Page 18 of Taming the Wicked Wolf

“What are you looking at?” Chase’s voice cuts through the hollering and he turns, pushing off of the bar.

All this time, I have been keeping myself in the cage he built all those years ago. I’ve carried this guilt, knowing that I broke his heart. I stole away a future without his consent. That was never true.

This was never about love. It was about control.

“I never cheated on you.” I say, my voice shakes.

He looks back at me, his expression cold.

“I gave you so much of myself and got nothing in return. Somehow, I thought that was my fault. I wasn’t trying hard enough or compromising enough to make things work between us.”

The entire bar is paying attention now, their cheers have completely gone silent despite the announcer’s voice building to a frenzied pitch. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mike, the bouncer, waiting to intervene.

I’m sure he’s being cautious because knows exactly who Chase is, but it makes me feel better knowing he still has my back. Everyone does.

I have been trying to break free of my ex for so long that I didn’t notice the friendships I had made by being myself. People like Carly Beth, who would stick up for me at a moment’s notice, not out of pity or some sort of obligation. Because we aren’t just coworkers, we’re friends.

“Do you really think he’s going to stick around?” Chase points to Silas, “After he finds out what you are.”

“I don’t care.” The laugh that bubbles from my throat surprises me, “I will never choose you again, Chase. You don’t own me.”

“Moonstone Ridge is a small town, Emmy, you can’t avoid me forever.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I fold my arms against my chest, “You just walked into my work and showed your entire ass on one of the busiest nights of the week.” I glance over to see Carly Beth, who watches us with a smile on her face. “You’re going to leave me alone, because I am sure I have enough witnesses to press charges.”

He scoffs, “For what?”

“Harassment, for starters.” Carly Beth chimes in, saddling up beside me.

Chase straightens, scanning the bar. He clenches his jaw, then leaves, dodging Mike on the way out.

Sound slowly filters back onto the floor and I turn to Carly Beth.

“Go,” she nods, holding her hand out and gesturing towards my half apron, “Take a break and I’ll watch the bar.”

I pull the strings, untying it, then place it in her hand, making my way out onto the floor towards the back hallway where I had last seen Silas. Remnants of his magic hangs in the air and since I haven’t felt another pulse, I know he’s here somewhere.

A pieceof me relaxes when I see him leaning over the jukebox, his long-sleeved shirt stretching over broad shoulders. Again with the shoulders. The lights from the machine carve out his form, so he looks like a hero from one of my Harlequins.

I need to control myself. This is Silas we’re talking about.

Before I can speak, he turns to me and exhales a breath, his ears twitching in response to something.

“Wait.” I blink, walking towards him, “Did you just smell me?”

“Maybe,” Silas shrugs, standing up straight and shoving his hands in his front pockets, “It’s a wolf thing.”

“Okay, Jacob.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” I lean against the wall, feeling like my legs are about to give out. I didn’t realize how much I have been shaking until I stopped moving. It’s catching up with me all at once.

“Hey,” he takes a step forward, tilting his head, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I rest my hand on my stomach, “I just can’t believe I did that. How did you get here so fast?”

“Teleported.” He looms closer, “You’re looking a little pale.”

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