“Do you believe he’ll follow her here?” the alpha asked.
Prue shrugged. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. Billings is a mage like me. A practitioner of elemental magic. I can protect her against anything he throws at us. Your shifter strength will provide little advantage against him.”
Levon examined both their faces. His piercing stare told her everything she had to know. He’d disrupt her life and those around her to safeguard the town. The close knit community believed if one of their members was at risk, the whole town was endangered. Before the focus revolved around her, she believed the town’s loyalty had been one of the favorable aspects of living in Eclipse.
“Members of the pride and pack will guard your home,” Levon stated. “I’d appreciate you staying put for the time being. One of your friends can bring in food and run errands until things with the mage are resolved.”
Prue seemed pleased with the result, as well as Levon’s use of the correct terminology. She kept silent concerning why she believed Alistair wouldn’t follow her. After Jeffrey’s betrayal, admitting to the alpha another man had betrayed her was more than she could handle.
Chapter 14
Alistair watched as a pair of cougars prowled in his mate’s front yard. Four wolf shifters covered the sides and the rear of Elle’s property. The woman had significant acreage, but their concentration targeted the house. The extent of her protection surprised him.
They had her sealed up well. He’d barely caught sight of her since arriving two evenings ago. By now, he figured they’d relax their diligence after nothing occurred. Existing as a troll for over a millennium, waiting meant nothing to him.
He wondered if Prue caught inklings of his presence. Unlike her friend, his fellow mage turned out to be very visible. She should return to Magic and take care of her alien husband. Women had certainly changed a lot over the centuries.
His attention now focused on a car parked along the road several homes down from where Elle lived. The sole man in the car picked up his binoculars and studied the activity near Elle’s. He didn’t have a clue who the man could be or who hired him. Not knowing that information made him uncomfortable. He should be the only one stalking his mate. Alistair laughed aloud at his ridiculous thought.
He muttered some words and moved out from behind the untrimmed hedges he’d planted himself behind. To the human or shifter eyes, he’d be invisible. His gifts were slowly returning.
The tinted windows of the car obscured his vision related to who sat behind the wheel. He waved his index finger, unlocking the passenger side door.
“What the hell?” the car’s occupant shouted as he opened the door and entered the car.
He wrapped his hands around the man’s throat. The driver’s heavy beard, long hair, and ballcap made it hard to make out his features. But he sensed the man possessed elemental powers.
“Why are you watching Elle Thomas’s house?” he growled.
The man attempted to answer, but his hands constricted his ability to talk. Alistair released his grip just enough to allow him to answer.
“It’s my mom’s house,” his captive said.
Alistair immediately released the boy’s throat and ended the spell making himself visible. “You Benedict or Joey?”
“Benedict. Who the hell are you?” The boy rubbed his throat. “You’re not the bastard everyone is concerned about, are you?”
“And if I am?”
“Well, you’re doing a better job protecting my mom than the cats and dogs.” Benedict’s nose flared. “You don’t smell like a shifter. Certainly not one who can shift into thin air.”
He liked the boy. A lesser man would cower at what he didn’t understand. Elle’s son had a natural curiosity and if he wasn’t wrong, possessed power that would get him into trouble if he wasn’t properly trained.
“I have the ability to manipulate the elements around me. You can consider me a modern day wizard. Think of Harry Potter.”
He hadn’t read the books or seen the movies, but today’s youth had a basic idea of what a mage or wizard could do. A wizard needed a wand, but a mage needed only his mind.
“Riley made it sound as if you’re dangerous.” Benedict removed his cap and ran his fingers through his chestnut-colored hair. He should have known right off the boy’s horse shifter status. “You care for my mom.”
Benedict made a statement, not asking for a confirmation. Somewhere in the boy’s family tree a mage would be found. He had felt the power and it could explain the almost instant connection he had with Elle.
“I’ve been a prisoner of an enchantment,” Alistair explained. “Your mother’s caring nature broke the spell.” He didn’t feel going into details would be appropriate.
The boy nodded. “She didn’t belong with my father. Although, I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t married him. My mom is a phenomenal person and deserves to be happy. Why aren’t you in the house?”
“They believe I’d harm your mom. Something happened before she left Magic and she believes I’ve betrayed her. But I assure you, nothing could be farther from the truth.”
A snicker escaped Elle’s son. “Then you’re screwed. My father did a real number on her. I doubt she’ll believe anything you say.”
There were still aspects of her life he didn’t know. Benedict would be able to fill in some of the blanks.
“Why don’t you take us into town and I’ll buy you lunch for some information.”
If he bonded with the boy, he’d be more likely to get Elle to at least talk to him. He felt no qualms about using Benedict to sway her in his direction.
Eclipse wasn’t too unlike Magic when it came to people liking to gossip. Once the patrons in the deli recognized Benedict knew about his father, people’s tongues wagged with information. Alistair soaked it all in.
Elle came from Eclipse. Jeffrey had been the outsider. She’d been active in civic activities and her kids’ schools. They’d protected her from the truth about her husband until well after his death. The more people talked, the darker Benedict’s expression became.
The comment Jade made about Elle made sense. He finally understood the motivation behind her trip to Magic and the deep hurt he must have caused her finding Jade in his bed. Alistair hadn’t seduced her, but his actions had made it possible for the witch to once again devastate Elle.
Alistair knew the boy had enough when the lights in the restaurant flickered. He took possession of Benedict’s hand and squeezed.
“Take several deep breaths and release some of your anger before you start blowing out the light bulbs.” Alistair’s predictions about the boy’s powers would soon become evident if he didn’t control himself. He needed to be schooled before he hurt someone.
The boy nodded and closed his eyes. By the time he opened his eyelids, the overload he sensed had passed.
“You know what I can do?” the boy asked.
“I have a sense of what you are capable of. You possess a natural ability, but you are untrained. In my day, wizards had apprentices to learn their craft. You’re playing with fire and will one day get burnt if you don’t seek proper training.”
Benedict smiled. He resembled his mother. In that moment, Alistair knew he couldn’t use the boy. Elle would consider it another betrayal. After everything was settled, they’d discuss getting Benedict proper training.
“Do you have the ability to wipe my mother’s mind of you and this other woman?” Benedict asked.
“I don’t, but I have vampire friends who could do it if I asked. But I’m not going to. It would be a further betrayal to your mom if I have her mind manipulated. Besides, I’m not guilty.”
The first wave of customers left and a new set entered to have lunch. Benedict seemed to be a lure to gossipmongers. This time around, the boy controlled his anger.
Three of the patrons overheard their discussion and joined them to brainstorm ideas related to him and Elle. This could only happen in a closely knit, small town. They
knew he wasn’t a shifter but wanted to help. She’d married a fellow horse shifter the first time and that didn’t work out so well, except for her three children.
“Why does the female mage have it out for you?” the blonde customer asked.
“Damned if I know,” Alistair admitted. “Prue has been super protective of Elle from the beginning. I understand she left Magic as a child, turning her back on magic as well. Just the fact I’m a mage may have adversely influenced her from the start. I have to admit, I did my best to avoid her when I moved to New Mexico.”
“And your human past?” As the only female in the group, the blonde offered a valuable perspective. “I don’t believe Elle will be able to logically differentiate between a year and fifteen hundred since your offense. You can thank that shop owner for that, guilty or not.”
The seed of doubt germinated in Elle’s mind and he didn’t know how to fight that part of her personality that had been ravaged by her husband. Her wound too new to have healed. It seemed like an impossible hurdle to overcome.
“I recommend a frontal assault,” the wolf shifter among them suggested. “With Benedict by your side, Elle will hesitate, as well as her guards. You’ve got that working for you, if nothing else.”
He needed to take some kind of action. The longer he waited, the more Jade’s manipulation of the facts would fester in Elle’s mind. There had been enough lies and deceit.
“You ready to take me to your house and support my claims related to your mother?” He knew he asked a lot from the boy, but he represented his best hope.
Benedict nodded, losing some of his healthy coloring. When things were settled with his mom, the boy needed to release his horse and run.
Once upon a time, he’d been able to transform into animals. He would have liked to accompany the boy running off his own anxieties.
Elle’s son rose and placed his cap on his head. “Let’s do this. As soon as we get close enough, let me do the talking. It will take more time before she discounts what I may say compared to you.”
“How can I possibly thank you?” He would owe the boy more than he could ever repay him if things worked out with Elle.
“I just want to see my mother smile again.”
Alistair placed his arm around the boy’s shoulder. He never considered having a family. If things worked out with Elle, Benedict would be his son. He had too much to lose to fail in his endeavor.
Chapter 15
Elle had been held prisoner for three days in her own home. Levon and Prue didn’t want her to even sit by a window. She didn’t have a clue related to the reason for that particular restriction. If Alistair stalked the forest behind the house, she doubted any being would be able to stop him.
Her long legs wanted to run. They cramped with inactivity. If she couldn’t shift, she could at least get some exercise. The inactivity bothered her both physically, as well as emotionally. She hadn’t stepped foot in Jeffrey’s home gym since his death. Now seemed as good a time as any to begin using the equipment again.
If she worked out, maybe she’d get her mind off Alistair. She willed his appearance. Better to get whatever would happen behind her. Even Prue seemed restless.
She rose from the couch, ready to change and spend some time on the elliptical. The ringing cell phone hindered her progress. Each of her children selected their own ring tone. She missed talking to Benedict. Unlike her other kids, he hated smartphones. He liked to spend his free time physically active when he didn’t have his nose in a book studying.
“Benedict, how are you and school?” She expected a dissertation on the latest shifter law he believed to be archaic. Today, she had plenty of time to listen.
“Mom, I’m outside and I have someone with me. I want you to keep an open mind.”
Her heart fluttered with excitement. Her son finally brought a girl home. It must be serious and he believed she wouldn’t like her. In all likelihood, she wasn’t a horse shifter. After everything she’d been through, she didn’t care. She wanted her kids to be happy.
Prue called after her as she sprinted toward the front door. Her desire to leave was stymied by a locked door. The deadbolt wouldn’t release.
Elle screamed with frustration. “I’ve had enough of spells and magic. Prue, unlock this door.”
Instead of arguing with her, the mage did as she asked. Prue had the sense not to get between a mother and her child. With Benedict here, maybe she could talk her keepers into allowing her to shift with Benedict and run free through the mountains.
Her smile faltered when she noted who stood beside her son. She stared in disbelief at Alistair standing beside her first born.
She dug her nails into her palms, stopping her from running into his arms. Her initial reaction startled her. Where did the anger she felt toward him go?
She pivoted and headed back to the house, passing Prue who appeared prepared to confront her fellow mage. It was critical she put distance between her and Alistair until her common sense returned. Her body’s reaction to him betrayed her broken heart.
“Mom,” Benedict called after her. He followed her into the house. “Give Alistair a chance to explain. Don’t let Dad’s infidelity cloud your judgment.”
It felt as if Benedict tore off the scab that healed over the wound Jeffrey created. The weight of both betrayals bore down on her. She didn’t have the energy to continue to fight.
While she sat on the living room sofa, trying to come to terms with her feelings, Benedict returned outside to support Alistair against Prue’s verbal attack. She heard shouting but couldn’t make out particular words. Why had Benedict been so quick to support Alistair?
Prue stormed through the door and ended up in front of her. The mage’s face red with anger. “Why didn’t you warn me your son has powers?”
Elle’s mouth fell open. She didn’t have a clue what Prue referred to.
“What are you talking about? Benedict has the ability to shape shift. That’s the extent of my son’s so called powers.”
Alistair and Benedict strolled through the door. Whatever happened on the driveway didn’t ruffle either of their feathers. They looked like old friends.
“Your son has elemental gifts,” Prue claimed.
Alistair placed his arm around her son’s shoulders. “Every shifter possesses the ability to manipulate the elements around them,” he said. “Your son has powers beyond the ability to shift. He’s dabbled in magic, but is untrained and undisciplined.”
How could Alistair know more about her son than she did? That knowledge fueled her anger and energy.
Prue placed her hand on her hip. “Benedict used elemental magic to push me back, aided by Alistair.”
Elle had heard enough. “Benedict, get away from him. He betrayed me, just like your father.” She shied away from providing specifics. Besides, her son had no business in this discussion. “Alistair, how dare you involve my son in this tawdry affair.”
From his posture, Alistair appeared calm. The storm brewing in his gray eyes indicated otherwise. She’d seen the same tempest there as he climaxed.
“I will use any means available to me that will get you to listen.” Alistair took a deep breath and crossed his arms against his chest. “However, I had decided earlier not to use your son. I don’t need to. After what we shared, do you honestly believe I’d betray you with Jeffrey’s mistress?”
She maneuvered to stand in front of him, her arms glued to her side. A part of her wanted to strike him while another part wanted to fall into his embrace. From the moment she left Magic, she hadn’t been able to warm herself.
“I know what I saw,” Elle stated.
“I’m not denying the woman was in my bed,” Alistair said. “After you left, I went into town and wanted to get drunk and have meaningless sex. You were leaving and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. As soon as I got to the closest bar, I ordered a drink. By the time it arrived, I knew you were the only woman I wanted to be with. That woman drugged and
set me up.”
Elle shook her head in disbelief. “And why would she do that?”
“Because she’s part of the coven that created the enchantment.” He placed his arms on her shoulders and she didn’t shrug off his touch. “They’ve watched me over the centuries, fearing the enchantment would end and were prepared to curse me again. That bitch wanted to separate the two of us.”
She’d struggled with Alistair taking another woman into his bed so soon after what they experienced together. If she had to determine who lied, Jade or Alistair, there wasn’t a contest. The fact Benedict sided with the mage, spoke volumes. Her son always had good instincts. She never worried about that particular child.
How could she have seen through his troll exterior to see the good man he’d evolved into and not believe him now? His handsome shell blinded her mind, contrary to what her body told her.
Reason dictated she shouldn’t rush to a decision. “I need time to think. Please, return to Magic.”
If he stayed, she doubted she’d have the strength not to crawl into his bed. She’d come home to distance herself from him. Her next move would direct the rest of her life.
Alistair knew if they separated, he’d lose her. She’d ended the enchantment. They belonged together. Why couldn’t she see that?
“Have I ever lied to you?” He needed to convince her not to take what she saw as the truth. After everything she’d been through, he knew she had every right to disregard everything he said. “You saw something no one ever did. The attraction between us proved strong enough to have you overlook the troll who stood before you.”
Even to him, his tale of a coven monitoring him over the years seemed ridiculous. Who held grudges so long? Generation after generation would have had to dedicate their lives to the memory of that girl with a religious vigor.
Her eyes studied his face, seeking an answer. The guards who patrolled the grounds were now in the living room. Benedict held them off. Whatever existed between him and Elle impacted the boy as well.
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