One Insatiable(33)

“I take it back,” I say, suddenly tired. “That was my last one.” Reaching in my pocket, I pull out two twenties and place them on the table. “Thanks for your help…”

“Bridgette.”

“Bridgette. Thanks for your service.”

“I didn’t get the chance to do much.” Standing, I rise to my full height in front of her and her jaw drops. “Seriously? You have to go?”

Patting her shoulder, I nod. “Yes.”

I’m out the door before this has the chance to go any further. I’ve already gotten mixed up with one female in this town. I’m not looking for another one. That is, if my body were even interested. I can’t decide which is more stupid, getting drunk to forget about Mercy or allowing myself to feel so much for her in the first place. How did that happen?

I’m walking home in the darkness, only it’s an extremely bright night. Looking up, I see what Jim was talking about. A perfectly full moon is straight up in the sky. Thanks to Mercy’s text, that first night in the meadow drifts through my mind. I remember vividly the moment she shifted, and I saw her beautiful body for the first time completely nude. The moon was much smaller then, but I can still see that silvery light touching her nipples. God, she was so f*cking beautiful.

She stood and walked straight to me bathed in the light of our beautiful moon. I’m at my apartment when I realize I’m sporting a semi. Seems my dick has not called it a night. It’s just decided to wake up for only one person.

“Forget it, buddy,” I growl. “I’m not playing games with Mercy Quinlan.”

Yes, I’m talking to my dick. You might be a drunk f*ck if…

Good thing I’m at my apartment. Time for this stupid-acting shifter to call it a night.

If identifying the thing stalking Mercy’s house is why I’m here, I’m not going to solve that mystery in my current condition. It’s time to stop acting like a jealous boyfriend, wrap that shit up, and get back on the road.





Fated





Mercy


Welcome home, Dylan. I haven’t seen my sister in a week, but really, who gives a shit? She doesn’t call or even message me. She simply shows up back at home, and sends Hayden to fetch me for dinner as per usual.

Forget whether I have plans or not. Forget last Thursday was one blow up followed by an even bigger one. Forget everything I’ve said. None of it matters. Her decree for my life is the only important thing. On top of all that, making me hate her even more, she’s screwed up my situation with Koa.

He might be down on his luck for now, but he’s proud and he’s a fighter. He won’t put up with flaky behavior for one minute, and I’ll be lucky if he’ll even listen to me tomorrow. I wish I could go to him tonight, but that’s a gamble I am not prepared to take. I have to put that situation on pause until tomorrow.

Smoothing my hands down the front of my silky red dress, I inhale deeply and prepare to face the queen. My hair is up in a loose ponytail, and I’m wearing a gold cuff on my wrist and gold hoop earrings. Thursday night dinner is a formal occasion.

Standing at the top of the double stairs, I glance out the huge windows at the enormous harvest moon. It’s glowing orange and big as a planet over the rolling hills. The high-pitched howl of a wolf sounds from a distance, and I feel my insides pull. I should be out there on a night like this running and dancing, feeling the energy of our celestial mother surging in my veins.

Instead I’m trapped in this plush prison. But not for much longer! That thought gives me a little encouragement. With a sigh, I start down the stairs.

Everyone’s in their places around the table, salad course almost finished. I’m taking longer and longer to join them these days.

“Gorgeous as always,” Hayden says with a smile, standing as I cross the room to my assigned seat at his side. “You never fail to steal my breath.”

“Thank you, Hayden,” I say without enthusiasm.

Dylan doesn’t rise. “Glad you decided to join us,” is the closest to a greeting I get from her.

Suddenly, I feel wicked. Whether it’s the moon or the way I left things with Koa, something inside me snaps. “I almost changed my mind. It’s so gorgeous tonight, I almost decided to ditch and dance naked in the moonlight.”

That got a rise out of her, even if it only came in the form of a deep scowl before she took a long sip of wine.

“That would be something to see, I’m sure.” Hayden laughs, clearing his throat. “You are such a spirited little thing.”

God, he’s infuriating. They all are. Picking up my fork, I stab my salad a few times, glancing at each of them. Only Hayden seems to be engaged tonight. Penny seems more nervous than usual, and Grant hasn’t looked up from his plate. I assume he’s on a tight leash after his slip last week. Dylan just looks disgusted as always.

“How was Chicago, dear?” Penny’s voice wavers.

Dylan inhales and straightens in her chair. “Something of a letdown. I didn’t accomplish what I’d hoped.”

“You know what they say,” A gleam is in Hayden’s pale blue eyes. “Win some, lose some.”

“Not you, Hayden,” Dylan’s tone is uncharacteristically bitter toward him. “Never you.”