Page 12 of Wolf's Winter

Could I?

No.

I cleared my throat. “Sorry. I hate that you felt like you were defective.”

She brushed her hair back over she shoulder, giving me a peek at her soft neck. “I didn’t know I was a witch back then. I didn’t even know magic was real. Ruby saved me.”

I couldn’t imagine how alone she must’ve felt. Werewolves grew up in packs. I had my parents, my pack brothers, and my Alpha. I knew who and what I was.

Winter shook her head. “Anyway, I’m an elemental, so my mother had to have been one too, and my magic kicked in the day she died.”

“What’s that got to do with the ghost’s daughter?”

“She said someone was after her, so she hid her daughter. I think that’s what my mom was doing too.”

A waitress came over and took our drink orders, giving me a minute to ponder this new information. After she headed for the bar, I lifted my gaze. “So you think the women knew each other?”

“I don’t know. But if someone was hunting witches in the late 80s or early 90s, our moms might’ve thought the Coven of Light would protect us, but it didn’t work out that way, at least not at first.”

As I pondered her words, dread crept up my spine. “If you’re right, then Ashley might not be the only one they’re looking for.”

Just like Ruby. Could the ghost be trying to warn them about Hinterland and Bloodstone?

My wolf snarled from the shadows of my consciousness. I had just met Winter officially today, but if anyone tried to hurt her, they’d have to get through me first.

The waitress came back with our drinks, and I closed out the tab. I took a swallow of my Old Fashioned relishing the burst of warmth spreading through my gut.

“If you can tell me when and where you were found, I’ll call my buddy and see if there were any other infant girls that were surrendered during the same time period. Maybe we can find her that way.”

She set the mug of her hot toddy on the table and met my eyes. “Thanks Jackson.”

Now that my next step was plotted, it left me staring at my mate wanting to know everything about her…starting with was she seeing anyone. There wasn’t a wedding ring on her finger, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a boyfriend.

I clenched my jaw, biting back the wolf’s aggression at the thought of another man touching our mate. He didn’t understand how complicated this was going to be.

“Can’t believe we never got to meet until now.” I tried to bury the wolf’s instincts and turn on the charm, but unlike my usual casual dates at a bar, this woman was it for me. It raised the stakes astronomically. Suddenly I felt much less confident in my swagger. “I used to see your plays at Salem High. You were really good.”

“No way.” Her jaw dropped a notch. “You came to my shows? Did your teachers make you come to theater for extra credit?”

I chuckled, flicking my gaze to my drink. “I’ll admit the first time was for English class, but I went to every show after that.” I lifted my eyes to her face. “I tried to meet you afterward, but it never worked out. Eventually I chalked it up to you not being interested in me.”

She smiled, and damn, my heart skipped. Her eyes sparkled like the sunrise on new fallen snow. “You were swimming in beautiful girls in school. I never would have stood a chance.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. You were going to be a movie star.”

“Me?” She laughed. “It was all I could do to keep from freezing someone in the halls. Hollywood was as far from my mind as possible.” She shrugged.

“Have you ever done any community theater?”

She tipped her head with a playful shrug as she took a sip from her mug. “A little.”

But her pulse jumped. Because of our heightened hearing, werewolves were like walking lie detectors.

I arched a brow. “How little? Are you in something now?”

“I’m inA Christmas Carolat the town hall this month. I’m the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

The thought of seeing her in the spotlight again warmed me more than the alcohol. “I’ll have to grab a ticket.”

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