If only it were that easy. “That was different. You would have to commit before the pack. In a ceremony. It would be binding.”
She rubbed the back of her neck. Her gaze darted about the room, looking at everything but him. “Binding.”
“As it stands now, you’re not officially part of the pack. Now that we know you’re a were, you’re considered rogue, like your sister. But if you want to be with me…and I really hope you do…you’ll have to join the pack. And follow pack law.”
“So this is an ultimatum? Your pack is going to force me to commit to you or we’re through?”
“No one’s forcing you. That’s why I’m telling you this. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you…if you love me too. Do you love me, Macey?” His chest tightened. He held his breath and waited for the answer he didn’t want to hear.
“I…” Her chin quivered. Confusion clouded her eyes as she finally looked at him. “I can’t do this now. You need to leave.”
“Macey…”
“I need time.”
Letting out a heavy sigh, he rubbed his head. He wasn’t above begging, but the stubborn set of her jaw told him now wasn’t the time. Macey loved him, and if she thought she didn’t, she was lying to herself. She was his fate-bound, damn it, but if he tried to tell her that now it would drive them even further apart. She’d realize it eventually on her own, but then it might be too late.
He fought off the sickening feeling churning in his stomach and opened the door, pausing in the threshold. “I hope two days is enough.”
Macey locked the door behind him and sank onto her sofa. Thor jumped up next to her and mewed softly.
“I like him too, but what was I supposed to do?”
The cat sat down and blinked at her contemptuously.
“He can’t force me to spend the rest of my life with him with only two days’ notice. What if I’d said yes, and he changed his mind later and left me? Or what if something happened to him? Then I’d be stuck in the pack and forced to follow their rules for the rest of my life. I can’t do it, Thor.”
He licked his paw and wiped his face.
“And anyway, I’m sure he’s exaggerating. How could they stop him from dating me again after he becomes alpha? He’ll be the one in charge; I’m sure he can do anything he wants. So we break up now, and maybe later we can try it again. It’s the logical thing to do.”
An impatient mewl sounded in Thor’s throat.
“Oh, what do you know? You’re just a cat.”
She leaned back and closed her eyes. Two days. How could she make a decision like that in two days? She couldn’t. She wouldn’t. And that’s all there was to it. Life would go back to normal, the way it used to be before Luke showed up. Everything would be fine.
She opened her eyes, her gaze landing on the black messenger bag lying on the foyer table. The crystal with Ross’s spirit still rested inside. She shivered to think the half-demon soul may have heard her exchange with Luke. Tomorrow, she’d meet with Natasha and send the fiend to hell where he belonged. Tonight, she would do her best to not think about Luke.
Macey slung the messenger bag over her shoulder and walked out the door. The afternoon sun shone high in the cloudless sky, baking the city in relentless heat. Sweat immediately beaded on her forehead. She hurried across to the shady side of the street, resting her hand on her fabric bag. The only demon lurking in the shadows today was stuck inside Roberta’s crystal. Hopefully she’d never have to see another one again.
Natasha sat on her balcony in a folding chair. An orange scarf circled her hair, thick braids sprouting from the center like a potted plant. Her red lips curved into a smile when she spotted Macey, and she waved. “Door’s open. Come on in.”
Macey’s phone buzzed in her pocket as she climbed the stairs to Natasha’s apartment. Another message from Luke. She’d programmed her phone to send his calls straight to voicemail after his third attempt to reach her this afternoon. If he didn’t give up soon, she’d have to block his number all together. Still, the temptation to check the message had her fingers hovering over the screen.
She sighed and shoved the phone into her pocket. Don’t let him get to you, Mace.
Even though Natasha had told her to come in, she knocked before opening the door. She looked forward to the relief of conditioned air, but the sticky breeze of a box fan blowing in the corner greeted her instead. Incense smoke hung in the humid air like fog, and she fanned it out of her face.
“I’m on the porch,” Natasha called. “Come on out. I made some tea.”
Macey stepped through the beaded curtain. “Hi, Natasha. Thanks for helping me with this.”
“Ain’t nothing. Sit down, have a drink.” She offered her a tall glass of sweet tea.
Macey took a big gulp. The icy liquid slid down her throat, cooling her from the inside out. “Thank you.” She set the glass on the table and pulled out the crystal. “Here he is. His name’s Ross if that helps.”
Natasha’s face contorted with disgust as she eyed the stone. “That’s a demon all right.” She snatched the crystal from Macey’s hands and dropped it into an empty clay pot on the floor. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Is there anything I can do to help? I want to make sure he can’t come back.”
Natasha straightened. “Not unless you’re practiced in Voodoo rituals and know how to open the veil between worlds?”
Macey shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Don’t you worry, Detective. I said I’ll take care of it.”
“Please, call me Macey. This is strictly off the record. If the department found out…”
Natasha smiled and shuffled a deck of tarot cards. “I know how you werewolves like your privacy. I won’t tell your secret. Never have.”
Macey blinked at her. “How did you know?”
“I have a few powers of my own. I’ve been a part of this community my whole life, and I know how things work. Probably a lot better than you do. You’re just coming into your powers, ain’t you?”
Macey sipped her tea. Everything about the supernatural community was new to her, but admitting her own naivety was still difficult. “I’m learning to understand them. I’ve had them all my life.”
“Mm-hmm. It ain’t nothing to be ashamed of.” She set the cards down and folded her hands in her lap. “Luke’s a good guy, you know. You could do worse.”
Macey swallowed. “You know Luke?”
She waved her hand in dismissal. “Everybody in our community knows who Luke is. Why anybody would dump him is beyond me.”
“Wow. You are really good at reading people.” Not that it was any of her business.
Natasha laughed. “I haven’t read you yet, girl. I’m a good listener. Hair stylist by trade. I do Roberta’s hair. Girl loves to gossip.”
“Great.” Her relationship with Luke—or lack thereof—was the subject of the supernatural community’s gossip pool. Fantastic. “I appreciate your help with the spirit. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, let me know.” She started to stand, but Natasha closed her eyes and raised a finger in the air. Macey sank back onto the chair.
Natasha swayed from side to side, nodding her head. “Now I’m reading you.”
“I really don’t need to be read. I’m going to go now.”
She opened her eyes. “Just like I thought.” Her lips pressed into a disappointed line as she shook her head.
“What?”
“You think too much.”
Macey scoffed. Like that was even possible. “Okay. Thanks again for your help.”
“Your brain’ll fool you. You need to listen to your heart more. It won’t steer you wrong.”
She forced a smile and stepped toward the doorway. “I think I’m doing fine.”
“Don’t believe everything you think.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
The sound of a key in his front door lock roused Luke from sleep. He grumbled and rolled o
ver, squinting at the clock on his nightstand. As he blinked, the red digital display came into focus. Ten a.m. He’d been in bed since midnight.
“Good morning, sunshine. It’s time to wake up.” His mother’s melodic voice drifted on the air, but he didn’t respond. Maybe if he stayed silent, she’d go away and today wouldn’t have to happen.
Sunlight filtered in through the mini-blinds, illuminating the dust motes floating in the air. If he lay still long enough, maybe he’d turn to dust and could float away too. He sighed and draped an arm over his eyes. Why couldn’t he go back to sleep and let this all be a dream?
The scent of brewing coffee tickled his senses, clearing the fog from his mind. This was it. The first day of the rest of his life. The last day he’d have a chance at love. He checked his phone for messages. Maybe Macey had returned one of his calls or texts.
Nothing.
Time had run out. What the hell was he supposed to do now? He sat up and chunked the phone across the room, slamming it into the back of a padded chair. It bounced off the seat and slipped onto the carpeted floor. The phone remained in one piece, which was more than he could say for his heart.
“Everything okay in here?” His mom paused in the doorway, a cup of coffee in one hand, a tuxedo draped over her other arm.
A goddamn tuxedo.
“You almost broke your phone.” She laid the suit on a chair and offered him the coffee. He only grunted in reply, so she set the cup and the phone on his nightstand. “It’s a big day today. My little boy, becoming alpha. I’m so proud of you.” She sat on the edge of his bed and patted his leg.
He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out hard. He was acting like a child. His mom deserved better. “Thanks.”
She gazed at him, her eyes full of sympathy, as she rubbed circles on his knee. “Your tuxedo is pressed and ready to go. Make sure you do something about that bedhead before you get to the ballroom.” She mussed his hair with her hand. Thankfully, she didn’t mention the other thing that was happening at the ceremony…before he could become alpha. He still didn’t know who they’d chosen as his mate. He didn’t care.
“What time is the ceremony again?” he asked.
“Seven. But the meeting starts at six. Then dinner at eight.”
“Right.”
She stood and traced a finger over the suit. “You’ve got plenty of time if there’s anything you need to do this afternoon. Any last minute business you need to take care of.”
“I just have to show up, right? Or was I supposed to take care of the catering too?” He forced a half-hearted grin and winked at his mom.
A sad smile curved her lips. “I’ll see you tonight, sweetheart. Don’t forget about Great-Grand Ma Ma’s ring.” She blew him a kiss and shuffled out the door.
He lay there until he heard the front door open and close, her key turning in the lock. Then he swung his legs over the side of the bed and opened the nightstand drawer. There, in a burgundy leather box, sat his great-grandmother’s wedding ring. He opened the lid and gazed at the stone.
A one-and-a-half carat round diamond sat atop an intricate platinum art deco setting. Three smaller diamonds accented the large one on each side, trailing down to a detailed, tiny rose molded into the metal. His great-grandfather had given this ring to her in 1933, two years before he became alpha.
A small slip of yellowing paper sat folded in the lid. Luke pulled it out, carefully unfolding the brittle note. The letters wobbled from a shaky hand. His great-grandmother must have been eighty when she’d written it.
* * *
For Luke.
May his true love bring him as much happiness as Arthur brought me.
* * *
He folded the note and placed it back in the lid, and then took the ring from the box. The diamond glinted in the sunlight, and he laid the ring on the table next to the box. There was only one person who could wear that ring.
But she wouldn’t answer his calls.
If he couldn’t reach her by phone, she’d have to talk to him in person. He couldn’t go through with the ceremony tonight unless he’d done everything he could to win Macey back. He jumped out of bed and got dressed. Leaving the coffee on the table, he grabbed his phone and slipped the ring into his pocket before darting out the door.
He tried Macey’s house first, banging on the door until Thor jumped into the window sill and rubbed his side against the glass. She wasn’t home. Where else could she be? He sat on her steps and pulled the ring out of his pocket. Great-Grand Ma Ma’s words rang in his ears. May his true love bring him as much happiness as Arthur brought me. Macey would make him the happiest man alive if she’d give him a chance. He fished his phone from his other pocket and dialed Alexis. Surely her sister would know where to find her. The call connected.
“Where’s Macey?”
“Well, hello to you, too, Luke.”
“Cut the crap, Alexis. I’ve got six hours to find Macey and convince her to marry me. Do you know where she is?”
She hesitated, her voice lowering in concern. “I think she’s at her parents’ house in Metairie.”
“I know where that is. Thanks.” He pocketed his phone and raced to his truck. His palms were so slick with sweat he could barely grip the steering wheel on the twenty-minute drive. Last time he was there, he’d approached through the trees, watching Macey and Roberta deal with the damn demon spirit. He had no trouble finding the one-story home from the street, and he barreled into the driveway, stopping just short of a row of hedges.
He jumped out of the truck and jogged up the front steps. Tendrils of ivy climbed a lattice behind a white, wooden porch swing. The red inner door hung open, a glass storm door separating the summer from the chilled air inside. The sounds of a pre-season football game drifted out from the living room, and he could see the back of a man’s head through the door. Luke rapped on the glass.
The man was tall, with receding brown hair and glasses, and he paused when he saw Luke through the door. This must have been Macey’s father. He rested his hand on the handle, but didn’t open the door. “Can I help you?”
“Mr. Carpenter?”
“Yes.” He drew out the word skeptically.
“I’m Luke Mason. Is Macey here? I need to talk to her.”
An amused grin lit his face, and he opened the door. “It’s nice to meet you, Luke. Come on in.”
He stepped through the doorway into the small foyer. A bright yellow kitchen sat off to the left, and a hallway ran down to the right.
Mr. Carpenter straightened to his full height. “You’ve caused my little girl all kinds of heartache.”
“I don’t mean to, sir. I’d like to make things right.”
He chuckled. “Macey, you’ve got company.”
She padded down the hallway in denim shorts and bare feet. A white tank top clung to her curves, and her hair spilled around her shoulders like spun gold. His chest tightened, his arms aching to hold her. He wanted to run to her. To take her in his arms and never let her go. It was all he could do to keep his feet planted on the floor.
She stopped midstride when she saw him, her face taking on a range of so many emotions, he couldn’t count them all. Her disapproving gaze flicked to her father before settling on Luke. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.”
She rubbed one arm. “I have nothing to say.”
“Then listen. Please.”
Her dad took her by the arm and led her toward him. “Give the boy a chance. He drove all this way.”
She let out her breath in a slow hiss. Her teeth clenched, the muscles in her jaw flexing taught. “Fine.” She threw the storm door open and stomped onto the porch.
Luke followed. “You didn’t return my calls.”
She spun around to face him. His expression must have been pained because all the anger drained from her face as she sank onto the swing. “I didn’t know what to say. I…still don’t.”
“All you have to do is liste
n. If you’re not convinced when I’m done, I’ll leave and never bother you again.” He sat down, his leg brushing hers. She scooted away, and a stinging pain shot through his heart. Resting his hand on his leg, he could feel the ring burning a hole through his jeans. It belonged on Macey’s finger, and he ached to put it there.
“I love you, Macey.”
“Luke, please don’t…”
“Just hear me out, okay?”
She nodded.
“I’ve loved you from the moment you walked into my dad’s bar in that tank top and flip flops. Hell, maybe I even loved you before then, but that’s the moment I knew. I’d been watching you since the whole demon ordeal started and you took on the case. It was my job to get rid of the evidence and keep you from finding out the truth. And I told myself that’s all I was doing when I hung around watching you clear the scenes. But it was so much more than that. I was enamored.”
He turned in his seat to face her. “Then you came into the bar and shook my hand, and I knew you had magic in you. I spent the next week trying to find out exactly what you were, to see if there was any chance we could be together. My folks were in Paris, and I called them and begged my old man to let your magic be enough.”
She stared at the ground. “I guess he said ‘no?’”
“‘Werewolves only.’ That’s what he said. Then I found out you are a werewolf. And, yeah, I said those things Alexis told you. But I said them before I knew what you were. There was enough tension in the pack with the demons and Stephen trying to step in. I couldn’t let them know I was in love with a human, but you know what I figured out?”
She glanced at him, her eyes tight with worry or confusion, before returning her gaze to the ground.
“It didn’t matter what you were. I was in love with who you were. Who you are. You could be a human, a witch, or even a vampire. I would love you regardless. But it doesn’t matter anymore because you are a werewolf. We can be…we were meant to be together. You are the only one I’ll ever love. You’re my fate-bound, Macey. My soul mate. So, please. I’m begging you.” He sank to his knees in front of her and took her hands in his. “Take me back.”
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