Page 35 of Consume Me
He steps inside fully, the door shutting behind him with a soft click, and something about his presence changes the air in here—thicker, warmer. My grip tightens around the edge of the counter.
Natalia’s smile is sly. “So, what brings you back to my little corner of the world?”
His eyes flick to mine briefly before returning to hers. “Vaelora invited me to her gathering last night.”
“And here I thought you didn’t like parties,” she says, a hint of a dare in her voice.
“I don’t,” he says flatly. “But sometimes… certain invitations can’t be ignored.”
I feel heat creep up my neck. I know exactly which invitation he means, and from the way Natalia’s gaze slides back to me, so does she.
“So,” she says casually, “you two met at Vaelora’s.”
“Yes,” I answer a little too quickly.
“Yes,” he says at the same time, but with far more composure, like he didn’t attend that party with every intention of killing me before he left it. Or that he didn’t almost make me come on his couch last night instead.
Natalia’s brow arches. She looks at me pointedly. “And now he’s in my shop. Again.”
Noctan leans one hand on the counter, his attention fixed on her. “If you wanted me gone, your wards would have stopped me at the door last night.”
“That they would,” she says, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. “I suppose that means you’re here on good terms… for now.”
I clear my throat, needing to break whatever silent conversation they’re having. “Are either of you going to explain, or do I just get to stand here, feeling like the third wheel?”
Noctan glances at me, his gaze steady, unreadable. “Another time.”
Natalia just smirks. “I’ll explain when you do,” she says with way too much smugness.
“Fine,” I say, irritated enough to play her game. “Noctan’s the white-starred wolf who kills me.”
Natalia blinks. Her amusement fades. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting that for an answer. She looks back and forth between us.
“Is this true?” she asks him sharply.
“Of course not,” he says without missing a beat. “My wolf would never harm his mate.”
Chapter 11
Noctan
“Great, I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” Kendall mutters.
“I think you mean wolf,” Natalia says.
One look at Kendall’s answering glare and I bite down on the urge to smile.
For a hundred years, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been happy enough to smile. In the span of less than a day, Kendall has managed to make me surpass that number.
It’s a strange realization.
Natalia just watches us both like we’re the best entertainment she’s had in years. Nosy old witch. She’s as bad as Vaelora.
“There you have it. Noctan is my mate,” Kendall says matter-of-factly. There’s a glint in her eye that reminds me a bit of a sharp object. “Now, how do you two know each other? Because if ‘customer’ is code for something, I’m going to be sick.”
My eyes widen at her insinuation.
“Whoa, that’s not—” I raise my hands.
