Page 2 of Plus-Size Mate

“Believe me, I do when I’m able to,” Eddie said, shrugging his shoulders. “I have a message for Wylla.”

At that, the woman cocked her head.

Discreetly, Eddie tried to sniff her out. It was almost impossible to do inside the apothecary with all its herbal scents. Yet, one thing Eddie did pick up on immediately was the woman’s species: another witch.

“My mother isn’t here right now,” the woman said, and Eddie blinked in surprise.

“Mother?” he said without really thinking. “Wylla doesn’t seem old enough to have a daughter your age.”

It was a stupid thing to say. He knew as well as anyone that witches were often much older than they looked. In fact, thistwenty-something woman he was looking at right now could be well into her fifties or even older.

The beautiful, auburn-haired witch cocked her head and raised her brow. “You're a werewolf. You should know better than to judge a book by its cover.”

Eddie bit his lip at that. Of course, she was right. Both species could easily live into their hundreds and barely appear to age a day once they hit adulthood.

“Ever heard of a compliment?” Eddie asked, feeling mildly defensive.

Just as quickly, the witch responded, “Ever heard it's rude to talk about a woman's age?”

Stunned, Eddie stared at her for several moments, unable to think of what to say to that. His cheeks grew hot, and he wondered whether she noticed. When she started to smile wryly, he was certain she had.

“When will she be back?” Eddie asked curtly, deciding quickly it was best to change the subject.

The woman crossed her arms over her chest and Eddie was forced to bite the inside of his lip. Witch or not, she had a great figure, plump and curvaceous, and the way she held her arms caused her ample breasts to bulge in a way that was difficult to take his eyes off.

He forced himself to, digging his fingernails into the palm of his free hand in an attempt at self-control. Being a hot-blooded werewolf wasn't so lucky around good-looking women, even if they were supposed enemies.

Besides, he had enough on his plate with Carly pulling all of his strings. The last thing he needed was to find himself attracted to a damn witch.

It's been too long,he told himself. In fact, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd had a woman in his bed. It had most definitely been well before their pack's move to Nightstar. Years; he was pretty sure it had been years.

Being frustrated, it was obvious his mind would go there when confronted with a witch. They were, after all, known for having great beauty. Whether it was natural or magical was unclear, but either way, the woman before him was drop-dead-gorgeous. Even his preoccupied mind could admit that.

“Hello? Earth to wolfman,” the witch said, and at the clicking of fingers in his face, Eddie jumped, realizing he hadn't even heard her answer.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Shit, sorry. What did you say?”

“I said, I don't know when she will be home.”

“Well, where is she? Maybe I could take the message across town to her?”

At that, the woman pursed her lips and tightened her arms around her chest. “She isn't in town.”

Eddie wasn't sure why, exactly, but a shiver ran down the length of his spine. Perhaps it was the fact that Wylla being out of town was bound to make things more difficult for the pack if Jack did indeed intend to request her help.

“Business or pleasure?” Eddie asked, though he wasn't entirely sure why it mattered.

The witch's gaze darkened. Clearly, she didn't believe that was any of his business.

“Family business,” she responded, though her voice was clipped. Something told Eddie that she was just as uncomfortable in a werewolf’s presence as he was in a witch's.

“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Eddie said. It was a standard comment under the circumstances, and yet, oddly, Eddie felt genuine. Why he cared about the family business of witches, he didn't know.

The witch shrugged. “She's visiting her mother.”

“Why didn't you go with her?” Eddie asked, and again, he gritted his teeth.Seriously, why do I care?

Before he had arrived, he had intended to drop off the message and get out of the shop quickly. The stench of the place always turned his stomach.

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