Page 30 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

“Iwould’ve been on my way to get you shortly,” Skyler whispers through the silence. “Not that I’m complaining that I get to lay eyes on you sooner,” he finishes with that smooth confidence. “Is everything okay?” Concern bleeds through his words.

How can I possibly answer that? On one hand, yes, I am physically safe. Yet, on the other... nothing is okay. My entire life, entire existence, has been a lie. I had grown to resent the paranormal, and now I am paranormal. I always was.

Very much so — a mixed breed. Something that I questioned the existence of just weeks prior.

What am I supposed to do with this new information? I can’t ignore it considering I’m fucking floating out of my window at night and prancing around the forest.

Skyler pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. His touch featherlight as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, concern painted in his eyes. “Amethyst?” Desperation laces his tone.

Clearing my throat, I grasp the last shred of my sanity, finally answering him, “I am... I’ve been better.” A humorless chuckle escapes me. The green shades of Skyler’s eyes glow brighter. “Amethyst, did someone hurt you?” The question is accompanied by a deep growl.

“Oh!” I shake my head, “No, not physically, no. I didn’t mean...” My train of thought derails. Skyler, this beautiful, perfect man, is worried about my well-being. The warm feeling that has become quite familiar settles into my chest.

My mind dances back to his lips. How close they were to mine. The soft glow of the moon and the dashboard illuminating the angles of his face. Fuck, Amethyst. Get it together; you’re being awkward.

With a deep breath, I boldly ask, “Can we go somewhere?” My eyes bulge, not quite sure where I found the confidence to say that, I add, “Unless... I mean. I don’t want you to get in trouble. Skyler, I don’t want to be the reason you lose your job.”

His hand cups my cheek, thumb brushing across the warmth of my blush. “Sunlight, every day I debate leaving this hellhole. If caring about you makes me lose this job, I wouldn’t so much as bat an eye.” He smirks, puffing out his chest, “I’m sure I could find another fairly quick, what with my bad jokes, nicotine addiction, and lush lashes.”

Rapidly blinking for demonstration, he chuckles, and I find myself mimicking the noise. “Seriously, what mascara do you use?” I giggle, lifting a hand to cover my mouth. “Shifter special,” he winks.

Rolling my eyes, I open my mouth for a quip. But before I can get the words out, his phone rings. With a sigh of pure misery, Skyler moves to check his phone. No sooner does he glance down, do his eyes travel back up, staring blankly, lips turned down.

Skyler looked as if he’d rather jump headfirst into a den of cottonmouths than answer that phone. “What could you possibly want?” He bites out. I don’t know who’s on the other end of that call, but I wouldn’t want to be them.

Suddenly, he glances my way, his expression completely changing. His shoulders relax and a smile spreads across his face. He looks as if a prayer has been answered. “We’ll be there.” He says matter-of-factly, ending the call.

“Care to accompany me completely within policy?” His grin is contagious as I cock my head. “Maeve,” he spits her name out like its soured milk, “has requested I go to Vrynthis tonight and close the store. Then open tomorrow. Apparently, the whole crew walked out.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “I’m envious, honestly. The best part is that she asked me to bring an associate. If you’d have me, I’d love to do this with you.”

Traveling for work with Skyler? Holy shit, can I do this? Vrynthis is two hours away. Two hours in which my professionalism will quickly dwindle away. Aside from potentially — okay, definitely fraternizing with him, am I prepared enough for this?

Skyler’s gaze softens, “Amethyst, I can promise you with absolute certainty; no one will harm you. My body could be six feet under, but my spirit would still walk this Earth to protect you.”

My breath hitches, and I swear I can feel the broken pieces of my heart stitching back together. It’s then I realize. Skyler thinks my hesitancy is because of Enzo. When the reality is, somewhere along the way, I’ve become comfortable enough in Skyler’s presence that the thought of Enzo finding me in Vrynthis never even crossed my mind.

This time it’s me closing the distance. I place a hand on Skyler’s arm. “I would love to, Skyler. My hesitancy wasn’t out of fear for my safety. Rather if I was good enough at the job to work at another store.”

I smile up at him, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “Because of you, thoughts of that, never crossed my mind. With you, I feel safe.” I could drown in the hazel depths of his eyes. That longing gaze setting my body on fire.

Skyler wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. The beat of his heart relaxes me, and I find myself breathing in sync with him.

“I just —”

Skyler speaks simultaneously. “There’s something —”

I pull back with a giggle. “Sorry, go ahead,” I tell him. Shaking his head, he insists, “You first.” With a crooked grin, I continue, “I just need to drop off my mom’s spare car.” The fingernail of my thumb finds its way between my teeth. “I... sort of took off in it after she told me some major secrets.”

Skyler raises an eyebrow, but I don’t elaborate. Not here or now. We’ll have plenty of time on our way to Vrynthis for me to cover all the bases.

Hey, Skyler. Remember how I kind of freaked when you told me you were a wolf?

Turns out I’m also a fucking wolf.

Do we go howl at the moon together now?

My own eyebrow raises as my thoughts spiral. This is all starting to seem like some weird twist of fate. What exactly are the odds of befriending and falling for your wolf shifter boss, only to find out that you are also a wolf shifter and could really use the guidance of this very handsome and more wolf-y... wolf.