The Wolf Who Played With Fire: New Adult Paranormal Romance (Cry Wolf) (3 page)

However, she’d died far too soon. I had so little knowledge about the purpose of my powers and how to use them. Her death had been mysterious, but everyone explained it away as a freak accident.

That’s when I’d met Jessa.

Some friends of my grandmother had directed her into my path. If it weren’t for Jessa, I’d still be floundering like a fish out of water.

Sitting behind the shop’s counter, it took all my strength to keep from laying my head against the display case’s cool glass. The delicious evening with Ethan had worn me out, and now pain radiated from my ankle. The jump had hurt far more than I’d realized.

Besides, it wasn’t every day that I threw myself from the window of a second story building. By the time I got home, I’d had to clean my feet and go. After work, I would make the comfrey poultice for my ankle. I doubted it was broken, but I’d definitely strained it.

However, I couldn’t believe Nolan had stomped in like that. He’d changed since the argument between him and Ethan on Christmas Day.

I didn’t like seeing their friendship slowly deteriorate, especially when I was causing those problems. If our relationship cost Ethan and Nolan their friendship, then I didn’t think I could handle being with Ethan, even if I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything else.

The book on werewolves I’d found in Jessa’s office sat on the counter near me. While I’d done some research, I wondered what I’d find if I did more digging. The wolves I’d met scared me. Knowing Ethan would become one of them made it that much worse. Should I learn the grim details of how he’d be, once the transformation to werewolf was complete?

Reluctantly, I held my hand over the book, focusing my energy on it and willing the text to show me something happy. I flipped it open, letting the pages reveal what I was supposed to see. The page it landed on had no pictures, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The yellowing paper flipped of its own accord, revealing an illustration of a ‘wolfman’ biting into a small person, maybe a child.

Violence
,
horror
and
torn to pieces
were the first words that captured my attention. I ran a hand through my hair. No, I wouldn’t go by superstition as the basis of whether or not I should spend my life with Ethan.

A cool draft blew through the shop. Shivering, I wished I hadn’t left my jacket in Jessa’s office.

I shut the book again, then reopened it closer to the beginning, determined to read more about werewolves and conquer my fears. I’d learned my lesson, and I refused to backslide when I knew how much it had cost the ones I loved.

The more I read, the more nausea plagued me. Maybe this explained why Jessa hadn’t told me much about werewolves. Geez... Sure, I’d believed her when she said she didn’t know if they actually existed, but she had the book in her office. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know anything at all.

I shoved the old leather bound tome to my left. Now wasn’t the time to get this heavy and upset about what was happening in my life. If an actual customer walked in, I didn’t want to be surly and on the verge of tears.

Happy thoughts. That’s what I needed. Memories of our nearly shared intimacy this morning drifted through my head. Ethan was the only one who truly accepted me for who I was. Everyone else in my life tried to change me or wanted something from me—even Jessa—although most of them had the best intentions. But being loved by Ethan was like the cure I’d been waiting for.

Maybe if I straightened a few of the shelves, I wouldn’t be quite so emotional or exhausted. Then again, my foot still hurt, and I was under no illusions of my feelings changing course. I laid my head on the counter seconds before the bell that was connected to the door chimed.

Darting upright, I pretended I hadn’t been about to take a nap. That was the last thing I needed, especially since quite a few of the customers knew Jessa personally. They would probably tell her if I did something wrong like sleep on the job. Plus, if an unsavory type came in and stole something... I’d rather avoid that.

Nevertheless, taking over for her put me in front of many people, some of whom I wished I’d never met. The energy they poured out was overwhelming, like trying to breathe water. How could I stack up without my grandmother’s guidance? Jessa did the best she could, but it was far from what I needed to succeed.

Maybe she was holding back. After all we’d been through a few weeks ago, I wondered if she’d open up to me now. The hospital visits didn’t reveal much. We talked about the store and life in general. The type of conversation a couple of friends would enjoy, not a novice witch to her mentor.

Dread slithered down my spine as I glanced up at the man who had walked into the shop. Chad looked every bit as arrogant as when he’d broken into my house and almost punched me in the head after I’d inadvertently poisoned his father and Alpha. Fortunately for me, he’d needed my help.

I’d crafted him a potion and cast a few high-powered fireballs at Jared to keep him from ruining more of Jessa’s shop. Chad hadn’t liked my interference, but the bastard had hurt my best friend.

The energy buzzing around Chad was wild and angry. This was the first time I’d seen him since our prior meeting, but I knew Ethan interacted with him since they went to Pack meetings together see if he was worthy to be one of them. The fact they’d nearly killed Ethan because he’d been made into a werewolf without permission terrified me.

“What do you want?” I asked, pushing myself to my feet. I didn’t want to be taken off guard if he made a move for me.

“Nice to see you again too.” Chad’s voice was dark and mocking. “Do you greet all of your customers that way?” He glanced around the shop as if inspecting it for the first time. Or maybe he was seeing how well I’d cleaned it up since he and Jared had nearly destroyed it.

“No, but most of them are here to buy things, not intimidate me.” I remained behind the counter, remembering how quick he was. My heart raced in my chest, and I took a couple deep breaths to try calming down. If he knew how badly he was bothering me, it would give him more power over me.

“If I was trying to intimidate you, you would know it.” He walked over to the counter, taking his time looking at the statues and magical paraphernalia he passed.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” I pulled air into my lungs steadily, willing myself to breathe and act as if he didn’t unnerve me. “I know your people don’t like me, but I didn’t poison your Alpha intentionally, as you already know.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Besides, what have you done to the man who did mean harm toward your Alpha and who nearly killed my friend?”

Chad slapped his hands on the counter and leaned over it, shoving his face in mine. I forced myself not to step back, because then he’d know the fear I felt with him this close. “We are handling the matter. Keep your nose out of Pack business, witch. The Pack doesn’t trust you. Jared will be dealt with on our terms. Do you understand?”

I shuddered, unable to stop myself.

Chad had been much friendlier before. It was almost like the wolves had sunk their claws into him after what happened. Like his Pack members had given him a lesson on why not to trust people like myself. I hadn’t done this intentionally. Why was I being accused when I’d feared for my life?

“He hurt my friend. He needs to pay for what he’s done.” The words squeaked out.

“I’m aware.” A sliver of regret passed through his eyes, but then it was gone. “However, he is, and will remain, a Pack issue. Drop it. It’s better for us to deal with this, even if it takes some time—” Chad grunted and shook his head as if he’d already said too much.

“What do you mean,
takes some time
? My friend could have died. Your wolves place little value on anyone other than themselves.” Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I held them in check. Customer or not, Chad was an asshole. I wanted, no, I
needed
him out.

“The Pack follows the traditions. If it didn’t, there would be anarchy. Would you like werewolves roaming the city, chewing on unsuspecting prey? If that’s what you want, little red, the wolves are already hungry for your blood. Your own wolf would be killed alongside you.” With a huff, Chad took two steps away from the counter. “Besides, don’t forget that the moron requested the poison from you. He wanted to kill my father, and we haven’t forgotten that. His crimes go beyond nearly killing your friend.”

The anger gleaming in Chad’s eyes dissolved my own. His dad had almost died, and Jared had nearly gotten away with it. I couldn’t be too upset with Chad.

“Why did you come here?” I bit my lower lip. The bell chimed, signifying another customer, and a tall brunette woman walked through the door. “No loitering is allowed in the store, sir,” I said, unable to come up with a better line.

His shoulders shook as if he were trying to stop himself from doubling over with laughter. He leaned in close so only I could hear his next remark. “I threaten you and your boyfriend, and the best you can throw at me is loitering?”

I jerked away, seeing the error of my ways. The female customer glanced in our direction, and I smiled, trying to be reassuring. My attention zeroed back on Chad, hoping he’d get out as soon as possible. I didn’t need trouble from the wolves, and I certainly didn’t need it while I was dealing with Eternally Magick.

“I want to try one of your potions.” He dug out a scrap of paper from his pocket. “Don’t poison me.”

The potion in question surprised me. What he wanted was something for nerves. I couldn’t imagine why he’d come asking for this. Didn’t wolves have their own way of coping with stress?

“I have some on hand,” I said. “Just a moment, I’ll get it.”

The brunette placed a few baggies of herbs in her shopping tote as I passed by, trying my best not to limp. The energy drifting from her reminded me of what I experienced sometimes from Jessa. It took all my willpower not to do a double take at her. I couldn’t show ineptitude within the witch community.

I grabbed a couple of vials of the stress potion, as well as a more powerful variant in case the normal dose didn’t work. All of the ingredients in these should be safe since I’d made them myself. None of them contained anything that might hurt Chad. Definitely no wolf’s bane but I wasn’t sure if there was anything else out there that wasn’t tied to werewolf lore that would affect him.

Werewolves were very resilient, so I guess I’d find out.

When I finished selecting the potions, I headed back to the counter where Chad was casting glances at the brunette. She watched him with a seductive pout on her ruby red lips.

I blinked at him, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. Chad had a beef with witches, yet he was giving googly eyes to one.
Whatever.
I set the vials in a bag and used the cash register to check him out. “Earth to Chad. The total is—”

He snapped his head in my direction. “You know my name. What else did your boyfriend tell you? I’m sure he’s holding back, not giving you the whole slice of the pie. Things you’d cringe over if you knew.” He threw a fifty-dollar bill on the counter, then stalked toward the door with the bag in his hand. Stopping for a second, he glanced at the brunette then back to me. “You helped me. I won’t forget that, but I’m the least of your problems, Mia.”

I blinked at him, unable to form a meaningful response. “Your change?” I said sounding stupid even to myself as I held up the fifty.

“Keep the tip.” With that, he walked out, and I doubted he meant the monetary tip. After I finished visiting with Jessa tonight, I
needed
to see Ethan, even if it meant stopping by his house. We had to talk; there was no way around it. What was he keeping from me?

Brunette stalked up to the counter, moving with the tote bag of herbs on her shoulder. “You’re in over your head with them, child. If you want my advice, stay away from the wolves as much as you can.”

My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t believe she’d known what he was, but then again, she was more powerful than I was. However, not even Jessa had known werewolves were real.

“Believe me, I’ve been where you are. They aren’t like us. Jessa spoke highly of you. Now that I’ve seen you for myself, I see your potential to be like your grandmother is very good. Rose was my mentor. Don’t keep yourself secreted away when you could use our help.” She pulled out the herbs she’d picked from the shelves so I could see their sales codes.

“You knew my grandmother?” The bag of thyme fell from my hand and thumped against the counter. I hadn’t realized my grandmother was so prominent in the witch community. She had been powerful, and I knew she’d had friends, but this was... it was intense. “I’m scared of running into the wrong kind of people. It feels safer to remain in the shadows.”

Brunette shrugged an elegant shoulder. “While that’s true for some, you’ve succeeded in finding the wrong crowd all by yourself.” She tapped the fifty-dollar bill still lying on the counter with one long red fingernail. “Consider my advice, doll. If you’re not sure, talk to Jessa and ask her opinion. Tell her Selene stopped by. We’re not a large group, but you’ll learn more than you would if you remain locked in the shell you’re hiding in.”

“Okay, I will.” I finished ringing up Selene’s order, then watched her glide away with the grace of a cat.

“See you around, doll,” she called over her shoulder before stepping outside. The door closed behind her.