Page 35 of Teeth To Rip & Tear

I had to open my store and return to my everyday life immediately. That was why I asked for protection in the first place.

I didn’t want to be trapped by fear. Mine or anyone else’s.

I couldn’t face going back to the bar just yet. Melly had lit a strange anger inside me, and I didn’t want to see her again until I had gathered my bearings.

I could have sworn I had asked her for more herbs the night before. The vervain, nightshade, wolfsbane, and camomile weren’t hard to find if you knew where to look. Still, Melly’s store was the only place to buy prepared and dried ingredients for my grandmother’s nerve tonic—to soothe my anxiety.

Bad things happened when I was anxious. Or scared. Or angry.

The last thing I needed was to show weakness in front of the wolves.

I left the bathroom, ready to head back to my room, when I ran straight into Kaleb.

He stood in front of the ladies bathroom with his hands on his hips, and his brow furrowed as if steeling himself. I stepped back, glancing between his stern expression and the sign on the bathroom door—double checking I hadn’t gone into the men’s room by accident.

“Kaleb?” My nose wrinkled.

His orange eyes blinked slowly as if waking from a dream. “You smell different.”

“The bathroom air freshener was strong.” I waved a hand over my shoulder.

“That’s not it.” The silver-haired wolf shook his head.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk about last night.” I gestured to his leg. “Are you okay?”

“It was a fun evening.” He grinned. “You know, until your ex-husband showed up.”

“It was a fun evening.” I agreed. “I just can’t help but think it’s my fault.”

Kaleb shook his head. “I was careless. I should have knocked the gun out of his hands before I bit him.”

“You bit Joel?”

“Right on the ass.” Kaleb’s lip ticked with a proud smile. “Dean asked me to escort you back to the barracks.”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “I was ready to go anyway.”

Kaleb gestured to the door at the end of the hallway.

The older wolf seemed to struggle with the controls of the golf buggy, though it was more of a box with wheels than a car.

“Do you want me to drive?” I bit back a laugh when Kaleb banged the dashboard, unable to find a way to start the engine.

“Thank you,” He sagged in relief.

“You shouldn’t thank the fae,” I told him. “That’s two now.”

“You’re keeping track,” Kaleb noted with a nod as I started the electric engine and started off down the wide tunnel. “What do you plan on doing with your favors?”

“You could tell me about the Dullahan?” Though my voice was light, I wasn’t joking.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He kept his face forward.

I forgot that wolfkin could lie, like I’d almost forgotten that wolves had fae origins. “I saw the look you all shared whenthat girl mentioned the strange horse. Mitchell told me about the Huntsman’s motley crew of Fae. About Dorly.”

Kaleb winced. “The Dullahan is a bad omen. It means the Huntsman has set his eye on you.”

“On me?” I squeaked. “I’m just a Weaver.”

---