Page 10 of Hot in Witch City
He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you bouncing from one foot to the other like you can't sit still?”
"That’s just my wolf," I explained. “We need to get out for a run."
Diego stared at me with a slow nod. "Yeah, you’ve been saying that."
Right. I’d worked last night, so I’d had to put it off. With the way my wolf was bounding about the prospect of seeing Gianna again, I needed to do something quick to avoid a repeat of the other night.
I glanced toward the kitchen. “Tell you what, I’ll even make some appetizers for tomorrow."
He arched both brows. “Why? You’re not even going to be here.”
“It’s just a small gesture to make amends for my earlier behavior. You know I love to cook.”
And I sure the hellwouldbe here tomorrow if Gianna was coming over. But I wouldn’t let Diego know that as he might pull the plug on the plan.
Chapter 3
Sebastian
It was close to midnight when I finished work. The best part of the night was when one of the chefs agreed to switch shifts, so I’d be there when Gianna came over.
I drove to a woodland reservation with plenty of space where I could let my wolf run free. After I found a secluded spot concealed by shadows to park, I entered the woods.
The moon loomed high and bright and would be full in a few more days. Snowfall from two nights ago still clung in patches, but the milder temperatures melted much of it.
I steered away from the path. I stayed off-trail to avoid anyone who might be out. The last thing a group of teens drinking in the woods wanted to see was a naked man wandering through the woods, and the last thing a shifter wanted was to be spotted by any humans who would freak out, so it was better to enter with stealth.
Once I ventured deeper into the woods on bare feet, sticking to the softer bedding of fern beneath evergreens rather than the patches of snow blanketing fallen leaves, I undressed and stashed my clothes and keys beneath the branches of a fallen tree.
I initiated the transformation. The vibrations rippled through my body, creating a strange combination of discomfort and pleasure. I didn’t often shift, preferring to live in my human form, but with my wolf’s restlessness in recent weeks, this was long overdue.
Once in wolf form, I padded beneath the dense woods up the hill, keeping my senses attuned for any nearby witnesses. When convinced that there were no humans nearby, I moved toward more open spaces. My wolf stretched beneath the moonlight.
Mate. He turned to run back and find Gianna.
No. Patience.I convinced him that if we behaved properly, we’d see her tomorrow.
With reluctance, my wolf relented and instead bounded up the hill. Able to run free, he sniffed at countless scents in the forest. We stopped at just about every patch of rodent, pine, scat, or urine. After catching a rabbit scent, he switched to hunting mode.
Hours later, we rested beneath the moon. Sleeping outside overnight was something I hadn’t done in far too long.
When the first light of dawn spread through the branches overhead, I woke still in wolf form. Damn, I had to get out of here before any early morning hikers came out. I bounded down the hill toward my belongings and shifted to human form. Then I rushed to get dressed before leaving the concealment of the trees.
Once back in my car, I drove home. I crawled into bed, still exhausted from burning through all that energy last night.
When I woke a few hours later, a smile spread across my face. Gianna would be coming over later that day. Why her upcoming arrival excited me so was a surprise. After all, my wolf had burned through tons of energy last night. The restlessness should be gone.
Ah well, once he realized that Gianna was simply another woman and not one to go gaga for, that would change. Until then, I’d play the part of a good host and focus on preparations. I figured out the menu and went to the supermarket to pick up what I needed.
Lucas walked into the apartment that afternoon. "Why are you cooking up a storm? Thought you were working tonight.”
“Plans have changed. Gianna is coming over with Nova later, and I want to make sure we are good hosts."
“Oh, shit.” Lucas sighed. “Are you going to be cool?”
His gray cat, Shadow, bounced down the stairs and greeted Lucas by rubbing against his leg.
“Of course.” I shrugged with nonchalance.
