Duke Charming | Craig

Twenty-Three

I sat on that shore until the sun descended upon the horizon, its rays reflecting off the ripping water. Selene was right, this was a good place to seek guidance and clarity. I could also add 'summoning forth ghosts' to that list. In the end, I decided to not take the potion – not yet anyways.

The truth was werewolves and witches never sat around the same fires. For centuries, we hunted them down, either killing them or burning them at the stake. Some werewolves believed they were cleansing the world of their dark magic and rituals, others did it because for vengeance.

And in return, witches never dealt with werewolves foolish enough to ask for their help – not unless they could benefit from it as well.

I knew that, and yet I begged Lucine to help me. If my father ever found out, he'd disown me then and there if he didn't already. Oh, wait, that is if he's my father after all.

But none of that influenced my choice of not taking the potion. I was genuinely torn between downing it in one breath or throwing the vial into the Loch where it'd be lost forever. If there's anything I've learned over the years of being on my own, it was to always trust my instincts. As different as they were from other werewolves', they've never wronged me once.

And today, they've kept me from consuming the potion twice.

I would have to trust Selene on this, if trusting ghosts was a real thing. She knew her family, she knew Craig, and I fully trusted her to guide me into doing the right thing without getting hurt or worse, hurt Craig. She did want to rest in peace, after all.

A part of me entertained the idea of telling Craig that I've met his mother today – what lovely woman. I could see where he got his personality and smile from. Although, I doubted he'd believe me. He'd ask me if I'd stumbled upon his secret whiskey underneath the sink and gotten drunk while he was gone.

But I still had to talk to him. He had every right to know about what I am, why I left my pack, and...how I had a mate in the past before him. Not knowing how he would react to all that information left me feeling sick on the stomach, but it had to be done. If he'll be upset and ask for some time, I'd give him just that, but I won't run. Not again.

And if my past and flaws didn't bother him, then I'll tell his family. I had to trust Selene that they'd still allow me to join their pack. I was risking everything by trusting the ghost of my mate's mother.

Noting the position of the sun, I figured I should head back and get ready for tonight. I've never been to a karaoke night before, and probably would have to consult Maisie and Bonnie on what to wear.

I had to be honest and admit, I was a wee bit excited to tell Craig the truth. Nervous, but excited. It would be a weight lifted off my shoulders if he'd be pleasantly surprised and not mad that I kept these secrets from him.

'Queen's bollocks, lass!' I could already hear him exclaim. 'Yer tellin' me I've been walkin' on eggshells all 'tis time for nothin'?'

Then I'd proceed to cook us dinner and tell him te rest, how I've never fitted in with my former pack, how my father thought finding my mate would fix me, how I was rejected, and how twelve years of traveling finally led me to him.

How it was always him I was meant to find.

Craig would understand, every instinct within me told me he would. And my instincts have never wronged me once.

Entering the castle through the side door whence I came, I passed the portraits the second time today, pausing briefly at Selene's to stare at it. Narrowing my eyes, I dared her to blink and give me that smug grin she did earlier, but nothing happened. Alas, it was just a portrait, and Selene was watching me from someplace else.