Page 23 of The Wolf I Sworn To Hate

I almost kissed Xyla. What in the world was I thinking?

He couldn’t figure her out. When they first got there, they were mortal enemies. He was the scum of the Earth and only a murderous humanoid. Now, she was acting like they were old friends. Granted, they used to be before she got brainwashed by her bigoted father, but this was a huge reversal.

Of course, I, along with Sawyer’s help, did save her and her family’s bacon. Maybe it’s some kind of hero worship.

He stared at the ceiling as he tried to figure her out.Was this superficial and temporary or did she really figure out that not all shifters are bad – just like not all humans are bad?

Turning over in his cot he closed his eyes.It really doesn’t matter because once we get off this mountain, I’ll never see her again. She can hate me all she wants to and I really don’t care.

His eyes popped back open. She said that she was thinking of moving back to Angel’s Creek. They might run into each other,although it was highly unlikely. He wasn’t a man about the town, as his mother used to say. He was either at home or at the bar.

Sean looked at his hand, which was almost healed. Luckily, shifters healed extremely fast and the blisters were more of a painful nuisance than a real injury.

However, that didn’t explain the electric shock he felt when they touched. What was really surprising was that they were both fully dressed when they touched. He hadn’t had a reaction to a woman like that since Ivy died.

“Maybe it has been too long since I’ve gotten laid. I wonder if Marcie is still willing. She might cure my problem.”

He laughed quietly to himself because he knew that he wouldn’t have sex with Marcie, especially if it was just to banish thoughts of another. Sean might have had to satisfy his needs on occasion, but he had never used a woman or been with someone who didn’t understand that it was just for the moment. Marcie was the kind of woman who would expect flowers and phone calls after.

I need to get off this mountain and away from these women. Being back home and in my bar is a lot safer than this.

He was grateful when he was finally able to fall asleep.

Sean felt a lot better when he woke up the next morning. His shoulders quit aching and his hands were healed.

Edward shyly asked if he could sit with him and Sawyer for breakfast. Sawyer grinned at him and nodded.

“Not much of a birthday, is it?” Sean asked.

“I have a good story to tell my friends when I go back to school. No one else has been stranded on a mountain because of an avalanche with a bunch of people they don’t know.” He leaned in close to Sean so he could whisper in his ear. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone that I met some real-life shifters.”

“I appreciate that.” Sean ruffled Edward’s hair.

“Can I hang out with you guys today?”

“Not this morning, I’m afraid. We have to check out the area and see if the roads are still impassible or if there’s any way to get to the ranger’s station,” Sawyer said.

“Oh.” Edward was clearly disappointed.

“Maybe this afternoon, if it won’t get you in trouble with your father.”

“Everything gets me in trouble with my father. I’m pretty sure he hates me sometimes, almost as much as he hates you.”

Sean’s heart broke for the little boy’s sadness. “I’m sure he loves you. Some people just have a hard time showing it.”

Edward nodded and finished eating. “I’ll see you guys later.”

Sean braced himself for the sharp cold that cut him like a knife when he stepped outside.

“It’s colder than a witch’s tit out here,” Sawyer said.

Sean laughed. “I hadn’t heard that in a very long time.”

“My father used to say it all the time. He also used to say that it was colder than a well digger’s asshole.”

“I don’t know how cold those two body parts happen to be.”

“Me either, but I guess my dad did.”

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