Page 33 of Pitch a Witch
“Move Jack away from her. The poor girl can’t breathe.” Another woman spoke, her tone reproachful yet concerned.
I figured that little fucker had used this opportunity to do it when I couldn’t push him away. Every time Jack shifted and I’d been around him, he’d try to lick my face for whatever reason. That was why I stayed as far away from the little shit as I could. I had a suspicion the tiny alpha wolf liked the taste of makeup, as disputable as that sounded. Not that I’d dare say anything to Amber or Alex. What if it killed him? I’d rather not be held accountable for that shit storm, thank you very much.
“Hazel, can you hear me?” The moment River Blackman spoke and his baritone vibrated in my chest like he was a damn gong, something became clear.
I was as naked as the day I was born, and only a very thin sheet covered me. With River Goddess damn Blackman in the cursed room. I wouldn’t trust myself around him if I was mummified and it took him half a year to unwrap me. Naked? Oh, hell to the no.
My eyes popped open, and I became animated all at once. With the sheet clutched to my chest, I scrambled on the bed, crab-walking backward until my spine cracked the headboard. Sissily squealed before she pressed her mouth into a disapproving line, but the bitch could get in line. Friends never let friends sprawl naked and get licked in the face with wing man in the room. Like, ever.
“Out.” My hand shot up, and one trembling finger pointed at the closed door of my room.
A few pairs of peepers blinked at me. If they didn’t wipe the flabbergasted expressions off their face, I’d make sure each of their eyes ended up in one of Danika’s jars. On full display, front row and everything.
“I’d say she’s awake,” River droned flatly, unimpressed by my hostility. He wasn’t the one with all his bits airing freely, so he could shove his attitude up his butt.
“Yup,” I chirped and gave him a crazed smile. “Awake, alive, and ready to tackle the day. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. That’s me. Now get the hell out.” My finger wiggled to get his attention.
Nothing.
Jack, however, used the distraction to slither out of Ambers hold and jump me. The kid was nine, for Hecate’s sake. Someone should’ve taught him licking was a big no-no until he was of age, and even then, the face was not the way to go. How old did they need to be before one could fight them? Ten? The young wolf’s birthday was coming up soon, I was sure of it.
“Sorry, Hazel.” Amber snatched the wolf resembling a poodle off the bed. “When he shifts, this is his way of showing affection.” Her sheepish smile made me feel guilty for my thoughts, and the kid called me out on them by yelping and lolling his tongue playfully to the side.
I really was an asshole.
“Here.” Sissily stuck a straw in my mouth before I could protest, and I glared at her scowl as I sucked on the water. It was her way of shutting me up before I shoved my foot deeper in my mouth. “I hoped you’d wake up with some of that bitchiness gone, but the stars were not aligned in my favor.”
“Thank you.” Picking my battles, I didn’t dignify that with a reply. “How are you and Jack, Amber? I’m really sorry this happened to you because of me.”
Since Blondie made himself comfortable in the one wingback chair in the room, I decided to ignore him. Without attention, he’d leave eventually.
“Nonsense.” The older woman waved me off as if they’d taken her on vacation and not been holding her against her will. “With Alex being so overprotective, I rarely get to let my wolf out to play.” A mischievous smile lit up her face. “She loved it, although it didn’t last nearly as long as she would’ve liked.”
“Drink this, too.” Sissily shoved another straw at me like some glass tyrant, but this time I dodged it and eyed the liquid warily.
“What is it?” It was not water, that much was clear. Or cloudy as far as liquids went.
“Just drink it, Hazel. I’m not in the mood to beg you to do what’s good for you.” With a sigh, she nudged the straw at my mouth.
Rearing my head back and careful not to drop the sheet, I narrowed my gaze on her. “Why do you insist on feeding me grass juice every time I don’t feel well, or am I injured?”
Amber started laughing heartedly, and even River snorted, but my friend only pressed her mouth firmer. “It’s tea,” she informed me.
“Were all the herbs green when you made it?” Sissily knew how much I disliked tea, especially those made to make you feel better. All her concoctions tasted awful, and there were no exceptions. I’d never say no if she offered me booze to get me on my feet, for example, but no, she fancied herself a hedge witch or something.
“Yes, now drink it.”
“So, grass juice, as I said.” Slapping her hand away, I chortled along with Amber, who was wiping tears away with the back of her hand. That was when I noticed how pale my friend was. “What’s wrong?” I snatched her arm when she tried to pull away.” Sissily, talk, or I’ll make you.”
“You scared me, you ass,” she shouted so loud my shoulders reached my ears. “Again!”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” On a deep exhale, I dragged her until she crawled on the bed next to me. Wrapping her in a hug and careful not to show my boobs to River, I squeezed her as hard as I could. Which wasn’t much since my limbs felt like limp noodles. “I swear I’m not doing it on purpose.”
“Right.” She snort-sobbed on my shoulder. “I’ll die young just from watching you trying to kill yourself.”
“They spoke to me, girl.” It was easy to ignore the other two people in the room. “I didn’t think anything of it since I was bleeding to death anyway.”
“I knew you were hurt,” River hissed and jumped off the chair. “How?”
