Page 87 of The Lone Wolf Café
“It’s not quite that,” I shifted awkwardly, worrying I was making Rowena think I was afraid of commitment. “It was just… the more I thought about it, the more I realized how my life wasn’t really my own. I’d spent my entire childhood and teenage years taking care of my sisters, and now that I was an adult, and they were finally old enough to not need my help… I was going to be bonded to a mate. I’d be expected to produce children right away, as with all werewolves, and I realized I’d be forever stuck on Hollenboro, tending to my mate and family but having no life of my own.”
My throat locked up, a sign that tears were imminent. I swallowed hard, forcing them down, willing my eyes to remain dry. “I wasn’t going to abandon Hollenboro forever. I just needed some time to myself, to be independent, to see the world on my own terms before I settled down. But of course, you saw what a disaster I was. I didn’t even know money existed.”
Rowena chuckled. “Yeah. It was kind of funny.”
I nuzzled my face closer to Rowena’s, my nose brushing against her cheek, and she kissed the top of my head.
Gods, how I could get used to this. As much as I enjoyed the soul-scorching ecstasy of the night before, it was the simple moments in a relationship that mattered most. Sitting together on such an iconic mountain, curled up in each other’s arms, on top of the world surrounded by the serenity of the still-sleeping forest… it felt so right. As if this moment tethered together some stray parts of our souls, binding us together in more ways than just honeyed words and physical pleasure.
This was what I’d always wanted in a relationship. If I returned to Hollenboro and accepted my betrothal to Cecil, it would never compare to this.
I wanted Rowena as my mate.
But it was impossible.
“Rowena…” My throat locked up. This moment was so beautiful. I hated to ruin it with the truth.
“Yes?”
“You know I can’t stay here. In Wisteria Grove.”
“Nettie…”
“It’s only a matter of time before the others figure out what I really am. They’ll banish me, and they’ll blame you for harboring a werewolf. I don’t want you to be more–”
“Nettie.”
Rowena placed a finger to my lips, sealing them shut. Her painted fingernail was a purple blur against the tip of my nose.
“Maybe you don’t have to leave,” she continued, still not removing her finger from my lips. “After all, you are part witch. Maybe we can find a way to persuade the others, show them you’re valuable to this village. Everyone really likes you, and you’re such an excellent baker. Maybe it will work. Maybe we can…”
Rowena must’ve noticed the growing hopelessness in my eyes, because her words crawled to a halt until she stopped speaking entirely. Her overly optimistic pleas were left hanging in the air, overshadowed by the gloom of our situation.
“We still don’t have any proof I’m part witch,” I replied glumly.
“You got through the barrier. Hells, you even bonded with an elemental! I’d say that’s enough evidence.”
I shrugged. “But what about my powers? Shouldn’t I have a magical ability like the other witches?”
“I mean…”
“I haven’t exactly been able to make fireballs or vines shoot out of my hands. Let’s face it, Rowena, maybe I’m not part witch. Or the witch blood in me is so thin I don’t have any actual powers.”
Rowena was silent, chewing on her bottom lip with her eyes locked on the rapidly lightening horizon. Sunrise was imminent, and in the pre-dawn glow of the hazy morning sky, her brown eyes glistened like polished stones.
“Let’s just focus on right now,” Rowena concluded, pulling me tighter against her. “We can discuss these things later. Look, it’s about to happen!”
Rowena pointed to the horizon – the hazy blue blur where the sea met the sky. In the distance, I heard a faint rumble of chattering voices, and to my surprise, a gaggle of human tourists were clustered near the parking lot. They were all facing the same direction we were, their eyes locked on the horizon as they held those strange rectangular devices up in the air.
“What are they doing here?” I asked, trying and failing to hide the disgust in my voice.
“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Rowena chuckled. “This place is a popular destination for tourists.”
“This early in the morning? And won’t they notice us sitting here?”
“I doubt it,” Rowena shrugged. We’re pretty tucked away back here, and we look like normal humans right now anyway. But yes, lots of people come up here to watch the sunrise. Want to know the really cool reason why?”
I nodded.
