Page 88 of Blue Moon Mistress

I take the tea cup she offers me and stare down at the hot liquid. “And I need you to accept that it was a choice I made.”

She doesn’t tell me she will, but she also doesn’t say she won’t.

“I ran into Aphrodite yesterday.”

Wincing, I take a long drink of my too hot tea. “How did that go?”

“She certainly wasn’t expecting to see me. And she tried to use that sugary-sweet voice on me. You know the one. As if I’d be fooled.” She shakes her head and opens my refrigerator. “Where is all your food?”

“I hadn’t planned to be here this morning. If I came home at all this weekend, I was going to pick up groceries on the way.”

She gives me a reproachful glance and I shrug.

“We both know werewolves run hot and no witch in our family has ever passed up the chance.”

She finally shuts the fridge and her shoulders droop—just enough that I notice. “Do you love them?”

I could lie to her. But I have a feeling she’d feel the lie. “I don’t know. It’s been two and a half weeks.”

Scowling down at the wolf who’s sat in front of her, looking at her like he wants to ask a question, she says, “You’ll want to figure it out and quick. If you don’t. You need to break things off with them while you can still be friends.”

I understand her concern, but… I don’t want this to end. And I know that she’s weighing the risks, but even if this strange little romance has to end, I don’t want to cut it short.

“I will take your advice into consideration.”

Shaking her head, her lips quirk in a half smile. “No you won’t.”

“Fine. I respect your concern, but… I can’t end this prematurely.”

Silence descends and that’s the only reason we hear it.

We both turn toward the front as gravel crunches and the bright sound of wet breaks pierce the morning.

The wolves bound through the room and I’m not surprised that the guys are here. I just would have liked at least two cups of tea and some food in me before we got into this discussion.

I probably should have gotten dressed too.

But there’s no time for that.

I pad to the front and open the door for the four men I could have still been enjoying the warmth of.

I push that thought away. It’s just going to make me grumpy.

“Good morning,” I say, stepping aside to let them in.

I see Chase dodge out of the way so he can be last through the door, and I’m not surprised when he kisses me and closes the door for me. I imagine, if it was just the five of us, the fun would already have started.

“You’re early.” I say, quietly, even if my mother will probably hear it.

“None of us slept well last night.” Joshua takes my hand, kissing my palm.

“We just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

My mother makes a strangled sound behind me.

“Emotionally.” Thomas clarifies glancing over my shoulder at her.

“Even if I wanted to hurt my own daughter—which I don’t—your wolves wouldn’t let me.”

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