Page 87 of Howl You Doin?
“I was passing through on my way to Egypt, and thought I would stop by for a quick visit,” she states, in a soft, cultured tone. Why do I get the feeling that’s not the whole truth?
I’m mesmerized when her soft-gray eyes begin to swirl. The odd woman stares at me shrewdly, eyeing me from head to toe, and I have to keep myself from fidgeting when I notice her eyes changing colors too.
What is she?
The low sounds of voices, and doors opening and closing, start above stairs, and I notice a muscle in Connor’s jaw popping. The employees are starting their shifts, and soon the guest will be appearing.
“Who are you?” I ask, not liking how her attention makes me feel like an insect under a microscope.
“Whitley, meet Odette, the Witch Queen,” Connor says, his voice monotone and his expression full of annoyance.
The freaking Witch Queen?Are you kidding me?!Odette flashes me a pretty smile and I manage a fake smile in return.
Boy, it just keeps getting better and better around here.
Chapter 28
Whitley Whitt
The wicked witch of the East, bro.
A few minutes later,the witch is doing some weird sweep of the library as Connor and I sit on the green sofa. He rubs slow circles on my back comfortingly and my brow furrows. I don’t want to move from his side; in fact, I’m fighting myself to not lean into him further, and that says a lot. At the same time, my leg is bouncing when it doesn’t usually do that, and my hands are shaking.
Odette perches herself on a high-backed chair across from us. She sits so elegantly on the edge of her seat, her legs folded primly under it, and I can’t help soaking in more of her features. Dark brown, almost black hair, a deep-olive complexion I would kill for, and cool brown eyes.
“So, you’re Connor’s mate then,” Odette says abruptly, staring at me expectantly.
“What are you doing here, Odette?” Connor grumbles from my side, and I wonder what the history is between them. His heart is thudding, and I can tell he’s trying to keep his emotionsin check. He doesn’t seem to particularly like this woman, and I trust his instincts.
Holy cannoli—I trust his instincts.
I whimper, and their gazes snap to where I sit.
“What?” The word blurts from my mouth under the weight of their combined stare.
“What’s wrong?” Connor asks, lacing our fingers together and squeezing.
I disentangle my fingers and get to my feet, stretching my back, unable to sit next to him a moment longer. Him being so close is doing things to my middle that I don’t want to talk about, and the cramping in my sides is getting worse by the second.
“My side is aching a bit. That’s all.” I pace around the room, needing the movement and unable to keep still. I glance around at the gothic-looking woodwork on the ceiling and cock my head.
“Did she not run this morning?” Odette questions Connor, as if I’m not standing right here, her weird eyes swirling with color now.
“Oh,shedoesn’t run.” I smile, baring my teeth.
I don’t know this broad at all, but I’m starting to dislike her.
She arches one of her sculpted black brows, and an assessing but pleased look passes over her features.
“You will need to start immediately. Much like the wolves, you and Connor should run a few miles daily to burn off excess energy.”
“I’m sorry,” I say with a cringe, “did you just say a few miles?”
“Yes, your wolf form runs much faster than what you’re used to.” She turns back to Connor, her expression turning thunderous. “You haven’t even taken her to run?”
“Lady, you must have me confused with someone else. I only run to catch the ice cream truck andstop talking to him like that.” Yellow light flashes in my vision, and a growl crawls up my throat.
Odette seems nonplussed, irritating me that much more.
