Page 102 of Wishing for a Werewolf
“I promise.”
Rune chuckles, and I give him a wry smile over my familiar’s head. Babybelle always means her promises when she gives them, but she still finds it really hard to stick to them for long. I’ll bring along blueberry dental chews and one of my sacrificed slippers and hope like hell they’re enough.
We amble up the sidewalk, headed toward the town green. Streetlights and shop windows add a warm glow to the low evening light, and happy shoppers fill downtown with a pleasant buzz.
The walking tulips dash across the green, the rolling pumpkins following behind, and Babybelle squirms in myarms and points toward them with both front hooves. “I want to play!”
“Okay, but only for a little bit. There’s a big batch of slow-cooker chili waiting at home.”
“With melted cheddar?” Rune asks, sounding downright perky for him.
“Of course.”
“On the bread or on the chili?”
“You can have both,” I say with a laugh. I’ve created a cheese monster—he might even like it more than I do. No regrets.
“Do I get chili?” Babybelle turns big pitiful eyes on me.
“You can’t have chili, sweetie. But I made you butternut goat cookies.” I set her down, and she races off after her friends, baaing in agreement when I call out, “No chewing the tulips!”
Rune and I stand with our arms around each other, watching them play.
I give him an extra squeeze, wondering if he’s thinking of who’s missing from this familiar picture. “You doing okay?”
“Of course.” He glances down at me, a frown pinching his brow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I thought you might miss the twins.” A new batch of werewolves showed up at his house yesterday, ready for their turn to learn about Earth and living in their fae forms, but it’s not the same as having his niece and nephew around.
“I do miss them, but it’s fine. They’ll visit soon.”
“Oh, yeah. They weresoexcited when I explained about Christmas presents.” I laugh, remembering their babbling voices and bright eyes.
“Yet another thing you’ll need to teach me about.”
“No worries. I’m a gift-shopper extraordinaire.” Finding the perfect present for a loved one is the best feeling in the world.
The little ones run past us, heading in the other direction, the pumpkins in the lead this time.
“Will you want pups of your own, some day?” His voice drops to a deep rumble as he pulls me closer. “My pups?”
Emotion fills my chest, bubbling over until I feel like I’ll explode. “Of course I want to have your pups! Once we get a bit more settled, I can make an appointment to have my implant removed, and we can start trying.” I can only imagine his knot means we won’t have to try for long.
Delight shines from his golden eyes. “There’s something you should know. Twins seem to run in my family.”
“Oh.” I suck in a surprised breath. Somehow, I hadn’t quite put that together.
“Is that okay?”
“More than okay.” I throw my arms around him. “I always wanted a brother or sister. After seeing how you are with your sister and how your niece and nephew are together, twins sounds perfect.”
A group of gnomes tumbles out of Cake My Day and across the green. Diamond does a front flip that deposits her right in front of us, her arms thrown wide like a gymnast sticking the landing. She dips her head to Rune, her moss cap staying magically in place. “Protector.”
I can feel his quiet pride. Ending the wish swap spell means townspeople finally recognize his role in the community, and it’s been good for him.
“What can I do for you?” he asks.
“I think the question might be what canIdo foryou?” She breaks into laughter at his puzzled look and waves a hand toward Bling It On. “Come and see me when you figure it out.” With one last wink at me, she does a series of long front rolls to catch up with the rest of the group, and they pour through the door of the jewelry store.
