And nothing.
That woman is trouble, and I need to keep my distance from her.
Obviously, my wolf does, too, if I have any hope of this fascination fading.
What started out as a decent date continues with an underlying, strained tension. I try to concentrate on Sylvia’s words and ask relevant questions, but focus is a struggle when my memory keeps dragging up the way Juliet’s ruby hair fell in disordered waves over her shoulders and how a smile teased at her lips when she spoke to the owner of the diner.
After another half hour of stiff conversation, I pay the bill and suggest a walk, hoping the fresh night air will clear the hint of lemons from my nose. Sylvia falls into step beside me, and we meander down Main Street.
“How is your family?” I pull the question out of the air, hoping I haven’t asked it already tonight. For the life of me, I can’t remember.
Sylvia flinches and presses a hand to her forehead.
“Sorry. Did I say something wrong?” I stop, turning toward her, guilt a weight in my gut.
Is something going on with the Rodriguez family that I should know about?
As pack leader, it’s my job to keep my wolves safe.
“No.” She shakes her head, her lips twisting. “But … are you mad at me?”
“Mad at you? No. Why would you think that?”
“It’s only …” Sylvia glances at my face, then down again, almost as if in deference. “I feel like you’ve been growling at me all night.” She rubs her fingers against her forehead again. “Not out loud. Just … in here.” Sylvia taps her temple. “It’s kind of like when we’re on a moon run and I sense you guiding us in a certain direction. Only now, I feel like you’re telling me—” She cuts herself off with a cough, and her cheeks color.
“Telling you what?”
After a moment of hesitation, she relents. “To fuck off.”
I suppress a curse in response. Then I sigh, defeat a new and uncomfortable sensation. “I apologize. My wolf and I disagree about how to go about pursuing a mate.”
“Oh.” Her face clears with a small smile, and I regret that I can’t fully appreciate her charming round cheeks. “That’s interesting. I’m not sure I’ve ever disagreed with my wolf before. It sounds like you talk to each other. Do you? Like, actual conversations?”
“Not in-depth ones,” I grumble.
Want Juliet, my wolf replies.
Yeah, I fucking picked up on that, I silently snarl back.
“Fascinating. Also”—she gives my arm a friendly but completely platonic pat—“it’s okay. No hard feelings. I haven’t been pining over you or anything.”
“That sounds like a no to a second date.” Annoyingly, I don’t regret her dismissal.
Sylvia is funny and smart and pleasant to be around, but if I can’t get my wolf on board, it’ll be hard to even kiss her.
Kiss Juliet. She smells nice. She’ll taste good, my wolf rumbles.
Maybe if I drink the entire jug of mezcal the Rodriguez family gifted me, I’ll be able to smother the bothersome creature.
“Let’s just call ourselves friends.” Sylvia smiles up at me, and I make an effort at returning the gesture.
But I can’t help the aggravation at knowing my list of acceptable mates is growing shorter.
9
RODERICK
My muscles are loose.Relaxed. The sensation of having a good, thorough stretch.
