Aric went ballistic. He smashed his fist through the table and split it down the center. It took all the wolves to stop him from speeding toward Taran. “I would never hurt her and you fucking know it!”

His face darkened to purple and all the muscles strained beneath his tight blue shirt. He remained seconds from releasing his beast. I lurched forward, but Bren hauled me back. Aric saw me trying to reach him and attempted to barrel his way to me.

“No,” Martin warned. “For the time being, you must keep your distance.”

Although I didn’t want to, I stopped fighting to reach him. Aric refused to succumb and continued to ram his way to me. Makawee stepped between us and placed her hand on Aric’s head. There was a faint howl of wolves and Aric collapsed to his knees, breathing hard. It was only then that the wolves released him. They continued to watch him, their guard vigilant.

Gemini closed the distance between him and Taran, although he remained watchful of Aric’s movements. “Aric called us,” he told her. “He called us and told us Celia was in danger and that we needed to protect her.”

Taran pointed an accusing finger toward Aric. “How do you know it wasn’t all a setup—so he could kill you, too?”

“Taran,” Koda said, his tone just above a snarl. “You didn’t hear his call. We did. He was howling at us, desperate to save Celia.”

Aric rose slowly, his stance rigid. “I wasn’t in my own body. My wolf and I were being forced out as we slept. I woke up disoriented and stumbled into the bathroom. It was then I knew something was inside me.” He spoke through ragged breaths and met me with savage eyes. “I saw…I saw everything that was happening to you. Somehow, I shoved my way back in, but I barely had any control.” His jaw clenched tight. “I tried to break my own neck. When that didn’t work, and I was close to losing what hold I had, I threw myself out the window.”

My hands fell to my sides. I remembered how his head had snapped so forcefully from side to side and how he had so suddenly vanished.

He let out a breath, trying to soothe his anger as his hands balled into fists and his eyes shimmered with regret. “I fought that spirit inside of me with everything I had, Celia. You have to believe that I could never hurt you….”

He couldn’t finish, but I knew what he meant. I could sense his disgrace and shame as if it were my own. This time, no one could keep me from him.

Aric snatched me into his arms when I shot forward, the scent of his clean aroma and the heat from his body easing my remaining fear. He whispered soft wolfish words, comforting my tigress. I didn’t understand the words, but understood the vow within the soft tones. He would protect me, even if it cost him his life.

No one moved for a long while, giving us the moment we needed. Melancholy replaced the tension in the room. I understood why. Just because Aric and I were holding each other, it didn’t mean we were safe.

“Gemini, phone Genevieve,” Martin finally said. “We need the help of a witch.”

Taran stiffened as she watched Gem tap the screen of his cellphone. The moment Gem was done explaining what had happened, Genevieve’s normally serene voice grew urgent. “Get out of the house—get out of the house now.”

Chapter 22

Despite the careful inspection Genevieve had performed several weeks back, she was convinced that something possessed our home. When we stepped out onto the front porch, the Catholic schoolgirls were waiting to escort me to Misha’s house.

Oh goody.

I refused. They insisted. The wolves growled. The vampires hissed. Eventually the good Catholics let me leave, but only because both Elders were present and at least for the time being, they knew better than to break the treaty signed between their kinds.

We ended up at the Hyatt in Incline Village. Emme, Taran, and I shared a room. And while we were all on the same floor, Aric was in his own suite, as were Koda and Shayna.

Gemini stayed behind at our house to wait for Genevieve and a few members of her coven. He said she’d refused Delilah and Betty Sue’s help. I knew they weren’t getting along, but to flat-out refuse them struck me as odd.

Bren had insisted on staying in our room, but Martin reasoned that it wasn’t a good idea and sent him home. “Based on the evening’s events, Aric’s inner beast is feeling especially protective,” Martin explained outside of our room. “Young Brendan, being an unmated wolf, is seen as competition.”

Emme turned away from us, strangely upset, except I couldn’t offer her comfort just then. Instead, I addressed Martin. “But Bren and I are only friends. Aric knows this.”

Martin glanced up at Aric, who waited down the hall. He’d been ordered by Martin to keep his distance until we knew for sure what was happening, and that the entity that had possessed him could no longer seize control over him. Aric obeyed, but had refused to leave me. Martin scrutinized me with compassion. “I realize what you’re saying, Celia. But this is one of those moments when you can’t reason with a wolf.” He tilted his head. “Be safe. If you need me, we’ll be at your home waiting to see what Genevieve’s coven uncovers.”

We watched him disappear into the elevator. With a huff, Taran stepped into our room with Emme directly behind her. I tried to follow, but Aric called out to me. “Celia, wait.”

I looked at him. He seemed so far away even though only a few feet separated us. It wasn’t right not to be with him. Damn, we’d already spent too much time apart. I wasn’t sure what he saw in my expression, but it was enough to upset him. “Good night,” was all he said.

“Good night,” I mumbled.

Shayna came to see me a few minutes later, carrying roses. “They’re from Aric. He wanted me to tell you that he loves you and that he’s really sorry.”

“Sorry he tried to rape her or sorry for beating her up?” Taran asked.

Anger surged through me. “Shut up, Taran,” I snapped.

Her initial shock turned to fury. “What the hell is your problem? I’m trying to stick up for you. We’re all better off without these damn wolves messing up our lives—”

“Enough,” I hissed, shoving my face into hers. “Do not put the shit you’re going through with Gem back on us.”

We glared at each other. In the end, Taran’s bitch was no match for my tigress. She averted her gaze and snatched her purse from the dresser. “Screw this,” she said, stomping toward the door. “Screw you, too, Celia.”