Author: Aileen Erin
Category: Paranormal
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/28751_64
Dastien got the next question—about his level of control. I got one about what my powers were exactly, and then one about my interactions with la Aquelarre.
Then, someone asked me what I thought about Luciana and my relationship with her. “If being cursed by Luciana is a sign of a good relationship, then I’d say we were on the best of terms. I don’t trust her and I certainly don’t like her. You heard what she said. She wants to control me. She made it perfectly clear that she’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that when she cursed me.” There were some murmurs, and I was sure I’d get some questions about that before I was done, but for now, most were quiet. “As much as I would like to learn about being a bruja, I can’t. Not from her.”
I hadn’t really realized that I wanted to learn until I said the words. After helping Meredith, I knew that I couldn’t avoid that part of me anymore. I had to be able to use the gifts that I’d been given. I had to do better. Be better.
A bunch of people shouted questions all at once and I blinked through the heat of the fire. It seemed like with every question I answered, there were twenty more. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to handle this.
I think Donovan’s about to call this to an end, Dastien said.
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You think?
Yeah. Look at his hands.
They were fisted by his sides. His knuckles were white, and a fine sheen of fur covered over their tops.
He’s itching to. He wanted to cancel the Tribunal from the start.
I’d known that, but it didn’t change where we were today. It might be too late for us.
Yes.
“—your turn to say something,” Donovan said.
Everyone was staring at me. Shit. I had to stop tuning out when I talked to Dastien through our bond.
That’s your cue.
Right. I got out my notecards. My hands shook as I flipped through them. The words seemed to blend together, and I couldn’t make sense of them. The paper crinkled as I flipped through them again, and I realized this was dumb. I didn’t need the cards. I just had to speak from the heart.
I tossed them in the fire and watched as the cards curled, the flames licking along the edges until they were totally consumed.
This was it. Time for me to defend myself.
I cleared my throat, wishing I had a glass of water before I started. “I know that I’ve caused quite a stir since I showed up here. Believe me, no one expected me to be here less than me.” I blew out a breath. “But now that I’m here, I don’t want to leave. I know rules were broken, and that I lost my temper a bit with Imogene. It was wrong, and I was fighting the change. I’m not anymore. I’ve accepted my wolf, the pack, and my mate. I’d love it if I was accepted in return.” I paused, trying to think of what I should say next. “Even if I wanted to feel bad about not joining the coven, I don’t. Maybe it was a disservice to them that I was bitten, but I don’t know how my life could be other than the way it is.” I couldn’t apologize for something I didn’t feel. “I would apologize to Imogene for attacking her, but I was told that fights among students was a thing of the norm around here. She was digging through my things making insane accusations, and I lost my temper. I was new to being a wolf, and it was an adjustment. However, when she attacked me, after participating in a coup to take down this very pack, I didn’t call a Tribunal on her. I forgave her and asked that the pack give her a second chance. I hope that some of you will remember that. Will put yourselves in my shoes. And when you’re thinking about what to do with me and Dastien, it’d be great if you could remember that we can’t go back in time. This—me being bitten—can’t be undone. We can only move forward. And for me, that means I’m both wolf and witch. Luciana is hanging on to the fact that she can separate me from the wolf, but each of you should know how impossible that is.” I glanced around the pack, hoping to see some kind of agreement, but got nothing. A sea of faces stared back at me. “I—” I cleared my throat. “I wanted to also make it known that I’m not completely unreasonable. I don’t want anyone else hurt because of the choices that Dastien and I have made. Just know that any type of permanent separation will not be entertained by either of us.” That was backed with just a little taste of power. I didn’t want to push them, but if I gave them a little bit of weakness, they’d exploit it for sure.
“Are you done?” Mr. Dawson asked.
Was I done? I hadn’t a clue if what I’d said had gotten through to anyone, but anything else I could say would be a rehash. “I think so. Yes.”
“Dastien,” Mr. Dawson said.
“Teresa Elizabeth McCaide is my mate.” His voice was strong and clear. Not hint of fear tinted it. “I’d love to hear from one of you who could deny their mate. Who could refuse them anything?” He paused. “And she’s not just my mate. She’s my True Mate. My other half. I don’t think any of you could understand what that means, except Donovan and Meredith. To get between mates is one of the biggest crimes in our world. No one would ever dare. Yet, here I am,” he yelled the last. “Forced to stand here and beg for the chance to keep my other half. Our bonding ceremony was already interrupted. I’ll not stand for one more thing to come between us. Know that before you decide anything.” He sounded cold. Even I was a little scared of him in that moment.
He always said he struggled with control, but I’d only seen him lose it a couple of times, and never like this. Seeing him now… I wasn’t scared for myself, but I was worried for him and the rest of the pack. What would happen to him if we were separated?
You’re kind of intense.
Don’t make me smile. It’ll ruin the effect.
I started to grin, and he narrowed his gaze at me. And don’t you smile either. United front, Tess. It’s all about being together on this.
Dastien hopped down from the rock and reached a hand out to steady me as I followed. “When you have a verdict, send for us at the cabin.”
We made our way through the woods in silence. I was too afraid to talk. I’d already overshared enough for the night and Were hearing was a little too good. They wouldn’t get any more of me. Not if I could help it.
I didn’t open up until we were well out of earshot. “So, what do you think?”
“About?”