Page 38 of The Witch's Shifter
Does that mean . . . ?
Harrison leaps from my lap and trots toward the foyer. I follow after him, heart thumping in my chest as I reach to pull the front door open.
And coming up Brookside Road, a thin wooden box held between them, are Alden and Rowan.
Seeing Alden, with his brown curls windblown and his boots muddy from the road, makes my chest squeeze.
He’s home.
Leaving the door standing open, I hurry down the steps and into the early-evening chill. The earth is cold beneath my bare feet, and the autumn air takes my breath away.
Or maybe that’s just Alden.
I throw my arms around him, making him stumble. He and Rowan fight to steady the box between them.
“Oops. Sorry.” I pull away, feeling foolish. Alden went all the way to Wysteria for that window, and I almost made them drop it.
They carry it the rest of the way to the house, and as soon as the box is leaning safely against the cottage and is out of Alden’s hands, I throw myself at him again. This time he catches me, arms coming around my waist in a warm embrace. My bare feetleave the cool earth as Alden spins me in a circle. Standing a few steps away, Rowan laughs.
I’m so glad the two of them get along so well now, though I’m really not sure how Faolan is going to fit into the mix. But right now, I don’t want to worry about that; all I want to think about is Alden.
“Little witch,” Alden mumbles, setting me back on my feet. “Did you miss me?”
I pull back to look into his brown eyes and place my hands on either side of his face, feeling his beard beneath my fingers.
“So much,” I whisper. Then I pull him in for a kiss.
His lips are soft and warm against mine, and they taste slightly of the autumn air.
“I missed you too,” he says as he breaks our kiss. “And your cooking.”
As if on cue, his stomach grumbles, and he gives me a bashful smile.
“Well, good thing I’ve already got dinner going.” I look between him and Rowan, then wave for them to follow me. “Come on. Get yourselves cleaned up, and dinner will be ready when you’re done.”
We return to the cottage, where Harrison is waiting in the open doorway, tail wrapped around his paws.
“Did you miss me too?” Alden asks as he stoops to offer Harrison his hand.
With a gentle purr, Harrison pushes his head into Alden’s palm.
“Guess that’s a yes?” Alden’s gaze flicks to mine, but I just smile and shrug.
There’s a whisper of fabric as I step into the foyer, and by the time I make it to the parlor doorway, Faolan is already on his feet. Despite having taken an hour-long nap, his hair is silky and smooth, as if someone just combed it for him. He’s shirtlessand barefoot, still clad only in bandages and Alden’s trousers. Which reminds me, I need to get into Faunwood and go to the seamstress. Hopefully I can get Alden a couple more pairs to make up for the one Faolan tore through.
Faolan meets my gaze. His blue eyes are slightly narrowed, and the fire tosses glistening light across his rich brown skin. There’s movement behind me, and a woodsy scent washes over me.
“You’re back,” Alden says, voice lilting in surprise.
That’s right, Alden left the morning after Faolan’s hasty exit. He had no way to know he’d returned.
Faolan’s only response is a curt nod.
There’s definitely more work to be done before all these guys are going to get along.
Alden’s fingers brush my waist, and Faolan’s gaze flicks down to them. At his sides, his fingers curl into fists.
“I’m going to take a bath,” Alden says. “Need to get the road grime off me.”
