Page 38 of Loan Wolf (Green Valley Shifters: Generations #1)
Gabe hadn’t realized how hard it would be to watch Clara get a tattoo. She didn’t seem bothered, sitting stoically while the needle was applied, but Gabe knew it hurt her, and had to clench fists at his side so he didn’t do something unfortunate like punch the hapless artist.
“That wasn’t so bad!” Clara lied when it was finished, rolling her shoulder and twisting her head to try to see it. The artist tipped a mirror up for her. The skin around the delicate lines was red and annoyed, but the design was beautiful—a daisy overlaid on a bike wheel with a wolf’s paw in the center with angel wings on either side.
“We’ll do a touch up in a few weeks and add some spots of color then,” the artist said gruffly, as he set the mirror down to spray the new tattoo with antiseptic and cover it with a bandage.
“Vicky is going to be so mad that she didn’t get one first,” Clara chuckled.
“Vicky was born mad,” Gabe pointed out. “I feel sorry for her mate.”
“That’s going to be a hoot,” Clara agreed. “She wants to be my bridesmaid, did I tell you?”
“Oh, are we getting married?” Gabe didn’t find the idea as terrifying as he first had.
“Everyone says so.” Clara shrugged and then winced. “Okay, yeah, that hurts a little.”
Gabe made of point of flexing his tattooed arm and she laughed. “Give me some time to catch up,” she said.
“You going to be able to teach your first class with a fresh tattoo?” Gabe asked. “You could put it off, if you wanted to.”
“And disappoint those six determined little dancer kids? Not on your life.” Clara paid the artist and gingerly put her coat on.
The sky outside threatened snow and Gabe was very careful when he put his arm around Clara to walk back to her car. They argued over music, and finally settled on Sk8ter Boi. “I’m glad I didn’t say see you later, boy !” Clara said, contentedly. “
“I like your see you forever answer better,” Gabe agreed, “even if I really wasn’t good enough for you.”
“I didn’t want good,” Clara said, leaning over to kiss him across the center console. “I just wanted you .”
Pack! his wolf said in pure delight.
* * *
Thank you for picking up Loan Wolf!