Page 24 of Wolf's Forbidden Curse

I, on the other hand, didn’t have any choice in the matter when I turned into a wolf, and considering the fact that I couldn’t even remember anything that happened the night I turned, it was safe to say that I also didn’t have control over what I did during the full moon. It hardly seemed fair.

“That’s just great!” I said, locking my phone and sliding it across the table in frustration. “Why couldn’t I have gotten hit with a spell that would turn me into one of these shifters instead? Being able to turn into a wolf at a whim sounds like a gift, not a curse. I’d be like a superhero or something!”

I sipped from my coffee mug, but it was still too hot. I burned my tongue, and with that fiery sensation came a memory that I wasn’t prepared to relive.

I was young but old enough to know better when it came to hot food. I was sharing a pizza with my sisters. I took a huge bite out of one slice, and the molten hot cheese came off the crust and stuck to the top of my mouth. I screamed in pain and spat my food out on my plate. My parents scolded me for having such horrible manners, but my sisters howled with laughter. Their glee made the pain ease just a little bit, and even though tears formed in my eyes, I laughed along as well.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed as hard as I did that day.

Maybe that was the last time.

This uninvited memory made me feel very vulnerable suddenly, even though I’d been the only one privy to it. I took the mug over to the sink and poured all the coffee down the drain. Just the smell of it was suddenly making me feel sick. I heard voices coming from the grassy area between the bar and Al’s house, and even though it was against my policy to interact with people in the morning hours, I decided to go outside and see who was around. The alternative was to spend my entire morning sitting inside, flipping back and forth between worrying about the wolf inside me and reliving memories from childhood that only broke my heart.

Al and that woman he met at the bar, Missy, were sitting on his back patio, laughing at a joke I must’ve just missed. I hadn’t realized Al and this woman were seeing each other, but then again, maybe this was the first time she’d stayed over. Either way, I was happy to see the big smile on his face.

“Morning,” I said with a wave.

“Good morning, Katrina!” Al waved me over once he noticed me. “I’m so glad you’re awake. I was just about to go inside and make some more coffee. Do you want some?”

“That’s okay. I just had some.”

“At least come sit with us for a bit,” Missy suggested. “Al and I were actually just talking about you earlier this morning. He said you were new in town! Just like me.”

“Oh, you’re new to Solara Bay as well? I didn’t know that.”

“Yes indeed,” she said with a bright smile. “I used to live on the West Coast but have always been fascinated with the East Coast.”

“What part of the West Coast?”

“Northern Pacific,” she said. “A small town not far from Portland. Why? Do you know the area?”

“Nope. Just curious.”

“Oh, well, as beautiful as my hometown was, I’m really happy to be living here now. I couldn’t have picked a better place to retire.”

“You’re retired?” I asked. “What did you used to do?”

“You know, a little of this, a little of that.”

“Missy was an antiques and rarities dealer,” Al said. “She’s trying to be modest by not getting into it, but the truth is, she was very good at her job. Sold priceless items to some very well-known and influential people.”

“Oh, stop,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re making me sound a lot more impressive than I actually was. I’m just one of those people who has a good eye, that’s all. I’m good at noticing when something is worth more than others think it is.”

“Hmm. That sounds interesting.”

“It was,” she agreed.

“Do you ever miss it?”

“All the time.” She smiled. “But the nice thing about being in that line of work is that I can always dip my toe in the waters if I want to. I go antiquing nearly every time I travel, looking for hidden treasures.” She looked at Al. “Who would’ve thought that the hidden treasure I found here in Solara Bay was going to be you.”

He blushed and looked away, sipping his coffee.

“Anyway, enough about me,” she said, glancing my way. “Tell me about you! How have you enjoyed living here so far?” She patted the open chair next to hers, and I sat down.

“I like it,” I said. “Everyone is pretty nice, and I like how quiet it is. Very different from some of the places I’ve lived before.”

“Is that so?” Missy asked. “Where else have you lived?”

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