Page 43 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“No.” Peaches’s smile was soft. “You’re right, Phil.”

I could feel my inner cat growl, its claws scratching for release. Funny how frustration brought out my more feral side.

Sucking in a deep breath, I counted to five. I should have gone to ten but didn’t have the patience. “I need clarification. What are the two of you—”

Peaches’s phone dinged with an incoming text and his attention was immediately pulled away. “It’s Parsnip,” he said before quieting and reading the text. It must have been short and to the point because he quickly said, “They’re on their way here.” Peaches sounded confused and added, “There’s a thinking face emoji along with one of those green-faced nauseous ones. I’m not sure what that means. Do you think Vander’s sick?” Warlocks were closer to human genetics and became ill sometimes. Pixies were fairly impervious to ailments unless they were away from their bonded too long.

I didn’t know if Vander was ill or not. Regardless, I wanted to continue our previous conversation but couldn’t. Evidently the others had gotten a similar message from Vander.

“Did Parsnip contact you, beloved?” Lucroy eased down next to Peaches and glanced at his phone when Peaches tilted it his way.

Sedrick must have gotten a glimpse because he huffed and said, “We got something equally colorful from Vander. Those two were definitely made for each other.”

I got up and allowed Sedrick to scoot in next to Phil. He gave me a gruff thanks before sidling in close. Sedrick’s thick fingers were gentle as a feather as they swept over Phil’s pink diamond choker, skimming across his mating mark before Sedrick replaced his fingers with his lips.

Phil leaned into the touch. The happy contentment radiating from him made me shift uncomfortably. It seemed like too private of a moment, as if I should avert my eyes and wipe the memory from my brain.

Leon didn’t give me a lot of time to contemplate my reaction. Sitting down beside me, his thigh ran the length of mine, slightly warming my skin. His arm snaked around my shoulders as he stretched his arm along the length of the back of the booth.

With a tray balanced on his shoulder, Johnny headed our way, setting down fresh cups of honeysuckle mead and a beer for Sedrick. At the end of the table he set down a glass of amethyst-colored fluid.

When he caught me staring, Johnny huffed and said, “Burnt rum. Vander loves the stuff. Don’t ask me why. Personally, I think warlocks have some messed-up tastebuds.” Johnny shrugged while setting another cup of honeysuckle mead beside it. “I figure Vander will need that”—he pointed toward the burnt rum—“when he gets here. I’ve got another full bottle in the back. You tell him if he wants more to ask.” Johnny gave a sympathetic headshake. “I think he’s had a shit last twenty-four hours.”

Johnny clomped away, leaving our little group alone.

“Do we have an ETA?” Sedrick asked before taking a large swallow of beer.

“No. Although I do not believe it will be long. From what I understand, they are already on the road and…” Lucroy stopped mid-sentence, body still and black eyes dark.

“Lucroy?” Leon asked, leaning slightly over the table. I felt Leon’s body stiffen. “What is it?”

“Wolves.” A layer of disgust laced that singular word. Knowing Lucroy’s comment wasn’t directed toward Sedrick, I figured we had other company.

Sedrick’s low growl rumbled through his chest. “How many?”

“Three,” Lucroy answered. He had the best vantage of any of us. While I hated having my back to the door, the U-shaped booth hadn’t offered a lot of other options.

“New?” Leon calmly asked.

“I am uncertain. You or Johnny would most likely know better than me.”

“Or Wendall,” I offered. I might recognize them too. “Lizbeth might know too.”

“I would prefer to keep the human out of current affairs,” Lucroy answered. I didn’t think it was because he thought little of Lizbeth. I knew it was the opposite. Lucroy Moony had a soft spot for the human and viewed her as part of his nest. Though capable for a human, Lizbeth was still that. She was the most vulnerable of Lucroy’s nestmates.

“Understandable,” I agreed.

“Have they been coming in often?” Phil asked. None of us turned. We didn’t want to draw attention to the fact we noticed or, perhaps, cared.

“More often than they used to,” Leon answered.

“Part of Arie’s pack?” Phil asked, a slight hitch to his voice.

“Most likely,” Lucroy answered. “Arie Belview is the unfortunate alpha of the largest werewolf pack in the area.” Lucroy offered Sedrick the barest hint of a smile. “It seems like the other alpha in the area enjoys the company of a different type of packmate.”

Far from offended, Sedrick lifted his mug and saluted Lucroy. “I’ve got the best pack hands down. Vampires, warlocks, pixies, dwarves, humans, and sprites. Come one, come all. As long as you’re not a shithead bent on world domination, you’re welcome in my pack.”

A low chuckle sounded close by and someone I’d only seen through video chat walked up to the end of the table, dragging two chairs behind him. “Couldn’t agree more, Sedrick.”

---