Page 24 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
“Fine. Just dealing with a new human in town.”
“Anyone I should know about?”
I immediately bristle and flex for some reason. I don’t like the idea of Hunter getting to know Tess, even though it was painfully obvious he has a thing for this Lottie female. “No, I’ve got it handled. She says she’s in town for the eclipse, but I don’t believe her. There’s just something about her. She keeps going around town and talking to everyone.”
Hunter chuckles and slaps me on the shoulder. “That’s generally what people do when they arrive in a new place. She’s a human?”
“Yeah.” I don’t mention her strange lack of smell or that fact that I know she’s hunting for werewolves. Hunter doesn’t need that added stress right now. I can handle Tess. I’m the only one who will be handling Tess. “She’s just extra nosey.”
“Well, keep an eye on her. If you need my assistance, let me know.”
“Don’t worry I’ve got her. She won’t be a problem.”
And she won’t, because I won’t let her. I may have some sort of base physical attraction to her, but it’ll pass. She’s nothing more than a human snooping around my town that I need to manage just like all the others before her. Nothing extraordinary.
“Good. Then can we go inside and get a drink?” his gaze darts towards the bar and back, eager to get inside.
“Do you really want a drink, or are you hoping that Lottie will be there with Ginger?” I don’t mention I watched them walk in not ten minutes ago.
“I’m just eager to get in enough drinks before Dottie starts singing.”
I know he’s looking forward to seeing Lottie again. I can smell it in his scent, anticipation and excitement. Scenting his emotions just reminds me how little I can scent from Tess. There has to be an explanation for why I can’t smell anything on her. Emotions or otherwise. It’s infuriating and one more thing driving me nuts over this female.
“Sure. Let’s get inside then. I think I saw Ginger arrive not long ago.” I put a hand on Hunter’s back and steer him towardsBlue Moon. He needs no other motivation to get moving. He’s already a pace in front of me by the time we cross the street.
~
Well, that was not at all how I thought the night was going to end but I’m grateful for the early reprieve from Dottie’s singing. I know she already sang three times but she’s just getting started. Lottie just abruptly left the bar without a word and Hunter followed right behind her after some urging from Ginger. I don’t take any urging. As soon as I pay my tab, I’m leaving. I think I’ve had enough socialization for one day.
“Are you leaving too?” Ginger asks when I return from the bar without a drink.
“Yeah. I’m calling it a night.” She nods, not surprised. I think she’s more surprised I lasted this long. “Any update on Tess I should know about?” I ask before leaving.
“Nothing yet. Website hasn’t changed.”
That’s good at least. I can relax for the rest of the night. Or not. My phone chirps in my pocket and I pull it out. It’s a message from Logan.
Logan:Suspicious activity reported in the woods around Lake Agate. Should I investigate?
The lake’s full name isBlue Agate Lakebut that’s a mouthful, we all just refer to it asLake Agate. And there goes my quietnight. Because if it’s where I think it is and who I think it is, it’s best if I go.
Ryder:I got it.
Logan:Copy.
I let out a deep sigh that draws my sister’s attention.
“Anything wrong?”
“No, just work, as usual. I gotta head out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Night.” She waves and I make my way out of the bar. I leave my truck parked in the lot, because I have had a few to drink. And what kind of law enforcement would I be to drive under the influence? Even though shifters have a much higher tolerance and I don’t even feel buzzed. Still, it’s the principle of the matter.
I head off down the street towardsLake Agateknowing exactly what I’m going to find when I get there. Tess, wandering the woods and poking around looking for werewolves. Shifting sounds pretty good right about now, but that is the last thing I need to be doing with Tess on the loose. I just need to find her and get her to admit what she’s doing, then escort her back to her trailer. I can’t force her to leave for hiking on public property, but I can give her a warning.
When I arrive at the lake I head straight for her trailer and look again for tracks. There’s only the obvious path she stomped out when I caught her the first time, so I follow it. This time I don’t spot her a few yards within the tree line. The shadows grow darker the deeper I venture and my predatory instinct kicks in.
Every shifter has an internal beast or instinct that guides us. It’s what leads us to our mates, what causes the prickles up our fur and sharpens our senses. Mine becomes nearly as good as when I’m shifted. The logical human side of my brain dimming to allow room for the instinct to take over. I don’tlet it completely, I never do, can’t. Not when my beast can be so unpredictable around others. I won’t let another innocent person suffer because I can’t control myself.
