Page 35 of My Girlfriend is a Werewolf

While it killed her a bit inside, she had to lie. “I need to go away for a day,” she told him as they lay snuggled in bed.

“Why?” he asked, stroking her arm as he spooned her.

“Family stuff. It will just be for one night.”

“Want me to come along?”

“No. It’s kind of personal.”

He stiffened. Most likely insulted.

What excuse could she use to fix this? “It’s to do with my sister. Girly business.”

He relaxed. “Can I at least give you a ride?”

She allowed it, letting him drop her in Calabogie at the Redneck Bistro. She waved as he left.

And really hoped that wasn’t the last time she’d see him.

Chapter 10

Athena not wantingDerek around while she met her sister bothered. This last month had been incredible. In Athena, he’d found someone who engaged him in every respect. It wasn’t just the great sex. It was the way they talked and joked, her work ethic, the way she got along with his grandparents. Even his dad had been by the farm a few times and declared to Derek in private,“She’s a keeper.”

He agreed but for one thing.

Athena had a secret, and he got the feeling it involved the reason why she’d been kidnapped and held prisoner, an event she still wouldn’t discuss in detail. He’d tried prodding, and outright asking, but she lied and said she didn’t know why they’d picked her.“Guess I fit a profile,” was her reply.

But he had to wonder. Could it be because of her insanely good hearing? She’d gone hunting with him and always knew well before him when a turkey or buck headed for the blind.

Her sense of smell? More than once she’d guided him to a spot she said felt lucky. Each time, whatever they were seeking—grouse for cooking, coyotes bugging the hens, a lost goat—she unerringly seemed to find them.

Those weren’t the only oddities. She was strong. Stronger than a woman of her size should be. Fast, fast enough she’d caught a fish barehanded and laughed as she tossed it to him on shore. She liked to chase rabbits and even the occasional squirrel. And when he gave her a long kiss, her foot thumped the ground.

Maybe she’d been a dog in another life?

Now he was just being silly and probably overreacting. Athena would tell him her secret when she was good and ready. He just needed to be patient.

While she hung out with her sister, he headed into the city to check on things. His apartment appeared untouched. Perhaps they’d been paranoid for nothing.

Glancing around, he wondered if he should let the place go. Since he’d quit his job at the warehouse and transferred his firefighting volunteer status to his grandparents’ township, he had no reason to keep paying. Not to mention, they couldn’t live on the farm forever. As a couple, they needed their own space. A bedroom where he could make love to her and have her voice her enjoyment. A living room where they could snuggle on a couch watching what they liked rather than the nightlyJeopardyandWheel of Fortune. A space where they could truly be themselves.

Perhaps on Athena’s return, he’d suggest they look at renting a place in town. Then they could still be close enough to do chores and get paid—his grandparents believed in paying for a job well done. As Gramps said, “Pay you or pay that idiot who takes twice as long? You’re cheaper.”

Derek left his apartment after grabbing a few things and headed out to the street where he’d parked Gramps’ truck. As he clambered into the driver’s seat, he noticed a van parked across the road. Unmarked, windows tinted. Probably a service truck. Still, he kept eyeing it in his rearview mirror until he turned the corner. It didn’t budge, and he laughed inwardly at his paranoia.

It had been weeks since Athena escaped. More than likely the doctor who took her had ceased his search and moved on to his next victim.

Which led to his other concern. Why wouldn’t Athena go to the cops? Why didn’t she want this doctor and his associates arrested? When he’d asked, she’d simply said, “They’re too smart to get caught. Even if they did listen, it would be my word against his.”

Derek returned to the farm and kept busy the rest of that day and night. Athena had asked him to fetch her in the morning at the same place.

He half expected her to not show, but to his delight, when he entered the restaurant, she sat at a table and smiled in welcome.

She rose to greet him with a kiss before sitting again. “Breakfast?”

He’d already eaten but still sat and nodded. “How’s your sister?”

“Good. Whole family is doing well.” She paused. “I told them about you.”

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