“That’s it?” I asked. I edged toward Henry. “Is he…?”
“The curse is gone,” Lorena announced. “But the effects… not so much.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Tell me later,” Adam said carelessly. “Just… whatever. Henry, come here.”’
Henry ran to his father wearing a delighted grin. The two of them collided like planets destined to meet. The giggles of a wolf pup danced through the air, drawing a relieved smile from my lips.
“Finally,” I stated while taking a step back. “It’s over. Gods, it’s justover.”
I reached for my necklace.
Which wasn’t around my neck.
My heart sank to the ground where my gaze shortly followed, realization sliding over my shoulders like a familiar jacket. I rubbed idly at the mark on my neck. Everybody probably saw it at this point. It was too hot for a damn cardigan out here.
Not like it mattered. I wasn’t going to stick around.
While Lorena packed up her things, I turned around to head toward the road. My use had expired. It was time to head back to the inn. Besides, Sasha and Nina were probably waiting to hear how everything had gone.
I slapped my pockets and then sighed.
Right, my phone got destroyed when Henry was taken, I thought while heading toward the pack of wolves waiting on the dirt path.Maybe I can send a telegram. Or a pigeon.
“Charlotte!” Henry shouted. His footsteps trampled the earth. “Don’t go!”
My lips trembled as I forced a smile. “You want candy, don’t you?”
“No, I want you to stay.”
The words t-boned me like a car in a rainy intersection. I nearly hit the ground with the weight of what those words meant. As my eyes flickered to Adam, I wondered if he felt the same way. But he seemed preoccupied with Marina.
I offered Henry a brighter smile. “Maybe another time, okay? I have to get home.”
“Marina wants to thank you. Don’t go yet.” He grabbed my hand. “She said she wants to speak to Dad’s mate.”
“I’m sorry. Hiswhat?”
But I didn’t have time to freak out as Henry dragged me toward his biological mother.
Was this the strangest situation I had ever found myself in? Nope. And it probably wouldn’t be the last either.
Considering my track record, it was probably par for the course.
Marina grinned sheepishly. “Charlotte, you’ve been helping this whole time.”
“I mean, I’ve been doing my best. I’m the one who let him get taken, so I had to make up for my mistake.”
“I suppose we all make mistakes, don’t we?” Her eyes drifted to Henry. A pinch of regret sat in her eyes that got squashed by the quick clearing of her throat. She focused on me. “But we can’t live in the past.”
I nodded. “Sure.”
“I just wanted to thank you. I know I probably haven’t made a great impression.” She gestured to Adam. “But he’s told me a lot about you and how you’ve influenced Henry. I’m glad he has a mother.”
“Yeah, he seems to like throwing daggers and cooking. I figured I could—”
I’m glad he has a mother.