Page 15 of Howls & Harvest

He nods. “The colors change with the phases of the moon, among other reasons. Tonight’s show is courtesy of the waxing crescent.”

I take a step closer to the water’s edge, feeling the damp earth give slightly beneath my feet. The mist swirls around us, carrying the scent of water lilies and magic. As I watch, a tendril of green light seems to reach out toward me then playfully retreats back into the dance.

“Can we touch it?” I ask, my hand already half-extended.

He chuckles. “Go ahead. The water spirits are always eager to meet new friends.”

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper again, afraid to speak too loudly and break the spell.

His sharp teeth glint in the magical light. “Wait until you see this.” He leads me to the water’s edge and kneels. “Watch.” He dips his hand into the lagoon. The water around his fingers immediately turns a deep, rich blue. Ripples of the color spread outward, mixing with the other hues on the surface.

“What does that mean?” I ask, fascinated.

“Blue represents calm and contentment. The lagoon reflects our emotions. It’s different for everyone who touches it.”

I hesitate before lowering my hand into the cool water. The effect is instantaneous. A vibrant purple blooms around my fingers, spreading out in mesmerizing patterns. “Oh.” I exclaim, surprised by the intensity of the color. “What does purple mean?”

He looks at me with speculation. “Purple typically represents amorous feelings.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I snatch back my hand. “That can’t be right. The water must be malfunctioning or something.”

He chuckles. “The lagoon doesn’t lie, Candice. It simply reflects what’s in our hearts.”

I cross my arms, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. “Well, it’s wrong this time. I’m not feeling...amorous.”

“No?” he asks, clearly teasing. He leans closer, and I catch a whiff of his scent—pine and earth and something wild. “Are you sure about that?” Before I can respond, he dips his hand back into the water. To my shock, the liquid around his fingers turns the same vibrant purple as mine.

“Oh...” My eyes widen as I look from the water to his face.

His expression is vulnerable. “I guess the lagoon reveals my feelings too.”

We stare at each other, the air between us charged with possibility. The golden glow from Bella’s latte seems to intensify just before it starts to fade, casting Ronan in an ethereal light. His fur shimmers, and his eyes are impossibly bright.

I lean toward him, drawn by an irresistible pull. He meets me halfway, gently cupping my cheek in his large hand. Our faces are inches apart when I hesitate, suddenly unsure. “I... I’ve never kissed anyone with a muzzle before.”

His eyes crinkle with amusement. “There’s a first time for everything in Evershift Haven.” He traces my jawline with extraordinary gentleness, those dangerous claws somehow feeling like silk against my skin as he tilts his head, compensating for his lupine features with practiced grace. “Trust me,” he whispers, caressing my face with his warm breath.

Our lips connect—a study in contrasts. His are covered in that same velvet-soft fur that masks his powerful form, radiatingheat that makes my knees weak. My own lips part slightly, surrendering to the gentle pressure.

The kiss starts feather-light, almost questioning, while we learn each other’s shapes and boundaries. Electric shivers race from my scalp to my toes, making my fingers tremble as they find their way into the thicker fur at the back of his neck. It’s impossibly plush between my fingers, like burying my hands in the warmest, softest wool.

I press closer, taking in his woodsy scent as the kiss deepens. With my fingertips, I discover the solid strength of his neck beneath all that softness, and I hold on like he’s my anchor to reality. When we finally pull apart, we’re both a little breathless. The glow from the latte seems to have further intensified, making our skin shimmer like we’ve been dusted with gold. With a slight flicker, it abruptly disappears, leaving us in much darker surroundings with the sun starting to set, and the trees shading us.

“Whoa,” I say, tracing my tingling lips with a finger.

Ronan grins, looking equally affected. “Yep.”

We stand there without speaking for a minute with neither of us stepping back, caught in the moment and the magic surrounding us. The lagoon continues its colorful dance, now dominated by swirls of deep, rich purple.

“We should get back to help Caelan with the rest of preparations for tomorrow,” he says with regret.

I nod but then blink as the wind suddenly picks up. Leaves blow around us, and a small waterspout forms. The sky gets abruptly dark. “What’s happening?”

He frowns. “Either an unexpected storm, or Grizelda’s magic has gone haywire again.”

Chapter 6

THE SKY DARKENS RAPIDLYas thick clouds roll in like an angry tide. A crack of thunder shakes the air, and fat raindrops begin to pelt us. Ronan grabs my hand, his fur already darkening with moisture.

---