The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) (17 page)

Jackson stretched out his legs and looked good enough to eat.

Snatch one kiss
, her wolf demanded.

“They are the best.”

Wanting to take her mind off her desires, she changed the subject. “Before you go, let me ask you. Is there something I need to do to let James and Naliana know that I want to be cleansed?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll ask Rye. He’ll know.”

“I appreciate it.” Jackson was such a nice man.

He stood. “When I buy the tickets, I’ll let you know, but I’ll need your passport number and other information.”

Ainsley shot to her feet. “I can pay for my own.”

He waved a hand. “It’s our family.”

She was about to say Shamus wasn’t just her friend, he was like family to her too, but she had the sense Jackson needed to do this. “Thank you. Let me give you the information now.” She ducked into her room and retrieved her passport then handed it to him. She trusted Jackson.

Ainsley then walked him to the door, her body jittery and needy. Just as she reached for the knob to pull it open, Jackson focused his gaze on her. Her mouth turned dry and wetness pooled between her legs. Her pulse sped up, and her bones began to crack.

Stay away
, she pleaded to her inner wolf.

Jackson leaned over. “It won’t be long, Ainsley. Then watch out.”

Her heart racing, he pulled open the door and left. His footsteps pounded down the stairs, but his scent lingered. Holy hell. What had she gotten herself into?

*

As soon as
Jackson reached the outside, he plastered his back against the door. Being around Ainsley had been pure torture. He wanted to rip off those baggy clothes and sink his cock deep inside her, but he understood that he couldn’t—at least, not yet.

He had to work to convince his bear that all he had to do was wait two more days. The bear agreed to be patient. Jackson didn’t want to rush her, but the yearning was growing stronger by the hour. His bear would only wait so long.

Ainsley already seemed skittish around him, but he couldn’t blame her. He hadn’t exactly been welcoming. Knowing full well what Changelings could do, he’d fought against them for years. Having one in his presence had messed with his mind, so it was understandable that his first reaction had been rather negative. Hopefully of late, he’d shown her that he could treat her with respect and even love.

Pushing off from the building, he headed to his truck. Needing to take his mind off his enchanting witch, he went into work, antsy to find out more about the supposed treasure. Jackson was thrilled that his dad and uncle wanted to build a better office for them, but he was happy where he was. However, if Kip’s brother-in-law, Sam, came on board in a few months, he’d have to take over Devon’s old office. If they needed Connor’s brother’s help again, they’d be short on space. With the new building, if they needed to add more personnel, they’d be able to.

On the way to town, Jackson stopped at a fast food joint and ordered a chicken sandwich and fries. He figured fueling his grumbling stomach would help him think better.

When he arrived at the office, a light was on. It had to be Connor, though Kip had been known to work late too. Ever since he’d mated with Teagan Pompley, Kip’s extra hours had been cut short. Jackson understood why. Kip’s own brother had his powers stolen by the fucking Changelings, and then they’d tried to steal Teagan’s magic twice. If she were his mate, Jackson wouldn’t leave her side either.

As soon as he entered the building, Connor stepped from his office with a cup in his hand and headed for the coffee maker. “I thought you were going to talk with Ainsley.”

“I did.”

“And?”

He shrugged. “She wants to deliver the ashes with me.”

Connor’s brows rose. “Being so close to her won’t be a problem?”

“We won’t go until after the cleansing.”

“Won’t that be a fun trip?”

“It will be a sad trip,” Jackson said. “Remember, I’m delivering my cousin’s ashes to his father.”

Jackson didn’t want to talk about the details. It was the mating process that concerned him. How could he be certain her cleansing had worked? And if it did, would it change her personality? To be honest, he didn’t want her to change. Ainsley was bold and aggressive. If anyone had asked him what he wanted in a mate even six months ago, he probably would have said someone who was a bit shy and demure but who had an edgy appearance. He inwardly chuckled. Boy, had he been wrong. Who knew he enjoyed a good challenge?

Connor dropped his gaze. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Why are you back here?”

“I’m going to do some more research on that treasure. First though, I’d like your opinion.”

“On the map Ainsley found?”

“Yes.”

He motioned for Connor to follow him into the office. When they were at Connor’s parents’ house, Jackson had explained that Ainsley had taken a picture of the map from one of the Changeling’s laptops.

Jackson slipped behind his desk, booted up his computer, and then brought up the two overlapping maps.

Connor studied the images. “I see the one red dot on Ainsley’s map aligns with yours. What do you think the other dots mean?”

“I have no idea. Our only hope of finding out is to identify the exact location of the well and dig from there.”

Connor straightened. “Our dads won’t close on the property for another two weeks, so you can’t excavate until then.”

“I know. I’m here merely trying to take my mind off Ainsley’s cleansing and what comes after that.”

Connor smiled. “When do I get to meet her?”

“How about joining us at the cleansing?”

“I can’t wait.”

‡

A
insley was nervous.
Jackson had explained that she could invite any shifters she wanted to her cleansing ceremony, and naturally, she asked all of Jackson’s family. Having Blair there helped, though being in Naliana’s presence had her in awe. The goddess might have lived on earth until she was sixty, but she looked beautiful with her long, white flowing hair. Wearing only a yellow gauzy dress, she didn’t seem to be affected by the weather at all. Ainsley, however, was freaking cold standing near the lake at night with the cold wind blowing across it.

Because Rye’s mate, Izzy, was needed to part the waters, she and Rye were there. Jackson had asked if his two coworkers could also watch, and she’d said yes.

It’s time.

Ainsley was going to be cleansed, though the whole concept was still surreal.

She studied the cold looking shimmering lake. Just the thought of jumping into the water made her visibly shiver. It didn’t matter that Jackson had explained how at the last cleansing, a witch by the name of Ophelia had somehow heated the lake. How that was even possible, she had no idea. Then again, she didn’t understand how she could become invisible either. Some things might always remain a mystery.

James clapped his hands, and Ainsley returned her focus to what was about to happen. Even though it was evening, between her shifter vision and the white moon illuminating the lake, she could see rather well. Everyone looked almost as eager as she was.

“Ophelia,” Naliana called. “Please join us.”

A very old woman with slumped shoulders appeared out of nowhere. Wearing a long, black dress, she walked up to the lake, not even glancing toward Ainsley. The witch raised her arms then lowered them, pointing toward the water. If Ainsley hadn’t been standing there and seen it for herself, she would have never believed steam could rise from the cold lake.

Naliana moved next to Ainsley. “Please remove your clothes then walk in to your waist. Once in position, dive down. When you reach the solid stone bottom, lower your head to the ground and wish away your Changeling ways.”

Was she kidding? Hell, if that’s all it took, she could have done that herself.
Don’t question her.

While Jackson had told her she’d need to undress, being naked in front of him made her a bit self-conscious. With so many people watching though, she believed her wolf would remain hidden.

Ainsley slipped off her clothes and placed them in a neat pile next to the lake. The only thing she refused to remove was the red-stoned necklace that Shamus had given her. She wouldn’t be required to shift, so it would be safe.

“Go on,” Naliana prompted.

How hard could this be? Walk in. Dive down. Think cleansing thoughts.

Then why was she so scared? She knew. What if this didn’t work? Perhaps she was too damaged to succeed.

Jackson placed a hand on her shoulder. “Go.”

Oh, my goddess. She’d been frozen in place. Ainsley nodded and stepped into the lake. Warmth surrounded her, and suddenly, she felt lighter. Trudging through the lake water, she walked about fifteen feet until the water reached her waist.

Here goes
.

Holding her breath, she dove in. Only it wasn’t like being in an ordinary lake. The water suddenly changed color from blue to a shimmering pink. Her vision sharpened, and it was almost as if she could breathe underwater. Ainsley didn’t even struggle for air.

She reached out, and when her fingers touched bottom, it was as if the stone rose to greet her. White light surrounded her and love poured into her. Waves of healing seeped deeply into her soul, and Ainsley never wanted to leave. The beauty of the blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges of the water mesmerized her.

A figure, who looked like Naliana, seemed to appear before her, but the glowing light was so bright that Ainsley couldn’t make out her face. Arms reached out toward her. Wanting to be embraced by this wonderful being, she too stretched out her arms.

Then, as if someone had turned off this magical event, the water surrounding her disappeared, and the lack of buoyancy caused her knees to press hard against the surface. She wanted to cry out and shout that she wanted to stay cocooned in this love forever, but she bit back her response. Izzy must have parted the water. Ainsley wished she’d waited a little longer before performing her magic.

“Come on, Ainsley.” Strong hands clasped her shoulders and helped her up.

Reality came crashing down on her. Jackson was right in front of her. A second later, he swept her up in his arms and carried her to shore. As soon as he set her down, James handed him a towel.

“Lift your arms, Ainsley,” Jackson commanded, as he stepped to the side, blocking the crowd’s view of her.

As if someone had tossed a bucket of ice water on her, her senses returned. She did as he asked, and as Jackson wrapped the towel around her, his fingers burned a scorching path of lust on her skin.

He leaned closer then lifted her necklace away from her chest. “It’s different.”

“Oh, no.” She unwrapped her towel and glanced down at the belly ring that had changed too. While she didn’t care as much about that, the necklace was precious. Shamus had given it to her. She couldn’t be sure, but the red stones appeared lighter. It had to be her imagination though. The lake water was ordinary.

Naliana approached. “How do you feel?”

It took a moment to put the experience into words. “It was amazing. I think I went someplace.”

She smiled. “That means it worked.” Naliana nodded to her necklace. “If you’re wondering, the stones on your necklace and belly ring changed from onyx to pink quartz.”

“Why?” She didn’t want Shamus’s gift altered in any way.

“After you dress, how about you and Jackson join me and James in the cabin? We’ll answer your questions then.”

All she could do was nod. The cold seeped into her body, and chills raced through her. As quickly as possible she dressed, and then Jackson rubbed her arms to heat her up.

“So you feel different?” he asked.

She inhaled the cold and clear air. “I think so.” She explained what happened once she dove down. “I’ve never felt such unconditional love in my life.”

Jackson smiled. “I’m glad.”

Kalan came over with Elana, and they exchanged hugs.

“I’m so happy for you,” Elana said. “To celebrate, a group of us—Izzy, Teagan, Missy, Rye’s sister Chelsea, and I—would like to invite you and Blair to a girl’s night out tomorrow evening.”