Page 36 of Match My Fall
“Ihave work to do,”Ireplied.
“Ifthere’s anythingIcan cover,I’lltake care of it,”Novavolunteered.
Lucashummed “Matchmaker,Matchmaker” fromFiddleron theRoofunder his breath, andIshot him a look.Thiswas far too similar to our matchmaking attempt withPandoraandAustin.Inother words,Iwas getting a taste of my own medicine—or was it my own meddling?
“Okay,”Isaid and then turned toValen. “Letme get my coat.”
Hebeamed with a smile so bright, it was more suited for me declaringI’dgive him a private striptease.Thatvision popped into my head, followed by a memory ofNova’sdisastrous tale of when she’d tried to do one forDiego.
No,Idefinitely wouldn’t be attempting anything like that, but the idea of being semi-naked and alone withValenagain ignited a heady temptation.
VALEN
Cassandra’sscent affected me even more than before, drawing me ever closer.Itseemed different, more potent, captivating me.Primalurges grew stronger.Iwanted to claim her.Protecther.Makeher mine.
Wasthis the mate bond or something else?Iexhaled from my nostrils, trying to regain some sense of self-control and then took a sip of white wine.
Wewere sitting in a restaurant whereSebastianworked as a chef.WhenI’dtoldCassandraIwanted to take her to a nice place—not a pub or pizza joint, she knew just the one—Louisa’s.Sebastianwas a wolf shifter from theFranconiapack in theWhiteMountains, andCassandrathought we might want to meet.Iagreed; it would be good to meet a shifter from home.
Thenagain,I’dagree to do anything or go anywhere tonight as long as it meant spending time with her.
Therestaurant was the perfect setting for a romantic dinner.Theambiance was cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and soft music playing in the background.Thetables were covered with white linen cloths and a single candle in a glass vase served as a centerpiece.Thescent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mixed with the aroma of simmering sauces and grilled seafood.We’dalready ordered a bottle of pinot grigio and sipped from our wine glasses as we perused the menu.
“Somany options to choose from,”Cassandrasaid.
Itwas true.Themenu had so many locally sourced items that made my mouth water just by reading them.
Sebastiancame out in a white chef apron and introduced himself.Iscanned the face of this shifter but didn’t recognize him from theSaccopack.
“Ileft as soon asIwas able to take care of myself.AndIdidn’t have this back then.”Hemotioned to his beard.
“AndIprobably didn’t have all this gray in mine.”Ipointed to my chin.
“Ilike that,”Cassandrasaid, her voice rich with appreciation.
Turningto her, a grin spread on my face.Istopped beforeIgaped too long and returned to the conversation.
“Ididn’t join theFranconiapack until my late twenties,”Inoted.
“Wherewere you before then?”Sebastianasked.
“Apack inMaine.”Thereason whyIleft flashed in my brain, andIswallowed the bitterness.
Hemust have sensed my reluctance to discuss that as he didn’t pry, butCassandrastudied me with a curious look.Wechatted more about pack life in the mountains compared to the city, andSebastiansuggested a couple of places nearby ifIwanted to go for a run at night.Mywolf took note at that.
“MaybeIcan show you one night.Howlong are you here for?” he asked.
Goodquestion. “I’mnot sure.”HoweverlongCassandrawould let me.
Sebastianmade some suggestions of what to order.Idecided on the steak while she chose the coconut-crusted seafood.
Afterhe left,CassandraandIenjoyed conversation with our wine.Theserver brought over stuffed mushrooms, courtesy ofSebastian.Itook a bite.Itwas delicious with a hint of lemon and spices.Moreso,Ifound myself getting lost inCassandra’sdeep brown eyes.
“So,Valen,” she said after taking a sip of her wine. “Whatdrew you to join a different pack?”
Ah, so she did pick up on that there was something.Shewas astute.
Idebated what to tell her, then opted for the truth. “Awoman.”
