I listen to Alex recount how Alice charmed him, and Jason helped him obtain the antidote, my eyes widening in disbelief at his words.
“Your mouth’s hanging open, Hannah,” he says with a slight smirk.
“Of course it is,” I reply, running my fingers through my hair. The revelation leaves me reeling. “Here I was thinking Collins was crazy for dabbling in dark magic, only to learn my own sister did the same.”
Alex nods solemnly. “I know; I never would have guessed they’d work together.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask, needing more clarity. “But first, can you explain in detail how Jason helped you get the antidote?”
Alex takes a deep breath before speaking. “Jason went investigating who might have aided Alice, and during that time, he stumbled upon a pack whose witch had dealt with something similar. She was able to provide Jason with the herbs needed for Jane to brew an antidote.”
“Oh,” I exhale, my mind racing to process this newfound information.
“Yeah, and Hannah…” Alex pauses, his eyes locking with mine. “I need to tell you something.”
A knot forms in my stomach. “What?”
“You aren’t dying.”
His words hit me like a thunderbolt. “What do you mean?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, scarcely believing what I’m hearing.
“When Jane made the antidote, she told me about what Collins did to you. But she also told me something else.”
I hold my breath, bracing myself for whatever he’s about to reveal. “She told you…”
“Yes,” Alex continues, his expression grave. “She said she was wrong. You aren’t dying because the potion didn’t work on you. If it had, that would be its normal response to your body.”
A deep, gasping sob escapes my lips as tears well in my eyes. I’m not dying. I’m going to be okay. The realization washes over me like a tidal wave, leaving me awash in relief and joy.
“Hannah,” Alex calls softly, taking my hand in his.
I wet my lips and turn to face him, my eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Yes?”
“Do you believe me?” he asks, his gaze intense and searching. “Do you believe I don’t love Alice and everything you’ve seen and heard this past week wasn’t of my own doing?”
I think back over the past few weeks, the void looks in his eyes, the hurt mirroring my own whenever our eyes met, that strange morning when he asked if I was okay. As much as I wanted to deny it, the signs were there, but I was too hurt to notice them. Alex is telling the truth.
“Yes, I do,” I whisper, and I see Alex release a deep breath of relief.
“Thank you so much for believing me, Hannah. Thank you,” he says fervently, pulling me into a fierce embrace. I close my eyes, inhaling his familiar, comforting scent.
“I love you, Hannah,” Alex murmurs, cradling my face in his warm palms as we pull apart.
“I love you too, Alex,” I reply, rising on my tiptoes to capture his lips in a passionate kiss.
Alex’s hands roam down to my waist, pulling me flush against him as my fingers thread through his hair. I pour every ounce of my love for him into the kiss, and I can feel him doing the same. His hands begin to wander over my body, leaving a trail of delicious heat in their wake. I moan softly against his lips, and his tongue delves into my mouth in a sensual dance.
When his hand finds my backside, he lifts me effortlessly, and I wrap my legs around his waist. His lips blaze a path along my neck and shoulders before finding the swell of my breasts. He kisses them through the fabric of my dress, and my nipples harden with need for his wicked mouth.
Alex gently lays me on the grassy bed, and my body cries out for the return of his scorching kisses. But he simply stares at me, his eyes dark with lust and desire, though I can still see the depth of his love shining through. I hope he can see the same in my own gaze.
He wets his lips, my name a hushed whisper. “Hannah?”
“Yes?” I breathe, my body taut with longing.
“I want to make love to you,” he says, his voice low and husky. “Can I make love to you?”
Fresh tears spring to my eyes at his tenderness, at putting my needs first. The old Alex would have simply followed my body’s cues, but not anymore. My heart swells with love for this incredible man. Unable to find my voice, I grab his collar and crash my lips to his in a passionate kiss.
I feel Alex’s hands tighten on my waist as he kisses me breathless. When he finally pulls away, his eyes are heavy-lidded with pure, undisguised want. I’ve never seen him look at me with such smoldering desire.
Gently, he pushes my shoulders back until I’m lying on the soft grass. I comply readily, my breath catching in anticipation of what Alex has planned. I suck in a sharp gasp as his mouth finds my heated core, his chin brushing against the throbbing bud. Wetness pools between my thighs.
Using his teeth, Alex tugs my panties down my legs at an agonizingly slow pace, peppering hot, openmouthed kisses along my inner thighs. I moan softly, my eyes drifting shut in pleasure. He quickly divests himself of his shirt, then carefully removes my dress, leaving me bare before his heated gaze.
“Beautiful,” he breathes reverently, drinking in the sight of my naked breasts, nipples peaked and aching for his touch.
Alex stands and sheds his remaining clothes in one fluid motion before rejoining me on the grassy bed. His hands map a scorching path up my ankles, calves, thighs, and across my belly until he’s cradling my face once more. He captures my lips in a searing kiss, and I gasp at the feel of his rigid length prodding my slick entrance. His mouth blazes a path along my neck and shoulders as I arch my back, silently begging for that wicked mouth on my aching breasts.
He answers my unspoken plea, taking first one pebbled peak into the searing heat of his mouth. I cry out as he suckles firmly, nipping at the tender bud with his teeth. He lavishes the same fervent attention on my other breast while the thick head of his arousal continues to tease my dripping core. Alex is going to be the death of me tonight.
“I love you,” he rasps against my skin before burying himself in one long, powerful thrust.
“Alex!” I keen, digging my nails into the flexing muscles of his back as he stretches and fills me to the hilt.
He starts with a slow, rolling cadence, allowing me to adjust to him inside me before increasing his pace. With every thrust, he stokes the raging inferno of pleasure burning in my core. My eyes roll back as my nails score scorching paths down his back, every snap of his hips driving me higher.
“Fuck, Hannah,” Alex groans, his thrusts becoming harder, faster, deeper. He angles his hips, striking that sublime bundle of nerves with relentless precision.
Stars burst behind my eyes as the coiling tension in my belly winds tighter and tighter. My head lashes from side to side, and I cry out with every punishing stroke against that blissful sweet spot. The pressure rapidly becomes unbearable until finally, with a broken keen of Alex’s name, I shatter around him.
Alex doesn’t let up, pounding into me through the shattering waves of my climax. With a final, powerful thrust, he stills, his own harsh groan torn from his lips as he finds his own release. I feel the scorching heat of his seed coating my inner walls, and it sends a shiver of pure satisfaction through me.
He captures my lips in a devouring kiss, stealing what little breath I have left in my lungs. When he finally releases me, I’m left panting and boneless against the soft grass. “I love you too,” I murmur, and Alex rewards me with a brilliant smile before claiming my lips once more.
***
The following day, I wake up with a knot of dread in my stomach. Alex watches me with concern as I prepare to retrieve my clutch from Collins’ hotel. It had slipped from my hand as he dragged me out last night. With a forced smile, I assure Alex that everything will be okay. We also need Collins to believe I’m still under his spell while we figure out what to do about his and Alice’s actions.
My heart pounds in my ears as I step out of the elevator onto Collins’ floor and make my way to his room. Upon arrival, I notice the door left slightly open, but what truly surprises me is Alice’s presence. They seem to be engaged in a heated conversation. What is she doing here? Alex mentioned Collins might have been the one to help Alice get in touch with the witch who gave her the potion, and it appears he was right.
“What the fuck happened? Why the hell did Alex come to my party and drag Hannah out?” Collins barks, his voice dripping with fury.
“I don’t know! I’m as confused as you,” Alice replies defensively.
A chill runs down my spine as Collins growls, “I’ll kill him. I’ll fucking kill Alex if he’s found a way to break your spell and get Hannah back.”
I gasp involuntarily, clapping a hand over my mouth. They can’t know Alex and I have reunited, or he’ll be in grave danger.
“You’re not killing Alex! Are you mad?” Alice cries incredulously.
“Then fucking get me, Hannah!” Collins roars, his chest heaving. I can practically see the spittle flying from his mouth.
There’s a tense pause before Alice asks the question I’ve been dreading. “Why are you so obsessed with her? Don’t lie and say you love her; we both know it’s more than that.”
My heart stutters in my chest as I wait with bated breath for his answer. Collins stares at Alice for a long moment before rolling his eyes and collapsing onto the couch with a huff.
“You truly don’t know why?” he asks, sounding almost amused.
“No, I don’t. So fucking tell me,” Alice snaps impatiently.
“Since you claim ignorance… Hannah isn’t your typical werewolf. Having her at my side would make me unstoppable.”
“How?” Alice’s brow furrows in confusion, mirroring my own.
The bottom drops out of my stomach as Collins utters the next words. “She’s a silver wolf.”
A strangled gasp tears from my throat, and their heads snap towards the door. Our eyes lock, and pure, unadulterated terror courses through my veins. I turn on my heel and bolt for the stairs, my feet pounding against the concrete as I flee.
I can’t wrap my mind around it. Me, a silver wolf? That’s impossible. Silver wolves are powerful, legendary creatures who live in seclusion. Questions swirl in my mind as I race down the stairs, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
“Hannah!” Collins’ voice echoes behind me, and I chance a glance over my shoulder. He’s chasing after me, his eyes wild with desperation. Fear propels me forward. I can’t let him catch me, not now, not after what I’ve just heard.
I burst out of the stairwell and into the lobby, my heart hammering against my ribcage. I know fleeing like this reveals the potion didn’t work on me, but I don’t care. All that matters is getting as far away from Collins as possible. I have to find Alex, have to tell him what I’ve learned.
As I race out into the street, one thought plays on repeat in my mind: if what Collins said is true, then everything I thought I knew about myself, about my past… it’s all been a lie.