 2)

by Lyra Winters

  “You said I was your first kiss though.”

  Her eyes widened as she jumped back, shaking her head. “Oh my gosh, no! I just have to touch someone, even a brush of the shoulder can have the same effect. You’re the first person I’ve kissed to do that!”

  I chuckled, scratching the back of my head. “Thank the Fates for that.”

  “You should know better.” She bent over with her hands on her knees and sighed. “Now, are you ready to face the music?”

  I nodded. All the nerves were gone and replaced with confidence thanks to her. I stepped over the barrier and a shock went through me as a warning, letting me know I was entering a claimed territory.

  She jumped over the barrier too. “Wow! This pack’s energy is nothing like Lockhart’s.”

  “No wonder you thought all werewolves were monsters with the Lockhart pack being the only ones you’d encountered.”

  She got a far off look in her eyes. “Yeah.”

  “Stop right there.”

  My arm shot out and nudged Harlow behind me. “Ah, Nolan. What the fuck are you doing patrolling?”

  The former Beta’s son was a piece of fucking work. His brown hair was unkempt, and his green eyes were bloodshot. I wasn’t a fan of his since we were kids, but when he rejected my childhood friend for her youngest sister, my hatred solidified. Any wolf who could reject their soulmate was not trustworthy in the least. When Sophia found her second chance mate, the dumbass here got all kinds of jealous. Which was fucked up.

  He shrugged. “Riley put me on guard duty after you left.”

  “Alpha Riley, you mean? You know she’d be pissed if you didn’t address her by her title.”

  “Forget her title.” His eyes shifted to Harlow. “Who’s she?”

  Harlow’s hand gripped my arm. “None of your concern,” I answered.

  “She human?”

  “Not a chance,” Harlow bit out. She could sense the tension between us because I hadn’t seen her be hostile to anyone right off the bat. “I’m a witch.”

  His eyes widened. “Really? Wow. You took Ivy’s advice then?”

  I stiffened. “Fuck off, mutt.”

  “Xavier, is that you?” Ivy’s nasally voice approached, and I groaned. I turned my head to find her walking over holding a little boy’s hand. Mason was their son, and he’d grown a lot in the time I’d left. “Who’s the woman?”

  “A witch, apparently.” Nolan’s eyes narrowed. “She might be a danger to our pack.”

  “Oh no, should we dispose of her?” Ivy’s tone was teasing, and I remembered why I hated those two.

  A low growl escaped from my chest. “Back the fuck off. I’ll kill you before you even try.”

  “A rogue is threatening us, and Mason is here. I think you’d have enough reason to attack, babe.” Ivy kissed Nolan’s cheek, and he flinched.

  I chuckled, shifting my footing to stand in front of Harlow completely. “Fuck off before I get mad.”

  “Xavier, did you take my advice and occupy your heart with someone else? She’ll never take the place of your mate, but it helps doesn’t it?” Ivy bent down and picked up her son.

  “Oh my gosh, she’s a bitch.” I glanced back as Harlow started laughing so hard her shoulders shook. “People actually let you talk to them that way?”

  Ivy stomped her foot like the child she’d always been. “Excuse me?”

  “You’re excused.” Harlow put a finger on her lips. “And Nolan was it? Could you listen to Xavier for a moment instead of poking at him like a toddler trying to get attention?”

  My heart swelled with pride. I hated these two and felt bad for Mason for having them as parents. But the way Harlow spoke to them was fucking hilarious. I loved that woman with everything I had. She had a backbone, and it was by far my favorite thing.

  Their faces were priceless and looked shocked beyond belief. I never understood why they were surprised when someone stood up to them. They were bullies through and through.

  “Alright, take me to see Riley,” I said as I grabbed Harlow’s hand and started walking toward the packhouse.

  “I have to stay by the border, Ivy can you take them?” Nolan walked back over to a nearby tree and slumped down it.

  “I wanna stay with Daddy!” Mason wiggled out of Ivy’s hold and went to his dad.

  Ivy sighed and started walking behind us. “Fine. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “So this is where you grew up?” Harlow asked, glancing around the woods.

  “Yes. But we haven’t hit the packhouse yet. That’s where everyone is at.”

  “What were you like when you lived here?”

  “Before or after his precious Olivia was killed in front of him?” Ivy butted in her two cents.

  Usually, that would light me up and I’d come close to ripping her throat out, but with Harlow here I wasn’t as easy to set off. “Drop it,” I growled.

  “Because before Olivia, he was a huge playboy. He was sleeping with my sister for a while though before she met Blaine. Before her though, my Fates, he had a new girl in his bed every night.” She cackled like the evil bitch she was. “Or after Olivia? Because he warded off all girls and had a stick up his ass for years.”

  Harlow stopped and turned around to face her with silver eyes, and I hesitated. I’d never seen her eyes turn colors before. “Do you ever shut up?” Her hand went to her own mouth and a flash of light came from the motion before she turned back around and started walking.

  I blinked and followed after her.

  “Ah, do you hear that?” she asked.

  “Hear what?”

  “Absolutely nothing.” She sighed in delight and winked at me.

  My mouth dropped open as I turned to look at Ivy who was freaking the fuck out, not being able to speak. “My Fates, you’re the best mate in the world. I fucking love you, Harlow.”

  She giggled, placing her hand back in mine. “I love you.”

  Muffled noises came from Ivy as she chased after us, frantically pointing to her throat.

  Once we reached the packhouse, Harlow stopped. “It’s so big.”

  “Well, it holds the whole pack. Which is like… a couple of hundred wolves.”

  “It’s a mansion!” she sputtered.

  She had a point. It really was a mansion. Ferns grew through the crevices of an old winding stone path, which led directly to the colossal structure. It loomed among rows of skeletal trees decorated in crimson, swaying in the chilly autumn breeze. I’d grown up here, so I suppose it didn’t have an effect on me like it did her.

  Pack members were scattered about the area.

  “It’s different from your little shack.”

  She gasped. “It’s a cottage, thank you. And I built it myself with help from the tree spirits.”

  I smirked. “I guess your place has more meaning.”

  Ivy poked my shoulder and gestured toward Harlow.

  I rolled my eyes. She could stay mute and it would be a fucking blessing, but Harlow snapped her fingers and her nasally voice started up again.

  “How dare you! You witch bitch!” Ivy screamed, alerting some of the pack members who started whispering among themselves. “Go to Riley alone!” She spun around and stalked back the way we came.

  “Witch bitch,” Harlow mused. “I kind of like it. But being around that girl was exhausting. She had so many different emotions flowing through her.”

  “Sounds about right.” I pulled her hand and led her into the packhouse.

  “Okay, how does this fancy thing exist out here?” she asked, gesturing to the ballroom with marble floors and stark white panel walls we’d walked into.

  “I don’t know. It’s been here since before I can remember.” I brought her up the winding staircase and down a long, wide hall and stopped in front of an oak door. I brought my fist up and knocked.

  The door flung open and Riley threw herself at me. “Xavier Kingston! How dare you leave us for so long!” I dropped Harlow’s hand and patted Riley
’s back. Her mate, Gabe, stood in the doorway behind her with a sheepish smile as she pulled away. “And who is this?”

  Harlow’s apprehension came through the matebond, and I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Riley and Gabe are much nicer than Nolan and Ivy.”

  Riley choked. “Don’t even compare me to my brat of a sister.”

  “Or me to that mutt Nolan.” Gabe rolled his eyes.

  Harlow smiled. “That’s nice to hear. I’m Harlow.”

  “You’re not a werewolf.” Riley sniffed the air. “But not human either.”

  Gabe took a whiff. “Is that... magic?”

  I smelled her magic back before we first met. It lingered in the air around her. “Yes, my mate is a witch.”

  “Mate?” They shared curious glances.

  “I was surprised too, but the bond is unmistakable.”

  “Well, please, come in. I’m sure you’re here for a reason,” Riley said, opening the door wide for us.

  I had a fucking good reason, but I wasn’t sure if it would matter. Sophia refused to help after Olivia was killed for fear of our pack being taken down, but it was different now. It wasn’t just about avenging Olivia anymore, it was about Harlow’s parents too, and all the innocent lives Lockhart has taken and would continue to take unless he was stopped.

  SEVENTEEN

  Harlow

  The Maxwell pack was not what I had expected. Ivy and Nolan were insufferable, and it completely blindsided me that beings could act that way, werewolves or not. It took a lot to upset me, but those two had me angry as soon as their mouths opened.

  Riley and Gabe seemed better, but I was hesitant. They seemed to be unsure of me, probably because of Olivia. I knew she was killed, but did everyone have to bring her up like somehow me being here was a bad thing?

  I crossed my legs and glanced around the office. It was painted grey, and it had one floor-to-ceiling window, which faced the cleared out part of the forest. Different wolves were sparring both in human and wolf form. On the white desk sat a thin laptop, a notebook lying open, and a stack of files sitting under a wolf-shaped paperweight which was fitting.

  “I’m assuming you’re back because of Lockhart?” Riley crossed her arms over each other on the desk as she sat next to Gabe.

  “Yes. Lockhart is ruthless. He has also sent several warriors after me, and Harlow got caught in the crossfire without me there to protect her.” Xavier’s fists were clenched.

  Riley’s eyes widened. “How bad was she injured?”

  “What makes you think I was injured?” I arched an eyebrow.

  Xavier gave me a side glance. “She hurt her leg and foot. But healed it.”

  “Healed it?” Gabe asked. “She can heal herself?”

  “And others,” Xav said, and I glared at him.

  He may know them and trust them, but I didn’t. Not yet, and I wasn’t sure if I would. They hadn’t hidden their suspicion of me, so why would I hide my suspicion of them?

  He ducked his head. “But you know, not a big deal or anything.”

  “That’s a huge deal!” Gabe had his mouth open. “So, what happened to the wolves?”

  I shrugged. “I killed them.”

  “How many were there?” Riley asked.

  “Three.”

  “How did you kill them?”

  “None of your business.” I laced my fingers together in my lap with a smile.

  Xavier kicked my foot as the two wolves stared at me like I was a puzzle to figure out. Curiosity simmered off them mixed with suspicion. It upset me. I didn’t know them or owe them a thing. I certainly didn’t want them to know all about my powers. It was private for witches.

  “Anyway.” Xavier cleared his throat. “Lockhart has increased in killing innocents. He also ordered a hit on Harlow’s parents, which is why it is personal for her.”

  Understanding flashed behind Riley’s eyes. “I’m going to be frank. I disagreed with Sophia for not avenging Olivia. A lot of people did. Lockhart has been a bigger pain in the ass than usual and needs to be brought down. I will back you on this, but we need a solid plan.”

  Gabe nodded. “We will call for a meeting tomorrow morning and devise a plan.”

  Xavier’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you both. I thought it would be harder to convince you.”

  Riley shrugged. “Your dumbass will do it with or without us. I’d rather you not die. I miss you as a Beta. You were better suited.”

  His face scrunched up. “Who did take over as—”

  The door to the office opened, cutting him off, as a curly-headed auburn woman with glasses strolled in. She froze to the spot as she stared at Xav with infatuation clouding her eyes. “Xavier?”

  Apprehension pulsed through the bond as he greeted her with a lift of his fingers. Her eyes trailed from him to me and back to rest on him.

  My mouth went dry, and I had a terrible urge to teleport her far, far away from him. Or I could make her blind so she couldn’t stare at him that way.

  Was this feeling jealousy?

  I’d gotten protective with Deb, but this feeling was different. Deb I could trust, this woman had a different way about her.

  “I knew you’d come back.” A smug smile overtook her features.

  His hand found its way onto my lap, and he squeezed my hand tight. “I’m not back for good, Caroline. Just until we take out Lockhart.”

  Her smile dropped as she zeroed in on our hands. “Who are you?”

  “Harlow.” My tone was leveled, but inside I was seething.

  “Harlow is Xavier’s mate, Caroline.” Riley gave her a look that could best be described as a warning.

  “How is that even possible?” She frowned, locking eyes at me briefly before staring at Xavier again.

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’m thankful for her. She’s everything I could ever want.”

  “More than Olivia?” The question popped out of Caroline before she could stop it as her hand slapped over her own mouth. “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “This matebond I share with Harlow is stronger than what I shared with Olivia.”

  Caroline looked me up and down, and whatever she found didn’t seem to make her happy, but she didn’t say anything else.

  Gabe broke the silence. “Caroline actually took over as Beta.”

  I clamped my mouth shut. I wanted to make a snide remark or turn the bitch into a toad, but that wasn’t like me at all. I had to pull myself together.

  “Alright, so it’s settled.” Riley placed her hands on the desk and stood up. “We will meet with the elders in the morning to devise a plan to take down Lockhart.”

  Xavier stood, pulling me up and against his chest. My jealousy calmed immediately. “Sounds great. Thank you, Alpha Riley.”

  “Don’t thank me. We’re practically family.” She grinned. “Now, Caroline, could you show them to the new guest room?”

  Caroline nodded, curls bobbing along with her head. “Absolutely, it’ll give Xavier and I time to catch up.”

  A burst of heat came off me in a gust. The wolves in the room stared at me like I was crazy aside from my wolf. Xav had to have felt my jealousy through the bond.

  I shrugged. “Sorry.”

  I was not a fan, at all.

  EIGHTEEN

  Xavier

  Caroline showed us the room, which was stupid unnecessary since I used to live here and knew where the room was. The walk from the office to the room was a clusterfuck of awkwardness. Flaming hot jealousy coursed through the matebond as soon as Caroline came in. Not that the woman was helping the situation with all the sultry looks my way and the suspicious glances at Harlow.

  It pissed me off that everyone was unsure of my mate. They were like that with Liv, for good reason sure, but Harlow wasn’t Liv.

  “If you guys need anything, just find me.” Caroline hesitated. “Actually, do you mind if I have a word with you? Alone.” Her eyes flicked toward Harlow and back to me.

&n
bsp; Anger shot through the bond, and I bent down and kissed Harlow’s cheek for a few seconds. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Harlow cleared her throat and glared at Caroline. “No, it’s fine, but just so you know, Xavier is my soulmate, and I don’t appreciate the way you’re staring at him.” She flung open the door and slammed it shut behind her with her powers, which made her look that much more badass.

  Fuck, Harlow was sexy when she was jealous. And I couldn’t get over how she spoke her mind. It was the hottest quality ever.

  I chuckled as I turned toward Caroline whose mouth was hanging open. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “She seems pleasant.” Her voice wavered. “I’m just going to come right out and ask. Are you sure Harlow isn’t tricking you somehow? It doesn’t make any sense that you are having a second chance mate because Olivia died and didn’t reject you. There hasn’t been any record of this happening before. Trust me, I’ve done my research after my mate died.”

  I raked a hand through my hair. “I thought the same at first, but Harlow is definitely my mate. I cared for Liv, but with Harlow, it’s so much more. It makes me wonder if I ever really loved Liv.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re joking.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Okay.” She sighed. “But I have to address this because it’s been eating me up inside since you left.”

  My stomach sank. I wanted to fucking vomit thinking of that stupid night before I left the pack. I knew she’d bring it up.

  “You slept with me, and then left. You were wrong for doing that. You knew how I cared for you.” Her eyes glossed up.

  “I’m sorry. You’re right. It was wrong.” I glanced at the door that separated me from Harlow. “I hadn’t desired another woman since Olivia until I met Harlow. You came onto me that night, and I used you to try to feel again. It didn’t fucking work.”

  “I used you too. In more ways than one.” She pushed her glasses up on her nose. “It sucks to hear it, but I knew it all along.”

  I reached for the door handle when she placed a hand on my shoulder.

  “Be careful of Harlow.”

  “Why don’t you fuck off, Caroline?” I knocked her hand off me as I spun around. I was sick and tired of the way my former pack had been treating my mate. “Mind your own business. Harlow is my mate. It’s that fucking simple.”