Page 65 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
“I’ll have my phone on me for emergencies. So don’t hesitate to call if there’s an issue,” I tell my deputy.
“There won’t be any issues Ryder. This year is going far smoother than the last. I have everything in hand. Enjoy your night and don’t worry about anything. Maybe once all the visitors leave you can introduce me to this girl I keep hearing about from Edith. Tess, I believe her name was?”
I grumble, knowing this was coming eventually. Although we don’t make-out in public, I’ve stopped complaining about her to my staff and may have had a few lunches with her atDottie’s.It’s obvious to anyone watching us that we’re on a more than friendly basis. I’m sure our mingled scents don’t help either. Until now, no one’s said anything about it, other than Larken. I’m glad they haven’t, because I wouldn’t have known what to say. Tess and I haven’t talked about her staying after the eclipse. I guess I was too afraid of what she would say. If she said no, I might become even more surly than I already am. If she said yes, I may have found my mate. Then there’s the whole possibility she isn’t my mate making me afraid of her staying, just to have my hopes crushed by wishful thinking.
How is Hunter so sure Lottie is his mate? She’s a human, possibly a descendent of a non-human, but we don’t know that for sure. How can he be so certain? Like me, I know he’s never felt a mate pull before. How can he know without a doubt or question that is what he’s feeling?
If I were a better brother and just told him what I was going through and asked, I might know the answers to some of these questions. Perhaps I’ve only done harm distancing myself for all these years.
“Maybe. I don’t know if she’ll be staying past the eclipse,” I finally answer. It’s the truth and I don’t know what else to say.
“From what I heard of her, she seems to be settling in here in town. Perhaps she will stay.” Logan claps me on my back in a supportive friendly gesture I don’t think I’ve ever reciprocated to him.
Reaching up I mirror his position, placing a hand on his shoulder in appreciation. Not just for his optimistic outlook on my future with Tess, but for everything he’s done for this town that I haven’t thanked him for.
“Thanks. If she does, I will definitely introduce you to her.”
Logan smiles and drops his arm, I do the same. “Good. You deserve a good woman in your life, Ryder. I don’t know if she’s a shifter or not but either way, from what I’m hearing, she’s a good person. My mom always said to never let a good woman slip through your fingers.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
Logan nods and heads back to his desk where he’ll be stationed for most of the night just in case a call comes in. I leave the office and notice Hunter’s office is already dark and locked up. He wasn’t in much today, spending most of it preparing at home for the bombardment of shifters and non-humans who will be showing up at our house tonight. It’s become a bit of an unofficial gathering and party at our place for events like this.
Before heading to the main house, I stop in at the cabin that’s become my new default home. I kind of like having my own place and space away from Hunter. Not that living with him was bad, it’s just now that he has Lottie and—for the time—I have Tess, it’s been nice to have a space of my own.
By the time I arrive at the house there’s already others there filling the tables with food and the yard with animated chatter and laughter. For everyone else tonight is a night to celebrate, to have fun. To relax and let go and enjoy. I so badly wish I could do the same.
I linger along the edges of the crowd, grabbing food here and there while I anxiously await Tess’s arrival. I keep checking towards the gravel driveway and my watch. She should be arriving soon. I was more specific with the time tonight since she admitted how early she was before when I told her sunset.
While I’m distancing myself and avoiding conversations with others, I spot my brother smiling and enjoying his female with ease. He notices me too. I must look extra grumpy since his smile falls and he leans in to whisper to Lottie before heading my way.
Inhaling a deep steadying breath, I prepare myself for the inevitable. I hadn’t warned Hunter that I invited Tess tonight. Part of why I am keeping a sharp eye out for her, so he doesn’t freak at her arrival. I guess now’s as good a time as any to tell him.
“Your face is looking more morose than usual,” is his way of greeting me. I guess I deserve that.
“Good evening to you too, brother,” I say back with little enthusiasm.
“What is it with you lately? I’ve barely seen you, and you always seem to be in a foul mood. Is it because of Lottie and the mate bond?”
I rear back in surprise. Why the hell would he think that? I glare at his in disbelief and stunned confusion. I’ve done nothing but support him and Lottie and their possible mate bond. I may have been a little skeptical about it, but I never denied his claim on her. I never would. The mate pull is sacred and personal, whoam I to tell him what he feels? If Fynn said it’s possible than I believe him. Hunter has no idea how much I want to believe him.
“Of course not. I’m happy for you and Lottie. She’s a great girl, and Mom and Ginger already love her. Pretty sure everyone in town already does too.”
I may not have interacted with Lottie very much since her arrival, due to a certain distracting redhead, but I’ve heard others talk about her. About how nice and sweet and wonderful she is and how they hope she stays because of how happy she makes my brother. She’s practically already a member of the family with all the time she’s spent with my sister and mother as well. I heard she even went to my parents’ house for a cooking lesson. Everyone is infatuated with her and what I told him is the truth. I am happy for him. I just don’t show it on my face very well.
“Then what is it? I know it’s something.” Hunter relaxes and crosses his arms over his chest in his concerned focused posture. Giving me his full attention.
I let out a long breath preparing myself for how to tell him about Tess. He already wasn’t happy with me not dusting her and sending her on her way. And I may have kept a few things from him regarding her. Like her sleeping in my bed, how her scent drives me to insanity and this constant tug in my chest when I think about her.
I chance a quick glance at my brother before edging my way into the conversation. “You remember that blogger I told you about? Tess.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
So far, no scowl or scent of anger from him. That’s a good sign.
“Well, she’s…” I pause trying to think of a way to verbalize what she is without spilling all my feelings at his feet like arotting pumpkin. “Been more to deal with than I expected.” A little vague but a good start, I think.
Hunter’s scent sharpens in sync with his gaze. I can feel it trying to read me, to decipher my vague words and meaning. I remain still, face as placid as I can manage. Though my muscles seem to bunch and tighten of their own accord under his scrutiny. I shift my attention back towards the driveway looking once again for Tess. I can’t let her slip by me.
