“Hopefully.” Annie shrugged. “If not, we’ll make it work another way.”
“Perfect. Clint, is Dennis around to help out if we need him?”
“Uh. Not really. He’s been avoiding Annie and Rick at all costs. He’s been out searching for a mate of his own when we’re not out on the rig.”
“But you’ve got me. And I’ve already whipped all of their asses twice. They are not the greatest of fighters, which surprises me. But it’s almost as if they don’t have the full strength of their bears,” Nick said.
“That’s interesting.” Cole ran his fingers through his hair.
Gina surmised that a plot was forming in his head. She leaned into Nick, really wanting all of this shit to be done. It felt like a weight held her down, and no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t get out from under it. She had loved everything up to this point about living in Misfit Bay. This crap. Not so much.
She hated drama and confrontation even more. But even she knew that Gavin and his bears had to be dealt with, or she and Nick would never be able to live their lives in peace. She would be in a constant state of anxiety, always looking over her shoulder, waiting for the next attack. She couldn’t live like that.
“Hon, are you okay?” Maggie pulled her into one of her famous hugs.
“Yeah, I’m just … I hate all of this. I don’t know what makes people or shifters act like this. It’s ridiculous,” she said.
“I know. Don’t worry. It will all be over soon, and we can move on with our lives.”
Maggie’s reassuring voice was a comfort. Over the last month they had lived and worked together, she started thinking of Maggie as a sister rather than just a friend or roommate.
“Okay, I think I have everything we need,” Annie said, lugging the spell book and supplies to the kitchen table. “Someone could help, ya know.” She eyed Maggie, Gina, and Clara, who were all watching her struggle with overloaded arms.
“Oh, sorry.” Clara jumped up from Clint’s lap and grabbed the spell book.
“Right. This is so weird,” Gina said, grabbing the candles and a couple bowls.
“You’re so dramatic.” Maggie laughed.
“I know, but you still love me.” Annie winked at Maggie.
“So, what spell am I looking for?” Clara asked.
“The one called ‘Bound by Me’.”
“Got it,” Clara said, flipping through the tattered pages.
Annie drew a chalk pentagram on the table and lined up the candles while Maggie measured each of the ingredients.
“I found the spell. It looks pretty easy. Even for me,” Clara said.
“It is. That’s why I know it will work. It’s very straightforward. I bet that even Gina could probably pull this spell off in her sleep,” Annie joked.
“Let’s not get too crazy. I’m not sure that I have any magical powers at all. The most I’ve done is had prophetic dreams. I know nothing about herbs and spells.”
“Well, now is a great time to learn. Who better to teach you than us?” Maggie asked. “Unless, of course, you’re not into all this. It’s fine if you aren’t.”
“No. I’m interested. I think it’s cool. Let’s find out if I have my own magic.” Gina rolled up her sleeves and decided she was ready to learn how to be a witch.
“This is awesome,” Nick grinned up at her. “Witches are sexy as fuck. Just so you know.”
“Hell, yeah, they are,” Clint chimed in.
“You’re just saying that so we don’t zap your ass.” Clara laughed.
“Ignore them. It’s time to get down to business.” Annie was suddenly all business. “The last thing we want to do is fuck up this spell. Not if we want to put an end to the jackass bears.”
“Right. Sorry,” Clara said, lighting the candles.