Bound by Spells & Regrets

Chapter 6: Harper

Present day 

Walking back into Drake's house, I can't shake the feeling of dread settling in my stomach. What will he think of where I've been? He won't be happy. But why do I care? I'd rather rid myself of this hell ride, yet seeing Jax made me realize what I am fighting for. Every moment I let him find me made me see that he feels the same way. We are an impossible love that no one can deny. I've been getting into romance novels lately—not something I used to enjoy—but I needed them to imagine the possibilities of what Jax and I could have, not just what we can have.

The smell of wet dog hits me as I step foot into the house. If only the Ravenswood family could see this place now, the way it's been treated. They don't live like pigs, but the place has definitely undergone a few questionable renovations since Drake's pack moved in.

"The prodigal daughter has arrived. You are in so much trouble." That would be Titus, always toying with me—Drake's bald lackey, more of a lapdog who follows him around like a shadow. He's the first-grade dougebag who I whacked in the balls when I was bound.

"How's your balls, Titus?" I retort, and he immediately grabs his groin for protection. I walk off, head held high. I may have no control here, but I'll do what I can to maintain the illusion of it.

"Harper." Drake nods my way, indicating for me to sit next to him. His black lounge chairs are pretty comfortable; I do like sitting on them. But he never asks you to sit unless he wants to discuss something serious.

"We have a problem. It seems that you were carried off by Ashton and his pack... willingly." Well, being carried off was indeed willing; pretending to fight was too, and then being imprisoned was also part of the plan. I suppose I just wanted Jax to touch me again, to hold me. But that didn't happen. I mostly ended up locked up, and they wanted me to talk more than anything else. Drake is a master at mind games, and my response needs to be perfect—perfect enough for him to believe me. If I can fool my best friend, who can read people like a pro, then I can certainly fool a wolf.

"Yeah, I know; willingly is right." I stare at him with conviction, leaning back in the armchair. Drake raises an eyebrow, assessing me as if he can see right through my facade.

"Well, I needed to know if Marney was still working with them. After she let Eden go, I had to find out." Yep, lie. He doesn't flinch, no indication that he believes me.

"Marney didn't let her go; some wolves said she looked like she was running from you." Eden taught me the best trick about flinching when you're being questioned: don't move your face, just stare first and pause for about five seconds, counting the numbers in your head, trained focus she calls it —1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

"Mmmmmmm, I don't recall that happening. I was there; I would know. Where is Marney now, anyway?" I know exactly what happened to her—Jax broke her neck instantly. Not his finest moment, I'm sure; he would have needed her for questions.

It gave me tingles thinking about it. As his wolf was trying to get to me, he missed me. At least one half of the man did.

"Dead," he says without moving or smiling. "So, if you so willingly got captured, what did you find out?"

"Well, it looks like they are looking for Tobias too." Drake doesn't look impressed with my answer. "Anything else?" He is waiting for something good. I don't really have anything, nothing that would justify why I wanted to be held by Jax a little longer. I will have to give away something I swore I never would.

"Harper, if you have nothing to give me, then you are no use to me." His calm demeanor used to scare me; it's when you know he is thinking, thinking of what to do to you.