Page 45 of Wolves & Watercolors
The words echo in my head, sending my heart racing. The girl I kissed in the kitchen isn’t a normal human? She’s got her own magic? That can’t be possible.
“That’s not a thing. Is that a thing?” Hazel’s head swings back and forth, confusion knitting her brows.
Heath taps a finger on his leg. “My grandmother once told me we had witches in our family line. I thought she was trying to scare me into listening. Maybe not.”
“That’s not possible,” Hazel argues, tipping her head sideways as she frowns at her uncle.
Slate lifts her hand and kisses the back of her knuckles. “You just learned you were a shifter two years ago. Is it so hard to believe Aurora might be a witch?”
“Wouldn’t we have seen evidence growing up?”
“She hasn’t been around a lot of nature until now,” Heath replies.
Rubbing at the back of my neck, I consider the implications. “So what are we going to do?”
“Watch her.” Hazel sighs and tips her head until her temple rests against Slate’s shoulder. “Let’s just see what happens. Once we can confirm the situation, we will have to talk to her.”
“Talk to her?” I echo. “About her possible magic, or everything?”
“Hopefully just her magic. But we will see. I’m not ruling anything out. She’s family.”
Heath nods. “Let us know what else happens around her.”
“And this is my assignment?” I clarify.
“She seems to want to spend time with you more than anyone else,” Slate says.
“Her first priority has been her sister,” I correct. “But she’s trying to be respectful with her time.”
Hazel sighs. “Yes, I know. She’s been great. But she’s very keen on you and now that can help us.”
“Yes, Alpha.” My stomach churns. Now it’s truly my assignment to stay close to Aurora. Should I tell them what happened? Cautiously, I say, “She’s been flirting a bit.”
My body tenses as Hazel pinches the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry. I thought she might. She thinks you’re nice and cute. I told her guys around here don’t casually date. Just tell her you’re not interested next time she does something flirty.”
Swallowing, I nod. My mouth is dry, my pulse pounding in my ears. I really needed that run.
“Good luck and let us know,” Hazel says. Timber lets out a small cry and her attention refocuses immediately.
With another respectful nod, I back out of their home and close the door behind me. Being outside helps a little, but I’m still on edge. I should go for a run right now, but my curiosity about Aurora wins out. There’s some driving need to make sure she’s okay.
The sun warms the treetops, casting a dim glow across the forest floor. It’s still very early, but Aurora is a morning person like I am. My feet lead me to Heath’s cabin.
On the way, I pass my family’s cabin. The wildflowers along the blue siding have grown up to a ridiculous height, especially along the addition. Maybe they have been overgrown for a while and I failed to notice. The copious blooms are unusual this early in the spring.
Heath’s cabin is similarly surrounded by flowers. Lupine stems grow past my knees and overtake the pathway as I approach. The sound of a shower drifts from a bathroom window left open a few inches. My feet slow.
From the bathroom window unfurls a glossy pothos vine. It trails down the wall and tangles with the shrubbery below. Even as I watch, the vine sends out tendrils and grasps stems and leaves of the plants below the window.
I jerk to a halt, staring. I’ve never seen a plant move like that. There’s nothing normal about the way it vibrates and two new leaves burst from the stem, uncurling and turning toward the early morning light.
Green witch, indeed.
Any doubt I had about her potential magical status is quelled. My mind whirls as I stand there, watching steam drift from the window and the pothos vine as it climbs across the bushes.
The water turns off. A startled yelp resounds, along with a bang. A string of curses follow, but I’m already in motion. I sprint around the cabin and through the kitchen door. Aurora lets out a louder screech, and I can hear her hyperventilating.
Knocking my fist against the door, I ask, “Aurora, are you okay?”
