Chapter 41

(Julia’s POV)

After packing enough supplies to get us through at least a month, Cordelia and I packed up her car and got ready to go. “You know, seeing as how you’re a witch and all, I figured we’d be traveling in a more magical fashion,” I joked.

Cordelia laughed and shook her head. “Not when we have to bring all these diapers and baby formula with us. And besides, there are ways to trace us through the spells I use. Better if we do things the old-fashioned way.”

I picked up the baby, who was still sleeping peacefully in the laundry basket. “I’ll get you a real crib soon,” I whispered as I picked her up. “I promise.” I took her out to the car and buckled her into the carseat Cordelia had brought home.

“Alright,” she said as I got in the passenger seat. “Let’s go.” We hit the road, but not for long. After about two hours of driving, my aunt pulled off onto a dirt road. We drove for a little while longer before we came upon an old cabin.

“Are you sure this is safe?” I peered out the window. “We’re barely outside of town.” Cordelia nodded. “I’m sure. I know we’re still close, but this is a good place to regroup and prepare for any longer journeys.”

“Besides,” she said. “I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve. This cabin is surrounded with warding spells, protecting us from anyone and everyone. No one will be able to find this place. They’ll just look right through it, like a mirage. It would take some serious magic to get through all my protection spells.”

“Alright,” I replied, still unsure. I trusted Cordelia with everything I had, but it seemed too easy. What if someone found us? What if someone hurt my baby? What if I never got to see Ronan again?

I shook my head. I needed to stop worrying about everything that might happen and just focus on what needed to be done right now: move the baby inside, unpack the car, eat dinner, go to sleep. I would worry about all the hypotheticals when and if they came.

So, that’s what I did. I brought the baby inside. I helped Cordelia unpack the supplies from the car. I helped her make dinner and ate two servings. I put my little girl down for the night, then went to sleep a few hours later. The worries could wait until tomorrow.

That was how Cordelia and I spent the next few days. I was surprised at how quickly I settled into this new routine. Oh, sure, there were moments where I wondered what was happening at the office without me, or missed my busy schedule.

But then my daughter would gurgle and smile, holding up her little hands towards me, and I knew I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I still missed Ronan, though. It was like an ache in my heart that nothing could fix.

Every time I held our daughter close, I wondered where Ronan was and if he had gotten my letter. I hadn’t told him the truth, still trying to protect him — and myself — from that knowledge, but I wondered if he was curious about my daughter.

I also wondered what I would tell her once she grew up. As an adopted child, I knew how hard it was growing up without knowing who your parents really are. She would have me, that was true, but what would happen when she started asking where her father was?

But, like my worries about all the dangers that surrounded us, I pushed these thoughts away. I had too much to worry about in my daily life, trying to raise a child and get used to a slower pace of life. For now, I just needed to focus on my little family — me, Cordelia, and the baby.

(Ronan’s POV)

I knew it would be hard to find Julia and our child, especially because she didn’t want them to be found, but I had no idea it would be like this. There was no trace of her — not a single clue that could lead me to them.

I had gone to the post office, demanding to know where the letter had been posted from, but they insisted that information was confidential. Even when I threatened them and bribed them and finally got them to give me the address a few days later, that was a dead end.

The house Julia had posted the letter from was empty by the time I got there. The landlord said a woman had rented it from him, paying week to week, but he had no other information about her.

I turned the house upside down looking for answers, but there was just the barest hint of a scent — the witch. I sniffed again, trying to identify the other things I smelled. I almost cried out when I realized I could smell Julia, too.

She was here. She and our child were here. I closed my eyes and concentrated, trying to see if I could figure out where the trail was. If I could even find a trail. I sniffed again, and I felt my wolf straining to find the trail, too.

Finally, I managed to pick out a path, the scene taking me out of the house and into the driveway. I got in my own car with the windows rolled down, doing my best to keep the scent in my nose.

I drove slowly, following the scent’s path down back roads and out of town. After a few hours, I turned down a dirt road, still being led by the smell. As I drove, though, something strange happened. The air seemed to waver around me, like an illusion.

I kept following the scent, but suddenly, it came to an abrupt end, like I had slammed against a brick wall. I got out of the car, hoping it would be stronger, but no luck. I still noticed the strange shimmering quality of the air.

I squinted and looked harder at the field in front of me. There was something strange tugging me towards it, a feeling I couldn’t ignore. It seemed familiar somehow, too. I closed my eyes, centering myself and inviting my wolf to do the same.

What do you feel? I asked. I could feel him thinking, concentrating just as hard as I was. Finally, he said, It’s the connection. It feels the same way. My eyes flew open as I understood what he meant. I was feeling the same connection I had felt to Julia through our baby. Which could only mean…

As my thoughts untangled themselves, the shimmering in the air intensified and I could make out the outline of a house. I focused harder and suddenly, I could see it — a small cabin, sitting in the middle of what I had thought was just an empty field.

I strode through the yard towards the front door, heart pounding. Julia is in there, our baby is in there, I can feel it. But before I got to the porch, the front door flew open. A woman stood in the doorway, hands raised.

I reared back in surprise. “You!” I snarled. “I knew you’d be wrapped up in all of this!” The witch — the one who had cursed me to be blind to my true mate all those years ago — lifted her chin. “Get out of here, Ronan. Now.”