Bound by Spells & Regrets

Chapter 3: Harper

6 months

Woodville Springs is pretty cool; it has this trendy vibe on one side where the bar is located, while the other side is all corporate. It really doesn't suit each other, but one side looks like New York, and the other resembles San Francisco. Definitely my kind of place. I've always hated New York, and if Eden and the team weren't there, I wouldn't have survived.

I didn't book accommodation; my plan is to scope out this bar, meet with Drake, and then head home. I don't want to stay in a shithole if I can avoid it. Well, it doesn't really look like a shithole, but more like a shit situation for me. It's never a good sign when you're called in to do a job. I've managed to stay out of the direct action, which helped since I was still feeding them information. That kept me off the hook for the missions Dawn would need me to undertake.

When I was asked to help Dawn on the Eden mission, it felt like a perfect fit. I was her age and had learned a little about law and the justice system while I was in England, making me an ideal candidate for the job. But it guts me every day to spy on Eden. She is so nice to me, my only sister, and I felt an undeniable connection to her. Betraying her trust day in and day out was tearing me apart.

Honestly, I wasn't hating this mission. Scoping out a bar had its perks—I kind of had a thing for bartenders. I hadn't been able to hang out with the guys in a while since our schedules didn't align, and the bar scene felt like a good way to ease my nerves. The real source of my anxiety, however, was the impending meeting with Drake.

I had done some prior research about the bar and its owner. There wasn't a lot of information available; just bits about the owner taking it over, and that was pretty much it. Wolves are so secretive about everything. I get it; their obsession with pack rules and guidelines is tiresome. If only they understood that being more open would make them even more powerful. What human would dare to challenge a wolf pack? Humans can be idiots, but they're not that stupid to try it twice.

Wolves and witches aren't friends, and we struggle to find anything in common to fight for. Witches fight for power; they fight for land. I once was told that wolves are just stinky dogs fighting for nothing. Deep down, I always believed there was more to wolves and their existence, but I never cared to find out. Plus, all supernatural's have their places, and you just don't mess with the gods—or for them, the Moon Goddess.

During my time in England, I learned a little trick involving a cloaking spell to conceal my scent from wolves. It's a blend of silver and some herbs that renders my magic invisible to them. It doesn't last long, but it should be enough for me to gather some intel and slip away unnoticed.

As I approach the bar, I can see it has a bit of an old-fashioned pub feel, mixed with modern flair. The bar stretches along one end, with stools and tables filling the rest of the space. There's one main entry at the front, not many windows—only the ones near the booths, and toward the back leading into the kitchen. Meals are coming out quickly, with a few wolves bustling around to serve food and drinks. It's a well-oiled machine; everyone knows their role, and everything operates like clockwork. This owner, Ashton, definitely knows how to run a bar with precision. From what I can tell, the entire staff seems to be wolves; not a single human on the bar floor unless they're a customer.

As I popped my elbows on the bar, leaning in just enough to catch the bartender's attention without having to wave or say a word. My best assets on display, I leaned against the bar, showcasing my low-cut tee and tight jeans that hugged my curves perfectly. I knew I didn't need to say anything to draw him in. And Jeez, did he catch my eye. He was hot, with slick dark hair that framed his face perfectly and a flirtatious grin that suggested he knew exactly the effect he had on women.