Page 11 of Howl Me to the Moon (Moonlight Siren Supernatural Cruises #2)

CHAPTER 11

REX

P iper entered the lounge, and the dimly lit space seemed to brighten as if illuminated by sunlight. Just seeing her made my body feel lighter and my wolf more content.

Although I yearned to smell her, touch her, taste her lips again, I would have to settle for this—for now. And this was good enough. Playing for her, serenading her with my music, my song. I yearned to perform well for her, still eager to prove myself after our fumbling introduction.

We moved through our set, picking up energy as we went. She sat there, watching me, and I played better than ever before—or at least it felt that way to me.

Everything was going great—until her coworker came by. That damn fox shifter.

Maybe it was just a natural wariness between different shifter species, but my instincts told me it was more than that. My wolf growled inside, uneasy.

He’s just her coworker, I warned my wolf. We can’t do anything rash.

That Sloane guy didn’t do anything inappropriate, didn’t touch her, didn’t even lean too close. But still, I didn’t like him being near her.

Was it just a shifter territorial thing? That wariness between species?

Or was it something more?

My teeth clenched together and my shoulders hunched tight. The longer they chatted, the more my possessiveness rose. I didn’t want anyone else near my mate.

Wait? What?

Oof. It was the first time I’d acknowledged what my wolf had declared the first time he’d seen Piper—she was our mate. I blinked in surprise, then frowned—unsettled. I didn’t like her attention on another man, no matter how innocent it may be.

Fortunately, he left by the end of the next song, and I relaxed on a giant exhale. I finished the set without going all territorial wolf and making a scene.

After the show, I went through the usual routine—chatting with the audience, thanking them for their praise, and making polite conversation. I rushed through it as quickly as I could to head to the back of the lounge, where I longed to be.

Finally, I navigated over to her. She greeted me with a wide smile that made my heart stutter. She slid off the stool and wrapped her arms around me. At the feel of her touch and her scent enveloping me, I almost fell to her feet and moaned with happiness. My wolf rumbled, just as content.

“You were great tonight,” she said, beaming.

Her praise added to the sense that all of this was so right. Just being in her orbit made my world a thousand times richer.

"Maybe I was showing off for the audience," I teased. "Or perhaps someone in particular."

"Oh? And whom might that be?" she asked, a lilt to her tone.

"Perhaps a certain witch… with hair like a golden sunset and eyes like gems…”

"She sounds spectacular," she said with a sly grin. "I’d like to meet her."

I chuckled. "How were the auctions today?"

"Better," she said, a twinge of tension tightening her expression, which made me regret asking. "We made a few sales."

"That’s good," I replied. The visual of Sloane stopping by to bother her returned, slithered beneath my skin. “Is that why Sloane came by?” I asked, struggling to keep my tone as casual as I could.

"Yes," she said with a small smile. "Why?"

"Oh, you know… just wondering what he was doing sniffing around you." Sniffing ? Did I really have to phrase it like that? That certainly didn’t convey nonchalance on my part.

"Sniffing?" she echoed and arched a brow. "That seems to be more your forte, Mr. Forte.” She flashed me a knowing smile. “I often see those nostrils flaring when they’re on patrol…”

Especially when I can catch a scent of her.

“You know what I mean,” I said. “There’s something about him, something off with his scent.”

She tapped the side of her nose. “Ah, right. Your superior sense of smell. Is your magical detector going off?” she teased.

“It’s just…” I rolled my shoulders, hearing how ridiculous I might sound. “He doesn’t seem pure fox.”

“So what if he isn’t? Although I’ve only heard him mention fox.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “What’s really going on, Rex? Are you a little jealous of Sloane?"

"No," I replied quickly, my muscles stiffening as I straightened my posture. "Why would I be? He’s your coworker. I’m just looking out for you."

Who was I trying to convince—her or myself?

"You have nothing to worry about," she assured me. “I’ve worked with Sloane for a long time.” Her lips curled into a smirk. "But your protectiveness is kind of cute."

Cute.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to relax. At least she found my reaction amusing, not ridiculously territorial. Wolves could be notoriously possessive when it came to their fated mate.

My wolf moaned with pleasure. Mate , he echoed.

That was something huge to consider. Because the more time I spent with Piper, the more I grew convinced my wolf was right. She was the one.

I’d never felt this strongly about anyone before. And after last night’s kiss, I knew I never would. She was the one, the only one—my fated mate.

But how could I reveal that to her? All we’d shared was a kiss. How could I admit to her that what I felt for her was more—so much more—than she could have possibly considered? Something so monumental, it was for life.

Picturing how she might react, most likely with rejection, heated my body, leaving it covered with a sheen of perspiration. She’d only just met me. If I pounced around her like a puppy with a new toy, declaring she was mine, mine, mine, I sure as hell would scare her away. I rubbed my brow.

“Everything okay, Rex?” She peered at me with concern.

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“About?”

“What we can do for fun on this ship.” I nudged her arm. “Come on.”