AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Granny, the home wrecker.” I shake my head. “You should have kicked her ass and stolen him back.”
Mrs. Smith leans forward to jab a bony finger at me. “Listen to me, girl. Never fight for a man who’s wandered. If his love is that easily swayed, it’s not worth chasing after.”
“You’re my new hero.” I grasp her hand. “We will eat bacon in front of your fire, and you will impart all of your wisdom to me.”
She snatches her hand back. “What I’m trying to say is that I didn’t like you from the start, and your yapping just made me dislike you more. But I’d have to be blind to not see what you’re doing here, and how much you care about the town. It’s good you’re not like your grandma. As you said, the town shouldn’t need a figurehead, and it shouldn’t need to rely so much on the Hartfords and Wendalls.”
“Preach, sister!” I raise my arms and make jazz hands. “Finally, someone has seen the light.”
Drawn by my shout, a small wolf pup comes careening into the room, barking his little head off.
“Sing it, Westen!” Throwing back my head, I bark back.
Mrs. Smith winces. “Please don’t do that.”
I grin at her. “Why? Am I saying naughty things?”
“You’re saying gibberish.” She glares down at the pup. “And you, be quiet.”
Westen stops barking and sits on his haunches to stare up at her.
“You know, Westen also loves bacon,” I say.
Westen’s mouth drops open, his tongue lolling out, and his tail wags so hard his whole rear end shakes.
“And he’d get rid of all that pesky quiet you have at home,” I add, just in case I’m being too subtle.
“I don’t need a housemate, Ms. Wendall. Especially not one who will shit in the yard.” Mrs. Smith frowns down at the pup, though her eyes soften. “Someone will step forward to take him in.”
“Yeah, because this town is so big on taking in orphans.” When her head lifts, her brows crinkling in confusion, I say, “Owen.”
“He was older—”
“Nine,” I bite out. “He was nine. And he didn’t poop in the yard.”
“There were other reasons.” She looks away. “Werewolves used to be driven out of packs. We let him and the others stay, despite the danger.”
“How very kind of you.” I glare at her and wish my eyeballs were lasers. “You’re not the only one who had a bad impression, only for me, it’s the entire town. Don’t you think it’s time we all be better?”
Now, she glares at me. “I’m an old lady, or have you missed the wrinkles?”
“You took down a huntsman while he was stabbing you,” I counter. “Wrinkles just mean you have experience.”
Westen presses his head against her leg and whines softly.
“Come on. I know you let him sleep on your bed and cuddle with you while you were here,” I say, driving the nail into the coffin. “He’s been moping since your discharge.”
She stiffens with affront. “Your mate is a gossip.”
“And you’re just a big marshmallow under all that sour apple.” I settle back in my bed, enjoying my victory. “Send me an invitation. You can even save a stamp and just give it to Tris to deliver. I’ll bring bacon, and we can do a puzzle.”
Mrs. Smith rises. “That vampire is making a nuisance of himself. Deal with him before he sets himself on fire in front of the clinic.”
With that last jab deflating my bubble, she sweeps from the room, Westen on her heels.
I already know that Zane is outside the clinic.
His restlessness pricks at my senses. He knows I’m awake now, but Haut refuses to let him inside to see me. Apparently, his acceptance only goes so far where my new bond…mate?…friend?…brother?…is concerned.
