Page 60 of Moonlight and Mischief
“How could you do that?” Marigold says. She slaps her hand over her role card and slowly slides her palm back to reveal her designation as Deputy.
Slate grimaces, looking at his mate. She laughs and thumps down a final card to shoot Slate and win the game.
“Sorry, babe, I’m the only winner this round!” She lets out a whoop, and Slate grabs her and hauls her up into his lap, scolding her while kissing whatever he can reach.
I flip Hazel’s role card to confirm - Renegade.
Marigold’s fingertips skim the nape of my neck before she stands to get a drink.
Cedar says his goodbyes and then heads out, mentioning something about a long day tomorrow transplanting something in his garden.
Marigold folds her legs under her, settling back on the sofa behind me. She holds a little plate with some chips and another pickle spear. It crunches as she takes a bite.
“Want some?” she offers, leaning forward.
“I don’t actually like them,” I say quietly, causing her to shake with silent laughter.
Onyx takes his seat and we all sit around the coffee table enjoying the remaining snacks and beer. It gets quiet, but it’s the heavy quiet that makes my lungs constrict a bit. Slate and Hazel are both watching Marigold and me.
Hazel lets out a sigh. “Guys, we need to talk.”
Nausea rolls in my gut. I’m not usually an anxious person, but nobody can hear “we need to talk” and not react.
“What’s up?” Marigold says brightly, though the pitch is too high.
“It kinda seems like things have changed a bit. Did you guys start dating?” Slate asks.
Marigold startles in her seat, and I work to keep my face calm.
“We’re roommates,” I answer evenly. “And even if we did get involved, I would hope everyone would respect our privacy. I’m not sure why this keeps getting questioned.” Hazel cocks her head and raises one eyebrow. She knows me too well.
“Hold on, what did I miss?” Onyx says, sitting back with a frown.
Marigold’s mouth gapes, looking between Onyx and Hazel, her cheeks getting pinker by the second. “Okay, we kissed.”
Slate bites back a smile, but Hazel narrows her eyes at me. “Just roommates?”
“Oh, no, it’s not Jasper’s fault. It just kinda happened. Like an accident,” Marigold stutters. My muscles tense, a headache starting behind my eyes.
Onyx interrupts, “Are you fucking kidding me? Accident my ass. You become roommates and then decide to go at it? Easy access, I guess.”
“How about you watch your mouth,” I growl.
“How about you stop taking advantage of your roommate,” Onyx says, venom in every syllable.
“You don’t get a say-” I snap back, but Onyx stands, leaning into my space.
“Do you have feelings for her, or are you enjoying toying with her?” he asks, a deadly calm in every syllable that I’ve never heard from Onyx before.
“She’s my friend,” I say, standing to face him.
“Then knock it the fuck off.” His eyes flash electric blue, and I know we are seconds from a fight. Wolf shifters losing control is dangerous for everybody.
I’m sure my own eyes are glowing a similar shade. I can feel my wolf answering his challenge. Because of my higher position in the pack, I’m driven to react to disrespect or challenges, like the bold stare Onyx is currently giving me.
Marigold’s hands go to my arm, but Hazel tugs her back.
“Onyx, back off” Slate warns, the authority in his voice breaking through the tension.
