† Sage †

Be calm. Be cool. She’s an adult.

Well technically not for another two weeks, but I wasn’t counting or anything.

When her eyes had filled with tears, I knew she needed to get outside though because like it or not, she was still my little sister.

Coral continued to pace the length of the porch, only stopping to blow out heated breaths. I let her work it out as I leaned back against the door with my arms folded over my chest to ward off the chill of the night air.

Inside the cabin it was warm and filled with the presence of the most delicious man I’d ever laid eyes on who had an internal wolf that wanted nothing more than to mate with me.

Yeah. I know.

We definitely needed to address that one.

Was the man in agreement with the wolf?

If the feelings the wolf was sending could be fulfilled by the man, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in trying it out…

Lock it down, Sage!

Coral was the whole reason I was even here. She was the most important thing and she needed me right now.

“I’m sorry, okay?” Coral stopped pacing to look me in the eye. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. You have to know that I’d never want to force you into this crap we walked into.”

“What are you saying?” I asked, not following her train of thought.

There was a whole lot of crap to deal with, but I was starting to think it wasn’t all that bad. Especially when…

“Sage,” Coral whimpered. “I’m broken somehow. Do you know that even babies can call on their wolves? How have I made it almost eighteen

years and my wolf has never shown her face? I’m supposed to be a part of this pack like my mother was, but I can’t even access their pack link and I

don’t have service to call my friends back in Ethica. Bless science for Kera,

but her life is so messed up. And you? You’re waltzing around like everything is fine. You challenged the freaking Alpha this morning and walked away like nothing happened while your boyfriend in there has been riding my ass all day making sure I understand how much you care about me. Like I don’t already know that you’ve been there my whole life!”

She broke down sobbing, full of too big emotions. I’d always envied the way she was able to wear her heart on her sleeve, but that didn’t mean my heart didn’t break alongside hers.

“Hush now.” I wrapped her in my arms, trying to soothe the tension. If Maddock thought he could come between me and my sister then he–and his wolf–had another thing coming. It didn’t matter how sexy he was. “Do you want me to say something to him? We can leave now and go back to

the inn.”

“That’s not what I want at all,” she cried. “I want you to be happy and Maddock is perfect for you. But can’t you figure out your witch magic stuff and cast a spell that gives me my wolf?”

Definitely wasn’t expecting that.

I took a step back with my thoughts reeling. She really believed in this witch thing and thought I could help her somehow.

“First of all, Maddock and I are not a thing. I still barely know the guy. You are my priority. Even if we have some sort of chemistry…”

Understatement of the year.

“It doesn’t matter. I care more about you. But I don’t think the witch thing works like that. From my understanding, what they call a witch is just someone who the magic of the earth flows through. It’s not like I can control it.”

“Seriously?” Coral deadpanned. “You’re the smartest person I know, but you’re also an idiot.”

“Tell me how you really feel.” I rolled my eyes.

She grabbed my hands and her voice took on an authoritative edge that was older than she’d ever shown. “You’ve always had magic and

you’ve always controlled it. Granted, most of your life was spent blocking it and pretending to be normal to fit in, but it escaped in a million ways.

Like how you can put me to sleep just by touching my back or when you’re happy cooking something, everyone who eats it is instantly happy too.

Don’t even get me started on the calming oils you make. I used to sell them because they were that good.”

“Wait. You sold my stuff?” I’d thought she was using a lot but assumed it was the stress of her senior year. I shook my head. “Those are just a placebo effect. If you believe it works, it will.”

“Stop lying to yourself.” She stomped her foot on the ground. “Even Dad was scared of how much power you had and that’s why he taught you to suppress it. Could you imagine what you could do if you learned to trust your abilities? You might be able to free my wolf from whatever is holding her back.”

“So, I am some powerful, oil making, back scratching witch that hasn’t even tapped into her full potential and you want me to figure it all out in order to help your wolf,” I clarified to make sure we were on the

same page.

“As soon as possible.” Coral sighed in relief, draping her arm over my shoulder and resting her cheek on top of my head. “I mean, you can do whatever cool stuff you want to, but let’s put the wolf high on the priority list.”

“Don’t get your hopes up that this is a solution.” I pinched the

bridge of my nose to ease the building headache. “But if it will make you feel better, I’ll go talk to Lisa tomorrow and see what I can do.”

“Thank you so much, Sage. You’re the best sister ever.” Coral crushed me in a hug.

“Oh, this is a bargain so don’t thank me yet.” I extracted myself from her arms as I laughed. “If I’m doing this for you, then you’ll be cleaning the restaurant for me in the morning.”

Coral cocked her head to the side with an eyebrow arched. “What restaurant?”

*

My chest was light and filled with a nervous energy that didn’t abate with the rising sun. We’d stayed up late last night enjoying Maddock’s

Dinner was great—Maddock could really cook a steak—and we discussed plans for the restaurant. Coral and Kera were eager to pitch in, and I loved their enthusiasm, almost as much as I loved the way Maddock’s eyes followed me wherever I went.

I definitely needed a moment alone with him.

For now, I’d promised Coral I’d check in on Lisa. It felt pointless, but at least I could say I tried. Then I wanted to get back to the restaurant and tackle the mountain of work I’d left behind. Hopefully, Coral would help make a dent in it.

I drove Maddock’s huge truck down the old dirt roads leading to the cottage in the woods. This woman really was alone out here. I hoped she didn’t mind the interruption to her solitary life. But then again, she must be lonely with none of her loved ones nearby. If Kera’s instant attraction to our dysfunctional little family was any indication, her family situation was probably just as complicated.

I still wondered what had happened to the third brother from this triplet birth with the pack leaders, but since no one had mentioned it yet, I figured it wasn’t my place to ask. We’d only been here a week, after all. There was still so much to learn.

Case in point: this witchy business that Coral seemed so convinced about.

With a sigh, I parked the beast of a truck. I really didn’t want to let my sister down, but I didn’t believe food or oils were going to solve this particular issue.

Maybe if I’d let Dr. Bradley take her to the research center, he could have figured out…

Oh hell no. I wouldn’t go down that road of thought again. A few days of breathing fresh air had solidified my resolve. Our lives were here now, and I wasn’t turning back.

“What took so long?” Lisa was already running across the yard before I’d closed the door to the truck.

“Were you expecting me?” I looked back to the vehicle. The thing was loud. She’d probably heard it from miles away.

Lisa’s arms were around my shoulders in an instant, pulling me into a warm embrace that said she definitely was expecting me and I’d worried her somehow.

“Are you alright?” She pulled back to look me over. “I heard about the run in with Apollo.”

I guess you didn’t need social media when you have the pack link to tap into the latest gossip, but I wasn’t about to tell this woman that her son

was an asshole. “I’m fine. I really hope I didn’t step on anyone’s toes or cause any problems.”

“Don’t you worry about that.” Lisa smiled in a way that didn’t quite reach her eyes as she patted my back, guiding me to the house. “That boy needs a taste of his own medicine sometimes.”

Even though I was dying to know their side of the family drama, I was here for mine. “Since we are talking about that situation, there’s something I want to ask.”

“You want to know if there is a way to help your sister access her wolf with your magic,” she said as we stepped into the cottage.

That was oddly specific, but at least I didn’t have to explain. “Yes.” “No.” Lisa shrugged, moving to the kitchen to pull the tea kettle off

the stove as it began to sing.

Defeated but validated, I closed my eyes. I had known this wasn’t going to work, but a small part of me hoped I could be the superhero Coral needed.

“Come sit.” She motioned to the table where two teacups were already waiting.

If I hadn’t known any better, it would seem like she was actually expecting me to arrive.

“I can’t stay too long,” I protested as my feet carried me to the chair. “If I can’t help Coral, then I need to break the news to her and get back to the restaurant before she does more cleaning than she bargained for.”

“Let her clean. The work will do her some good and help get her mind off things. I think that’s one of both your problems right now. You don’t know how to stop thinking or relax.” Lisa paused to blow on the steam of her tea before taking a sip, leaving that little psychological dump in the air.

“How many problems do we have?” I chuckled, humoring her as she stared into her cup.

Lisa’s eyes lit up with a mischievous gleam as she looked to me. “Drink your tea before it gets cold.”

When I took a sip, she continued, “I have a few theories for why you both are so blocked. Would you like to hear another one?”

Okay, Coral could clean for a bit. Maybe this would help. I nodded eagerly.

“Magic is as much a part of the natural world as animal instinct is. I don’t know a lot about the human city, but how much time did you spend away from manmade structures?”

My thoughts immediately went to the community garden and the solace I’d found in that place, but thinking of it now, it was somehow tainted.

“Not much,” I admitted. “Ethica is the perfect manmade ecosystem. The gardens are cultivated for viewing pleasure and function. I spent some time in the greenhouses picking up produce for the restaurants, but even

those are designed for optimal production. We work and live in high rise buildings to conserve space. Even our weather is controlled in an artificial atmosphere to protect us from… radiation that doesn’t exist.”

Lisa nodded like it made perfect sense that my entire life was a lie. “That’s what I thought. I bet now that you’re here, you feel like you can finally breathe.”

“Yes.” I inhaled deeply to show her.

“What I find overly fascinating is that you still managed an affinity for things of the natural world, using plants and food to funnel your magic into without ever knowing what you did.”

“This is creepy.” I blew out the breath I was holding, laughing when I saw the amusement on her face. “Coral basically said the same thing to me which is why I came here to talk with you.”

“Your sister’s destiny correlates with her intelligence. I’m not the least bit surprised that she’s so perspective.” Lisa smiled. “Why did you agree to come if you didn’t believe you could access your own power to help her?”

I didn’t have an answer for that, so I decided to backtrack a bit. “That’s twice now you’ve spoken of Coral’s destiny. How are you so sure what she will do? I’ve heard of witches riding brooms and casting spells. Are fortune tellers also a real thing?”

Her whole body shook when she laughed and the charms in her hair jingled. “To tell you the truth, most witches I’ve met barely even use a broom much less fly on one. But to answer your question, my gift, or curse, from the universe is sight. I can see things that are destined to happen, not always clearly, but they always do.”

“Can you change them?” I moved to the edge of my seat.

“No.” She shook her head and a deep sadness creased the lines of her face. “And that’s why I said it was a curse. If I could, I would have saved my boys from their pain.”

My heart broke at her admission and I suddenly knew why Maddock would give so much to ensure I came to visit her. If she really believed me to be a witch, I was the perfect person for her to confide in. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She squeezed her eyes shut and I reached out to pat her hand, trying to let her know I was here. It was a simple comfort, but I hoped it would help.

“What’s done is done. There is no changing the past.” Lisa opened her eyes and smiled gently. “The future holds so much promise though, which is why I’m here with you.”

I fidgeted nervously, not liking the way her steel-blue gaze was focused on me. “So, Coral will find her wolf somehow. You can see that, right?”

I wasn’t sure how much I believed in all of this, but it was something to bring back to her at least.

“Of course she will. Once she fully accepts her destiny as a shifter and the bonds with her pack, the stubborn wolf will emerge naturally. She

has her mother’s blood.” Lisa waved her hand in the air, dismissing that part of the conversation. “But I’d much rather talk about you. A little bird said you used a powerful burst of magic against the Alpha yesterday.”

My face warmed at the memory, but since the man was her son, I still kept my opinions to myself. “Did you see something or hear something?”

“A little of both.” She winked. “There were a few people amazed with your ability to calm the Alpha down. It’s not often that he stays in control of his temper. He’s led by animal instinct and brute strength, but somehow a human witch was able to make him walk away from a

challenge.”

At least she knows he’s an asshole. “I didn’t do anything but tell him to stop.”

“You didn’t chant or bring your oils by any chance?” She pushed the teacup towards me.

The taste was surprisingly bright for the bitter scent. I picked up notes of lemongrass as I took a sip. “No. Nothing like that. I thought he was

going to hit Coral so I put my hands on his chest and told him not to.”

“Interesting.” Lisa watched me as if trying to solve a riddle. “When you touched him, could you sense his wolf like Maddock?”

Now that was one son I definitely didn’t want to talk to his mother about. I took a long sip of my tea to hide my expression, worried she’d

somehow be able to see the memory of the very vivid dream on my face. “Nope. I’ve also touched you and Kera multiple times and can’t

sense either of your wolves.”

“Maddock is special to you then.” She arched an eyebrow playfully.

Pump the brakes on this conversation. “He’s a really good guy and it’s been nice having him as a friend.”

“I see.” Lisa stared at me a second longer than necessary which made it seem like she really could see.

“This tea is delicious.” I busied myself with downing the rest of the

liquid.

The moment the last drop touched my tongue, she snatched the cup

from my hand and turned it toward the window to study in the light.

All I could do was sit there awkwardly and wait, not knowing if this was another strange shifter custom.

“The leaves say intent.” She raised the teacup to her nose and sniffed. “But this goes deeper than a standard spell.”

“Come again?” My face was blank.

“What were you feeling when you touched Apollo?” she asked.

“A bunch of things.” I shrugged. “I have a feeling he is strict with Kera and I didn’t want him to think he could treat Coral that way. I was scared and angry and wanted him to back off.”

“And so, he left.” Lisa nodded as she fixed her gaze on a distant corner of the room. The sad look returned to her face and I was worried I’d caused it by mentioning Kera, but she directed her pity toward me instead.

“I apologize for thinking the worst of your father. If you are truly a witch of natural intent, then he was right to shield you from your emotions especially when you were young without those who understood magic to guide you.”

“What is a witch of natural intent?” I asked, only the slightest bit interested.

Lisa gathered the teacups. “When most people try to use magic, they bend it for their intent. They cast spells or blessings and use tried methods or tools to enhance their abilities, but magic comes naturally to you without practice because your gift from the universe is intent. What you feel can be amplified and given to others to bend them to your will with only the touch of your hands.”

“That sounds awful. I don’t want it. I’ll take the vision thing with you instead.” I knew I was using sarcasm to cope, but this bombshell was frightening.

At least she smiled. I appreciated people who got my dark humor. “No one who wants something that powerful would be given your gift. But you need to be careful. I think your power will continue to grow the more

time you spend charging in nature and exploring the depth of your own emotions. Try not to accidentally cause something of ill intent that can’t be reversed.”

“Wait.” I clapped my hands over my mouth. If this was really true, did my dream cause the wolf to want to mate? “Does that work on

everything? Like people and animals too? Could I have unintentionally made someone want to be with me?”

“No.” She chuckled. “Everything you do with magic has to have a clear intent or it can’t be directed. Sometimes strong emotions can cause a knee jerk reaction of ill intent which you need to be aware of. Your particular fear is nothing that you did or didn’t do. In fact, there is stronger magic in that situation that is more powerful than either of us could

control.”

“What situation?” I gulped, wishing I had more tea. She knows.

“Fate.” Lisa touched the side of her nose. “Enough about magic for one day though, I’d love to hear more about your plans for this restaurant.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in town and even longer since I’ve gone out to eat.”