Chapter 39

Eoghan

P acking up for the European opener, I felt a melancholy that was even stronger than when I moved to Vancouver. Which was completely stupid, since it was only two weeks away.

The mere idea of being so far away from Emmy sucked. The last few weeks with Emmy were practically perfect. She'd been so much more relaxed and even pushed me to do an early full moon run since I was a little extra cranky. She'd been accepting of me at my base level.

But she had to stay around for her job. She had clients that relied on her. On top of that, she needed to stay in Canada for her visa.

She wrapped her arms around me and said, "Looks like you're packing for a month. Isn't this trip just two weeks?"

I looked at my two bags. It wasn't anything crazy for me. But yeah, I would take more than some guys. Even though I was a werewolf and my immune system was hella strong, I still liked to take good care of myself. So I had a backpack full of vitamins, medications, two different massagers, several resistance bands, my eReader, cards, sleep mask, ear plugs, and my toiletries. Then you had the game day suits, stuff to wear to explore Prague and Munich, and shoes for everything, since I couldn't look like a chump in front of the fellas.

"Meh. It's my normal to go stuff. Okay, my bag of clothes is a little larger than usual since it's a long trip."

She patted my chest and said, "It's almost triple what you took for our trip."

I chuckled. "I wasn't playing hockey that trip and I was going back to my house where I had stuff waiting for me. So I have to bring a lot more stuff this time. But get used to bags like this for road trips. This is the norm."

I zipped up the suitcase and pulled it upright so I could wheel it to my SUV.

She pulled on my shirt and asked, "How much time do we have before you have to go?"

I planted a possessive kiss over her lips. I loved how soft and plump they were and just so reactive to my kisses. It was going to be the best that we would have since I needed to head to the airport soon.

"Not enough time to show you how much I love you, but please know that I'll miss you with every fiber in my being."

She gave me a much more tender kiss. "You can be such a sweet talker."

"I mean every word of that, my star."

I loved the way she glowed whenever I called her that. While my body may be ruled by the moon, I always loved the beauty of stars, and she was the star in my life. She kept me sane and sober and always got me to be my best self. Wasn't that what true love was all about?

My phone vibrated on the bed, which meant that Cartsy was in the driveway. While I should head out the door with my stuff, I had one other thing on my mind.

I lifted up Emmy, and she immediately wrapped her legs around my waist. I pushed her against the wall while I captured her lips one more time.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Fuck, Cartsy must be annoyed that I wasn't ready if he was already blaring the car horn in quick succession. I sucked on her lip, trying to savor every taste. Leaving her for two weeks seemed like I was leaving a part of my soul behind.

Our foreheads touched as she said, "Sounds like you need to go."

"Don't wanna."

She patted my chest. "I know, but you have to. Don't you worry, I'll be fine. Just play some great hockey and we'll talk when you land."

Then it was more of that stupid car horn going off.

Emmy unwrapped her legs and helped me by grabbing my backpack. I grabbed my jumbo-sized suitcase.

As I got to the door, I saw Cartsy traded last week's Wagoneer for a truck. I grabbed my backpack from Emmy. I gave her one more sensual kiss since I really wasn't ready to leave her for the first time this year.

"I'm not ready to leave you. But if you need anything,"

She interrupted me by repeating what we'd talked about, "I can always call Natalie or Annette if it's hockey related. If it's the other thing, call Logan."

I smirked. We'd might have gone over this a few times, but I felt so powerless knowing that I was going to Prague. It wasn’t like I could just reach her.

"If it's medical, please call Logan as well as your doctor."

She rolled her eyes at me. It wasn't an unreasonable request. "I know. You're overreacting."

"Probably, but I don't care. I’d rather know that you're safe and prepared, my star."

The last thing we needed was for some sort of paranormal sickness to strike and for her to just go to a human doctor. They wouldn't be able to do jack shit. At least Logan could get a hold of one of our doctors.

I gave her one more kiss, but then Cartsy blared his horn. I lessened my hold on her just enough to give him the bird, since he was being super annoying. We weren't late, and I was saying goodbye to my love.

After separating from her and feeling some subtle dread, I tossed my suitcase into the flatbed and got into the passenger seat. After getting my backpack tucked under near my feet, "What's got your boxers in a twist?"

"I don't like being out and about longer than I need to. Not until that fucking stalker is caught."

That shocked me. Who the fuck would stalk a professional athlete? When I got back, I'd use my paranormal senses to figure out if he was indeed being followed. He was my teammate, after all.

"You're being stalked?"

"Not me, my girlfriend, but since she's been hiding out at my place when she's not on set, I'm on edge. I don't like this trip."

Oh damn. That was the most I'd ever heard about his girlfriend. But everything made sense. The trading in of cars and wanting to get out of the neighborhood.

"I'm sorry to hear that. That's got to be rough."