Page 32 of Enemy Wolf

While my head was reeling, my wolf was overjoyed. He’d been sullen and quiet for a full day, and like a magic pill, he was spinning in circles, tail going nuts, and pawing at me to go say hello to Shiloh.

In the span of a moment, none of the food seemed appetizing. Nothing would satisfy my tastebuds except the one thing I couldn’t have—the witch I’d thoroughly fucked things up with.

I looked down the length of the table to my fellow werewolves. Everyone was digging in, talking animatedly to their table neighbors, and in no rush to leave. How bad would it be if I just got up and went outside? And just happened to never come back in?

Well, I’d come with the alpha, who was an honored guest by the looks of it. Derric was seated next to the human leader at the head of the table. So chances were good my leaving abruptly would cast poorly on him. Damn it.

I took another swig of beer, keeping the glass near my nose in hopes of giving myself a different scent to latch onto. It was a poor substitute for the scent I really wanted, but it would have to do.

Don’t look at her. Don’t scent her. And definitely don’t speak to her, I told myself.

I would endure. I would get through it.

Somehow I always did.

Chapter 12

Shiloh

Of all the places I thought Orson might pop up, a human equinox feast was the last one I expected.

A handful of werewolves were in attendance, which was a surprise. Derric seemed intent on being more present in the human community though, so bringing a main course and some of his packmates was a thoughtful gesture.

All throughout the feast, I kept focused on my plate and conversed with the people directly across and next to me. There was absolutely no way I would look down the length of the table to the icy-eyed wolf. No way in all the moon’s glory. Sawyer and Riley were right next to him and I’d had yet to say hello, which felt rude. I’d have to find my way to them, as long as Orson wasn’t around.

The longer I sat, eating and talking, the more my surroundings faded out of focus, despite my grasping to hold onto them. The anger and hurt I’d been trying to ignore took center stage.

I wished more than anything that those feelings would just go away, but it felt like I’d been snagged on a fishing hook. The more I fought, the deeper the barb embedded itself. I wanted answers, some closure at least. Did he really find me so unattractive? Was there something about me that was just repulsive to werewolves?

Even more, I resented that I had such questions at all, that I was an emotional barnacle on a guy that clearly didn’t give a shit. Why should I care? Orson was rude and callous during the best of times. Why was I getting so worked up just eating at the same table as him? He clearly wasn’t affected.

On and on the cycle went. Anger at him. Anger at myself. Resenting him. Resenting my own stupid feelings. All the while trying to smile and look cheerful to everyone else.

When it came time to clear everyone’s plates, I could not get up fast enough. I wasn’t even on washing duty this year, but I grabbed a bussing tub and proceeded to collect everyone’s dishes from my area of the table just so I could disappear into the kitchen for some peace.

In the precious seconds I had alone, I sighed out an exhausted breath. I had barely gotten any sleep last night due to making more test batches of the dragon’s potion. And now I was getting low on silver deadnettle, which posed another issue. I had no idea where Orson had sourced it from.

My alone time came to an abrupt end when Theda, a fellow witch, and Haley, a human woman, came through the double doors with their own bussing tubs full of dishes.

“How are they feeling about dessert out there?” I asked, making myself busy with sorting dishes in the sink.

“Most of ‘em are saying no, they’re too full.” Haley set her collection of dishes down next to mine.

“Those werewolves can eat a lot,” Theda smirked.

“Did you see the one with those stunning eyes?” Haley leaned against the counter. “I wouldn’t mind giving him something to eat.”

Neither of them noticed me freezing up as they laughed.

“I couldn’t stop staring at the alpha,” Theda sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “I just wanted to touch his hair. And those scars! You know they tell a story.”

I cleared my throat loudly. “Let’s get some tea and coffee ready, since almost everyone is skipping dessert.”

“I’m on it!” Theda headed for the cellar.

“Get some ginger root for the tea,” I yelled after her, then to Haley, “How about you get some plates together that people can take home with them?”

She waited for a beat before pushing off the counter. “Sure thing, boss.”

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