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Harlow nodded, taking a sip of the Coke that Honey Bee left on a small square napkin for her. Jacob then continued by pointing out more of the town’s people. There were so many names, Harlow was sure she’d never remember them all.
Gwen finally broke back in when Jacob pointed out Gwen’s two cousins at the pool table. “Hey, let’s play some pool.”
“Oh, I doubt I’m any good. I’ve never really played before, and I’m not really good at sports.”
“Oh, come on anyways. I’ll teach you.” Gwen motioned with a nod for Harlow to follow, and she did.
As they walked across the tiny space, so many people made eye contact with her, passing warm smiles. They all seemed very curious about her, and she felt she stuck out like a sore thumb. At the same time, the warmth everyone offered was endearing, and she could feel herself growing attached to Forest Crest already.
“Hey, hey!” Gwen patted one of her cousins on the back. “I’ll play the winner.” She looked over at Harlow. “Harlow, this is Milo and Pat.”
Both of them nodded a hello, which Harlow returned graciously.
“Should we play teams?” Milo spoke up.
“Oh, no thanks,” Harlow countered before anyone else could. “I know nothing about playing, but I’d love to watch.”
Gwen took another swig of her beer and then nodded. “Well, all right, guess I’m playing the winner.”
Harlow mainly watched the three of them as they exchanged stories from their day. She interjected from time to time to show interest, though. Mostly, she enjoyed eyeing the crowds of people and imagining what their lives had been like growing up in Forest Crest. Every once in a while, she’d still get that whiff of leather and mint.
That distinctive smell was becoming more and more like home to her. Rushes of warmth ran through her body in every direction, and whatever she was feeling in that moment, she took it as a good sign. While she was enjoying herself, the busy day weighed on her and made her tired.
“I think I’m going to head home, Gwen.” Harlow slid off the tall wooden chair she had been situated on for the past hour.
Gwen set her pool stick down and turned to Harlow. “Ah, so soon?”
“Yes, I’m getting tired. I’m sorry.” Harlow tried to cover the yawn that snuck up on her.
“I get it. We had a busy day. Same time tomorrow?”
“You got it.” Harlow smiled.
The same warm smiles that greeted her as she walked through the pub with Gwen offered goodbyes as she walked out as well. The drive back to the inn was short, and she was thankful since her eyes were heavy with weariness.
When she exited the car, she dropped her keys on the ground as the car door shut. When she stood, a tiny gust of wind swirled around her, and that familiar soapy, leathery, minty smell appeared. Harlow jolted to a stop as it all finally made sense.
She had thought before that the smell was from the old pub building. It was now apparent that was not the case. Harlow’s heart began to pound.
That was no ordinary scent. Her legs moved swiftly, carrying her as fast as they could inside her room. She shut the door behind her and pressed her back to it. Her chest rose and fell at a rapid pace. That was the smell of shifter, like her.
Dammit, she should have known. Her eyes clenched as she convinced herself she wasn’t as gullible as she felt. It was now obvious she’d been followed all night.
She moved to the edge of the bed, still steadying her breath, and wondered if she was in danger. As she went back over the events of the night, however, she convinced herself that if this person wanted to hurt her, they would have.
Harlow wasn’t exactly sure what to do at that moment, but she knew she wasn’t ready to confront the shifter alone. It was clearly someone from the Gravecrest pack, and she had every intention of talking to Atlas and Colt about it the very next time she saw them both.
Chapter 11
Harlow
Harlow’s life had finally settled into a moment of normalcy, and she was grateful. Thanks in part to her generous accommodations, she didn’t have to look at her depleting wallet and question where she was going to sleep or how she was going to afford to eat.
She had a regular job at Wisteria Hill Veterinary Clinic, and she felt like her skills as a healer were being put to good use. It gave her a sense of independence and pride she hadn’t felt in a long time.
After two days of settling into a secure routine, her sense of uneasiness was gradually subsiding. She’d begun to wonder whether she had imagined the shifter’s scent at the Cove. She’d seen firsthand how she failed to sense the shifters in this town. It wasn’t incredible to think she might have invented a problem in her head to unsettle herself.
Tonight was the pack dinner. Harlow had mixed feelings about the event. She welcomed the intrigue of the evening, but she hated meeting new people. Or maybe that wasn’t it, entirely.
