Page 4 of Hot in Witch City
“Right, right.” I blinked. Already this woman was wreaking havoc on me, causing my wolf to react with unfamiliar yearning.
Shecouldn’tbe my mate. She just couldn’t. I wouldn’t change my entire lifestyle over a woman I’d just met, even if she was super hot. Big deal. I’d met many beautiful women, and they didn’t scowl at me and then turn away the way Gianna had.
That’s what I should do to refocus—find someone else. Someone who didn’t provoke such a strong reaction that made me act out of character, sniffing and snarling in public like a wolf lost to the full moon.
My wolf growled, not on board with that plan, but I was the one in charge. I wouldn’t succumb to my animal side. I’d left the pack for a more civilized life, and that’s how I intended to continue.
That meant no more talk of mates. I was much better off with a warmer reception from a friendly face rather than someone who recoiled when I touched her.
Lucas ordered a Gin Blossom, their take on a gin and tonic, and I chose a Gorky Park, their version of a Moscow mule. Diego leaned forward and asked for his in a hushed tone. The bartender nodded and returned with a crimson drink, probably including blood.
I nudged Lucas. “Let’s get back in the game.”
“That’s more like it,” he responded with a wide, approving grin. He rubbed his hands together. “Bring on the hotties.”
Diego snorted and then raised his glass. “Have fun.”
Lucas and I wandered around the club to check out the ladies there tonight. Diego walked over to Nova and Gianna. My wolf moaned, nudging me to go back to her, but I gritted my teeth and ignored him. I wouldn’t be led around by my wolf, who ran more on instinct than sense.
When the song changed up to Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” we slipped onto the dance floor where a group of four pretty women were dancing. We danced nearby, moving closer, and they moved out to let us into their circle. Nice.
I glanced at Gianna, who was talking to Nova and Diego, across the club. My gaze cruised over her fine curves wrapped in a slinky black dress. My wolf growled in impatience. I ached to return to her.
Wrestling my gaze away, I focused on the fine females who looked ready to have fun.
Mate,my wolf insisted.
No, you’re wrong.
When I glanced up halfway through the song, she was gone. A sinking sensation followed.
I pushed through with halfhearted movements until the end of the song. Dancing was futile. I nodded to Lucas. “I’m going back to the bar.” Waving at the group, I added, “Have a great night, ladies.”
I headed back toward the bar. Diego and Nova weren’t there.
Samantha Fox’s “Naughty Girls Need Love, Too,” played next. Gianna headed out to the dance floor, raising her arms as if declaring this was her song.
A tall guy with tattooed sleeves stepped up to her. She didn’t seem to mind and danced with him. Jealousy ripped through my gut like claws.
I retreated away from them but couldn’t stop watching. Why was she smiling and dancing withhim? It should have been me. The more I stared, the sharper the torment grew within.
Why? I didn’t even know this damn woman!
Frustrated, I gritted my teeth and rubbed my beard. Coming here was a mistake. Finding the source of the mystery woman had only made things more confusing.
When he slid his hand around her waist, it twisted me in agony. My heart pounded, and the bass thumped in my ears.
A few beats later, she spun out of his grasp and turned away, slipping in to dance with others. I exhaled.
He didn’t give her much space and crept up on her. My fingers clenched halfway to fists. When he pulled her close, sliding his leg in between hers as if trying out as an extra forDirty Dancing,her expression darkened. She stepped away and raised her index finger, appearing to tell him to back off.
For maybe the duration of the chorus, he made his boorish dance moves on other women. They quickly scooted away from him. By the end of the song, he’d slunk back to Gianna, mimicking humping motions from behind. My teeth clenched against each other like the dragging of tectonic plates.
He grabbed her hips and dry humped her. She struggled to slip out of his hold.
My vision was vividly bathed in crimson, and fury ripped through my body.
I pushed past anyone who stood in the way. I pulled the guy away from her. Turning toward me, he shouted, “What the hell?”
