Page 5 of Scar Bonds: The Scars That Bind Us

“It could be that, too.” Wyatt nodded.

“Be sure to tell Gabby about it next time you see her.” Senan smiled, as Wyatt looked up, his eyebrows raised. “She was horrified she wasn’t even picked to attend. She got most indignant about servers being expected to blend into the wallpaper.”

“It felt like that, yeah,” and clearly because Senan was normalizing what Wyatt had experienced, Wyatt was feeling better about it. “I was just… I was so self-conscious and worried I would do something wrong and the more I worried about it, the more likely I was going to trip over my shoe or embarrass myself.”

“You stayed on your feet. You didn’t drop anything. You did really well, and I know Jeffrey’s pleased with you or he wouldn’t have put you on this event. Remember you got in when Gabby didn’t. Ask her about that next time you see her as well if you enjoy having your ears scorched.”

Wyatt laughed. The man really was an open book, and that was nice to see, even if it made Senan feel jaded. “Look,” Senan added. “It’s Friday night. You’ve done your job. I don’t know whether you’re going to be like Aisha and at home studying tonight, or if you’re going to go and have a drink with your friends.”

“Drinking tonight, studying over the weekend,” Wyatt said. “Brennan and Alex are waiting for me in the parking lot. I told them I needed to talk to you because, you know, I really do need this job. My family couldn’t afford to send me to college. I’m doing this on my own, so working is really important to me.”

Senan didn’t have a clue what that was like. It wasn’t as though he’d ever gone to college. But he nodded as if he understood. A strong work ethic was always something he appreciated.

“Honestly, don’t worry about it. Go and have a drink with the others. Put that man, whoever he was, out of your mind. The one thing you can count on with anyone rich enough to hire Jeffrey’s company is that they are always the quickest to make a complaint if they have any. Tonight went off without a hitch, so go and enjoy your weekend. Paranormals are like anyone else in a way, and they all have their quirks. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.”

“Phew, thanks Senan. I appreciate it. You look absolutely dead on your feet as well. Are you going out tonight or are you heading home?”

“I’m heading home, definitely home,” Senan said. “I’ve had enough of peopling and dishes to last me a lifetime. I’m going to order takeout that comes in boxes, so I don’t have to wash my own dishes, and I’m just going to sprawl on my couch and watch ridiculous movies on television.”

“Sounds like fun.” Wyatt jumped up from his seat and headed for the door. “Enjoy yourself, Senan, and thanks.”

He disappeared, and Senan let out a long sigh as he stood up a lot slower.I feel like an old man,he thought feeling the ache in his bones. He knew what it was. He was overdoing his magic usage, but Senan still had a job to do which meant he had to hang on just a short while longer.

Speaking of work… Senan grabbed hold of the clipboard, ticking off the last of the jobs, so he could take the paperwork into the office on Monday. Putting that down, he picked up a cloth, giving one last wipe over the surfaces and then collected the dirty cloths and put them in the hamper provided by the convention center. He was leaning against the sink, reading through the checklist one last time when he heard an unfamiliar voice.

“Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find some bottled water?”

Senan immediately spun around so he was facing the wall, his magic blaring it’s distress.There’s a wolf shifter in the room.

“Excuse me? Did you hear me? I’m just looking for water.”

He’s not here to see me, he’s not here to see me.I’m just a staff member. Pull yourself together.“I believe there’s a cooler farther down the hallway, on the way to the lobby,” Senan said, gripping onto the side of the sink to keep him upright.

“Thank you. By the way, I don’t think we were introduced. I didn’t notice you with the serving staff when we arrived.”

“I wasn’t rostered on the server side of things this evening. Somebody has to take care of the dishes. If that’s all, I need to head out now.”

Senan had no idea how he’d managed to keep his voice so calm, but he didn’t dare turn around. It was an instinct, as if the moment the man, whoever it was, saw his face, he wouldknow. Senan couldn’t name the fear, but he knew there was one there.Just go. I can’t get out of the door if you’re standing in front of it.

But the man behind him was persistent. What was worse, he was sniffing the air. Senan could hear him. “Shit, that’s unusual. Why can’t I smell you? Why don’t you smell of anything?”

“I’m sure I do.” Senan waved the clipboard in the air as if he could shoo the man away. He could hear the shifter getting closer. “It really doesn’t matter if I smell of anything or not,” he added quickly. “You’ve had your meal. There’s water in the cooler down the hall. If you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to go home. Good night.”Piss off!

“Humor me, if you don’t mind. I need you to turn around. I want to see your face.”

I don’t fucking think so. But even as he thought that Senan felt a rush of anger, along with a push from his magic to be set free. No wolf shifter had the right to accost him just because he’d wandered into a room and was being nosy.

The wolf shifter wasn’t even supposed to be in a prep area reserved for staff. Senan had done his job, a job that he got paid for, and nothing in his job description said he had to spend any time with a wolf shifter who he didn’t know and had no intention of getting to know – no matter what his magic thought.

Swinging around, the clipboard still in one hand, Senan got his first look at his intruder, and his eyes widened.It’s just not possible.“You! What are you doing here?”

He got a frown and a slight head tilt. “I definitely don’t think we’ve met before. I sure would’ve remembered someone who looks like you, especially a person with no scent.” The wolf shifter did seem genuinely confused.

Narrowing his eyes, Senan looked at the wolf shifter, picking up subtle details like the thickness of the neck, the length and wave of his hair, and the dark eyes. “You’re right. Not the you I was thinking of. You’re someone similar in looks to a person I have no wish to see. Why are you bothering me?”

“I’m just curious.” The wolf shifter had the audacity to look him up and down. “You can call me Felix the Cat. I want to know why a man like you, who clearly has paranormal origins, is hiding among humans, in a prep area, washing dishes, and working for a catering company. Acting as though you’re human with limited means when you and I both know you’re not.”

“It doesn’t matter who or what I am, because you and I will never see each other again. Leave. Now. I’ve had a long day and want to get home.”

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