Page 41 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

The explanation slammed into her, the force of it like a punch in the gut.

“So you settled for me?” The words jumped out before she could stop them.

Surprise flitted across his features. “Haley, no.” He reached out a hand as if he might touch her, then seemed to think better of it and let it drop to his side. “Listen, it’s not like that—”

“I hope you two are hungry!” Glenna bustled from the back, her arms laden with plates. A dark-haired woman with even more plates followed.

The two of them wove around tables with expert precision, making it look easy despite balancing two dinner plates each on either arm. The smell of syrup and butter filled the air.

Glenna nodded toward a large table near Haley and Ben. “Right here should do.”

Ben sprang into action, walking to the table and pulling out a chair.

Ugh. He obviously expected her to sit in it—and eat the wobbly stack of pancakes his mother was unloading. But she’d lost her appetite after his revelation.

Still, she didn’t have much choice. She could walk out of the cafe in a huff, but she still had to make it back to Bard’s house. It was either eat the pancakes or tell Ben where to shove them. As good as it might feel, she couldn’t do that. Not in front of his mother and the mystery woman, who was currently placing a little tray of jelly packets in the center of the table.

Ben waited, color high on his cheeks. His eyes—earnest as ever—seemed to plead with her.

Oh, what the hell. She went to the table and sat, then shrugged out of her jacket. Behind her, Ben seemed to release a breath as he pushed her chair in.

Her nape burned, and it wasn’t the dreamy warmth that came from having a handsome male see to her comfort. Whereas his chivalry had been sweet before, now it was just irritating.

“I hope you don’t mind if Sabine and I eat with you,” Glenna said. She pulled out a chair and sat without waiting for an answer. Then she flashed Haley a smile. “We get busy around lunchtime, so we try to eat before the big rush hits.” She glanced at the other woman. “And Sabine makes the best pancakes in the territory.”

The dark-haired woman chuckled as she took her seat. “You mean the only pancakes in the territory.” Her voice was low and husky—almost hypnotic. It suited her, complementing her dark, glossy hair and brown eyes. They were large and soft, with an almost liquid quality. Even in jeans and a flour-covered apron, she was supermodel beautiful.

And here I felt good about putting on mascara before we left the house.

Sabine looked at Haley—and for a split second, those dark eyes seemed to bore right into Haley’s head.

Just as quickly, the moment passed. Sabine smiled. “I’m Sabine. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Haley frowned. What the hell just happened? She started to speak, but her tongue was like sandpaper in her mouth. She grabbed her water glass and took a gulp, then spoke in a rush as the water went down. “Haley Michaels. You too.”

Glenna looked between them, then told Haley. “You came on the right day. Sabine stays busy with her garden, so she doesn’t work very often.”

Ben spoke, his tone warm with affection. “Much to the town’s chagrin.” He nodded toward Haley’s pancakes. “You should eat while it’s hot. Sabine really does make the best breakfast.”

Haley focused on her plate so no one could see her eyes—or the exasperation that probably lurked there. Was there anything Sabine couldn’t do? She was beautiful, well-dressed, and apparently a master chef. Why didn’t Ben marry her instead?

“I’m a latent,” Sabine said.

Haley jerked her head up. “Excuse me?”

Sabine gave her an apologetic look. In her low, soothing voice, she said, “Sorry. I like to get that out of the way whenever I meet a new person. I didn’t mean to be so blunt. I just find that saying it up front answers a lot of questions people might have.”

A surge of sympathy—and maybe a little shame—washed over Haley. Sure, Sabine appeared to have everything. But the reality was far different. In a way, her poise and beauty must feel like a curse. On the outside, she had every quality a male could want. But any interest she might attract would disappear like smoke once males found out she was incapable of making the Turn. As a latent, she couldn’t complete the lux catena. And that meant no pure-blooded werewolf would want her.

Haley knew all about that. Except in her case, her latency had been evident to all, probably because her wolf had been so deeply buried.

Sabine was different. Her wolf must have hovered just out of grasp, because Haley could feel its power.

Another tragedy. Sabine’s wolf was like a starving man who could see a feast through a sheet of glass but never touch it. It was a slow starvation—and one that Sabine herself had to feel.

Haley met the other woman’s gaze. “I was a latent, too.”

“Yes, I know.” She glanced at Ben before favoring Haley with a smile that reached her eyes. “We’re all rooting for you and Ben here to hit it off.”

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