Bitten (Once Bitten, Twice Shy #1)(49)

Katherine vividly recalled Bastian standing guard the night before. But to her, it seemed more like he did it to thwart another escape attempt than out of actual concern for her well-being.

His words from the night before – “I won't come after you." – reverberated in her head.

Then again, maybe that wasn't the reason.

But Katherine wasn't about to attempt to get inside the man's head. She would admit, however, that is was fairly obvious that Bastian felt responsible for her. Probably because he was the one who’d bitten her. That being as it may, the man certainly didn't like her. If Sophie thought he did, then the blonde was delusional.

Realizing she'd been quiet for too long, Katherine voiced her thoughts. "I suppose he feels responsible for me. He is the one who bit me after all."

Sophie frowned . Whether it was due to Katherine's not-so-friendly tone or the reminder of her brother's imperfections was anyone's guess. "You have to know that he didn't mean for this to happen. He never meant to hurt you-"

"Yeah," Katherine quickly cut her off, not in the mood to hear the blonde make more excuses for her brother. "Caleb explained it to me. Something about my natural scent... calling to him?"

Sophie froze, her eyes wide, and Katherine was forced to stop beside her. "What? What's wrong?"

"What else did Caleb tell you?" Sophie immediately demanded.

Katherine scrunched her brow in confusion, but answered anyway. "Nothing really. And to be honest, what he did say – you know, about me smelling good to Bastian – sounded like a bunch of crap to me."

Sophie's tense shoulders relaxed when she realized Caleb that hadn't told her anything more – though it was obvious now that they were hiding something, probably multiple somethings, from her.

"Katherine, you have to know that Bastian would never purposely do this to someone. His will is stronger than anyone's I know. For him to have bitten you, I mean..." she trailed off, losing some of her gusto, "he wouldn’t have had a choice."

Katherine didn't buy it for a minute. There was always a choice. She didn't care how tasty she'd smelled or how many inhibitions were dropped when one was forced to turn into an animal – and dear God, her mind still couldn't quite grasp that insane concept.

"Things will work out."

Katherine managed a weak smile for the girl walking on her left, but seriously doubted that was true. Still, she managed to keep her mouth shut about the subject.

A few more minutes were spent walking in an amicable silence before they came to the end of the dirt road. Sophie brushed aside a low hanging branch of a trembling aspen tree – one of the few deciduous trees speckled throughout the coniferous – and finally, the heart of Haven Falls was revealed.

Katherine wasn't sure what she was expecting, but this – this quaint little village – wasn't it.

Most of the buildings spread out before her were made of wood – possibly from the trees that must have been cleared away to make room for the tiny town that couldn't have expanded more than half a mile in any direction. Most of the cabin-like buildings were bunched together, separated only by dirt roads a little wider than the one she and Sophie had traveled to get there. There were a few houses, some made of a similar brick as Bastian's home, further out in the distance. She suspected they served as the homes of other inhabitants that lived in the town.

"So, what do you think?"

She glanced at the blonde next to her. Sophie didn't seem too put out by Katherine's lack of reaction.

"It's small," Katherine said tactfully.

Sophie nodded, a small smile spreading across her face. "Yeah, it makes your Middletown look like some bustling city. Haven Falls isn't much, that's for sure, but it’s home."

She began walking again, towards the cluster of buildings. Katherine trailed behind her, continuing to take in her surroundings. “Why’s it called Haven Falls?”

Sophie slowed her pace, allowing the small brunette to catch up. “It’s named after a nearby waterfall. It’s absolutely dazzling and close to our house actually. I can take you to see it later this week if you want.” She paused. “Or maybe Bastian can take you?”

Katherine frowned. “Maybe you can take me,” she hesitantly agreed.

Sophie led her past two buildings, but dragged her to the wooden door of the third. The sign above the entry way proclaimed the small shop to be The Closet.

Hesitating outside of the boutique, she couldn’t help but wonder how the people of Haven Falls – or, the creatures, rather – would react to seeing a fresh face. No one would attack her.

Right?

As if sensing her distressed thoughts, Sophie turned to face Katherine, her blue eyes – so different from her brother’s with his darker colored irises – exuding comfort. “It’s still early in the day, so it’s likely the only person in there will be the shopkeeper, but you still ought to know that anyone who sees you today will probably stare and ask questions.”

Katherine felt her stomach drop, landing somewhere near the oversized boots cladding her feet. She’d almost prefer to be attacked than be on the receiving end of any sort of attention or scrutiny.

“What are they going to ask me?” she immediately demanded, her mind whirling with possibilities. Who are you? Where’d you come from? What sort of pathetic werewolf are you supposed to be?