Page 23

My paws tracked mud through the room I’d have to clean later but for now, I curled up on the couch, once again wishing I could control this part of myself.

As the full moon approached, I knew there was no stopping it. My curse was driven by the moon and I was destined to forever fight for my humanity.

I must have drifted off because I was woken up as the front door slammed open and Rook stomped his way in. My brother was anything but subtle.

“Hey, I’m going to start the grill. I’ve got your groceries here, too,” he said as he sat them down, unaffected by my current shifted state. “Not that there’s much here, brother. We might need to talk about your lack of survival skills.”

I let out a huff and he chuckled. The sound of him putting things away and opening up my back door filled the air. Stretching out my limbs, I tried to shift back, imagining my human form and willing my body to let me have it back.

Frustration always made it worse but my annoyance grew every second I couldn’t seem to shift back. How could I protect a mate like this?

My wolf protested in my head, his indignation making the fur on my back stand up.

“If you don’t shift back, dear brother, I’m going to come snuggle you,” Rook warned as he pulled out the steak and at least five seasonings. One thing my brother had going for him was his cooking skills. Most days, I was too lazy to do much other than sear the steak and eat it.

Or eat it raw. My wolf perked up at that but my brother was approaching with that look on his face.

“I see you chose snuggles,” he cooed. My wolf was all for it. He was pack to him. I was vehemently against it and snapped at him in warning. He bopped me on the nose and curled his arms around me as if this was the most natural thing in the world. “What has your fur in a twist, brother?”

Thoughts of my mate flickered through my mind. I breathed in instinctively, shocked I could recall that scent so well that it was as if she were in the room with us.

The scent seemed to pull me from my wolf and the next thing I knew I was naked and curled into a ball as my brother attempted to hug me.

“Gah,” he protested, jumping back and giving me a look. “Snuggling you like this isn’t the same.”

“Don’t snuggle me at all, you freak,” I ground out, heading for the stairs and up to my room. Knowing it was useless to put on a full outfit on a night like this I simply grabbed a pair of gym shorts and called it a night.

Rook was, thankfully, outside when I got back downstairs and I busied myself preparing baked potatoes and a salad since he insisted on something green every time.

“Don’t worry, yours is rare. Just on the ‘safe for human consumption’ side of rare,” Rook said as he walked back in. His steak had more char to it like usual. Another difference between us.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him about scenting my mate. But for some reason, I bit into my steak instead of spilling secrets I didn’t know if I was capable of pursuing.

It had been several days since Merrick wound up in my shed. Now, he followed me to and from work. He was quiet and hard to read, but his presence was refreshing.

I hadn’t realized just how alone I felt up to this point. Blake was amazing, but what I wanted was companionship. Both Merrick and Rook wanted that with me. They didn’t fear what my curse might do.

Merrick prepared our mugs of coffee while I flipped pancakes in the pan. It was so casual and domestic. For the first time in my life I felt like something fell into place and I finally belonged somewhere.

“The bazaar is today. Did you decide if you’re coming with me?” I asked. We’d discussed it a few times but he had been a little cagey about it. I couldn’t blame him. Being around that many people might cause him to flip appearances. After seeing the pain etched on his face I wasn’t eager to watch that again.

“Maybe,” he sighed. “I want to go, witchling, but I’m just worried I’ll ruin it for everyone else.”

My chest flooded with warmth at the nickname. “Come. We’re all cursed. Hiding away changes nothing and you deserve to have a life no matter what happens. A bonus is, everyone at the Bazaar will be clothed.”

He barked out a laugh. I’d heard the sound a few times and I loved it. HIs voice had a husky edge, but was serene.

He moved closer, handing over my favorite mug. Between the scent of coffee and his sweet candy corn, I was in heaven.

“Then, I guess I’ll go.”

Relief rushed through me. I was getting used to having him around already and I hated the idea of him avoiding everyday life. I didn’t want him to experience the isolation I’d endured for too long.

I reached into a cabinet and pulled out a potion. The same one I gave him that day in the shed.

“You found another?”

“I stopped by yesterday and had her make a strong batch. It should help,” I said. “Just take it before we leave. Rook should be on his way soon.”