Page 19 of Bewitched by the Werewolf (The Bewitching Hour #5)

For the first time in years, I’m up almost as early as Hunter.

The moment I woke up there was no way I could go back to sleep.

The longer Tess has my fairy dust the more things could go wrong.

I dress quickly and make my way downstairs to find my brother sitting at the counter reading the newspaper.

It’s Sunday so he’s dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, obviously not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

“Morning,” I call out as I enter the kitchen and head straight for the coffee pot that’s still half full.

“Morning,” Hunter replies without looking up from his paper.

I fill a mug and lean back against the counter sipping at the hot drink. Hunter remains with his face buried in the paper. There’s really nothing to read about in Snowberry and the paper can be read in a matter of minutes, but he peruses it as if it’s the Sunday Times.

“So, are you going to tell me what happened to the front porch?”

Hunter’s hands curls into the grey pages of the paper but release just as quickly. “Needed to let off a little steam. It was the closest thing easiest to replace.”

A completely understandable answer. Shifters, especially males and more especially alpha’s, can get a little hot headed at times. We like to release it in as healthy a way as possible. Sometimes that means damaging property instead of people.

“Someone piss you off?”

“You could say that.” He clears his throat and finally puts down the paper he wasn’t actually reading. “Vincent’s in town, paid me a visit.”

I’m instantly off the counter and striding across the kitchen to the island where he sits, my body tensing, readying for a fight. “When did he get here? Where is he staying? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Calm down Ryder. I handled him and am handling him. If I need your assistance, I’ll let you know. He got here on Friday. I have no idea where he’s staying, and I didn’t tell you because you seem preoccupied.”

“I’m not preoccupied; I’m doing my job. Which happens to include dealing with elves when they come into our town,” I bite back at him. He should have told me the moment Vincent arrived, no matter what. The fact that he didn’t stings a little. It shows he doesn’t trust me.

My body tightens with anger and hurt that he wouldn’t come to me immediately. I get that we don’t tell each other all our secrets, but we’re brothers, partners, protectors of Snowberry. There’s never been a situation we haven’t been able to solve together. Alpha and beta. Brother and brother.

“I know. But I have this handled. He’s just trying to strong arm me into selling him our land again.

I told him no. And threatened him a little.

It’s just one more of his attempts to get our land and he won’t succeed.

That’s all. As long as he stays away from town and doesn’t bother anyone, it’ll be fine.

If he becomes problematic, I’ll let you know.

For now, you have other things to deal with. ”

I swallow the rest of my coffee and set the mug in the sink.

Turning my back to Hunter I grip the side of the counter steadying myself.

I shouldn’t be getting so upset at my brother.

He is the alpha, and he is in charge. It’s never been an issue before, why is it bothering me so much now?

Because Tess is getting under your skin.

Tess has nothing to do with Hunter or Vincent.

But now that the thought is in my head I’m coming up with all kinds of ways Vincent could be an issue with Tess.

She could poke around in the wrong place and end up right in his path.

There’s nothing an elf loves more than a stubborn strong-willed human to break and control. I will not let that happen.

Now I’m mad all over again that he didn’t at least tell me Vincent was in town.

Warn me to be on the lookout. That grey skinned bastard has been here nearly two days already and I’m just now hearing about it.

That is unacceptable. I release the counter and swing around to face Hunter, who has abandoned the farce of reading the newspaper and is now drinking his coffee and watching me.

I pull myself together and try to restrain my anger when I speak. “I would greatly appreciate if next time someone comes into town worth knowing, you tell me as soon as you know. For the safety of our residents,” I add on for good measure.

I may be thinking about only one person’s safety at the moment, but he put the entire town at risk by not telling me of Vincent’s arrival.

Hunter nods, his face falling at the realization of his mistake. He’s still young and learning. I can’t fault him a few errors, but something like this shouldn’t happen again.

“Of course. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I guess I too have been…preoccupied as of late.”

“Indeed,” I agree. “What exactly is going on with you and Lottie? You’ve been rather attached to her and spending a good amount of time with her.

Daisy mentioned you were with her at the gardens on Friday.

Plus, you’ve been leaving work early and disappearing for hours.

I can only assume you’ve been with her?”

My brother grunts and his features pinch.

“Yes, I’ve been spending time with her. There’s just something about her that’s different.

It’s hard to explain, but I’ve decided to put some distance between us for a while.

I need to focus on the town, like you said, for their safety.

There’s too much going on right now to get distracted. ”

Good. I may not be able to ignore Tess and put distance between us how I’d like, since she seems intent on lying to me and hunting in the woods at night with a fucking crossbow, but at least he can separate himself from his female problem.

I gently roll my shoulder at the reminder of being shot, but make sure not to show any discomfort in my expression.

I can deal with Tess; she’s just one female for fucks sake.

“Fine,” I finally say. “I have a few things I need to take care of today. I’ll see you later.”

I end our conversation before he starts asking me questions about my female, and head for the door.

Hunter doesn’t seem to notice my abrupt departure or is happy for it, either way he goes back to his coffee, and I stride out the front door.

I left my truck in town last night. So, first things first, I need to get it then drive over to Tess’s trailer and get back my fairy dust and maybe force the truth from her finally.

I’m sick of the games. She crossed a line when she went into the forest with a crossbow.

~

The campgrounds around the lake are starting to fill, now that the eclipse is just a week away.

Not by much, but more than they would be otherwise.

This time I don’t park in the parking lot and drive straight to Tess’s trailer.

Her truck is still parked in front of the silver airstream but unhooked.

I don’t think I’ve seen her drive it yet.

She’s partial to walking. Probably because it’s less conspicuous and easier to slip into places she shouldn’t be.

I park next to her truck and jump down from the cab.

The gravel and leaves crunch under my boots and I straighten my badge on my belt before rounding to the trailer door.

Straightening my spine and squaring my shoulders I make myself large and imposing.

I will not be taking no for an answer again.

She’s going to give me back my fairy dust and admit why she’s really here.

In front of her door, I plant my feet wide and lift a fist to knock. I bang it hard three times, nice and loud. It’s my sheriff knock.

“Go away,” comes Tess’s voice from inside.

Not fucking likely. I bang three more times just as hard and loud.

“I said go away. I’m busy.”

“No!” I yell back at her.

I hear her mutter a curse and stomp through the trailer to the door.

The lock slides back and with a sweeping motion she flings the door open, and I don’t know what to react to first. Her standing there with dripping wet hair wearing nothing but a towel or the scent that hits me like a freight train.

Crisp honey apples, moist and juicy. The scent makes my mouth water and my dick hard.

It’s so overpowering and unexpected I sway on my feet, catching myself with my good arm on the door frame.

My fingers grip tight, and I can feel my nails sharpening, leaving thin scratch marks in the silver metal.

Leaning in I inhale deep and a satisfied rumble echoes through my chest. She smells fucking fantastic.

I want to lick her skin and taste the apples she smells like.

I know it’s her scent too because there wasn’t a hint of it until she flung open the door.

If I were more coherent in this moment, I would be wondering why I hadn’t smelled it earlier, but right now all I can think about is how to get a taste of her.

Miles of bare creamy skin are on display, and I devour every fucking inch of her.

Strong toned legs stretch beneath her black towel, which she holds knotted at her chest that strains against the material begging to be set free.

I can set you free. With just one strong tug that towel could be on the floor and I could be—fuck!

No! I won’t be doing anything. This woman is irritating, and a liar and she has my fairy dust. That’s what I came for, not to explore every dip and curve of her luscious body.

“How can I help you this morning Sheriff? I’m kinda in the middle of something,” she snarks at me, not realizing the agony she just inflicted on me.

I try to clear my throat, but my words come out hoarse. “You took something from me. I want it back.”

One red brow lifts defiantly and I just know she’s about to sass me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I didn’t take anything—”