Chapter 43

HARLEY

The soft morning light streamed through the window as I opened my eyes, only to be met with an empty bed beside me. For a brief moment, confusion settled over me, the events of last night flooding back. Shane had been here. We’d talked, shared pieces of his past, his pain. And now… he was gone.

I sat up slowly, brushing the sleep from my eyes. That’s when I noticed it—a small, folded note resting on the pillow beside me. I picked it up, heart racing, and unfolded it, recognizing Shane’s handwriting immediately.

Harley,

I didn’t want to wake you. I’ll see you at school today. Thank you for being here with me. Until then—Shane.

A soft smile touched my lips, a warmth spreading through me. He hadn’t left without saying goodbye, after all. Tucking the note into my pocket, I climbed out of bed, stretching and feeling the remnants of the night’s comfort still lingering.

But my moment of peace shattered as the door swung open, and Susan appeared, her expression as cold and sharp as ever. Her eyes flicked over me, then scanned the room with a look of barely veiled suspicion.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, crossing her arms. “Did you sleep here overnight?”

I forced myself to stay calm, to keep my tone even. “No, I didn’t sleep here. I just came to check on Shane, but he’d already left.”

She narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced, her gaze lingering on the bed as if trying to find evidence to support her suspicion. “I don’t want you sneaking around this house, Harley. Especially with… strangers,” she added, her voice laced with distaste. “This is my home, and I won’t have you turning it into… whatever it is you’re up to.”

Her words stung, but I kept my expression neutral, nodding briefly. “Understood.”

Without waiting for her response, I slipped past her, ignoring the cold glare she shot in my direction as I headed for the door. The sooner I got out of this house, the better. My heart was racing, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the anticipation of seeing Shane at school, of finding some kind of comfort in his presence.

Meanwhile, at Jasper’s Perspective

AUTHOR’S POV

The restaurant was already bustling with the morning rush, customers trickling in, each one eager for coffee, breakfast, and small talk. Jasper moved quickly, his years of experience evident in the way he balanced plates, refilled cups, and exchanged easy smiles with regulars. As one of Shane’s most trusted friends, he was used to playing his role under the radar, blending into the human world with ease.

He placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of a waiting customer, giving them a friendly nod before turning to the next order. But as he straightened up, the bell above the door chimed, and he froze, feeling a shift in the air—a change so slight, but unmistakable. Someone powerful had entered.

He glanced up, his gaze settling on a woman who’d just walked in. She looked worn, her clothes hanging loose over her thin frame, her eyes dark and tired, but sharp. She exuded an aura that prickled against his senses, her presence as tangible as a storm about to break. The faintest scent of herbs and earth clung to her, mixed with something… darker.

A witch.

Jasper’s eyes narrowed, his wolf instincts flaring. Witches and wolves had a long, tangled history, and not one that usually ended well. He hadn’t encountered many witches in his life, but he knew enough to tread carefully. Witches were powerful, unpredictable, and often carried grudges as old as the earth itself.

The woman’s gaze swept across the room, her eyes landing on him with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. Ignoring the other patrons, she made a beeline for the counter, her steps deliberate.

“Excuse me,” she said, her voice rough but laced with a strange, almost hypnotic quality. “I’m looking for someone… someone who’s lost their power.”

Jasper’s eyes flickered with surprise, but he masked it quickly, giving her a guarded look. “That’s a pretty broad description,” he replied, keeping his tone neutral. “We get a lot of people here with… problems.”

The woman smirked, a glint of dark amusement in her eyes. “I know exactly who I’m looking for. And I have a feeling you know him, too. His name is Shane.”

Jasper’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression carefully blank. “Why are you looking for Shane?”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “My name is Morgana, and I’ve come to help him. I know he’s struggling… that he’s weakened. I have knowledge that can restore him to full strength.”

Jasper’s jaw tightened, a surge of suspicion rising within him. Witches didn’t just appear out of nowhere with offers of help. They always wanted something in return, and it was never simple. “And why would you want to help him?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Witches and wolves don’t exactly have a history of… cooperation.”

Morgana’s expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her face. “True,” she admitted, her tone laced with bitterness. “But I’m not here because of some ancient grudge. I’m here because I have my own reasons, reasons that have nothing to do with old feuds. Let’s just say that if Shane regains his power, it will benefit more than just him.”

Jasper’s eyes narrowed, studying her closely. He didn’t trust her—not for a second. But there was a desperation in her eyes, a depth to her weariness that hinted at truths she hadn’t yet revealed. “Fine,” he said after a moment. “But not here. Follow me.”

He led her through the back of the restaurant and out into the small alleyway behind the building, away from prying eyes and curious ears. Once they were alone, he turned to face her, crossing his arms as he waited for her explanation.

Morgana met his gaze with a steady intensity. “Shane’s condition isn’t natural,” she began, her tone serious. “Someone—another wolf, I’d wager—has stripped him of his strength. He’s bound by a curse that weakens him, keeps him from reaching his full power. I can help break that curse, but I need something in return.”

Jasper let out a low growl, his patience thinning. “Of course you do. Witches never help out of kindness. What’s your price?”

Morgana’s lips curved into a small, humorless smile. “Very perceptive, wolf. I need access to the pack’s ancestral grounds. There’s something there that I need, something that’s… important to me.”

Jasper shook his head, his eyes hard. “There’s no way Shane would allow that. Those grounds are sacred, and your kind isn’t welcome there.”

Morgana’s gaze didn’t waver. “If you want to help him, if you truly want to see him restored, then you’ll make it happen. You don’t have to trust me, but consider what’s at stake. Without his strength, Shane can’t reclaim his rightful place. He’ll be at Roy’s mercy.”

The mention of Roy sent a jolt of anger through Jasper, but he held his ground, studying her carefully. He knew she was manipulating him, playing on his loyalty to Shane, but there was a bitter truth to her words. Shane needed help, and if Morgana was telling the truth, then her knowledge might be the only way to break whatever curse had weakened him.

“Why should we believe you?” he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. “For all we know, you’re working with Roy. This could be a trap.”

Morgana’s face darkened, her eyes flashing with a strange, ancient fury. “Roy and I are enemies, bound by a hatred that runs deeper than you can imagine. He destroyed something of mine, something I can never get back. I want him to suffer just as much as you do.”

Jasper watched her, his instincts warring with logic. There was something in her gaze, a raw, seething hatred that felt almost genuine. “So you’ll help Shane just to get revenge?”

Morgana nodded slowly. “That’s right. But make no mistake—this isn’t about loyalty or friendship. Once I’ve helped him, we go our separate ways. I don’t owe you wolves anything beyond this.”

Jasper let out a sigh, rubbing a hand over his face as he weighed his options. He didn’t trust her, but if there was even a chance she could help Shane, then he couldn’t afford to dismiss her outright. Shane’s power was essential, not just for the pack but for his own survival.

“Fine,” he said finally, his voice low. “But if you cross us, if you so much as think about betraying him, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Morgana smirked, unbothered by the threat. “I’ll do what I must. And you… keep your wolves in line. This alliance is temporary, nothing more.”

They stood there, locked in a silent agreement, their mutual distrust lingering in the air. Jasper knew the risks, knew that dealing with a witch was akin to dancing with fire. But for Shane’s sake, he was willing to take that risk, to let this witch into their world, even if it went against everything he believed.

Because if Morgana was right, if she truly held the key to restoring Shane’s power, then she was the real deal.