Page 30 of Moonlight and Mischief
“Looks good to me.” Grabbing a low branch, I haul myself up, anchoring my back against the trunkand wedging my feet against the largest lower branches.
“So she’s baking in your kitchen, singing in your shower, walking around in her bunny slippers.” Onyx hands up a little camera along with the hooks and a screwdriver.
“I don’t think you have a clue what women behave like,” I say dryly.
He doesn’t need to know I was the one baking in our kitchen. Marigold does have a lovely singing voice in the shower - also something I don’t want to share.
Onyx gives me a strange look, his typical grin absent. Whatever he sees must irritate him, because he scowls at the tree trunk.
Flicking the camera on, I hold it against the trunk where there’s a split that will camouflage the tech.
“Angle it down a bit,” Slate says, monitoring the live feed with his phone. I adjust per his instructions. “Perfect. This one gives a really clear view.”
It only takes a moment to affix the security camera in place. I hand the tools back down to Onyx and then lower myself onto the nearest branch before letting myself drop. Leaves flurry around my feet as I land.
“How many more?” I ask.
“Three,” Onyx answers sullenly.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing,” he says, refusing to look back at me.
A fine mist of rain filters down between the branches and coats my arms and face.
“Let’s hurry this up, I don’t want to get soaked,” Slate says.
We walk in silence, but Onyx’s mood continues to decline. After he makes an angry scoffing nose low in his throat, I finally speak up.
“Just tell me what’s pissed you off.”
For a moment, he glowers at me. “We all saw how upset she was the other day. You were being an asshole. And she’s always had a thing for Cedar and you forced them to face that, and Cedar wasn’t ready. So now that’s ruined.”
He’s right, but I can’t bring myself to feel remorse. Cedar’s feelings aren’t my priority, Marigold’s are. I don’t care if I ruined anything for him. Onyx is delusional if he thinks anything would have happened between Cedar and Marigold given more time.
Sure, I could have handled things better, but it was worth it. She’s freed from that one-sided relationship. I’ll take any shit I get for what I said, knowing that Marigold is happy.
Voice level, I speak to Onyx in the most reasonable tone I can muster. “I’m sorry about that. I already apologized to Marigold. If they’re meant to be together, I’m sure it’ll still happen. But if your brother says he doesn’t have feelings for her, maybe you should trust that.”
Onyx’s lip curls, some acidic remark brewing. But Slate decides to step in. “So nothing is happening between you two?” he verifies.
Huffing, I throw my hands up. “No. She’s a friend who needed a place to stay. It’s no different than if she stayed with you,” I say with a pointed look at Onyx. Ifone more person asks if we are now dating, I’m going to shift into my wolf and eat them.
“Maybe she should,” Onyx starts, but Slate has had enough.
“We need to get going. As much fun as this has been, I’m ready to be done for the day.” Slate’s tone leaves no room for arguing.
“Agreed,” I say.
We secure the next camera, and I can see Onyx softening. He won’t apologize, but he nods at me while handing over tools and is meeting my gaze again.
As soon as the last camera is in place, we head back. It’s really raining now. My t-shirt clings to me, and Slate and Onyx’s longer hair slicks to their necks. We stash the tools away before parting.
“So I’m the only one who doesn’t have a beautiful girl to go home to,” Onyx complains, back to his usual mildly irritating self. Slate rolls his eyes and laughs before taking off.
Marigold won’t be off work for a while, but I don’t see any movement through the classroom windows. Hopefully she’s enjoying a quiet afternoon.
Knowing I shouldn’t bother her at work, I go home.
