Page 13 of The Wolf and the Chimera (The Witch and the Cowboy #3)

Now was not the time to test Lyall’s patience.

Ryder had already opposed his will once today, and he didn’t need to do it again, especially not over something as silly as trying a sip of expensive wine.

Ryder poured a minuscule amount into my glass and planted the bottle on the table with a loud thump.

Under Lyall’s watchful eye, I brought the glass to my lips and prepared my best poker face. The few times I had tried alcohol, I had coughed and sputtered. When this wine touched my tongue, however, its sweet and bitter flavor sent pleasant heat traveling down my spine.

“Wow,” I said. “That’s really good.”

Lyall grinned. “Told you.”

As dinner continued, I poured myself a couple more glasses. Heat relaxed my tense muscles and made the smile I kept poised on my face easier to maintain. Eventually, Ryder tried it and interrupted Kieran’s and Lyall’s conversation about an upcoming bonfire.

“What is this?” he asked.

I didn’t understand his anger. The wine was liquid joy.

“It’s good,” I said.

Ryder glared at me.

“It’s specially imported,” Lyall repeated and smiled. “From a winery that specializes in fermentation that will offer a buzz to those with supernatural metabolisms.”

My mind struggled to process his words.

“Alcohol doesn’t effect werewolves and witches and…” What am I again? “Chimeras.”

Even without access to my powers, my metabolism, like my ability to heal, was faster than the average human’s. It made getting drunk nearly impossible.

“You didn’t think to tell her this before she drank almost an entire bottle?” Ryder demanded.

I glanced at the bottle in front of us and started at how much of it was empty .

“Shit,” Kieran muttered.

Lyall shrugged. “I assumed she could recognize its effects.”

“He meant no harm,” Kalli promised.

“Are you really sober enough to make that assessment?” Ryder snarked.

His sharp tone cut through the pleasant warmth in my body. I frowned and laid my hand on his.

“I’m fine, Wolfie,” I promised.

Kieran snickered. “ Wolfie?”

I wondered if the nickname was offensive. I hoped not. The cuteness of the nickname compared to the ferocity of Ryder’s wolf made me chuckle.

Why had I never thought of calling him that before?

Ryder’s jaw clenched. “Elle, did you get enough to eat?”

My stomach was bursting at the seams. I nodded, and Ryder rose to his feet.

“Then we’re leaving,” he said and held out his hand.

“We haven’t eaten dessert,” Lyall protested.

Wanting to avoid an argument, I stood. The room spun, and I leaned against Ryder for support.

“I really am sleepy,” I said. Against my will, my words rolled together. “I’m sorry, but I think it’s best if we go.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Ryder muttered.

I glared at him, but my words did the trick on Lyall. He smiled smugly.

“Of course,” he said. His blue eyes glittered. “Get some rest, Elle. I’m sorry for not warning you of the wine’s effects.”

I waved off his concerns and said goodbye to Kalli and Kieran. As Ryder led me out of the room, colors and light swirled. We turned down one of the many, many, white halls, and I stumbled into his back.

“Godsdammit,” Ryder muttered and swept me into his arms. “How did you not notice you were getting drunk?”

Closing my eyes, I toyed with my sleeve and relaxed my head against Ryder’s warm, broad chest. Though he grated my nerves to no end, I couldn’t find a flaw in his body. I breathed in his woodsy scent and sighed in contentment.

“Don’t do that,” Ryder ordered, “not when you’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk,” I argued.

He snorted.

“And what did I do that was so wrong anyway, Wolfie?” I asked.

“First,” he said, “you called me Wolfie. Twice. Second, you acted like you might actually like me.”

I opened my eyes and admired the strong angle of his jaw and the smile toying at the edges of his lips. He always fought to hide his smiles.

“I do like you,” I whispered. “Sometimes.”

He smirked, and the flash of teeth felt like a victory. One day, I would coax a real grin out of him.

“That response only proves how far gone you are,” he said. “We need to get some water in you, otherwise the only thing you’re doing tonight is sleeping.”

“Right,” I realized, “because we were supposed to—”

Ryder palmed a hand over my mouth, and I winced at what I had almost proclaimed in the public hall.

Okay, maybe I’m a little drunk.

I should’ve never let Lyall talk me into trying the wine. I should’ve never gone back for seconds. I should’ve recognized the headiness that spread through my body with every sip and stopped drinking it.

I had always contributed very little to my own protection, but this was a new low.

“Hey,” Ryder said softly and pushed open the door to our room. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m an idiot,” I whined and pressed my face into my hands.

Ryder sighed. “No, you’re not.”

He set me on the velvet couch and wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. While I sulked, he grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and brought it to me .

“Drink,” he instructed.

When I brought it to my lips, my grip wobbled, and I spilled a few drops on my blanket. Ryder chuckled.

“Do I need to hold it to your lips, Ellie?”

Heat that had nothing to do with wine buzzed in my veins, but I ignored it and glowered at him. Desperate to clear my head, I gulped down the water quickly, but my stomach turned. Light danced in my vision, and nausea made my head swim.

I raced to the toilet and retched. A second later, warm hands grabbed my hair and held it out of the way. When my stomach finally quieted, I groaned.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I screwed everything up.”

“I know,” Ryder joked. “You really stole my job.”

I groaned again, and Ryder rubbed circles on my back.

“Do you want to go back to the couch?” he asked.

I nodded, and Ryder helped me to my feet. In the darkened bathroom, I rinsed my mouth out, but when I noticed my reflection, I gasped.

Like twin Suns, my eyes blazed with reddish light.

A feminine yawn echoed in my mind.

Nice to see you again, chimera.