Page 88 of My Solemn Vow
“Alright. Give me ‘my husband is a wolf shifter 101’ because I’m still not sure if I’m awake, and at least this’ll make an interesting dream,” Antonella demands as she stirs the new sauté items.
I work to cube the dark meat into Kerrianne’s bite-size pieces. “Well, we don’t get sick. So anytime Kerrianne isn’t her normal, cheerful self... it’s probably a wolf issue. Hearing, smell, eyesight are all above average. We heal fast. Need red meat regularly. We have pack functions once a month, and you’ll need to be there.”
And I’ll have to turn you into a wolf sometime in the next year.I can’t make those words come out of my mouth.
Just tell her now. Let’s not make this another round of surprises.My wolf laments with disapproval.
“Okay. So, full moon? Silver bullets? Wolfsbane?” She starts running down the ‘typical’ wolf things.
“We go running on the full moon because there’s brighter light in the sky, makes for better running conditions. Silver is a metal on the periodic table. Bullets are bullets, and a good shot to the skull, heart, or lungs can kill. Wolfsbane is poisonous to everybody, not only wolves.” I shrug, finishing the chicken, and head to the sink, where I put the knives in the dishwasher and wash my hands.
“Magic cleaning house and magic grocery pantry and fridge?” Antonella’s question comes from left field.
I lean against the counter next to her as she finishes cutting more vegetables to stew. “That’s not a wolf thing?”
“Well, how am I supposed to know? I never have to dust or grocery shop for things. They seem to be done by themselves. I’ve never seen anyone else clean or shop.” Antonella gestures around the kitchen.
“Housekeepers and personal shoppers, Zoe and Winnie. They’re part of the pack and come over to clean twice a week. They do laundry and take out the dry cleaning too.” I can’t believe I didn’t mention these things sooner. But they’re such a normal thing to me that I didn’t think of it. “They’re in your phone. If you text one of them something you want or need, it’ll turn up the next time they’re here. If it’s urgent, say so. You can also send them pictures of things that can’t be washed or need certain treatment. They’re ridiculously thorough.”
“You sound like Gregorio talking about Leticia and Sarena.” She straightens with the realization of what she said. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I nod, hearing her criticism. “If it matters, or helps me not sound like a douchey sleazeball with too much money to spend... I’m their only job, and I pay their college tuition as well as a salary that they can more than live on.” I grimace. “Yeah, okay, now that I say that out loud, it’s not exactly helping the ‘way too much money to spend’ thing.”
“No, it doesn’t but yes. It does matter.” Antonella purses herlips and looks at me. “Does Kerrianne like egg noodles from the bag or should I make some fresh for her?”
“Bagged egg noodles are fine.” I try to reassure her, but there’s a stern cock to her head, and she glares at me.
Mate is angry. You stepped in it.My wolf warns, backing up.
“Of course they’re fine, but would she like something else?” Antonella snaps and then draws a slow breath, softening a bit. “Oh God, I sound like my mother.”
I snort, trying to hold back the laugh and failing. “Would it make you feel better to make her pasta?”
Antonella sighs, and her shoulders slump. “I feel terrible for saying it, but I’m exhausted and really don’t want to make fresh pasta.”
“Nearly passing out will do that to you.” I leave the radius I’d been hovering around her in to fetch the packaged egg noodles.
When I come back, she’s still cooking. Chicken in the pan with her vegetables, Antonella doesn’t stop moving.
Weirdest case of shock that I know. None of her behavior is expected. I thought yelling, screaming, crying... fighting back and the obviously wrong choice of trying to run. Not... making my child soup.
“To be clear, you’re not currently planning on killing me in my sleep, right?” I set the bag on the counter, knowing they won’t go in until much later in the process.
Antonella slowly shakes her head. “No, I won’t kill you in your sleep. Where’s the fun in that?”
“That’s fair enough.”
I look around. She’s every bit as controlled and relaxed as any other night. The bones are on and boiling, the burnt pan is soaking, and she’s searing the chicken. There isn’t anything for me to do but watch her.
“This has to boil for a bit for those nutrients. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to sit and process.” Antonella covers the pan of seared chicken and turns off the heat.
“Yeah, I’ll be in my office?” I offer, despite the strong urge to stay by her side. But I’m willing to trust her.
Antonella moves to the sink and washes her hands, addressing me while drying them off. “You don’t have to go hide away. I’m not mad at you. I can’t figure some things out, and my brain is moving a hundred miles an hour toward a waterfall, and I’m pretty sure there are sharp rocks at the bottom.”
“Wine, cheese, and conversation? Or I can order us wings from our first date?” The way I’d move heaven and hell for her right now if she asked.
“Wine, cheese, and conversation would be good.” Antonella backs up toward the ‘drink fridge’ I keep in the kitchen.
