Page 9 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
Since I saw her before I went on my run and saw the light on in the cabin, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t her. If she was “working” that meant she would be plastered to her computer for hours doing what she does best. You wouldn’t be able to pry her away from her keyboard with grease and a crowbar.
Hunter grunts and taps his finger on his desk. A sure sign he’s planning something. Maybe he knows something I don’t, maybe the reason why Ginger is acting so weird has somethingto do with the cabin, even if it wasn’t her there last night. I wouldn’t put it past our sister to do something like that behind our backs. She doesn’t like asking for permission, or forgiveness. Ginger is a strong and independent female and doesn’t need anyone telling her what to do. At least so she’s told us on numerous occasions.
“I can go check it out,” I offer. Hunter already has the elf and all that paperwork to contend with. I can easily go over there in human form and seek out the source of the disturbance.
“No,” he declares. “I’ll go. I need to run, so I’ll check it out, sniff around, see what’s going on.”
I nod. If he wants to check it out, he can do so. He is my alpha and I obey his wishes and commands as the dutiful beta I am. I have no need to argue with him over this. It’s probably nothing anyways.
“Anything else I should know about?” he asks again.
It’s almost as if he can sense my unease. I grip my hands into fists on my lap and stare blindly at his dark mahogany desk and the neatly stacked papers, searching once again for the source of the prickle on my skin.Should I mention it to him?It could create unnecessary concern and stress for him, and he’s already stressing about the blood moon, the elf, our sister, now the cabin, oh yeah and of course the rest of the town. He’s got a lot on his plate and I’m supposed to be here to help lighten the load. To bear the extra weight and assist him, not add to it. But I can’t ignore it. Feelings like this shouldn’t be ignored. Even if it’s still unclear if it’s a warning or an omen.
“There’s something different in town,” I begin. “Just a vibe. Dottie seems more excited than usual, which, of course has me on edge. It’s always something bothersome if Dottie is excited.”
We learned early on in our positions of power and authority, to never dismiss people’s behaviors. Paying attention to others can be just as important as physically fighting off an opponent.
“What kind of vibe?” Hunter inquires. He knows as well as I that there are many versions of a vibe.
“I don’t know.” I tell him honestly. “It doesn’t feel good or bad, just…something.”
With a firm nod of understanding my brother accepts my vague explanation. “Okay. I’ll keep an ear out. Thanks.”
The rest of our conversation is short and we wrap everything up quickly. The rest of our issues are minor and familiar in comparison. I leave my brother’s office and head back to my own. I’m about to stun the shit out of Edith. I’m actually going to ask for my messages. I need to know if anyone has called in anything unfamiliar or unusual. I won’t be settled until I find the source of my sensation.
Chapter 5: Tess
My plans for an evening recon were shot to hell when my new neighbors cornered me into having dinner with them. Old people can be sneaky. One minute I’m quietly strolling along minding my own business about to walk into town—because everything in this town is within walking distance—and the next, the elderly couple in the tricked-out RV have diverted me into sitting at their picnic table and eating, admittedly, the best burger I’ve had in years.
Doreen and Bernard are now my bestest buddies. I’m going to have to keep an eye out for them because they’ll probably be keeping one on me. The last thing I need is nosey neighbors while I’m trying to snoop around and hunt werewolves. I wonder if they could be werewolves. Hmmm. Mental note, do research on my new friends.
I check out my window to make sure the coast is clear before exiting my trailer. I don’t see anyone outside. They must be inside their RV or out somewhere. I take the opportunity and head for the road towards town. I manage to make it out of the park and camping area with no interference. The street to town is paved but empty. The trees of the forest line the street and I venture a few feet beyond the tree line. Mainly to keep out of sight but also to get a feel for the woods. This will bewhere I’ll find my werewolf. I keep an eye out for tracks, trails, disturbances. The brush here has been matted down no doubt from foot traffic going to and from the lake. It’s not going to be any help to me, other than knowing what was here before my search. This way I’ll know what’s out of the ordinary.
The small quaint town appears in the distance. Colorful and pristine. I imagine what it might look like rotted and covered in creeping vines abandoned by its residents. The image in my head is the one I was expecting to find when I arrived, not this…movie set. It’s almost creepy how perfect everything is. I never trust anything that appears perfect.
I pull the lapels of my black leather jacket closer together and veer in the direction of town, passing the motel and turning left onto the main road. Straight ahead of me isDottie’s.There are a few customers inside, but I bypass the restaurant, saving it for later when it’s busier. I want there to be more people to question, not fewer so I stand out easier. Instead, I go looking for the other food establishment in town Luca mentioned, theMorning Star Cafe.He said it was only open for breakfast and lunch, seems like a good place to start.
As I turn the corner, I get a whiff of heavens perfume and stop dead in my tracks. Coffee, delicious bean juice calls to me on the wind. My nose tips to the sky and I suck in a deep breath. I’m sure the cafe has coffee but this coffee smells…better. Top tier beans of the highest quality. Grabbing a quick cup before heading to the cafe wouldn’t hurt. Just one more place to cross off my list, right? Two birds, one stone, all that jazz.
Turning on my heel I redirect to the source of the coffee scent, the name on the door readsThe Ugly Mug.Interesting name for a coffee shop. I push through the bright yellow door and enter the shop and I instantly understand the name. On the wall hang some of the most atrocious mugs I’ve ever seen. A frog, a mushroom, a rainbow poop emoji, pink dinosaur and more.
“Wow. Those are definitely some ugly mugs,” I mutter to myself.
I notice the area above the mugs has a poem painted on the wall, instructions of sort.Pick a mug and a bean, then take a seat and let it steam.Okay, I guess that means I have to use one of these mugs. I’d prefer a to-go cup and bypass the wall. Behind the counter stands a tall slender guy with long almost white, blonde hair. He quirks a smile at me as I approach.
“Good morning, how can I help you today?” he asks in a soft and smooth voice.
He’s an attractive man, with eyes a pale shade of blue I swear could be lavender. Tall and physically fit with a strong jaw and amazing hair. That’s two attractive men I’ve met in this town already. Two out of two is a high statistic for small town Montana.Maybe it’s something in the water?
“Morning…” I lean in to read the name on his apron. “Tobias. I need a coffee to go, please.”
“Of course. May I make a suggestion?”
I cock my head up at the tall man, curious. Most baristas couldn’t give two shits about what a customer orders. They tap it into the register take my money and hand over the bean juice, immediately moving on to the next customer in line without a second thought. But if this barista has some secret menu with prime coffee grounds, I’m not going to turn my nose up at it.
“Sure, whatcha got?”
“How about a surprise?”
