Page 822 of Love Bites

CHAPTER15

Eagan loaded the five gallon jugs of his famous hot chocolate onto the truck. Five of them ought to do it for the night. Next in was the giant trays filled with caramel apples and the bags of marshmallows.

It was Halloween. Three weeks had passed since Magic laid down his ultimatum. Three weeks since Eagan gave that thing the middle finger and claimed Clara.

Some of the cats were wary of his mating, he knew. But most had welcomed Clara into their clan with open arms when he’d made his intentions clear.

Eagan pulled the door closed on the truck and gave Bailey a wave. “Ready to go,” he yelled.

She shot him a salute, and pulled out of the loading zone, heading toward the dirt road into the woods. The bonfire tonight would be the biggest and best of the season. All of his clan would be there and locals from Weston.

Except maybe not Magic.

He’d stayed clear of the big guy. It was the stipulation for them staying. Clara could work with Renner’s crew preparing the haunted forest props as long as they both avoided Magic. Eagan felt bad about calling him out on his shit, if he was honest. But it was necessary. He had to get him thinking of the future. Thinking of his clan, and not crippled by fear. He wanted his leader to be happy. Maybe that disaster in his office was the seed that would grow the happy tree. A little pain before the gain.

He could hope.

He’d give Magic time to see the truth of mating. That it didn’t have to be a death wish for the females. That it was possible to love a single person so much, you wanted to rewrite history. Generations of it.

“Boo!”

Eagan jerked his head around to see his spunky little mate dressed in white flowing fabric. Her entire face and her long, curly hair had been painted white except for dark black circles that ringed her eyes.

A bit out of place, was her blazing smile. He’d never get tired of seeing that.

“I’m the Woman of the Woods!” She held her hands up, fingers wiggling in a mock-eerie gesture. “A ghost,” she clarified.

Eagan grinned and pulled her close. “Oh no. I’m doomed. I’ve heard she steals souls and eats them for breakfast.”

Clara giggled, shaking her head. “No, silly cat-man. She stealshearts. Notsouls. And she eats cinnamon rolls for breakfast. In bed. After mind-blowing sex.”

Her words grabbed him by the balls.

He lowered his mouth to her ear to whispered. “Mind-blowing, huh? Not functional?”

She smacked his chest. “I think we’re waaaay past functional.”

He nipped the shell of her ear. “I can’t wait to get you home tonight.”

Her aroused scent bloomed with his words and he did a quick look around to make sure no other shifters were near enough to scent it.

“Have you checked me today?” she asked, quietly.

Eagan pressed his nose to her neck and inhaled. There was no hint of a pregnancy.

“Not yet, little woman.”

She frowned.

“But don’t worry. I’ll keep you to myself for a while longer.” He grinned, reaching behind to pinch her ass.

Clara yelped and swatted his hand away.

“You aren’t worried that it didn’t happen?” she asked, unsure.

Eagan shook his head. “No. I’m happy. You’re happy. I’m not worried.”

She looked unsure. “Okay.”

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