Page 153 of Ravenous

She stilled. “Another? I don’t understand.”

“My mate.”

Two words. Iron clarity.

“Lowell,no.” Her tears gathered, breaths shallowing. “This can’t be happening.”

“I am sorry,” he choked out.

“You look as if you’re dying inside,” she whispered, eyes stark. “But excited too.”

“I dinna know. I dinna expect this for myself.”

“Have you forgotten that you promised me everything? You told me I’d never regret coming here. This is a done thing. We have sealed our pact.Ihave sealed my pact, making my own promises.” She peered up at the moon as if reading portents.

Straightening, she returned her gaze to him. “We’re just steps from the threshold. Youwillleave with me. You told me you would fight fate, and we can still escape it. Turn your back on the other female, and depart this world.”

“I canna ever leave her.” His voice broke. “I’ve been waiting for this all my life. Her soul calls to my own, and it’s like a godsdamned roar from the universe right at my ear.”

Meera held out a hand and raggedly said, “Distance will dull it.”

“No.” He shook his head. He didn’t want to hurt her more than he had to, but he needed to make her understand. “It’s like I’ve never lived before now.”

She gasped as though he’d stabbed her. “You said you loved me.”

“I thought I did.” He gripped his head, gazing off in the night, then back at Meera. “I think. Now I doona know anymore.”

“So everything between us…”

“Feels wrong. Feels twisted. I’m sorry.”

She wiped her tears, face hardening like stone. “Then felicitations.” Her voice went soft and lethal. “Go to your mate, scored from my nails and reekingof another woman’s pleasure. I’ll be sure to get your letter into her paws in the future. All the best with her.” Meera’s fury crackled in the air.

He flinched from its sting—feeling how easily she’d ensnared him with her magic and loneliness and longing. Clarity struck him. Shehadspellbound him. She’d taken over his thoughts, defeated his loyalty, and made him a craven slave for her.

His claws extended, his beast demanding vengeance. Yet nothing could compete with his mate’s pull. He charged off toward that undeniable scent without a backward glance.

Lowell realized it was a familiar scent, one he’d dreamed of but had never been able to find. Tonight more than one mystery would be solved.

He freed his beast fully, and the heat of that force cleaved through every leash the witch had wrapped around him.

Almost every one.

Almost.

Chapter 59Ditch

“Begone, foul creature!” Ditch snapped, turning from her vigil at the window.

Nettle lingered in the office doorway, golden eyes too intelligent, pupils slitted to knives. Fur bristled. She yowled a warning that set Ditch’s nerves even more on edge.

“I will make a stole out of you.” Exhausted and bruised, Ditch was in no mood for an ill-omened visit. It wasn’t even midnight. And she’d begun to feel the decided failure of spells. The sabotage of them.

Apparently, her campaign to win hearts and minds had won none. Even Meera had deserted her.

With a hiss, Nettle shot away.

“And don’t come back—”