Bewitchingly Hers (Witches of Pleasant Grove, #3)

by Jennifer Chipman

Raising my snout, I sniffed at the air, catching the scent of stale coffee and baked goods. But there was that underlying sweet scent, too. Like apples and cinnamon. Closing my eyes, I inhaled.

As an only child, I was used to that. I’d grown up having to entertain myself,

Despite all the invitations from my best friends, I was happy alone. At least, that was what I told myself. Most of the time, it was true. No matter what Wendy and Rina liked to tell me. These days, between books and making earrings, I kept busy.

Plus, I had my familiar, my little hedgehog Nutmeg, to keep me company.

Sometimes, I felt a pang in my heart when I saw them cozied up next to each other at the annual pumpkin festival. It was hard not to watch them from the windows of the shop. Everyone was just so happy here.

“What’s wrong with you?” I scolded myself, sighing as I finished dusting the outside of the display case.

But I could see the gold, faint thread between us, could feel her at the other end of the bond. And she smelled like… she smelled like mine.

I didn’t know how much time had passed—I was in and out of consciousness—but she was always there. Stroking my muzzle, taking care of me. Checking on me, all while she babbled away. It amused me that she was constantly talking to herself. Cute, even.

Her eyes widened as she scratched at my ears. “I thought so. You’re a very smart wolf.” If only she knew that I wasn’t just a wolf at all.

Did I know? Not really. I’d never experienced that for myself. My life felt a little stagnant. I gave her a hesitant smile. “I guess I’ve just never met the right person.”

Without warning, Damien entered the back room, his eyes flaring red for a moment before they faded back to brown. “Willow.” He let out a sigh of relief. “There you are.” He wrapped his arms around his mate’s stomach. “I was looking everywhere for you.” “Damien.” She chuckled. “I’ve only been gone for…” Willow looked over at the clock on the back wall. “An hour.” He rubbed his nose on the crook of her neck. “Doesn’t matter. You know how much I worry about you and our little witchling.” Willow blushed, turning to me. “We should go.”

It was soft—and I was honestly obsessed with how cuddly he was.

When a wolf bonded with their mate, it was for life. Not that we were anywhere close to bonding. Especially when she didn’t even know who—or what—I was.

I’m not going to hurt her, I wanted to tell it. I’m going to keep her safe. My little healer was precious, and there was no way I could ever let her come to harm.

Finally, I gave up, curling in a ball in front of the front door so I could wait for my mate to return to me.

“Good boy,” she praised. I wagged my tail. I was a good boy, wasn’t I? Wait, fuck. What was I doing? I wasn’t a dog. I was a human, dammit.

She scratched between my ears. “You’re just my little protector now, aren’t you?” Yes, I was.

like spice and leaves—I

Well, what she didn’t know is that I would fight for her. No matter what it took, I wasn’t giving up—not yet.

“That’s my car,” I said, pointing across the parking lot to the retro sports car I drove. “Wow. I didn’t peg you for a car guy.” I chuckled. “To be fair, a few hours ago, you didn’t even peg me for a guy.” “The fur was very convincing.” Eryne stuck out her lip in a fake pout. “Who could blame me?”

“You can share my bed, if you want to. I only have the one, but we can both fit on it.” Part of me knew what I was offering. After this morning, it felt insane not to acknowledge that this was crazy. But I couldn’t help it.

Maybe I was a little attached, too. “I don’t think I can sleep without your wolf anymore. He’s like my own heater.”

“After you, sugar.”

“Well, obviously.” I wasn’t blind. She was gorgeous. Even covered in coffee grounds and exhausted from a long day at work, I thought she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. “But you’re not allowed to even look at her.”

She made a face. “How much of that did you hear?”

I chuckled, leaning in closer, knowing exactly how much I was affecting her. “All of it.” Eryne swallowed roughly. “All… of it?” Humming, I twirled the piece of hair that had come free from behind her ear. “Yep. Every. Last. Word.”

“Enjoying the view, little healer?” He smirked, flexing his muscles.

The witch in question was wearing a cozy two piece pajama set, complete with fleece pants that were covered in leaves and pumpkins. It was cute how much this town loved fall.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You don’t go in until the afternoon. And then you’re there until closing, and I’m pretty sure you don’t eat dinner half the nights either.” I’d memorized her schedule when I’d been stuck in her bed, day after day in wolf form, unable to move or talk as my body stitched itself back together. Eryne pouted. “Fine. You caught me.” She grumbled something under her breath about me having her daily routine committed to memory. Plating up the food, I handed her a full dish. “Appease me.”

Hours later, I was sitting at the bar at the Enchanted Cauldron, nursing a glass of whiskey that had seemed like a better idea when I’d gotten here then it did now, waiting for Eryne to arrive.

all of her little quirks. The way she babbled, talking to herself. Her sense of humor. The way she always smelled sweet, like sugar. The twinkle in her eyes when she found something amusing. How much I wanted her.

“Barrett.” “Eryne,” I said, my voice rough as I rubbed my thumb across her cheekbone. “I don’t know what we’re doing here.” She clutched the sides of my jacket. “I don’t know either.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “All I know is that I want you.” Her eyelashes fluttered and her lips were right there.

“Fuck it,” I growled, bringing my lips down to meet hers. It was hardly more than a slow peck, but it felt like something inside of me was rearranging at the touch. Like there was a before Eryne and an after Eryne, and I would never be quite the same man—or wolf—ever again. Her arms looped around my neck, and she pressed her lips to mine again. A low rumble of satisfaction burst through my chest as I kissed her. Yes, my wolf agreed. Kiss our pretty little mate.

I’d never felt so taken care of, like I was the sole focus of someone’s affections, as I did with Barrett.

He rubbed my shoulders. “Shower. I’ll go make us food.” Us. I liked the sound of that.

“I should be the one thanking you, baby.

After we were both dressed—me in a turtleneck, one of my favorite plaid skirts and a pair of black tights with my trusty pair of combat boots, and him in a cozy knit sweater, jacket, and black jeans with his own pair of boots—we headed out into town.

No one had ever taken care of me like he was now. This was what I’d been missing. Companionship.

He nodded. “Sure.” His lips dipped low, pressing against my ear. “But only if you’ll make me one.” I blushed, and then nodded, not sure why he liked my coffee so much. Still, it made me a little giddy, like a schoolgirl, that he liked my drinks. That he seemed to like me.

The bats were back in my stomach, and I couldn’t deny the flutters

“You think there’s truly a chance that outside this town… that there’s actually a soulmate for everyone?” Her eyes filled with hope. Fuck, I wanted to tell her, you’re mine. It would be so easy.

Still, his words last night felt so sincere. Like he meant every single one of them. This doesn’t feel casual to me. I like you. No matter what else is happening out there, this, in here—this is us.

“Is anyone going to come back here?” I asked, running my hand slowly down her leg, towards the hem of her dress. She was wearing a black pair of tights underneath it, along with her favorite pair of combat boots, and I wanted to rip them off of her. Eryne shook her head. “Not likely… but there’s always a chance.” Her voice was breathy, her scent growing even stronger. She liked this, I realized.

My girl interlaced her fingers through mine, and wrapping her other arm around mine, leaning her full body weight against me. I dropped a kiss to her forehead. Her scent flooded into me, and I let out a breath, feeling the rage, the need to go full alpha, receding.

“Vixen.” Eryne

“So, you’ll stay?” “Yes.” I brushed a strand of hair off her face. “What about your job?” “I’m perfectly happy being your twenty-four/seven space heater, baby.” I winked.

my mate was alone and hurting, and I hadn’t been there to protect her.

“You came,” she whispered, her hand cupping my cheek. Of course I had. “You called,” I responded, placing my hand over hers and feeling her warmth returning. Somehow, through the bond, she’d called for me. Through our bond. The bond I’d been putting off completing. I shut my eyes, dropping my forehead to hers. “My mate.” She sucked in a breath. “Yes. I am, aren’t I?” I nodded. “You are.”

“I still would have chosen you,” she said, voice soft. “You’re every dream I’ve ever had, Barrett Lockwood.” “In every lifetime, in every moment, I’d choose you, Eryne Fowler.”

“I love you, Eryne. My sweet mate. My little healer. My everything.”