Warlock's Embrace (Willow Harbor #6)

Sign Up!

If you would like to be notified of Alyssa’s new releases you can sign up here or on her website.

Welcome to Willow Harbor

Strange neighbors. Hidden Desires. Small Town Charm.

Come Stay awhile…

One

Delpha

Iknocked on the door, ignoring every logical thought going through my head .

I heard his footsteps, then moments later the door was pulled open by Cad wearing only a pair of boxers.

I swallowed hard, tearing my eyes from Cad’s chest, and settling them on his eyes. It was a difficult feat considering he was so much taller than me, and how good he looked shirtless. Is that how you usually answer the door?

He smiled, a slow smile that spread across his face. When I know you’re the only one who could be knocking.

You couldn’t really know that. Technically it could be someone else.

Well then I would have been really disappointed. He reached out a hand to me, linking his fingers with mine. You going to come in, or stay out there all night?

I shouldn’t come in. We both knew that, not that it was going to change anything.

Because you should have been inside already.

I met his gaze, letting all the intensity roll over me. Cad was my first love, but we couldn’t be together forever. I made this promise to myself soon after our first kiss. It wasn’t because the kiss was bad. It wasn’t. It was actually quite amazing for a first kiss. It wasn’t sloppy, but it wasn’t chaste. It was perfect by most standards. The setting was great too, atop the Ferris wheel at the carnival. I had been looking out at the ocean when his lips connected with mine. I felt, saw, and nearly became sparks. I was fourteen years old and completely and utterly in love.

Please come in, Delpha. His words were simple, yet they felt so much deeper.

You make it sound like it’s a choice. Ten years after our first kiss, and I still struggled to stay out of Cad’s net. It was always there, and no matter how far I ran I always ended up tangled up inside it’s intricate web of strands. I couldn’t escape him any better than I could escape my own guilt. Unfortunately, I was also unable to escape myself.

It’s always a choice. I only wish you’d choose to stay.

Let’s take it one night at a time.

You know I’m going to take what I can get. He ran his thumb in a circle over the palm of my hand.

I stepped inside, brushing away all common sense as he closed the door behind me.

I’m glad you’re here. He put his hands on my hips.

I wanted the fabric of my dress to disappear immediately so I could feel the sensation of his fingers on my skin. Kiss me.

He brushed his lips against mine. Isn’t there a more polite way to ask me?

Please, kiss me. My heart rate accelerated. He was so close. There was no point second guessing anything once I was inside the house. There was no sense turning back.

There’s nothing I’d like more. His lips crushed into mine, and I lost myself in Cad.

I rolled over and out of Cad’s arms. I hesitated a moment to make sure he hadn’t woken up. I looked over at his relaxed face. Even with his eyes closed he looked incredibly handsome. His dark brown hair was tussled, largely because of me, and there was a peacefulness about him that made him appear even more handsome. Every inch of him was masculine perfection. I ached to brush my lips against his, but I held back. He’d certainly wake up if I did that. He mumbled something before rolling over in the opposite direction. I was good.

I pulled on my clothes from the night before. One glance at the red numbers of his digital clock told me I had no time to go home and change. I was going to work this way. I’d gone to work in far worse before, so I wasn’t particularly concerned as I headed down the hall to the guest bath. If I used the one attached to his room he might wake up.

After securely closing the door behind me, I turned on the sink, dipped my hands under the tap, and accepted the power of the water.

The sensation barely registered anymore, but I knew it was working as strength and heat spread through my body. Sometimes I harnessed the power of water to defeat crazy shifters and witches. This morning I was doing it to make myself look half decent.

I splashed water on my face and let it sink in. By the time I grabbed a towel to dry my face, my work was done. Gone was the make-up from the night before and the heavy circles under my eyes. Instead I looked awake, bright faced, and ready to go, with a little eye makeup and lip gloss to complete the transformation. I ran a hand through my blond hair to smooth it out.

Some would say I wasted my power by using it to alter my appearance, but that implied there was some sort of limit. I’d discovered years ago that the list of things I could do with water was nearly limitless, and that was only using my Oceanid side and completely ignoring my sorceress side. If I ever combined my two supernatural sides it was safe to say I’d never be the same again.

I resisted the urge to slip back to the bedroom to take one more look at Cad. Knowing my luck he’d wake up, and I’d never get to work. Instead I slipped out the front door as quietly as I could muster, pulling the door slowly, and trying to muffle the clicking sound. Cad was a deep sleeper, but he also had impeccable hearing. It came with the territory of being a warlock.

A slight breeze brought a chill to the otherwise warm spring morning. Thanks to my oversleeping, the sun was already up, blanketing the streets with a bright glow. The sun was almost enough to make me feel better about my mistake the night before. And my mistake a few days before that. I’d been making a whole lot of mistakes lately when it came to Cad.

There was no time to focus on the past. Every day brought new opportunities to start over. My first stop would see to that.

I pushed open the door to Urban Grind, immediately hit by the smell of fresh brewed coffee. I stepped to the side, nearly pressed against the brick wall while I waited as patiently as I could for the line to move. I looked down at my feet, hoping to avoid any unnecessary conversation. I was running late enough already. Finally, it was my turn to order.

Good morning, Delpha. Loran smiled. He always managed to look and sound so awake in the morning. He was wearing one of his signature berets and a sweater vest that somehow worked on him.

Morning. I gave him a genuine smile in anticipation of being served.

Can I get you your usual? Judging by the time I would assume you want an order for three?

I smiled again, even brighter this time. Being a regular at the coffee shop had its perks, although Loran probably knew everyone’s orders. Yes, please. Plus the bagels.

Going to try to butter up Vicky so she doesn’t dock you for being late? There was a twinkle in his eye as he got to work filling the coffee cups.

She wouldn’t dock me, but keeping her on my good side would be ideal.

He put three large coffees into a cardboard carrier and handed me a white paper bag that I knew contained two plain bagels and an everything. Always nice to see you.

Same to you. Thanks. I picked up the tray and used my shoulder to open the door before anyone could come over to help.

I made the short walk over to the library, savoring the feel of sun on my face. I wouldn’t be seeing much of the sun for the rest of the day. Well, other than lunch. I wasn’t going to be skipping that.

Hi, Delpha! A girl who graduated a year or two after me from high school waved as I crossed the street. She was visibly pregnant, and her entire face glowed. It was strange how quickly I’d reached the point where it was common place for high school acquaintances to be popping out kids. In my heart, I still felt eighteen even if I was closing in on twenty-five.

Hey. I smiled back, feeling a miniscule bit bad that I’d forgotten her name. I’d lived in Willow Harbor my whole life, which meant I knew a lot of its residents. But it didn’t mean I knew all their names. When are you due? I was pretty sure that’s what I was supposed to ask.

May 15th! She shrieked in response. Can’t wait.

I forced a bigger smile. That’s great. I have to run, but have a nice day. I hurried toward the library doors before the conversation could expand any further.

I pushed open the doors and walked into the grand lobby of the Willow Harbor library. It was a little bit ostentatious with its cathedral height ceilings and wood beams, but the building had been there for well over a hundred years. History wasn’t just part of the town, it was the town in so many ways. Sometimes that was a good thing, and other times it was suffocating.

Hey, there you are. Mattie ran over, her pink ballet flats like little flowers flying across the dark wood floor.

Miss me? I smiled at my close friend, co-worker, and former roommate.

Of course. She pulled a coffee out of the tray. Need I ask where you slept last night?

How do you know I didn’t sleep in my own bed? I attempted a neutral expression.

Because you live upstairs. She held her thumb up toward the ceiling. I know from prior experience exactly how long that commute takes.

Fair answer. I’d been lucky enough to take the newly updated apartment for myself when Mattie moved in with her fiancé. So far my boss hadn’t even charged me rent, so it was a really good deal.

So how are things with you guys? Mattie took the white bag from my hands.

I need to find Vicky. I hurried off, knowing full well I was only putting off the inevitable. Mattie had many wonderful traits, but she also seemed to think she could ask me anything just because I asked her everything. She called it fairness. I called it annoying.

I knocked on Vicky’s closed office door. I heard nothing inside.

She’s not in today. Mattie spoke from behind me.

I turned around. Why didn’t you tell me that before?

You mean when you were using her as an excuse to get out of talking to me about you and Cad? She raised an eyebrow.

I sighed. I’d rather talk about the wedding planning. Have you decided what kind of dress I’m wearing yet?

Yes, I was thinking a putrid shade of yellow.

I am guessing that’s humor? Not that I really cared what she asked me to wear. I was honored she asked me to be in her wedding, I’d wear, or do, whatever she needed.

Yes. To answer your question I haven’t even decided what kind of dress I want yet, so it’s impossible to think about bridesmaid dresses.

But I am not just a bridesmaid. I’m the maid of honor.

Yes, you are. She smiled. And you are not getting out of that duty.

You think I’d want to? I asked with genuine surprise. That’s crazy.

No offense, and I say this as your friend, but when have you ever liked to have extra commitments?

When it’s for you. I swallowed down the ball rising in my throat. I like to do things for you.

I know. Understanding crossed Mattie’s face. Oh, gosh. I’m sorry, Delpha. I wasn’t trying to be mean. I’m a jerk.

I shook my head. You’re not a jerk. I could be flighty, but this time I wouldn’t be.

I am. I thought I was being funny. Clearly I wasn’t. Sorry. I am so lucky you agreed to be my maid of honor. And I— She stopped talking as tears started to stream down her face.

I reached out a hand to wipe away her tears but stopped myself. My touchy feely ways weren’t universally liked. Hey, what’s wrong?

Nothing. She wiped her tears and looked away. Don’t worry.

Of course I’m worrying. Don’t insult me twice in one day. I set the remaining coffees on top of a bookcase. What’s up?

Just stupid stuff with my parents. They think I’ve rushed into this engagement. They don’t get it.

No. They wouldn’t get it, I readily agreed. They’re humans.

She looked up. I’m human.

But you’re mated to a shapeshifter. That makes you beyond a regular human in terms of what kind of things you can grasp. Think, if they only knew you were already committed to him for life even without the lovely ceremony.

She smiled. They’d be horrified.

Yet you smile at that thought.

Because it’s hilarious really. Can you imagine if I really tried to tell them? She broke into laughter. Then she abruptly stopped. But don’t think I’ve forgotten that you still haven’t told me about Cad.

I grabbed my coffee. Maybe after story hour. I have to get ready.

You have an hour. It’s going to take you that long to prepare for the preschoolers?

It’s the parents I worry more about. They were the ones who were persnickety about every