Free The Witch and the Wolf: Part Three by Lola Kidd

claim stand for now? Like, say, a trial period? Would that be ok?”
    Grizzly looked at Charlie. “Give us a minute to talk.”
    Rory couldn’t look at Cross. She didn’t know what to do. She needed more time to decide.
    ***
    “What are you afraid of?” Cross asked, kneeling down next to Rory’s chair.
    “I don’t know,” she said. “I mean, how do I know these feelings are going to last?”
    “You can’t,” Cross said. “That isn’t how witch relationships work, is it? You don’t get any guarantee that you’ll feel the same tomorrow as you do today. It’s a chance you take.”
    She didn’t look convinced. This was worse than when they were in the other dimension. He didn’t know why she was still resisting. He had protected her and put his life on the line for her. What else was he going to have to do to convince her to take a chance on him?
    “Maybe, but at least then I would know there was no magical bond influencing me.”
    “Shouldn’t that make it easier?” he asked. “We have a bond. You at least believe that?”
    “I do.”
    “So then why would you not be willing to take a chance on this? Do you really want me to just walk out of your life? Never see me again?”
    Rory’s brow furrowed. “I don’t want that. I mean…I…why would you do that?”
    “Well , if you aren’t my mate, I need to go out and find the person who is,” Cross said. He could tell his bluff was working. She looked upset. He never wanted to hurt her, but if this was the only way to get her to understand, he would rip her heart out if he had to.
    “I…you shouldn’t do that,” Rory said. “I asked for a trial period! That means I’m willing to give this a chance.”
    Cross shook his head. “They aren’t going to go for that. Either you’re in or you’re out. No in-the-middle bullshit.”
    “You’re not being very fair,” Deanne said to Cross.
    “Nobody wants to be with someone who has one foot out the door already,” Cross said.
    He took Rory’s face in his hands and kissed her softly on the lips. Magda and Ursula both gasped repulsed while Grizzly and Grimace both looked away.
    “You’re my mate. I love you, but I can’t wait for you to figure that out if you haven’t already,” Cross told her, still holding her face.
    Rory’s opened her eyes and searched his face. “I want to but…”
    “But what? If you want to, then just do it.”
    She swallowed. “Grizzly? I think I changed my mind.”
    Ozzy smiled and shook his head. The witches were yelling and arguing, but Cross didn’t hear any of it. She wanted to let the claim stand. It was over. Nothing else mattered. They were going to be together.
    “Hey!” Rory yelled , taking his hands off her face. “Everyone please shut up!”
    Magda and Jamie kept arguing.
    “Mom! What is your problem? I’m home and I’m safe. What else could we ask for right now?”
    “You don’t understand what you’re saying! This is just because he was with you when your life was in danger. If it had been the little ginger, you would be in love with him too.”
    “Hey!” Ozzy piped up. “My hair is auburn , thank you very much.”
    Magda rolled her eyes. “I don’t want you to regret making a rash decision.”
    “We’re both adults,” Cross told Magda. “We can make our own mistakes. Not that she’s making one. Ms. Silver, I took damn good care of your daughter. If I was willing to inflict bodily harm on myself to protect her life, what makes you think I would be any less careful with her heart?”
    “That’s enough , Cross,” Grizzly said, stepping in. “I think the girl has made her choice. Looking at the time, I think we have a more pressing matter to discuss.”
    “The Council meeting,” Jamie said , holding her head in her hands. “I almost forgot. Goddess this has been a very long month.”
    “Once we get through this, I think everything will start going back to normal around here,” Grizzly said.
    “But they have to get through the