Page 98 of Fangs and Fudge

“It’s not your fault, Everly. The hatred between vampires and werewolves started centuries before either of us was born.”

His hand smoothed down my back, and after a moment, I wrapped my arms around his waist to accept his comfort and his forgiveness.

“I’m still sorry for my part in everything that’s happened,” I said. “I’m not trying to frustrate anyone or make enemies. Especially the enemies. It’s not in my nature to hate like that.”

“Lies!” Vena yelled from the living room. “You hate fairies and the outdoors.”

Grinning, Shepard pulled back from me. His eyes might not turn black like Cross’ did, but I still saw the hunger in them.

“Do you like peanut butter?” I asked.

“I do.”

“Then, how do you feel about the best buckeye brownie apology you have ever tasted?”

“Don’t tease me,” Vena called. “Get baking!”

The hunger didn’t fade, but he released me and returned to leaning against the counter to watch me bake. As I worked, we talked. It was at a level we hadn’t before, and I got to know the elusive and extremely sexy alpha who owned Blur better.

After topping the ganache frosting with sea salt, I went to change so we could bring the brownies to the pack house. Vena and I owed Gunther a quiet thank you and Doc an apology for running off on him.

“If you’re willing to stay for a bit, you can have dinner there, too,” Shepard said as I opened the door for the three of us to leave.

I wasn’t prepared for the blue demon to dart out of the bushes at us. I squealed and fell back into Vena. Her quick reflexes saved us both from planting on our asses.

However, it wasn’t me the fairy was after this time.

It darted right for Shepard’s face.

Shepard growled, the low sound sending all the warning signals. But the fairy didn’t stop. It dipped at the last second and grabbed Shepard’s shirt, dipping its arm inside.

“What the–”

The fairy fisted Shepard’s necklace and pulled.

Shepard backhanded it out of the air. It hit the awning and fell to the grass.

“You better hope no one saw that,” Vena said. “Those fines are serious.”

“Get a container,” Shepard said, stalking toward it.

“Are you insane? You want to trap it?” Vena asked.

“It was after my ring.”

My eyes went wide, and I hurried into the house to grab a jar.

When I came out again, I heard Vena.

“--feeding into her paranoia that they are plotting against humanity. They’re bottom-feeders, Shepard. They just like shiny things, which is probably why it was going after your bling.”

“The bling that was completely hidden inside my shirt?” he asked dryly.

I handed him the giant pickle jar that still smelled like vinegar and dill.

He placed it inside and closed the lid.

“It needs air holes,” I said.

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