The Witching Moon: The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1 Read online

  Drake’s jaw clenched as he stomped through his house with no direction in mind, only needing to move. To not to feel.

  She’d chosen someone else.

  All frustration whooshed out of his body, despair settling in its place. She’d chosen Zander, and if Zander wasn’t the one, then she’d do it again when another man with magic showed up.

  He couldn’t fight it, couldn’t argue. Because she was right. He’d made a promise to her that if someone else showed up, he’d step aside. It was killing him to do it, to move back and let another man have the one person he loved above all. But he had to.

  For her.

  She was with Zander right now, and the knowledge sliced through him. Zander would take her. Who wouldn’t? She was the most caring, generous, and beautiful woman he’d ever met. Any man would be thrilled to have her, to touch her, to taste her…

  He groaned.

  No. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t sit here, thinking of her with someone else. He’d keep his promise. He’d keep his distance while she figured out if Zander was her mate, but that didn’t mean he had to stay and watch. He didn’t have to see them together. Didn’t have to sit on the sidelines as everything he’d ever wanted was ripped from his hands.

  Without finesse, Drake threw clothes into a worn duffel bag. He’d take off for a few days. He knew there was a time factor here, and he’d be back for the deadline. He couldn’t write her off, write off them, when there was still a chance. Even if it was only a small one. When she decided he wasn’t the one then, then he’d leave. Maybe for good.

  What would staying here accomplish? To see her for the rest of his life and never have her, never hold her, never touch her. He couldn’t think of worse torture.

  His movements slowed. Watching Zander touching her, kissing her… he realized there was something worse.

  With renewed vigor, he zipped the bag closed. He strode to his desk, penning a note for Poppy. He couldn’t leave without telling her. He sealed it in an envelope and wrote her name on the front. He’d drop it off on his way out of town.

  It was the only thing he could do.