Jumping to my feet, I couldn’t let the woman who saved my life just go. “Jenna, please don’t go. I don’t care if it was next Christmas or ten years later. I owe you for restoring my humanity. Please, don’t go.” I choked back tears.
“I’m truly sorry. Please forgive me.’
Slater came around the table, putting his arm around Jenna’s shoulder. “You did exactly what was needed, and for that I owe you my eternal gratitude, not my dipshit attitude. I’m sure my family and friends will understand, and my job...Well, I can get another one.’
“Don’t worry so much, Slater.” A frown creased Jenna’s smooth brow. “Let’s get you two out of here. I have things to tend to.’
I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face my past just yet. Logically, I knew that was the only way to move forward. My mind warred with my heart. I gave a decisive nod. “Let’s do this.’
From one moment to the next, Slater and I were in Jenna’s kitchen, then we stood outside a small, quaint-looking town.
“Damn, I hate that.” Slater gave a full-body shiver. “Where are we?’
Looking around the area, nothing looked familiar. “I wish we had a set of wheels,” he said instead of answering, reaching for my hand and linking our fingers. “Let’s go. Remember, you’re not alone.” His gentle reminder eased the ache in my heart.
I held the slim hand of my mate, wishing like hell we had more information to go on other than a red-haired man. Damn! I hated the feel of her racing pulse beneath my palm but knew nothing I said or did would calm her, except finding answers.
We entered the little town, and I was amazed to find all the shops packed with tourists. A huge celebration for the annual All Hallows Eve Festival for the coming weekend was announcedby decorations and signs in every window and post we passed. Clearly, the town loved Halloween, and this was a tradition not to be missed.
“Do you remember this being a huge holiday when you were a kid?” I asked, looking down as LeeLee took in the sights, immediately wishing I could call back the words.
“It’s okay, Slater.” She tried to smile, but I could tell it was forced.
I noticed a bear of a man hurrying toward us, a scowl on his face. Without thinking, I pulled LeeLee closer, moving us both out of his path. The scent of shifter hit me as he passed. His focus didn’t stray in our direction. He didn’t have the familiar smell of LeeLee, so I dismissed him. Their coloring was off, and if they’d been pack, he’d have set off some trigger in LeeLee or me.
“Come on, let’s find a place to stay for the weekend festivities. I think we’ll find our answers during the celebration.’
“What about clothes and money? I know as a wolf I didn’t need any of that, but I’m pretty sure in this skin we are going to need it.” She stopped walking, anxiety making her voice husky.
I tapped her nose. “Yee of little faith.” I extracted my wallet, showing her my credit cards and cash.
Her smile lit up her face. “Does this mean I get to go shopping?’
Fuck, my dick got hard thinking of her in a dressing room slipping out of her clothes and me helping her try on new ones. Yeah, I probably shouldn’t entertain that fantasy. Nodding, I slipped my wallet back inside my back pocket. “Yes, ma’am. Would you like to look around first, or get a room?’
She licked her lips, then looked up and down the sidewalk. “Maybe we should get a couple of things first. It might look strange if we check in without any luggage.’
I was constantly surprised by her knowledge of the human world, which I shouldn’t have been. She’d only been living in herwolf form but had been conscious as a human. There were so many things I wanted to ask her, but I held my tongue. When we mated fully, I’d have all my answers. We’d already begun the process, exchanging one bite. I wondered if she was aware. Damn, I needed to talk with her. The last thing I wanted was an unwilling mate.
We walked past a little shop selling handmade jewelry, which seemed to catch LeeLee’s eyes. “Let’s go see what they have.” I held the door open for an older woman as she walked out, then we entered.
The older woman paused next to us, a shawl covering her from head to toe, but I saw a wrinkled hand reach out to touch my mate’s hair. Instinct drove me to move between the two. I smiled down at the woman, unable to see her face. My own smile felt forced while I waited for her to acknowledge me. She turned on her feet and exited. The bell above the door jingled.
“There are so many gorgeous pieces,” LeeLee whispered.
I wasn’t sure whether I agreed, since my gaze zeroed in on the large picture window and the stooped woman. Her gnarled hands folded in front of her bent body. A shiver went through me, but I dismissed it and her.
A young girl beamed at us from behind the counter. “Wow, I love your hair. I tried to talk my mama into letting me get mine done all grey, but she said no.” She fingered her dark brown hair, then continued. “She said I’d have to bleach it all then color it, and if I still had hair at the end, it would probably look fried. Yours looks healthy enough.’
LeeLee looked like someone had poked her with a cattle prod. “My fiancée had hers done up north. It’s really quite a process.” Which was the truth.
“Yeah, I bet,” she sighed. “Can I help you with anything?’
“We are just looking,” I assured her, letting LeeLee move away from the young girl. I kept my body between my mateand the door. My wolf was unsettled, and I didn’t know why. Inhaling hard, the only fresh scents I could detect were mine, LeeLee’s, and the girl behind the counter.
“Oh, look at this,” LeeLee exclaimed, pointing at a pendant with a half-moon and a wolf. “Isn’t it gorgeous?’
I looked at the piece and nodded. “Can we see this?’
