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As soon as my breathing leveled, I pushed on the door and casually slid into the tavern, the sound of laughter exploded in my ears as I sidled up to the bar. Christopher was cleaning a pint glass as I approached. He eyed me carefully, taking the glass with him to the row of beer they had on tap.
I pointed to my usual. “Thanks.”
After paying for my beer and leaving a tip, I glanced around the tavern. Lively music played from a jukebox in the corner while a group of fae creatures huddled at a table nearby. A few vampires sat in a corner, their eyes glowing while focusing on me. I tried not to think about how Charlotte sliced Lars in the throat.
Probably left a nice scar, I considered while grinning at the fangs. I saluted them before lifting my beer and taking a sip.Not as nice as the resentment he’ll carry for the rest of his days.
We were supposed to be stopping the war, not making it worse. Yet here I was casually sipping an IPA while waiting for the love of my life to walk into the tavern. Was this the best plan I ever had? No, it wasn’t. I was probably wasting my time waiting here when I could just walk into the kitchen and find her in her office.
“She left an hour ago,” Christopher said.
I practically choked on my beer. “Nowyou tell me?”
“You know I don’t like you. Why would I let you win her over?”
“Sounds like you’re jealous.”
He snorted. “Honey, I don’t swing that way.”
I raised my eyebrows while sliding the pint glass across the counter. “Where did she go?”
“To find you, apparently.” He rolled his eyes. “No idea why. Must be something about your, uh…” His eyes drifted south. “Capabilities.”
“Thanks, cupid,” I snapped while rubbing the back of my neck. “Did she go into the city? The pack lands? Where?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t put a tracker on her.”
“Alright, I’ll go find her.”
“You better be nice to my boss,” he warned. “I already had this conversation with Donovan. I don’t want to repeat myself.”
I waved his warning away. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get the scoop from him. Thanks for the drink.”
“You’re welcome.”
Forget that Christopher suddenly had manners. I had to go find my mate.
***
Despite the extra security and the bikers lingering in the main part of the ranch, everything was getting back to normal. People tilled the fields. Kids played in the streets. A few grills were burning with something delicious. I drove through our little town feeling like it was the old days when we weren’t worried about getting attacked every other day.
Charlotte sat on the porch of my cabin. She stood up when I parked my truck in the driveway, standing with her hands perched on the railing like she had been waiting for me all day. We probably passed each other on the highway and had no idea.
Go figure.
“Hey,” I said while ascending the steps. “You want to, uh…” I hiked my thumb toward the door. “Come inside?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
I nodded, unlocked the door, and allowed her entry. She slid into the living room, standing in the middle of the floor while staring at the ground. She hugged her shoulders, seeming to fold in on herself as I stopped near the couch.
“Want to sit?” I offered. “Or we could go outside. Or we could head to the bed—”
“Adam, I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “Excuse me? Are you apologizing?”
“Yeah, I shoved you away.”
