Page 11 of Werewolves Don't Howl
“It’s Harold’s daughter’s favorite color. She asked Cross if they could stay in a pink beach house when they come to visit this summer, so he had it done, much to Harold and the boys’s horror. She’s the only girl, and her mother is absolutely not a fan of pink, so I think she might just want to torture everyone. Little girls can be like that. I know I was. Cross said it’s a good pink, and he has perfect taste, so he must be right.”
She pushed open the door and led me into the cutest little cottage I’d ever seen. It had a kitchenette, the window over the sink looking out on a charming garden. There was a bedroom with a large bed, as well as a loft with bunk beds stacked up on either side of the space.
The living room boasted a fireplace, with a down couch just waiting for me to curl up on. The lighting was excellent, in fact everything was perfect except for the lack of oven. I couldn’t make cookies in this cottage, but otherwise, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place.
“You’re sold. Good. I wouldn’t want to tell Cross, but he’s actually kind of lonely. He wouldn’t have moved to Singsong City otherwise. He could use some cheerful company, and I don’t have nearly enough time to devote to him, not with my library and my own husband. Not to mention my sushi buddies. Do you like sushi?”
I blinked at her. There was no way Cross was lonely, not when he’d mentioned all the people who lived with him. “Yes. But it’s so expensive.”
She nodded soberly. “It is, but the Cat’s Pause has reasonable prices, and the sushi is always fresh. You should come some time.” She started walking towards the door.
“Wait. You’re going to leave me here?”
She turned around to study me for a long moment before she nodded. “Yes. I get that you’re a werewolf, so not entirely defenseless. Not that any females I know are remotely incapable of destroying their enemies, but you’re facing not only a stalker, but an entire system. You need help. Cross is the best at manipulating large bodies of people. He’s clever, driven, and motivated by his protective instincts. I’m leaving you in good hands. Cross’s fridge will be well-stocked if Manny’s cooking is a disaster. It won’t be, though. Cross wouldn’t have told you there was dinner if it wouldn’t be edible. You aren’t hysterical. Do you need me to stay and give you emotional support?”
I shook my head. “I never agreed to stay, but the pool house is really nice. And the security here is really great. And if he can actually help me with the legal issues regarding werewolf law that would also help others who get caught in the tangle, then how could I say no?”
“You can’t.” She gave me a smug look. “So relax, enjoy your vacation. You look like you need it.” She waved and then left me alone in the senator’s pool house while he studied my case in his library.
I stood in the doorway for a moment, watching her walk back to the house, before I closed the door, curled up on the couch, and tried to process everything. Of course, I ended up falling asleep, because that couch was way too cozy for an elf, even one who had painted his pool house pink for a little girl.
ChapterFour
The kitchen in the main house was both a thing of beauty and of function. It was also large enough for half a dozen people to work in comfortably, but still managed to have everything necessary to bake my ritualistic morning cookies in my short-arm’s reach of the stove. I stood there, mixing dough, and looking out the bay windows of the breakfast nook into the garden. Redbuds were budding with that almost neon purple hue, while daffodils skirted the slender trees, all of it backed by shrubbery that was pruned the right balance between too wild and too tame.
He had a very good gardener. My father would be impressed. I was impressed. I’d woken up happier than I had been in a long time. I wasn’t alone with my heavy secrets anymore. It wouldn’t last forever, of course, but I’d enjoy my vacation from reality as long as it lasted.
“Miss Era, what are you doing?” Senator Silverton said, coming into his kitchen hesitantly, like he might be infringing on my space.
I smiled shyly. “Good morning, Senator. I’m making mint fudge and double chocolate pumpkin cookies. I hope you don’t mind. I have to make cookies every day, so I smell less like a werewolf. Is it too much bother? If I am, let me know and I’ll be gone faster than you can blink. I can be very fast. It’s the gnome in me.” My words came out in a rush and I stood there, shifting uncomfortably while I stared at the elf, who looked even more stunning this morning in his business suit and purple tie.
He smiled slightly. “It’s no bother, Miss Era, and neither are you.” His words were soft, gentle, the kind of tone I usually got from people who pitied the helpless little reporter, not someone who knew I was a werewolf.
I stared at him for another long moment before I cut the last line of brownies. “Your kitchen is incredibly well-stocked. Do you have a housekeeper other than Manny the Ogre?”
“Mm. Did you eat? You shouldn’t start the day with brownies. You missed dinner last night. When I came to inform you it was ready, you were sleeping on the couch. Did you stay there all night? It’s not good for your neck to sleep without proper…”
I laughed, but it came out as an awkward snort, which was way too embarrassing. I was half elf. I could be elegant for five minutes. Couldn’t I? Apparently not.
“Right. You remember me complaining about my neck health? Proper alignment is so important in life. I’m so glad you agree. Don’t worry, I won’t make a habit of falling asleep on the couch. Except that maybe I will. It’s such a delightfully cozy thing. My neck feels perfect. Also, I usually have cookies for breakfast. It’s part of my brand. Good thing I have all these Elven genetics to mitigate my bad life choices.” Actually, as a werewolf, I could recover from anything, including a bad diet. I stared at him. I could actually tell him that because he knew that I was a werewolf. How in the world had that happened? I shouldn’t have let down my guard to two practical strangers, particularly when one of them was so handsome. No, his handsomeness wasn’t a reason for something. It was his intellect and ability to manipulate politics that should have me worried. And yet, I wasn’t worried. That was worrisome. I needed to get out of here before I lost my mind completely.
“Any luck finding a loophole in the werewolf law?”
He frowned, shaking his head. “Not yet. The entire structure is antiquated and should be rewritten. Anyone civilized would ignore half of the mandates.”
“Max is a jewel. He wouldn’t be making a thing out of this if Ridley didn’t notify the Alta Manada about my shocking independence.”
“Max the Alpha of Singsong? Do you like him?”
“Of course I like him. I asked him to be my mate, but sadly, he refused.”
He blinked twice. “If you want him, then we will convince him to have you. Why would he say no? You’re everything a wolf wants.”
I raised a brow. “Everything a wolf wants? Do you mean my shortness or my excellent cookie-making skills?”
He picked up a mint brownie and bit into it, in spite of it not being proper breakfast food. “Your cookies are delicious,” he said once he’d swallowed that bite. He held the brownie like he wasn’t sure what to do with it, eat the rest so as to not offend me, or to throw it away so as to not offend his personal health codes.
I took it out of his hand and nibbled on the corner. Mm. I’d made it particularly minty. Was anything better than chocolate mint? “Thanks, but most wolves aren’t that particular whether food has been cooked or is still in its original raw state. Also, I only asked Max because I knew he’d say no. He values his independence as much as I do. That’s the only reason he’s the alpha, so no one can boss him around, even an adorable, gnomish elf wolf who cooks. So, you didn’t find anything at all that you think you can use? Maybe it would help if you asked me some questions about being a wolf.” I chewed on my bottom lip. I was still incredibly uncomfortable about admitting that out loud, but the wolf was officially out of the bag.
