Page 8 of Witchbane

“They weren’t big changes. Simply improvements on the spices. Everyone has had rave reviews for the new pies and we’ve added a dozen pastries to the bake case…”

“I thought your goal was to keep it simple. A bakery, not a pastry and cake shop?” Elaine demanded. “Your specialty is bread.”

Carl gave me a glare that told me not to abandon my mate. I made my way back out to Liam’s side, sitting down beside him and praying for lightning to strike me dead. Carl took up his bodyguard pose by the door but I really wanted to kick him on principle.

“Liam is an amazing bread maker,” I added, trying to be helpful.

“In a world in which a lot of people are removing gluten and sugar from their diet,” Liam pointed out.

“And adding more pastry items helps that how?” Elaine asked.

I squeezed Liam’s hand remembering that everyone told me this woman had always been good at pushing his buttons. “The core of the business will always be bread. But we have an entire gluten free line now,” I said. “And a diabetic friendly section, along with extended options for both as special order. For example, if a couple is planning a wedding and one person is gluten intolerant and the other is diabetic, they can still have a great tasting cake that meets those needs.”

“Speaking of weddings,” my mother interrupted.

Fuck. And down that rabbit hole we went.

The fact that Liam couldn’t talk either woman out of staying had me fleeing for the camper, and not even Carl could stop me. I could feel his gaze calling me a coward the whole way. Once again, I’d run.

I arrived at the camper alone. I could feel the guards following me, and Toby appeared shortly afterward in his wolf form, taking his place at the base of the stairs while I made tea.

Still no sign of Robin. I hoped he was okay. Usually, he didn’t stay away long. I could have used his company, even a cat to snuggle with. I probably should have gone in search of Minion, likely in Korissa’s room, before making my way to the camper. But the little black cat didn’t much like the small space and preferred to roam the house, claiming anyone’s bed he pleased. The fact that he let Korissa dress him up in silly outfits and carry him around in a backpack was likely the only thing that kept the entire pack from getting cranky with him. He was noisy, demanding, and stupid crazy cute.

I left everyone behind with the hope that I’d get some sleep and maybe my mate would join me soon. The tea helped, relaxing some of the tension in my shoulders and slowing my mind a little.

Feeling like a bug under a microscope had done fuck all to soothe the flailing nerves racing through me. It had been cowardly to leave Liam alone with them, but he was a much better peacekeeper than I was. Odd for an alpha, but he sort of had that way about him. Dominant, and yet focused on the pack, meant people came to him for mediation. Me, they came to vent because they felt I would listen, even if I couldn’t solve their problems. The life of an alpha’s omega mate…

I sent a text to Al.Are you messing with Sean and Dylan?

It didn’t take long to get a reply.What do you mean by that?

They were a thing. Now you’re a thing?

The triple dot appeared for a few seconds like he was thinking about how to reply. Then all that came back was:It’s complicated.

Does Dylan want you there? Does Sean? Can we uncomplicate it?

I wanted to see my friends and check in on Dylan. Sean had been trusted with secrets about the wolves that most humans would never learn. Would he abandon Dylan now for a vampire? Or did he want them both? How did that even work? It couldn’t be like the movies. That always ended in disaster. And Sean was about as far from the teenage chosen one as a person could get.

Can we talk in person?

Tomorrow morning, outside the bakery. I will go in with Liam.

Your wolf will flip if he sees me.

Don’t let him see you,I sent back, irritated. The pack bonds had been filled with tension lately. Having attributed it to my lack of sleep, I hadn’t realized it was more than that. Not having Liam’s third around would be trouble as he was central to the pack and still healing. I considered it my job as an omega and the mate of the alpha to fix this. Since Dylan and Sean were also my friends, I really hoped I didn’t mess this up further.

Tomorrow.Al sent back. I flipped off the phone and tucked it into the drawer beside the bed.

The sound of the camper door squeaking open almost gave me a heart attack. It was stupid because only one person had access to the camper, and usually only when I was in it, but I’d been wound so tightly I hadn’t felt him move closer.

“Liam,” I muttered, not sure if I was happy to see him or terrified the women in our lives had followed him.

“At least you didn’t keep me out,” he said closing the door behind him and making his way to me. “Is that valerian root tea?”

“Yes. Was going to try to sleep.”

He reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small bottle. Not prescription, as it was white rather than the trademark orange/brown, but I still took a step back. “Magnesium,” Liam said, handing it to me. “Quality stuff, supposed to help with the anxiety and sleep.”