Page 35 of Wedding for My Werewolf

“Robin,” she said, reluctantly removing the sweater.

“Robin,” Posy repeated, eyes widening. “You’re the one who lives with the sheriff, aren’t you?”

“Does everyone in town know about us?” she asked despairingly, and Posy grinned at her.

“That’s a small town for you.” For a second the other woman’s smile faded. “But even when everyone knows your business,it can be hard being new in town. If you need a friend, I’m available.”

“I’d like that,” she said, feeling a wave of warmth towards the other woman.

“Come by my apartment upstairs any time. It’s easy to find—it’s the one with the blue fairy lights. By the way, have you heard about the?—”

The bell over the door chimed again, and Posy gave her a rueful smile. “Back to work. If you want to think about the sweater, I can put it aside.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll take it.”

She handed it over and Posy disappeared towards the front of the shop. She’d just pulled her old navy sweater over her head when she heard a familiar voice.

“Can you believe Eric brought her to the Pack Hall?”

Lila. The she-wolf’s voice carried from the next aisle, pitched just loud enough to reach her ears. Given how sensitive Eric’s senses were, she suspected Lila was well aware of her presence.

“She’s not even marked. No mating bite, nothing,” Lila said disparagingly, and her friend tittered. “And you should see her. She’s practically a mouse.”

Her cheeks burned, but then her embarrassment was replaced by anger.No.She wasn’t going to be a mouse anymore.

She rounded the rack, chin raised. “If you have something to say about me, Lila, say it to my face.”

Lila’s perfectly painted lips curved into a cruel smile.

“Oh look, the little human has teeth.” Lila stalked towards her but she refused to back away. “Fine. I’ll spell it out. You’re not Eric’s mate. You’re just a temporary distraction until he comes to his senses and chooses a proper wolf.”

“Even if he did want a proper wolf, he wouldn’t want you,” she bit back, unable to stop herself.

Lila snarled, her fangs showing, then regained her composure, arranging her face in a dismissive sneer.

“At least I understand what being a mate really means.” Lila’s gaze dropped to Robin’s neck. “No mark, no claim. You’re just playing pretend, human. And everyone knows it.”

Lila turned and stalked out of the shop, her friend scuttling behind her.

“What a bitch,” Posy muttered. “Are you okay?”

“N-not really.”

Her throat burned with the effort of holding back tears as Lila’s words burrowed under her skin. As much as she’d kept telling herself it was just a temporary arrangement, she’d… hoped there was something more between them. Lila had just proved her wrong.

“Why don’t I make us some tea?” Posy suggested. “You can tell me all about it and I’ll make catty remarks about the fact that her skirt was too short and her roots were showing.”

She managed to smile, but shook her head.

“I appreciate it, but I really need to get back to work. Maybe another time.”

“Any time.” Posy handed over the sweater, then squeezed her hand. “I mean it. I’m available for tea and sympathy any time.”

Unable to speak, she nodded and passed over the money for the sweater, then hurried out of the store before the tears began to fall.

No mark. No claim. Just playing pretend.

The words echoed in her mind, sharp as broken glass. She’d known this arrangement with Eric was temporary, had reminded herself of that fact every morning. So why did Lila’s taunts cut so deep?

---