Page 33 of Enemy Wolf

My shoulder slumped. I had to remember she was just another volunteer, not the one in charge here. “Sorry. It’s hard for me to snap out of work mode sometimes.”

“All good, Shiloh.” She smiled before digging out paper plates and food wrap cloths from a lower cabinet.

Barely a minute passed before the kitchen doors swung open violently. Three large werewolf bodies crashed through, and I’d have given anything to make myself invisible right then. Derric had an arm around Sawyer and Orson’s necks, their heads practically in his armpits from the playful headlock. Sawyer grinned sheepishly and waved a greeting as he was dragged in by his president. Orson was stone-faced, his arctic eyes avoiding me. He too looked like he wanted to disappear.

At least we had that in common.

“Ladies, let us help you on cleanup duty.” Derric released his packmates and gave them a light shove forward. “It’s the least we can do after all your hospitality.”

Haley and Theda were dumbstruck at the sight of the highest ranking alpha in Vargmore standing in the kitchen, so it looked like it was up to me to answer him.

“Nonsense, Alpha.” I waved my hand in a shooing motion at the wolves. “You’re our honored guests. Please, go back to the table and relax. We’ll bring out coffee and tea soon.”

“Then let us help you serve.” Derric tossed a smile at Theda, who only managed a squeak of shock. “It’ll mean less trips for the three of you. Besides, you’ve been working all day on this feast.”

“About time for all of you to relax,” Sawyer chimed in.

“See?” Derric slapped him hard on the back. “We want to help.”

Well, at least two of them did. Orson looked like he wanted to run out with his tail between his legs.

“We will finish faster with extra hands,” Haley said timidly. She stared directly at Orson, even though his gaze remained on nothing.

That alone made me want to double down on refusing, even shoo away the wolves with a broom if I had to.

“We have a…procedure,” I said tightly. “Everything has to be left a certain way for the next kitchen shift. It would take longer to teach someone new.”

“It’s just for one night, Shiloh,” Theda argued. “We don’t have to train them on the whole process.”

If I didn’t need to look polite in front of three werewolves, I would have openly glared at her. Et tu, Theda?

Derric raised his hands. “We just want to help. If we’ll be in the way, no worries. We’ll stay out of your hair.”

“Fine,” I said, snappier than I intended. “Stay and help. Theda, do you have that tea and ginger root?”

The giddy smile wiped quickly from her mouth as she returned to all-business. “Um, yes, Shiloh.”

“Good, let’s start brewing. Haley, you want to show these guys the coffee maker?”

“Sure, this way!” She swung her hips as she walked, and it was a fight to not groan my disapproval.

“Someone should probably get a headcount of the table and see who wants what,” I said instead.

“I’ll go.” Orson whipped around and left the kitchen so fast that the door had swung closed by the time everyone looked.

For some reason, his speedy exit annoyed me so much, I couldn’t even take pleasure in Haley’s disappointed expression. And still I knew, the moment he came back, I’d feel the same way about him being nearby. I didn’t want him close, but that didn’t mean I wanted to see him leave again.

Fuck Orson, and fuck the moon for making me want him.

Naturally, that was when a memory of Griselda’s, one of the elder witches who raised me, voice popped into my head. Moon magic is a clarifier. It purifies, distilling everything down to its true intent. And its light shines on what is already deep inside you.

“Bullshit,” I muttered as I set out cups and saucers for serving. I never wanted to sleep with Orson before that full moon night. And despite what my hormones were telling me, my desire had nothing to do with him in particular. He was just conveniently nearby. Then up and left like a jerk, which was why I was so annoyed.

He’d been an annoying jerk before then too. His wolf was okay, I’d give him that.

I didn’t look up when the kitchen doors opened again. Still, Orson’s low voice touched my ear like a caress when he reported the number of requests for coffee and tea.

We got everything brewed, and the werewolves were surprisingly efficient, carrying trays packed with tea cups and coffee mugs filled to the brim, along with small pitchers of cream, sugar bowls, honey sticks, and stirring spoons. I was grateful to get swept up in the hustle and bustle, any excuse to not stew over Orson.

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