Page 59 of Tide Touched

I’m glad to know she’s enjoying it.

I silently pick out my own copy of the book, reading the same title she is. She’s clearly interested in this, and I want to know what she enjoys. I just didn’t want her to think I was a weirdo, so I hid it. Probably to the same result, but still.

I flick to the second chapter and continue reading for a while. At some point, Katherine’s breathing becomes heavy and even. She’s definitely asleep, and I’m glad. She deserves a good rest in a real bed.

After a while, my hard on softens, though I don’t stop thinking about her for a second. I haven’t since the day I shifted, then saw her on the beach. I guess I should have known we were mates.

I push away any lingering thoughts of Carter. I refuse to let myself wonder if she still thinks about him, or is drawn to him in any way. Whatever strange turn of fate connected them has not been undone just because they’re no longer in close proximity.

If the Water Pack find her and manage to take her, would she fall in love with him? Forget about me? The thought burns like acid through my stomach, and I have to clench my fist to stop from wanting to break something. Preferably his face. Or something below the belt.

I’ve watched her over the last few days. Watched her wounds heal from the beating she got from Carter’s girlfriend, who is also now on my list. I do not hit women, ever—I like to think I have honour enough for that—but this is different.

I’ve seen Katherine’s quiet, private moments with Moira, and tried to give her space. Let her talk things out with someone she already trusts. I’ve watched her take in her mother’s betrayal, and the truth of her blood, what that means.

That she has no home. No pack to welcome her, or love her as one of their own. The last thing she needs is me moving too fast.

So, I read and read for hours, until the tension finally fades from my body, and my mind starts to go numb with fatigue.

Eventually, I fall asleep, but I wake before she does. And I’m glad, for the book was still in my hand, resting on my chest. I stretch. This couch is awfully uncomfortable, but it’s a small price to pay to ensure Katherine feels safe. I get up quietly, rolling my shoulders. I peer out the window.

It’s a foggy, overcast morning, the sky painted in subdued hues of pink and grey. It’s just after dawn. I’m sure Katherine could use some more sleep, so I go and shower and pull on fresh clothes.

I pad outside and see what I can find in this place. The wooden stairs are creaky, making me cringe every time I land on one that shrieks. An older woman totters up to me. ‘Morning, dear. Can I help you with anything?’ Judging by her dirty-blonde hair, she might be related to the barmaid who delivered our food last night. The one who clearly sized me up.

‘Uh, maybe a coffee?’ I tuck the book into my jacket pocket, intending to let Katherine sleep in. I could read down here for a while. I rub at my eyes.

The woman nods, leading me to the pub. Of a daytime, it looks more like a café, nearly empty. ‘I’ll turn the machine on and get you one. Take a seat, honey, I’ll bring it right over.’

I thank the woman and take a window seat to watch the sun rise.

There are only two other patrons, one teetering on the edge of a stool precariously, flirting with gravity. The other slumped over a nearby table, untouched scrambled eggs set in front of him.

I lean back in my booth seat, surprised that it’s more comfortable than the couch in our room. I briefly wonder if I could catch a nap here. I crack open the book again, now on chapter twenty, and continue reading. For a moment, my mind wanders back upstairs, picturing Katherine asleep on the bed, and climbing into the warm covers with her, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close to me. It’s probably a creepy thought, and not something I would do without her permission, but it still warms me, to think of being close and intimate with her. One day, maybe. When—if—she’s ready.

‘Ah. You don’t see many wolves reading these days.’ The woman sets the coffee on the table with a smile. After several days out in the woods, it smells amazing. I hold back from sticking my nose in the mug like a weirdo.

‘Always loved books, and Mariam has the best stall around.’

The woman gives me a once-over. ‘You know, dear, I’ve nothing against Fire Pack, but my daughter, Raven, you might have met her, she was on last night. She heard from some patrons that the Water alpha is hunting for his nephew’s mate. A fire-girl. You don’t have her with you, do you?’

I keep my face perfectly still as I meet her gaze.

Her hand rests on my shoulder. ‘Best you get your coffee and the girl and be on your way if you don’t want any trouble,’ she says quietly. ‘I promised my mother I’d keep this place running, and I’d rather not get in trouble, you hear?’

I offer a tight smile. ‘I understand. Thank you.’ I’m sure we should get back to Moira and Elijah anyway.

The woman nods and returns to whatever she was doing.

I read a little as I drink my coffee. Leaving the pub, the woman makes me a takeaway for Katherine. I head back up to our room and quietly open the door. Katherine’s still in bed. I’m glad she didn’t wake up to find me gone. I set my book in my bag and quickly pack up our things.

I put the coffee on her bed side and brush her shoulder. ‘Katherine? Hey, wake up.’ My wolf rumbles, happy to touch her, however briefly.

Her eyes fly open, alarmed.

‘Hey, it’s me, Killian. Look, there are Water wolves out hunting for you. The innkeeper warned me. She asked us to be on our way. Come on. I got you a coffee. You need to get dressed. We’ll head back to the caves.’

Katherine frowns. ‘I don’t want to put them in danger. That’s why I left.’ She sits up, the black shirt loose about her slim body.

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