“Because you wouldn’t be here if she did.”She met his gaze evenly, her tone matter-of-fact.“Zelda’s a powerhouse, and Mac would never let anyone dangerous threaten those under his protection.”
“She asked me to stay until she can see if she can help me,” Kaelen said.His voice was steady, but he didn’t elaborate, and the silence after carried a weight she didn’t push against.
Macy nodded.If he wanted to share more, he would.She wouldn’t force it.With a sigh, she glanced back at her cabin.“Are you hungry?”
The startled look that crossed his face nearly made her smile.“What?”His golden eyes widened.
“Hungry,” she repeated, turning toward her porch.“I’m starving, and I doubt you’ve eaten anything.Werewolves eat...right?”
“You’re too trusting, Macy.”His frown cut into her lightness, halting her in her tracks.“You take me at my word too easily.How do you know I’m not lying?Zelda and Mac could have been my meal.”
Macy spun, one brow arched, a snort escaping before she could stop it.“And what would I be?Dessert?”
The second the words slipped free, she wanted to shove them back down her throat.But it was too late.His eyes locked on hers, heat flaring bright and sharp.
A slow smile curved his mouth, dangerous and devastating.“Dessert?”His voice rolled low, like gravel and silk.“Tempting.”
Her stomach dropped.“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” he murmured, stepping closer, closing just enough of the space between them to make her heart hammer.
Macy’s breath caught.She forced herself not to back away, even as every nerve lit up under his gaze.Damn him.
“I am serious, Macy,” Kaelen said, turning serious once again.“Be careful who you trust.You know nothing about me.”
Macy turned and continued up the steps to her cabin.“Believe me when I say I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.”Macy opened the door, then looked back at him.“And so far, you haven’t given me a reason not to trust you.”
Macy paused just inside the door, glancing over her shoulder at him.Her blue eyes caught his golden ones, steady and unflinching.
“You think being a Werewolf makes you a monster?Trust me, Kaelen...I’ve met plenty of humans and Shifters who wear that title just fine.”Macy stopped just inside her kitchen and then turned to look at him.“Now, do you like breakfast food?I make a mean omelet.”
Macy knew that more than once she had shocked Kaelen, but what was new?She shocked many people with her unconventional way of thinking.She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt until they gave her a reason not to.So far, other than Kaelen dismissing her as if she didn’t matter, he had done nothing to her except make her think and want things she shouldn’t.
“Omelet would be great.”Kaelen finally replied, then chuckled with a shake of his head.“You are definitely not like anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Macy smirked as she started pulling food out of the fridge.“Now wash your hands so you can help.You know how to cook?”
“Yes, but I have a feeling if I didn’t, that wouldn’t matter.”Kaelen passed her to wash his hands.
Macy cracked eggs into a bowl, her hands moving automatically, though her thoughts scattered.Kaelen leaned against the counter, his forearms resting casually yet carrying a tension beneath the surface.For all his calm, he was a storm contained, an edge waiting to break loose.And for reasons she couldn’t name, she wanted to be standing there when it did.
She pushed the thought away with a shake of her head, whisking eggs harder than necessary.“So, Mr.‘I’m-a-monster,’” she said lightly, her tone teasing but her pulse betraying her.“Start frying up that bacon.”
That earned her another quiet laugh, deep and rich, the kind of sound that curled under her skin and lingered there.She watched out of the corner of her eye as he did what she asked.
For a fleeting moment, the heaviness of the past, the grief, the betrayals, and the sharp ache of loneliness seemed to blur.In its place was this: two unlikely souls standing shoulder to shoulder in a cramped kitchen, building something fragile out of eggs and silence.
Maybe, just maybe, it was the start of something neither of them had been ready for, and that thought terrified and yet excited Macy.
CHAPTER8
Kaelen sat across from Macy at a small table, enjoying the best-tasting omelet he’d ever had.Their conversation had been sparse, but not uncomfortable.It had actually been nice talking to someone.
“Can I ask you a question?”Macy ventured, pushing her empty plate away.
“Sure,” Kaelen replied, leaning back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest, feeling more relaxed than he had felt in a long time.
“Why do you feel that you are cursed?”Macy asked, watching him closely.
