Page 37 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
That’s a strange thought. Kissing Tess. Maybe I should, just to test Hunter’s theory on human mates.
“Too bad, because I’m gonna talk to whoever I want, and you can’t do anything about it.” She sticks her tongue out at me and I’m back to wanting to strangle her.
Growling I invade her personal space, towering over her. Even though she’s tall for a human female she still has to look up to meet my gaze. She doesn’t break it either. Stubborn and obstinate as always. Reluctantly, I’ll admit, I like it.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Red. I can do something about it,” I threaten quietly.
She doesn’t even flinch, just crosses her arms over her chest, pressing up the round swells. Her t-shirt neckline is too high to see skin, but I can imagine what they might look like. Creamy skin, dusky pink nipples, maybe even a few freckles. The image has my cock thickening in my jeans.
“Good luck.” Tess whispers. “One way or another, I’m going to get someone to talk to me or I’ll catch something on my cameras in the forest. Your secrets are mine,werewolf.”
I bristle at the term I already told her was inaccurate but have little time to argue with her, because she presses close enough to brush against my chest and immediately swivels away, skirting past me and out onto the sidewalk.
I’m so shocked from the feel of her even through my clothes, that by the time I turn to argue with her she’s already across the street wiggling her fingers at me and strolling intoSticky Buns.
This female is going to drive me insane. And cameras? What fucking cameras?
Chapter 20: Tess
This is too much fun. I thought once I found a werewolf, or shifter as Ryder calls himself, it would be like caging a wild beast. Tranquilizer darts, cages and chains. Instead, I’m exchanging sexually charged banter with a sexy sheriff. He infuriates me with his continued reluctance to answer my questions and tell me what I want to know. But I’ll admit, I like the route I’m taking to get there. Though his demand that I can’t speak to anyone without him is new. It’s very alpha of him.
I wonder if shifters have alphas like wolves do. It’s been a topic of conversation with bloggers if werewolves have any sort of societal structure. Many think they’re lone creatures created accidentally when a shifted werewolf comes across a human and bites them. I never fully believed that story. Now that I have Ryder, I believe it even less. He said he wasn’t bitten and isn’t a wild beast, so that’s two for two wrong.
It still doesn’t explain the creatures—that now I assume were shifters—when I was ten. They barreled through those campgrounds growling, snarling and biting at each other. Maybe they were in each other’s territory or something? I mentally add it to my growing list of questions for Ryder, once he decides to finally answer them. I know he will. I’ll break him one way or another.
Right now, it seems a good way to get under his skin is to openly talk to people in town about shifters. I’ll continue to refer to them as werewolves for now, since that term is more common and known to most. Perhaps if I talk to enough people and push his buttons hard enough, he’ll crack.
I stroll intoSticky Buns,the best bakery in the world in my opinion, and head straight for the counter to order a snack. Can’t go snooping in search of answers on an empty stomach. Arguing with a shifter makes a girl hungry.
The brunette wearing glasses behind the counter greets me, the name tag on her apron reading Calliope. She’s all easy smiles as she takes my order, a blueberry muffin and apple fritter, along with a glass of orange juice. Arguing makes me thirsty too. I find a seat at a small round table in the center of the shop and sit. From here I can get a good look at everyone around me and have the added benefit of being able to see straight out the front windows to Ryder, still standing across the street glaring. I give him a wide grin and a wink. I know he can see me just fine, even from that far away.
Sitting, I sip at my orange juice and take a large, hefty bite of my muffin. I have to stifle a moan it’s so good. In three bites I’ve managed to devour half of it, and it’s right when I’m about to take another bite I spot a couple entering the shop. A tall broad-shouldered man who looks like he could be Ryder’s more clean-cut twin, and the tall beautiful blonde woman I saw before. I take a closer look and realize; I was not mistaken before when I thought she looked a lot like the pop star Alexandria.
Pulling out my phone, I set down my muffin momentarily to search for images of Alexandria to compare. Discreetly holding the phone up I conclude that it is her, just with shorter hair. Why the fuck is she in Snowberry? I scroll through a few articles and none of them say anything about her being here or anywhere. There’s only one that talks about her taking anextended vacation after her last tour, somewhere exclusive and private. Either she lied, or it’s a cover to conceal where she really is. From the lack of bodyguards and assistants, I’m going to go with she lied and is hiding out. Why she’s hiding out, I have no idea. The woman literally has the kind of money that could buy a small country.
They both get in line to order and when the Ryder look-a-like steps away and exits the shop I take that as my opportunity to pry her with questions. Nothing about her being Alexandria of course, if the woman wants her privacy she can have it. I’m not a gossip columnist. I don’t care why she’s here. I just want to know if she’s seen anything regarding werewolves since she’s been here. I wasn’t lying when I told Ryder I’m more likely to get a straight answer from and out of towner.
I saunter up to the counter, glancing out the window to spot the man who just left crossing the street towards Ryder. Maybe they are related.
Alexandria is too preoccupied ordering when I approach to notice me. I set one hand on the counter and the other on my hip trying to appear casual and friendly, so she’ll open up to me.
“Hi there,” I say drawing both women’s attention.
“Hello,” the most likely Alexandria responds.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” I have to make sure I’m right in assuming this or my line of questioning will go nowhere fast.
“No. Well, not yet. I’m considering relocating, though.”
Interesting. I purse my lips and nod at her then glance over at the girl behind the counter Calliope. They’re both looking at me a little wide eyed and befuddled.Right. Be more amiable.
“I’m Tess,” I begin, hoping introducing myself will soften them up a bit. “Also, not a local. Just visiting. I heard this is a great place to view next week’s blood moon.”
Might as well stick with the lie I started with. I extend out my hand and she awkwardly accepts it. Her grip is like a doll’s, dainty and weak. Maybe she’s not the famous pop star Alexandria after all. She never struck me as weak. Either way, doesn’t matter, she isn’t a local, so I dive right in.
“So, have either of you seen anything strange around town lately?”
“Um, like what?” Calliope asks.
