Page 22

22

KELLY

A fter Emma left to grab us drinks and snacks, I meditated on Jacob’s words. Push down the wolf in a firm, steady way like closing a heavy door. She needed to know I was the boss here, and I needed to relax. Losing control in a cafe full of people wasn’t the vibe.

The fact I’d hurt Jacob crushed me. But life would be so much worse if I hurt a human. What if I created another monster? My mind flashed to the lab. The rumbling growls echoed behind me before agony exploded through my back.

Shit! No, no, no…

Thinking about that night wasn’t helping.

I took a few more steady breaths and focused on shoving down my wolf. Slowly, my senses dialed back to a more human level. I could do this. I was doing it.

The hardest part of my discussion with Emma was over. Once we finished talking, I’d see how I felt. Maybe I’d check out Eternally Magick in case the shop had any information on dealing with my new furry side.

“Here you go.” Emma set down a tray with two massive chocolate chip cookies, a mango iced tea, and a cappuccino. She sat beside me again. “You still feeling okay? We can always bounce if it’s too much.”

I took a sip of iced tea, searching for the right words. “Yeah, I’m good. It’s just… I haven’t been out much since everything happened. Being in public feels… intense?” It wasn’t the perfect word, but I didn’t know how to explain it. Hell, did I know how I was feeling?

Besides, I couldn’t tell her I was a werewolf. She didn’t need to be dragged into that craziness. The fewer people who knew what I was, the better.

Emma wrapped her hands around her cup. “I can’t even imagine.” Her gaze flicked to mine. “If you ever want to talk about what happened, I’m here. Are you safe now?”

“Thanks.” My lips tightened into a thin line, and I glanced at the people sitting nearby. “Yeah, it’s fine now.” My pulse sped up. If she pushed for more answers on that topic, I might be jumping the fence after all.

“No pressure.” She sipped her coffee, watching me over the rim. “So, how are things at Jacob’s? You sounded nervous on the phone. Is he actually treating you well?”

I rubbed my forehead, chasing away a headache. Of course she’d ask that again. “Seriously. Everything’s great with him. He’s helped a lot in ways I can’t really explain. We care about one another. I might love him.” Actually, I knew it was true, but would Emma understand? She couldn’t know we’d been locked up together. I didn’t want to deal with her inquisitive nature, and that was part of Jacob’s story too. I wouldn’t reveal something that could impact him. Better to stay vague. “As for how I’m doing, I can’t say I’m great, but I’m trying?”

“Trying is good. Better than many of us could ask for.” Her nose scrunched as she stared off into the distance. “Is that why you haven’t gotten in touch? You feel more comfortable opening up to him? I?—”

“No!” I placed my hand over hers. “You’re my friend, Emma. If I’m honest, I haven’t wanted to talk to anyone. Communication hasn’t been perfect with Jacob either.” I chewed my lower lip. “Um, I visited the Dean of Students without telling him.” It hurt to admit. “He thinks I should recover, but I need to do my studies. That meeting didn’t go well.”

“Is Jacob mad at you? If you need someplace to stay?—”

“Emma, please.” I sighed. “He still doesn’t know. I should be truthful about my needs. It’s just—” I looked away. “I don’t feel like I’m good at being human right now.” Shit. Too close to the truth. My gaze lifted to hers. “Socially, I mean.”

With a nod, she placed her other hand over mine. “You’ve been through a lot, girl. Be patient with yourself. Anyone would feel less social in your shoes.” Her eyes softened, expression heavy with concern. “So, uh, what happened with the dean?”

I squeezed her hand, needing that comfort. This subject was hard for me. Maybe talking it over with her would help me practice for the conversation I needed to have with Jacob.

“Dr. Butler was an asshole.” I shook my head. “Err… Well, he didn’t believe me. Said he needs proof. The story probably sounds fantastical, but?—”

“What? Are you kidding me?” Anger darkened her pale face into a deep pink blush. “What a jerk! Maybe it sounded a little out there, but you’re not the type to just make up stories. What about my reports to campus security?” My heart skipped a beat, remembering she’d contacted them. “And you didn’t answer your phone. What are you going to do? I know how your parents are… There has to be someone else you can talk to. Someone who will actually listen.”

Uh oh… I was tiptoeing a fine line now. Emma might speak up on my behalf if she thought I’d been wronged, which was amazing, but I didn’t need more attention on me.

“First, I’m going to admit what I did to Jacob. After that, I?—”

“Think about your future here. You think you love him, I get it. But is talking to him about what you did more important than trying to get back into school?” Emma cocked an eyebrow.

“It is important. I shouldn’t have kept it from him, and yeah, I’ll do what it takes to get back into college. But I’m not living with that guilt. Besides, he said his mother might talk with the dean. My parents don’t know or care, so having an actual parent step in might help.” Why did I even bring that up? Jacob might not even want to help now.

“Have you tried—” She shook her head. “No, it’s wrong of me to suggest contacting your folks. I know they were awful to you.” She leaned over and wrapped an arm around me. “I’m sorry, and you’re right. If he found out, it could cause a rift, and you two are such a cute couple. I trust you know what you’re doing.”

The warmth of Emma’s hug was nice. I released a breath. She understood, even if she flaunted a rather judgy demeanor. Her home life was nothing like mine. No one deserved a shitty upbringing. “Thanks. I appreciate it. Not that I know what you mean about the cute couple thing. Jacob is hot and all, but—” I grinned. “It almost feels like a fairy tale being with him. I’ll let you know how it goes with school. And don’t forget to text me your classes for when,” or maybe if with my luck, “I’m able to enroll.”

She pulled out a sheet of paper from her purse. “One step ahead of you, bestie. I figured we’d talk about them when we had coffee. I’m glad we could chat. You know I’m always here for you, right?”

“I do. You have no idea how much I appreciate your support.” Emotions tightened my throat as I looked over her courses, feeling a sting of regret we weren’t already taking them together. I hoped we would be soon.

“You’d do the same for me.” She took the last sip of her cappuccino. “Did you want to visit that shop? We could go together, then I can walk you to your car?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I’ll head back to Jacob’s and rest before he gets home from his errands. At least I feel more prepared to talk with him now.” Heading back to Jacob’s immediately was a lie, but she wouldn’t understand that I needed to learn more about what I was and chat with Mia.

“You’re sure? We could pop in for a few moments.” But a look of relief crossed her face.

“It’s fine, I promise. There’s always next time. We’ll probably come back here, right?” The drinks were great, the cookies magical, and from what I smelled, the food seemed good too.

“That’s right. Let’s go.”

It didn’t take long to reach my car near the bookstore just past Eternally Magick. Emma had parked farther down Main Street, so I sat in my car and waited. When her car passed, I held my phone to my ear and gave her a quick wave, pretending to be too busy to leave yet. She smiled and kept driving. Perfect.

When the coast was clear, I went to the door of Eternally Magick and stopped outside. My nose twitched, and the feeling of being watched was back. Could it be my imagination? I glanced at the window reflections for shadows lurking behind me. Nothing.

People strolled by like they didn’t have a care in the world. I envied them, but maybe I’d feel safe in my own skin again one day.

I stepped inside the shop, a bell chiming over my head. The dark, regal colors and wood made it feel very medieval or Renaissance era in here. I liked the décor, then the wall of herbal fragrance hit my nostrils, ripping a sneeze from me. The scents were overwhelming, and I nearly pinched my nose. But that might’ve looked weird. Breathing in this place was so much effort.

“Oh, hey! You’re back.” Mia popped around a shelf with a couple of candles in her hands. “I almost wondered if I’d scared you off.”

“What? No, not at all. My friend and I had a lot to catch up on, so…” I followed her to the shelf with candles she’d been working on. Maybe I shouldn’t pry, but I was curious about what happened the night we’d escaped. “Um, you said things have been rough recently… I’m sorry.”

“I, uh…” She rearranged the candles again as if keeping busy helped. “Yes, it has been. My boyfriend nearly… I’m sorry. I can’t.” She cleared her throat. “Were you looking for something or just browsing? Want me to show you around?” She waved at the displays. “The candles are buy one, get one half off. We’ve also got cute dragon and black cat statues. Crystals, jewelry, and some books.”

Relief flowed through me, but the pain radiating from her hurt like hell. I shouldn’t have pushed. Not when she was struggling. But I needed to find something about my wolf problem and get the hell out of here. My nose would thank me too.

“I shouldn’t have said anything. Sorry.” I felt like a huge jerk. “Just looking around mostly. I’ve never been in here. I’ll take a peek at the books. Thanks.” Witchcraft, tarot, and astral projection dominated the content. Nothing screamed Werewolf 101. Didn’t seem like I’d find anything useful here. But I’d given it a shot. Part of me wanted to leave, but I felt obligated to buy something. My wallet disliked that decision, but I’d figure it out.

“Those candles look great.” I stopped beside her again. “The pine forest one, please.” My wolf liked that one best. Not so sickeningly potent like the others.

Mia took one to the cash register. When I approached, her gaze drifted toward the door like she was expecting someone, then it slid back to me. “Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ll come back. Maybe next time I’ll be in better spirits.”

I smiled as I paid her. “No worries. I’m sure I’ll be back. I hope life gets better soon.”

With my bag in hand, I left. The second I stepped outside, I regretted it. Adrenaline flooded my system before I even knew why. Every nerve in my body screamed. Whatever suspicion I’d felt before stepping into the store was worse now.

I jogged to my car, but strong arms wrapped around my waist, trapping my arms at my sides. Before I could scream, I was shoved into the backseat of a moving car. It sped off before the door closed, and a broad-shouldered man pressed me into the seat. His eyes shone like gold. The glimmer of his sharp, canine-like teeth flashed in the sunlight.

Oh no. No, no, please! Not again… and not by people Jacob thinks are dangerous.