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Adalyn
I know my role. Be the witch Mom needs me to be, the leader the coven demands me to be, and the wife I have to be. My future is merely a means to ensure the coven remains the most powerful of our kind. So, I say the vows, complete the union, and marry the witch pre-chosen for me. Wanting nothing to do with him, I strike a deal to ensure my independence. My plan was concrete until that first kiss. I didn’t count on wanting him, let alone loving him. A love he’ll never return, and I must accept the fact before I’m gone forever.
Jasper
A man needs but one goal in his life, and for me, it’s the acquisition of power. Finally, after the union ceremony I’ve been chasing, I have the magic of many, and with it, a wife I don’t want. Thankfully, she feels the same about me, removing the necessity of a typical marriage between us. But temptation is too compelling, and when one kiss turns into one night and one night turns into multiple, Adalyn is all I come to think about. She’s all I see. All I want. Until fate changes. Soon she’ll be gone and I’m forced to decide which matters more: magic or Adalyn.
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“You’re sexy. I’ve been watching you all night, waiting for that douche of yours to leave your side.”
My palms warm, angry with fire magic ready to tell him where to shove it. I spin, teetering on my thin heels and barely catching myself to find him… gone.
I scan the humans around us, but no one is paying any attention. Whoever was here is no longer in my space. My scanning continues until, through a part in the throng, I spot Jasper by the bar, glaring. His hand is lowering to his side and he smiles crookedly at me before snatching up the three waiting shots and coming through the crowd back to me.
Silently, he hands Maggie and I each one. Maggie downs hers before twisting to face the guy she’s dancing with. I grasp the waiting glass but do nothing.
“Jealous much?” I lift my chin, smirking, knowing I’m winning more of his heart piece by piece.
“Jealousy implies caring.” But his tone wavers, proving to me he’s lying—both to himself and me.
“I think you care more than what you want to admit.”
His eyes darken and suddenly he appears very sober. For a beat, I think I ruined our night, but his easy smile slips on again and he rolls his eyes, shoving the seriousness of the topic away. “Just take your shot, Adalyn.”
I nudge my chin toward his, sitting in his pinched grip. “You first.”
He smiles lazily again, bringing back the Jasper I had moments ago. I down my shot too and let the song pick up my movements. His arms wrap around my waist, his face dropping in the crook of my neck.
“Maybe I do care a little bit.”
I stop breathing. Am I imagining this? What did he put in the shot?
“And I was jealous. I’m jealous of every man and woman staring at you right now. Of everyone who wishes they were in my position. Of knowing their small human minds are visualizing you without this dress.”
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Read The First Chapter HERE!
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M.L. Philpitt is Canadian-born and raised, and enjoys representing Canada within her novels. As a Ravenclaw, she loves education, having undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Sociology, a certificate in Autism and Behavioural Sciences, and a MA in Counselling Psychology.
She writes in various romance new adult genres including paranormal, fantasy, dark romance, and contemporary. She has lots of crazy trapped in her head for readers to enjoy.
When M.L. Philpitt isn’t making up stories, she’s devouring those imagined by other authors. Her love of reading began when she was a young child and only grew with age. She enjoys many genres, as reflected in her writing preferences.
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