Wickedly Yours (Witches of Pleasant Grove, #2)

by Jennifer Chipman

For all the girls who want a six and a half foot tall winged man to swoop in and tell them that they’re fated mates. (Me too.)

She would sit on the throne next to mine, wearing the crown I had made for her, my ring on her finger.

“What else could you say?” I raised an eyebrow. “That I’m looking for something.” “And did you find it?” He looked directly at me, those dark eyes—almost black—practically peering into my soul. “I think I did.”

She was light. Pure, unfettered light. How could I tarnish that with my darkness?

“And we haven’t been very careful. My scent is all over you.” That must have been how they’d found her so easily. Her eyes widened. “I—what? I smell like you?” “Yes.” I shut my eyelids, my nose inhaling deeply. She didn’t know how much it settled my instincts that she did. How good she smelled. Like mine.

“You captivated me more than anyone has in a long time.”

How would she feel when she found out I’d been here to snatch her away? To spirit her to my realm like Hades stole Persephone? But had he stolen her, or had she gone willingly? It all depended on who was telling the tale.

“Right.” Luna’s shoulders sagged. “Until me.” Did she think she was a distraction? That for one minute, I’d ever regretted walking into that bar and finding my witch sitting there, waiting for me? Fates. That was a mistake I needed to remedy immediately. “Yes,” I agreed. “Until you.” My hands itched to reach out, to touch her, but I kept them where they were. “But don’t for one second think that I regret meeting you, Luna. Even if I had to do it all over again, exactly the same… I would.”

“You’re not a distraction,” I promised. You’re my salvation.

Careful, Moonbeam, Zain thought into my mind. You’re going to make me jealous.

Would she forgive me? For forcing her into this, for binding her to me? For deceiving her when all I wanted was her heart?

“I can’t explain it, Wil. But when I saw him, my heart knew.” “Knew…?” “That he was mine. That I was his.”

“Because you’re my light in the dark. You shine so bright, Luna. I never thought… No, could have never even imagined you. How you would illuminate my entire world.”

“You know, I had a fitting for my wedding dress today.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Oh?” “Only got stabbed about twenty times, so that’s an improvement on last time.” Zain’s whole body froze. “You what?” I placed my hand on his chest. “Relax, handsome. They’re just sewing pins.” I laughed at his expression. “No one’s hurt me. Everyone’s been amazing, really.”

“An eternity wouldn’t be long enough with you,” I said, voice low so only she could hear. And I meant it. I meant every word.

“Mhm. It’s what we do to claim our mate. So everyone knows that you’re mine.” I froze. Mate?

“You were made for me. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted,” I said, voice low against her neck. “Everything I’ve ever needed.”

“Haven’t I already proved to you I don’t want you to stop?” She kissed me softly. “That I need you as much as you need me?” “Impossible,” I groaned. “There’s no way that you feel like this. Like—” Like nothing mattered but her. That I’d forsake the whole damn kingdom just for her. She was my everything.

She took every jagged edge of me and made me want to be whole. For her. And I wanted—Fuck, I wanted everything. With her. Always with her. Even if I knew I didn’t deserve it.

For you, Moonbeam, I’d do anything. For our future, I’d tear down the world and rebuild it, even if it just meant one more day with you.

“You’re wicked,” Luna gasped, and I moved my attention up, brushing my teeth over that mark on her neck. “Yes.” I’d never disagreed with that. “Wickedly yours.”