Read The Witching Moon: The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1 Page 1
Dream Cache Publishing
THE WITCHING MOON
Dream Cache Publishing
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Dedication
To those who have supported me through the rough parts.
You’ll never know how much it helped.
And to Dan.
Because none of this would happen without you.
Acknowledgments
I want to acknowledge my amazing beta readers: Stephanie, Heather, Candice, and Paula. I couldn’t have made this work without you. Thank you for listening to my craziness at all hours and not smothering me when I went on repeat.
Chapter 1
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Poppy braced herself for what was coming. Since Drake had found out about the prophecy, he asked her the same question each month.
"As I told you before, it's not a choice I have to make. You can’t choose to follow prophecy or not. It just happens. There's no getting away from it. You can't run from destiny."
He reached out, gripping her hands across the gently weathered table. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. It could be anyone. Your worst enemy. Would it matter?"
"Would what matter?"
"That your soul mate is your worst enemy."
She arched a brow. Again, he wasn't saying anything new. But he was genuinely worried about her so she humored him. "That's not going to happen."
"You don't know that."
"It doesn’t work like that. Besides, I don't think Alex Schmidt meets the qualifications."
His eyes narrowed. "I'm serious, Poppy. And your elementary school bully doesn't live here anymore."
In times like these, her heart ached. Besides her family, he was the one constant in her life, had always been there for her. But the prophecy she'd been given as a child was not something she could shake. She felt it, knew it deep down in her bones, that it was true.
It was fate. There was a man out there, someone who held magic just like her, someone that she was destined to be with, and she would meet him tomorrow. As much as she wanted him to be, Drake wasn’t that man.
"I don't want anything to happen to you." His eyes searched hers. "You mean too much to me."
She slid out of her seat, slowly walking over to him before she wrapped her arms around him from behind his chair. “Everything will work out.”
“How do you know?”
“Fate hasn’t let me down so far.”
“Poppy…” He loosened her grip before pulling her to his side. He searched her face, but she didn’t know what he hoped to find. After releasing her, his shoulders slumped.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” His shrugged. “I just… hope it works out for you the way you want it to.”
“It will.” Her answer was firm, confident. She could either be uncertain about what to expect and dread it, or embrace it. She’d decided to embrace it.
It wasn’t always easy. Especially in moments like these. She’d never felt closer to anyone than Drake. But they weren’t meant for each other. Not like that. The prophecy was specific, and it clearly stated that her mate would have magic.
Drake didn’t.
It was hard enough seeing him every day. Hard enough keeping an emotional distance, keeping it purely platonic. Heaven knew how many times she’d thought of being with him. Of touching him, of kissing him.
Deep breath. She focused on her center, clearing out all thoughts like cobwebs. There was only one place where those thoughts led, and it was dangerous to go there.
“I hope so.”
She forced a smile for his sake. He worried about her. Honestly, she was worried too. She just had to trust. It was the only thing left she could do. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” she said, sitting back in her chair.
“Since it’s Halloween… any plans for the day time? You know, before you meet Prince Charming?”
She kicked his foot under the table. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m up for much. Just putting the finishing touching on things, I guess.”
“Want a hand?”
She knew she should say no. What was the point in torturing herself with someone she couldn’t have? “Yes. I’d like that. I could use a friendly face.”
“You’ll always have one.”
His words, spoken like a promise played through her head until he left. Closing the door, she sunk to her knees, curling in toward herself, her arms wrapping around her waist. Why was fate so cruel?