Page 38 of Enemy Wolf

“Thanks. Maybe when I’m done here.”

“Pizza and beer go fantastically together.” Shiloh grabbed a wooden paddle with a long handle, practically dancing through the kitchen before she stuck the business end under my pie to slide into the fire.

I couldn’t stop smiling as I got to work, pulling the camera equipment out of my backpack and setting up on the bar. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow. Growing up feral wasn’t easy, but there was something comforting about the deep woods. I loved the simplicity of the wilderness. Hunting my own food, letting my animal instincts guide me. It was a part of me I never shared, but I was excited to show it to Shiloh.

What surprised me even more was the fact that I was enjoying myself now. Right here, with her. I loved the sound of her whistling cheerfully and mumbling some song lyrics as she waltzed around the kitchen. She was cooking food for us while I made the bar safer for her. We were making plans. Hanging out. Doing the most utterly mundane stuff, but I loved it. I was happy here.

Is this what being mated feels like?

Inside my skin, my wolf chased his tail like a total goofball. He was ecstatic to be here too.

I glanced through the open doorway to the kitchen where Shiloh had returned to her cauldron. Her hip cocked out, one hand resting there while she stirred half-heartedly with the other hand. Her smile had disappeared, her eyes growing dull and vacant as she stared at the simmering liquid.

The growl rumbled out of my chest before I could stop it, and I made a throat clearing noise to cover it up. Whatever was scaring her, stressing her out to this degree, I would find out.

And I would chase it across Shyftworld through the forbidden territories of the dragons and the vampires if I had to.

I wouldn’t stop until all threats against my mate were eliminated.

Chapter 14

Shiloh

I barely slept that night. After Orson installed the cameras, he walked me through downloading an app on my phone to access the live feeds. Then we ate our pizzas, drank beer, and talked well into the night. The hours flew by like no time had passed at all.

It was a lot of small talk, mundane stuff about pizza toppings, technology, and random things from the human world. Conversing with Orson was much easier than I anticipated for someone who wasn’t comfortable with socializing. He seemed relaxed and asked plenty of questions about me, my life, and the business. His jokes landed a little awkwardly, but I found it cute and endearing.

By the time he left, my body felt exhausted but my brain would not shut off. I closed up the bar and went to my apartment to the sound of his motorcycle driving away, and immediately began packing clothes and supplies in a weekender bag.

I couldn’t stop smiling, even when I realized how ridiculous it was to lay out different outfits to compare. We would be roughing it out in the woods for a few days, it didn’t matter if I looked cute or not.

But I did want to look cute. For Orson.

A nervous anticipation filled me just as much excitement. We were about to be alone out in the woods together. For days. What would happen? What did he think about all this? He was probably smart enough to pick up that I was bullshitting about the bandage on my arm, but I was grateful that he didn’t press it.

All things werewolf-crush aside, a few days out in the woods sounded exactly like what I needed. My home, my bar, everything here reminded me of that dragon shifter. I couldn’t relax. I felt like I hadn’t even taken a full breath in days. My thoughts were constantly racing about making this potion while keeping my business running with a smile on my face to not arouse suspicion. Not to mention all my social commitments. My volunteering at the equinox feast took up a huge amount of time, and while I usually loved it, this threat hanging over me had sucked all the joy out of celebrating this year.

I was so fucking tired. I needed a vacation.

My Stout & Spirit patrons would just have to find a different watering hole for a few days. They might grumble once they saw the sign on my door, but they would understand. Before I opened the bar, people would drink at their community lodges. If they were feeling fancy, they could head up to one of Helios City’s many posh cocktail lounges.

The next morning, I had just locked everything up when Orson’s bike came roaring up the road. Sure enough, his steed now sported wide tires with deep treads for off-roading.

“Ready?” Orson put his kickstand down and came over to help me with my bag. He was wearing dark sunglasses, which was a damn shame. I missed seeing those eyes.

“Let’s hit the road!” I pumped a fist in the air, and he laughed while securing my stuff down with bungee cords.

When he resettled in the driver’s seat, I didn’t hesitate to climb on behind him. He didn’t react to my legs pressing on the outside of his, but he startled when my arms came around his waist.

“Sorry!” I jerked my hands back. “Is this okay?”

“Yeah! Yeah, you’re totally fine.” He put the sunglasses on top of his head, then gave me an adorably shy look over his shoulder. “I guess I’ve just never had someone on the back of my bike before.”

“Well, I’m thrilled to pop your cherry.” I gave a couple light pats to his stomach. “I’ll be gentle with you.”

His laugh was that gorgeous, deep throaty sound. I wanted to press my whole body against his to feel it vibrating through me. But I kept my hold light on his waist as he resumed facing forward.

Orson kicked the bike into motion, and then we were off.

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