Page 5 of Wedding for My Werewolf

CHAPTER 3

Eric began his morning rounds, nodding to the vendors setting up their stalls in the town square. Fairhaven Falls was a quiet town, but he liked to make sure people saw him if they needed help or just wanted to chat. The cold morning air carried a mix of scents—coffee from the coffee shop, wood smoke from chimneys, and the distinct signatures of Others and humans alike.

He chose a path that took him past Garrick’s mansion, not allowing himself to think too much about why he’d decided on that path. A scent caught his attention as he passed—vanilla and sunshine with an undercurrent of fear.Robin.One encounter and her scent had branded itself on his memory, along with the image of big amber eyes in a pale face.

His wolf stirred, pressing against his skin, urging him closer. Her scent was still strong, and he decided she must have gotten the job. Why had she lied about just passing through? Didn’t she realize that everyone in a small town knew everyone else’s business? They were all aware that Garrick had returned to town and was looking for a housekeeper.

“Morning, Sheriff.” Mrs. Chen waved from her herb shop. “Everything quiet?”

“As it should be.”

He nodded and forced himself to keep walking, though his wolf wanted to circle back, to make sure Robin was settling in safely.

He shook his head. Humans came and went in Fairhaven Falls. Some stayed, drawing comfort from the town’s acceptance, while others couldn’t handle the sight of trolls shopping for groceries or harpies haggling over produce prices. Robin would make her choice, same as the rest.

But something about her had set his instincts on edge the day before. The way she’d startled at his presence in the square, how those big amber eyes had darted around like prey searching for escape routes. Not the usual wariness humans showed around Others—this ran deeper.

A growl rumbled in his chest. His wolf didn’t like the thought of her being afraid, didn’t like not knowing what had chased her to their town.

“Keep it professional,” he muttered to himself. The last thing she needed was the local sheriff hovering around, especially when his presence clearly unsettled her.

Still, as he continued his patrol, his senses remained tuned to that corner of town, tracking the subtle movements of life around the old mansion.Just to maintain order, he told himself. Nothing more.

His steps slowed as he passed a flower stall, a riot of reds and purples against the white snow. A bouquet of blood red rosescaught his eye, and an image flashed through his mind of their deep hue against the cream of Robin’s skin.

“You planning to buy those or just stare at them?” The stall owner glared at him, one gnarled hand tucked inside her apron pocket, and he gave her an apologetic smile.

“Just looking. You always have the most beautiful flowers, Esmeralda.”

“Too charming for your own good,” the dryad muttered, but she pulled one of the roses free and handed it to him.

He thanked her and tucked it inside his uniform jacket as he made his way over to the cafe at the end of Main Street. Rona waved him to a seat at the counter, filling his coffee cup before hurrying off again. She returned a short time later with a large plate of steak and eggs, and he grinned at her.

“Just what I wanted.”

“I know.” She returned the smile and he shook his head.

“You’re always looking after me, Rona. What would I do without you?”

“Starve, probably.”

He snorted and dug into his food, aware of Rona watching him.

“Anything on your mind?”

“As a matter of fact…” She tugged at the apron covering her classic pink diner uniform, and he waited patiently. Rona had never been shy.

“There’s a new girl in town. She just got the job at the mansion.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?”

Something in her voice made him lower his fork. “Is there a problem?”

“No. Yes.” She sighed and pushed a stray strand of blue hair out of her face. “I don’t know. There’s something about her. Something…”

“Something what?”

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