Page 42 of Lycans & Lattes

Harlow balked. “Someone needs to teach that wolf a lesson on not attacking the people you claim to care about.”

“He didn’t attack me,” I pushed back. “Neither of us knew his sigil was broken in all the chaos, and things got a little out of hand, romantically⁠—”

Harlow blinked at me. “And now I need to go pour acid in my ears, thanks.”

I scoffed. “Oh, please. You and Jordyn have been number one in the TMI department for over a year.”

“She’s got a point,” Jordyn added, grinning at something floral in her mortar. “And at least Randy didn’t catch them getting frisky in the pumpkin patch.”

Harlow’s face blazed red. “Hey, it was only fair after catching him and Avery smooching behind the toolshed.”

My ears perked at that. Avery and I had been getting closer over the last few weeks, and I made a note to ask her some veiled questions later. Maybe she’d spill the tea on her and Randy. They’d managed to keep it a secret even from Agnes, which was impressive.

“Anyway,” I said, refocusing on my tea, “Wyatt was able to realize what he was doing before anything escalated.”

“The fact that he stopped himself from shifting long enough to get away from you is impressive, to say the least,” Jordyn said. “It’s a full moon and you’re his mate and he had the wherewithal to send you to the witches to ward against him. I’m pretty sure that’s wolf boy for love.”

Warmth bloomed across my chest as I took another sip, and I felt an instant ease in the pain in my neck.

I was still trying to wrap my head around those few seconds when my kind, gentle Wyatt had morphed into something wild and hungry. I’d never known Wyatt as a wolf, and that realization hit me harder than the pungent herbs in my tea.

Was I naїve to think there was a way for us to be together without it ending in tragedy?

“Hey, Jordyn?” I called. “If I wanted to do some research on werewolves, where should I start?”

“Oh, now you decide it’s time to do some digging,” Harlow snarked. “Where was that before you started dating the most wolfed-out man in town?”

Jordyn snickered. “That’s probably a question for Diana,” she said, naming the owner of Bones and Tomes Bookstore. “She has quite an extensive collection.”

I got to my feet and let the blanket slump onto the couch. A flash of black fur took my place, curling into the dark fabric to make spooky little void biscuits.

“Where are you going?” Harlow asked, giving Ichabod chin scratches while he purred at her touch.

“I’m fine, Harlow,” I grumbled, holding my arms out and doing a little twirl to prove I was still in one piece. “It was just a love bite. I’m not mortally wounded.”

“Why don’t you just take a day to chill? I’ve already called Dean to get working on repairing the café door. Everyone in town knows the café is closed for repairs, and you could really use a break anyway.”

“I can’t just sit here,” I replied, skirting my sister. “I’m a freaking ball of anxiety, and I need to know what’s going on. Maybe the bookstore will have some answers.”

“Need I remind you that we have no idea who is threatening you?” Harlow cut in, pointing to the bowl containing the charred remains of the notes.

The location spell had been supernaturally blocked by whoever was leaving them for me. Clearly, they had taken the proper precautions to ensure that the residents of Maple Hollow would not be able to find them. That left us with fingerprinting the knife—something we still hadn’t brought to Dougall because who was to say that he wouldn’t withhold information if the perpetrator was a werewolf?

I got to the door and looked around for my shoes.

“Let me get the books,” Harlow suggested. “You stay here with Jordyn, where we know you’re safe.”

“I have never felt unsafe in my town, and I will not start now,” I pushed. “Besides, I need some fresh air. Too much incense in here, no offense.”

“None taken.” Jordyn lifted her hand but not her eyes from the kitchen table.

“Okay, fine. But I’m coming with you,” Harlow said, grabbing her bomber jacket. “I’m not leaving you alone until we know who is harassing you.”

I didn’t fight her on it. Having backup wasn’t a bad idea.

When we got down the street, we saw there was already a crowd gathering at the café. I cringed when I thought about all the revenue lost just by closing for a single day during the busy season.

“Let’s take the back way.” Harlow must have shared the same thought because she looped her arm around mine and directed me toward the back of the apothecary and down two extra streets before we crossed the town square to the bookstore.