Gabriella’s POV
“What do you think you’re doing, Gabriella? Step aside. Let me help you,” she said, showing no sign of willingness to back down.
“I told you to stop, Margret. This fight is mine, and I don’t need you to fight it for me. Just don’t use your lethal spells on him, I beg of you.” I attempted to halt her, and she took a deep breath before posing a question.
“Is he the faithless man who abandoned you and your daughter?”
I didn’t respond, and she promptly led me away from Nicklaus. I felt a twinge of relief.
Looking at her face, I could see her anger. I knew she wanted to protect me, but I could protect myself. I wasn’t a child anymore; I could handle things on my own.
“Why did you protect him? Do you still love him?” She questioned me, a difficult question to answer immediately.
“I’m not sure how to put it into words, but what I do know is that I’ve embraced my new life and closed my heart to love for good,” I replied.
“Are you certain about that?”
“Where’s my daughter? She must be hungry. Thanks for using the teleportation spell to bring me here. Now I’m relieved; he won’t be able to find me again.” I answered and went inside to find my daughter.
She was sound asleep, radiantly beautiful. No matter how hard I tried to forget about Nicklaus, his memory came rushing back every time I looked at her.
Is this my own form of punishment? If so, I must say it’s unjust. I did nothing wrong. Why should I be haunted by thoughts of him whenever I gaze upon my beloved daughter’s face?
I gently caressed her, whispering, “I promise you, my child, I’ll shield you no matter the cost. I won’t allow harm to come near you. That’s a promise.” After planting a kiss on her forehead, I stood up. Stepping outside, I spotted Margret preparing her spells to chase the malevolent fox spirit.
Since becoming pregnant, I’d grown more wary and found it challenging to trust others. But Margret possessed a certain magic that involuntarily made me trust her; she was like a mother to me.
“Chasing the evil fox spirit again?” I inquired.
“Yes, and today marks the end of these pursuits. We’re eradicating them once and for all. Come sit with me, let’s do it together,” she politely requested.
“If I may ask, why do you say today is the last day of chasing the evil fox? Are you going somewhere?”
“Not just me, but all of us. We’re going to my tribe. You’ll have a new family by your side, Gabby. Aren’t you excited?”
I had a feeling something was afoot. She wanted me to join her.
Nicklaus’s POV
I despise that witch. What has she done to me? I’m losing my sight. What’s happening?
I couldn’t catch every word they exchanged, but one thing was certain-Gabby defended me.
Now I understand why it’s been so challenging to find my mate for the past four years. The witch must have cast a cloaking spell to prevent me from locating her. How clever.
The loud buzz in my head returned before she once again whisked my mate away. Just before succumbing to the spell’s control and falling into a deep slumber, I overheard her question to Gabby, “Is he the faithless man who abandoned you and your daughter?” The only word I could recall before the spell took over was “faithless.”
As I drifted off, I dreamt of what transpired after my wedding night four years ago.
Tracy heard I’d returned home and hurried over to me. “Hey, honey, you’re back. I was worried since you left me alone last night.”
I forced a smile, saying, “Yes, I had a great night. It was wonderful. How about you?” I needed to rein in my temper with Tracy. She was Gabby’s sister, and this was my mistake, not hers. I mustn’t hurt her and needed to keep my wolf in check.
“Kind of boring. I missed having you around.” She leaned in to kiss me, but I stopped her. “You need to stop this, and I want to end this marriage today.”
“What? Why? We just got married, and you missed spending a night with me, which wasn’t right. But I chose not to argue because we’re newlyweds. And now you want me to stay away from you? Tell me why.”
“You deserve to know why, but trust me, I don’t want to argue. And lastly, don’t ever stop me from leaving when I decide to go. Is that clear?”
“Why are you asking for a divorce? Tell me what I did wrong, and I’ll apologize. I can’t lose my marriage like this.”
“You want to know the reason. After breakfast, I’ll take you to the right place, and you’ll sign the papers immediately. The lawyers will send them today.”
“You can’t do this to me. I don’t deserve this. You’ll regret it.” I walked away.
I regretted sending my mate away and wished I could see her again to make amends, but everyone I sent to find her only returned with negative responses.