Page 9 of Ensnared By the Werewolf

I blink, still not used to the intimate way he shortens my name.“I haven’t done anything yet.We’ll give the remedy a minute to work, and I’ll check the magic then.”

His mouth twists in disappointment.“I imagine I’d be able to feel if it’s working.”

I shrug with a wince.“Most likely.”

Jack shakes the bitterness away from his shoulders.“Thank you for trying so hard.”

I frown.I’d try this hard with anyone who would come to me for help, but I have a vested interest in making Jack happy.

He continues.“These last couple weeks, I’ve been poked and prodded, tasted more horrible potions than I ever want to in my life, and had you whispering incantations in my ear for so long I think I’m starting to dream about them.”

“I care, Jack.”I bite my tongue to keep from spilling everything.“And all of those things didn’t work.”

“Yes, but you’re trying, and for the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful.It feels like I have a future again.Almost like I can make plans,” Jack says.He places his hand on mine, which rests on my knee, his fingers intertwining with mine.The touch soothes the worries that plague me of what will happen if I fail to break his curse.“Like I could maybe ask a certain witch out on a date if this all goes well.”

My heart flutters in my chest.“If I’m not that certain witch, I may turn you into something fouler than that potion.”

Jack’s laugh is hearty now, and I can’t stop the burn of my blush any more than I could keep that statement to myself.

“Consider me warned, but I don’t think that’s something we’ll have to worry about.”The warm, hungry look in his eyes takes my breath away.

The attempt is a failure and though Jack tries to hide his disappointment, it hangs in the air.

“There are so many options left,” I say.

Jack smiles sadly.“I trust you.”

He goes to leave but stops as if he’s arguing with himself before turning back.

“I know that I’m currently something out of nightmares, but can I take you out for coffee?”The question is rough, as if he’s rusty at dating.

My happiness glosses over his self-denigration.

“I’d love that!”

7

Jack

“So what doyou do for fun?”Belinda asks, gesturing with her french fry.

I smile at the sight she makes, my primal side taking hearty satisfaction in gifting her food.It’s like a loophole in my mind.This isn’t a lunch date, but it’s close enough to appease my inner beast.

And I get to spend more time with her.

I brought us lunch when she said that she had something for me to pick up.The thrilled look on her face when I’d presented her with the greasy burgers and fries is one that will stay with me till the end of time.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to just go?”I ask, trying to be careful of overstaying my welcome.She’d only asked me to come by to give me a crystal to keep on my person for the next several days.

Belinda rolls her eyes.“No!I like to spend time with you.”

My heart swells at that.She’d gone to the café down the street with me last time, and it’d been awkward at first.I hadn’t taken anyone out in such a long time, but Belinda thawed me with her excitement and the easy way she’d touch my human glamour.

Each stroke of her fingers on my hand and the casual way she slid in the seat next to me had my inner beast whispering all sorts of inappropriate things in my head.Ours.Take her.Breed her.Claim her.Home.

Each whisper isn’t as distracting as the creature usually is.In Bel’s presence, it’s both easier and harder to ignore it.Easier because her minty sage scent and bright laugh catch all of my attention and harder because the whispers make me want.

I can hardly wait for her to break this curse.It seems impossible to me that she’ll fail with how devoted she is to the task.

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