Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(56)

I barely recognized Moira. The woman was worse than a bloody chameleon with her ever-changing hairstyles. Tonight she was full-on sex appeal. Hair cropped short, shaved on one side, a white button-down shirt I might’ve found in my own closet, open at the throat and down to her sternum, and red leather pants that fit her like a second skin. She was dominant and deadly and had the woman in her arms completely enthralled.

“She looks like she’s about to seal the deal. Maybe it’s best not to interrupt—”

Even her head lifted, and she spotted us. For a second, there was a flash of worry in her lavender gaze, but it vanished when Sunday gave her an eager wave. Moira dipped her head, whispering something in the other woman’s ear before taking her hand and leading her to where we stood.

“Hey guys,” she said. “I didn’t realize you two were here tonight.”

God help me, but Sunday blushed. Her cheeks blazed, and the thought of what memories were flashing through her mind made my cock thicken.

“We . . . needed some time together. I’ve been away.”

Moira narrowed her eyes. “I know, you dick. We all know. We should call you Casper instead of Thorne.” Then she glanced back at Sunday, pulling the woman beside her forward. “Sunday, this is Ash. Ash, my roommate Sunday, and,” she cut me an annoyed glare, “Noah Blackthorne. Ash is a friend from back home.”

There was no mistaking the softening of her gaze or the flood of joy that ran through the petite witch as she introduced her—unless I was reading this wrong—lover.

“Moira, you should have told me you had a guest coming. I would’ve made some plans to be out of the room more so you two could be alone,” Sunday said.

Ash’s relieved smile said it all. She had been worried what Sunday would say about their obvious relationship. “My parents had to fly to Mumbai to visit my grandmother unexpectedly. Mo didn’t know I was coming.”

The expression on Moira’s face was just as relieved, if not slightly emotional. I got the feeling neither witch was used to open acceptance. This was probably one of the few, if not the first, times they’d been out together in public.

“You don’t have to do—” Moira started.

“For what it’s worth, Sunday will be occupied in my room for the foreseeable future. You’ll have the place to yourselves until after class on Monday, at the very least.”

Challenge sparked in Sunday’s eyes as she trained them on me. “Oh, will I?”

I flashed her a grin with more than a little fang. “Oh yes. And if you’re able to so much as walk by the end of it, I’ll consider it a distinct failure on my part and be forced to continue until I remedy the situation.”

“Somebody definitely just got fucked,” Moira whispered to Ash. Then the little witch offered Sunday a high five, which my wolf begrudgingly returned.

“Leave her alone,” Ash said. “She’s a new soul. Can’t you sense it? She’s never been here before. She’s not as worldly as either of us.”

“Ash can see and read auras. The things she can pick up about a person . . .” Moira’s voice was brimming with pride.

“The things I know about you, you mean.” A teasing smile turned up Ash’s lips.

“It has its uses,” Moira said with a bit of a purr.

The beautifully curvy woman let out a throaty, sexy laugh. “I’ll use it tonight then.”

“I hate to break up a party, but we were about to go get a bite. There’s a pub just ‘round the corner, open all night and friendly to supernaturals. Would you ladies care to join us?”

They exchanged a glance.

“I could do with a snack. I’ve never been to a proper pub,” Ash said.

“It’s settled then,” I decided for them. “Follow me. It’s not the fanciest, but you won’t find a better meat pie this side of London.”

Squeezing Sunday’s hand, I led the women out of the club and into the brisk early morning air. “You warm enough?” I asked, glancing down at Sunday.

She shivered. “I didn’t really dress for a walk.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and tugged her close. “Better stick by me then. I’ll warm you up.”

The sky was a shade of deep blue that warned sunrise was nearing. This was the time for drunks to stumble home, lovers to fall into bed, and the world to just begin stirring.

“Hang on, he’s a vampire. It’s almost sunrise. Aren’t you going to burst into flames or something?” Ash asked.

I shook my head. “No. My mother has the blood of the sun running through her veins, as do I. I can enjoy the day and night.”

Ash’s deep brown complexion faded a shade as the reality of what that meant hit her. I sensed it in her energy. “You? Are there more of you?”

“Two. I have a younger sister and brother. And yes, we can all walk in the sun. But Ash, we’re not the bloodthirsty monsters my grandfather would’ve had us become.”

Her look turned appraising. “You expect me to believe that after what the Blackthornes did to the witches of Salem?”

“Trust me,” Moira said with a put-upon sigh, casting me a look that told me I owed her one. “He’s practically tame compared to their ancestors. But enough about dirty blood suckers.”