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“Eric.”
A smile curved my lips as I thought about the guy I’d met the other day. But he wasn’t Luca, and I didn’t need someone else to complicate the already complicated situation. A stiff drink, and hopefully, I could relax and think about Luca. Maybe even decide on how to move forward. But my wolf needed to agree and right now, she was being a temperamental bitch.
After searching the crime scene, I found no evidence of what had happened. The body had already been moved and even the smell had dispersed so I headed on over to Mickey’s.
I heard the low chatter and smelled the alcohol as soon as I walked in. The guy on stage playing the guitar did an okay job at singing, but I wouldn’t quit my day job if I were him. Saddling up to the bar, I slid onto my usual stool. Mickey ambled over with a whiskey on the rocks.
He smiled as he wiped a glass with a towel. “It must have been a bad day if you’re here in the middle of the week.”
I nodded my thanks for the drink, saying, “you could say that.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I raised an annoyed eyebrow and he chuckled. “Right. Well, let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Mickey.”
Halfway finished with my drink, Ifelthim walk in and my insides warmed. I slowly turned, and a grin split my face as he took the stool next to mine. “Hey Eric, what are you doing here?” I knew I shouldn’t have been this happy to see him, but his presence made me feel instantly better.
His warm smile created dimples. “I came for the water and the singing.”
I chuckled as I glanced at the guy standing on the stage. “I’m afraid that you’ll be disappointed today.”
“Then I shall enjoy the company instead.” Mickey sat a glass of water in front of Eric, and it made me wonder how often he came in. He had to be a regular if Mickey knew his drink of choice without asking. Eric took a small sip, then asked, “What have you been up to?”
Oh, you know—trying to figure out the mating thing—chasing vampires. I settled with, “The usual. Today I did a little research and this evening, I checked out a crime scene. No clues, though, so that was a letdown.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“Yep. What about you?” I asked, wondering why his presence put me at ease. I didn’t think he was a supernatural, but something about him soothes me. Even my magic rested.
“My parents have me looking into a missing person.”
“Kidnappers?” My eyebrows shot upward.
“Not exactly.” His grin confirmed that it wasn’t anything serious.
“Well, that’s good.” Although I did hope it wasn’t one of those situations where one parent ran off with the kid. That happened way too often in divorce cases.
We chatted for another half hour before I said my goodbyes. Finally, I felt like I could actually get a good night’s sleep for the first time in a long while.
Chapter 9
Luca
As Ivy and her friend walked out of the library, my arms felt heavy, weighted down, and sluggish to move until she stepped out of sight. Then, shaking out his arms, Devon growled, “What the hell was that?” By the tone of his voice and the anger sparking in his eyes, he didn’t like Ivy having power over him—us. Neither did I.
“Magic, I assume.” But what kind of magic could do what she just did? “Let’s grab a few books on controlling and healing magic before heading back to the packhouse.” Devon nodded before leaving me alone to ponder everything that had just happened.
Healing and controlling magic? It didn’t seem possible for such magic to exist. Fey used artifacts to project their magic, but Ivy overpowered us with her voice, making the tiniest movement too difficult to overcome. So that left Elvin magic, or maybe mage. Could a witch do that? I didn’t know, but I needed answers.
Ivy, my beautiful mystery. And after witnessing her magic, I wanted her by my side where I could protect her. But magic like hers invited all sorts of trouble, and if word got out…No!I couldn’t let that happen. Others would want to control her and force her to use her magic by any means possible. Not that I thought she couldn’t hold her own.
That also brought forth the issue of mating. I had wanted to wait until I knew more about Ivy, but would that be wise? Fate had made her for me and who was I to mistrust that? If any other wolf had come to me with this same dilemma, I would remind them that fate didn’t make mistakes. Then why did I not trust my own advice? The answer came to me immediately. Power. Not Ivy’s, but mine. I had fought too hard to become regional alpha, and I worried Ivy could upset the council and turn them against me. But that showed weakness on my part. Ivy and I would be stronger together, even if she wasn’t 100% wolf.
It was time to trust in fate!
“Ready,” Devon said, holding three books.
