Page 127 of The Lone Wolf Café
My grandfather fetched the party blower off the ground, and like a perfectly mature seventy-something werewolf Alpha, he engaged in a game of keep-away with my little sister.
“Two!”
I shook my head at my silly family. I loved them. All of them.
“One!”
“Happy New Year!”
The whole café erupted in chaos. The kids blew on their party blowers so hard they started wheezing, one of the witches popped a bottle of champagne, and every couple was locked in a sweet embrace, complete with a kiss.
Including me. Rowena cupped my cheek in her hand as she pressed her lips to mine. Ever since Halloween, she’d made no effort to hide our affections in public. It made me blush, but it also made me smile. She wanted the whole world to know we were together.
That I was hers.
She even grabbed my hip, so briefly it could’ve been an accidental brush if not for the amorous smile on her lips as she walked away.
I sighed, my whole body flooding with warmth.
I adored that woman.
The party lasted for another hour, with patrons slowly filtering out the door now that it was past midnight and the new year was upon us. By one thirty in the morning, it was just me, Rowena, my parents, and my sisters.
Although after we’d thrown away most of the trash left behind, my father announced it was time for Alice and Abbey to head for bed. They both whined and protested, but my father sternly reminded them if they hadn’t each downed two cups of coffee, they wouldn’t be so wired.
After some back and forth, he agreed to let them go for a brief run to let out their energy. I chuckled as I watched the three of them take off for my cottage, shifting into their wolf forms once they were nearly out of sight of the café.
But once we made it back inside, a heavy groan fell over me. The café was free of trash, but we still had to wipe down the countertops and sweep the floors. It couldn’t wait until tomorrow.
Not when we had a trip to prepare for.
“You two head out and get some rest,” my mother insisted as she wiped down the café tables with an old cloth.
“Mom, I’m not–”
“I’m fine,” she replied curtly. “You two have to be up early tomorrow.”
I opened my mouth, ready to remind my mother that 8 a.m. wasnotearly, considering that I woke up well before then most mornings to bake for the café. I hadn’t been a usual werewolf night owl in several months, and my body was now used to 3 a.m. wake-up calls.
But Rowena cut me off. “Thank you very much, Amelia. We really appreciate it.”
I attempted to stutter a reply, but it didn’t fully come out until Rowena and I were already out the door and on our way back to her cottage.
“Is something wrong?” I asked her. She had that worrying, contemplative look on her face.
“I’m sorry,” she sputtered out, her cheeks burning. “I’m just… I want you to get plenty of rest for tomorrow. Because, I just…”
I sighed. ”Rowena. I promise, I’m not going to get nervous and shift when we get to Boston. Melanie truly believes I have enough control to manage this trip, and even if something does happen, I’ll have that knit hat on so my ears don’t show.”
I was somewhat frustrated by her concerns, but I also understood them. It had only been two months since I’d even learned I was an empath, let alone being taught how to control my powers. But it had been almost two weeks since my last accidental shift, and I’d only had two total in the past month. I could do this.
I just needed to reassure her.
“Besides,” I continued. “I don’t think I’ll be that nervous. I’mexcited, Rowena. This is our first big trip together, and my first time ever leaving Maine! We’ve going to have so much fun!”
Rowena smiled and squeezed my hand, though I could still see the traces of anxiety on her face.
“The café is going to be fine,” I reassured her. “Wisteria Grove can manage with it being closed for two weeks. You pour your heart and soul into that place six days a week. If anyone needs a vacation, sweetheart, it’s you.”
