Chapter 77

Arthur

Arthur's patience was wearing thin. It seemed like every time he turned around, Noah was there, occupying Almara's attention. They had always been close, ever since they had met, but he was tired of him always encroaching on his territory.

When they had made the marks permanent, when they had consummated the mate bond, Arthur had foolishly thought that Noah would give up his endless pursuit of Almara, but apparently it had just been wishful thinking.

What killed him even more was that Almara couldn’t see through the utter bullshit. She couldn’t see how Noah was manipulating her time. She was convinced that Noah was just being helpful. Arthur laughed bitterly. Yeah, right.

The new development had Almara going into the gallery four times a week now. Even though she assured him that she wasn’t doing much other than sitting there and watching Noah do all the work, Arthur still wasn’t comfortable with it.

Which is why he had insisted on going to the gallery today. He wanted to see with his own two eyes that Noah was behaving. The gallery workers were all loyal to him. There was also Kaylee. If he had to use everyone as spies, then so be it. If Noah had made one wrong move, it was over for him.

What he hadn’t expected was the powerful jealousy that surged through him as he watched Almara’s easy interaction with Noah. He hadn’t really been around them much. Most of the time he was storming off or taking Almara away from him. He had never actually seen how comfortable they were with each other.

As Almara laughed at whatever Noah had said, Arthur clenched his fists, trying to hide his frustration. He didn’t want another man making her laugh that way. She was his, body and soul. Arthur took a deep breath, fighting his anger.

He knew it was the mark and the mating bond. They were making his jealousy and possessiveness ten times worse. He had read that there were wolves who had been killed because they had just said ‘hello’ to someone’s mate. He didn’t want to lose control like that. He wouldn’t be his father.

Still he needed to find a way to get rid of Noah. He might not kill him, but he definitely had to go. Arthur just needed to do it in a way where it wouldn’t be traced back to him. He didn’t think Almara would forgive him if he got rid of her ‘friend.’

As much as Arthur didn’t want to be like his father, the only thing he could potentially think of was going to Sienna for help. She had, after all, gotten rid of the fake mate bond. Surely she could chase away an unwanted parasite.

As Almara laughed again, Arthur made up his mind. He would be going to see Sienna by the end of the week. And then Noah would be out of their lives for good. A feral smile played on his lips. He couldn’t wait.

Arthur sat in front of Sienna’s hut in his car for a long time. Now that he wasn’t around Noah and Almara, his temper had faded somewhat. Was he really considering making a deal with the witch that had cursed him in the first place?

Then the image of Almara and Noah kissing on the beach sprang into his mind. He gritted his teeth. He never wanted to see that happen again. Even though the mate bond would keep Almara loyal, not that she would cheat on him anyway, there were always loopholes. He didn’t want to take that risk.

He got out of his car and crossed the yard, his senses heightened by the looming confrontation. He knew Sienna was not one he wanted to pick a fight with, but he was willing to do anything if it meant Noah was gone.

Sienna’s familiar cawed at him as he stepped onto her porch. The door swung open of its own and Arthur stepped inside, apprehension raising goosebumps on his skin. Sienna’s help always came with a price and it wasn’t always money she was after. He just hoped that he would be able to pay it.

Sienna was hunched over a cauldron in the middle of the room, her silver hair glinting in the moonlight that streamed through the window. She didn’t even glance up as he walked in, the door swinging shut by itself behind him.

“I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come in. Thought I might have to come out there and fetch you myself,” Sienna said in way of greeting. Arthur bristled at the implication.

“I’m not afraid of you,” he said and she did look up then. She regarded him cooly before a smile broke out on her face.

“I know you’re not. But you are afraid of yourself and what you’ve come here to ask me,” she said knowingly and Arthur stiffened. He didn’t like that she already knew why he was there, even though he shouldn’t have been surprised. She practiced black magic after all.

“Are you able to help?” Arthur asked, getting straight to the point. There was no reason to beat around the bush. Besides, he wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The hut made his skin crawl.

“Of course I can. I can get rid of your rival male with no problem. Provided that he is a wolf, of course,” Sienna said and she gave him a piercing stare, as if she knew something that he did not.

“He’s a wolf. If he were human, I wouldn’t need to be doing this,” Arthur said with a hundred percent certainty.

Sienna cocked her head at him. “You know there are other things out there besides humans and wolves.”

Arthur hugged out a laugh that had no humor in it. “I think I would know if he was a vampire.”

“Well, if you’re so sure, then take this. Just put a drop in his drink and he’ll lose all romantic interest in Almara. He should just go away on his own. Now, if he isn’t a wolf, this will not work. In fact, it’ll make his infatuation worse. Do you understand me and the risk you are about to take?” Sienne asked and Arthur nodded as he took the small vial of red liquid. “What do I owe you?”

Sienna cackled. “Not a thing, Alpha. Think of it as an apology and congratulations gift rolled into one. I expect you’ll be paying a heavy price for it anyway.”

Arthur did not like the sound of that. He considered just handing her the vial and walking out of there, but he hadn’t come out all this way for nothing. Without another word, he pocketed the vial and headed out, trying to ignore the feeling that he had just made a very big mistake.

Whatever. The deal was done. Now all he needed to figure out how he was going to slip the potion into Noah’s drink. He really didn’t think that Noah would take anything that he offered him.

But he would if he thought Almara had. It wouldn’t take much for Arthur to convince her to give Noah a drink. I’m sure she would be thrilled if she thought he was putting their animosity to bed.

Arthur felt slightly guilty dragging his wife into this, but it had to be done. Noah had give him no choice.