Page 47 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
Ignoring my wandering mind’s thoughts on Ryder and how his hands caressed my head and ran through my hair and the way his kiss practically made me swoon, I focus back on the fieldaround us and everyone moving about and settling in for the movie.
I spot Tobias with a man I’m guessing is his husband, Larken is sitting with a small group of people. She says she hates this town and can’t wait to leave for the big city, but I question how much of that she really means. She’s comfortable with those around her and talks animatedly with a smile on her face. I think she might just be distracted by the glitter and gold the big city possess. The dream of moving away from the small town and instantly finding her ideal career and everything she ever dreamt of without issue. If only I could convince her all that glitters is not always gold. Sometimes it’s just shiny aluminum foil wrapped shit.
“Is it always like this every week? With so many people and the popcorn?”
Ryder finished chewing on his mouthful of popcorn before he answers, taking a look around the clearing where people are beginning to quiet and settle for the movie. “Mostly, yes.”
I continue scanning the crowd and faces and spot another familiar one. Alexandria sits on a blanket with the man I saw her with atSticky Buns.The one who looks like he could be Ryder’s brother. They’re cuddled close and eating snacks from a cooler as the sky finally grows dim enough to start the movie,The Wizard of Oz.I kinda feel like Dorothy right now, swept away in a tornado to a new world filled with unknown beings and wonder.
“So, tell me,” I begin, settling into my chair. “Why is Alexandria, the famous pop star, slumming it in Snowberry?”
Ryder tilts his head at me in a manner that is so reminiscent of a dog, I have to smother a chuckle. “Who?”
I point to the short haired blonde getting cozy with the other guy.
“Lottie?”
“No Alexandria. The woman with the short blond hair sitting with the guy that kinda looks like you, but more clean cut.”
“That’s Hunter, my younger brother. The girl he’s with is Lottie. At least that’s what she told us.”
My face scrunches and I scowl in their general direction. Could I have been wrong? Not likely. Conspiracy websites don’t just focus on things like werewolves and yetis. There are plenty out there that think celebrities are aliens and Alexandria especially.
“I don’t care what name she told you, that’s Alexandria, a famous singer.” I pull out my cell phone and google her, pulling up a picture to show Ryder. “See. Alexandria.”
He inspects the photo and looks over to Lottie then back to the photo, his own brow furrowing now. “I’ll admit that does look like her.”
“Oh, it’s her alright. What is she doing getting all cozy with your brother? Wait—” I sudden realization hits me, and I sit up straight. “Is your brother like you? I mean…a shifter?” I whisper the last part just in case.
Ryder chuckles and leans back in his folding chair that protests at his bulk. It’s kind of amazing it hasn’t broken in half under his weight.
“Yes, my brother is like me. My whole family is. I told you we weren’t bitten and it’s not a disease. We’re just normal—well mostly normal—people living our lives.”
“Does she know what he is? They look awfully close.”
“Yes, Lottie knows what he is. She hasn’t known for long, but she took it about as well as you did. Asked a lot of questions. She doesn’t seem to care though. She sees Hunter for who he is, not what he is. It doesn’t matter to her. They like each other and that’s what matters.”
I watch Hunter and Alexandria, A.K.A. Lottie, and marvel and how comfortable they look together. She doesn’t cower awayor flinch when he reaches for her. She looks completely happy to be curled into his side watching an outdoor movie with him. The encroaching darkness and looming woods don’t seem to bother her either. Whereas I’ve caught myself eying the perimeter more than once since we arrived, searching for possible threats or the appearance of a massive werewolf like beast.
But that doesn’t bother anyone else in attendance. Children run and play, and parents watch calmly without worry nearby. No one seems concerned that something vicious and deadly would come from the woods. As a matter of fact, they all look right at home in the dark wilderness.
“How many are there?” I ask quietly.
“How many what?”
“Shifters.” I turn to look into Ryder’s gleaming silver eyes. They practically glow in the dark as he stares back at me. He doesn’t answer immediately, considering me and how much truth he wants to divulge.
“Many. Some of which you’ve already met. Some you probably didn’t even realize,” he says.
“Like who?” I look back out to the crowd and wonder who he could possibly mean.
“Dottie for one.”
“What? Really?”
I would definitely have not suspected Dottie. She’s so sweet and petite and nothing how I pictured a shifter. Even before I knew about shifters, and thought they were werewolves, I just always kind of pictured them as professional athletes or amazons or something. A large human form to match their beast. Man was I wrong. Little tiny talkative Dottie is a shifter. Which probably means so is her son Jared.
“Yup. There’s lots of people here who are…different. But want to live their lives as freely as anyone else. We’re reallynot all that different from humans. Except we have excellent senses.”
