by Gwen Knight
“Rapid City, South Dakota?” I said, more question than statement.
Leo blinked. “You…what?”
Oh, no. This was too much, too fast. I’d activated the relationship self-destruct button. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed that you’d want me to move to your city. I just thought—”
Before I could utter another word, Leo crouched before me, cupped my face, and kissed me. I gasped against his mouth, surprised by this sudden move. My hands covered his as I leaned into the embrace, welcoming his tongue with a soft moan. Every muscle in my body slackened, relief soothing my heart.
He broke from the kiss and leaned back, his eyes shining in the moonlight. “You’re serious?”
I nodded. “I am. I know it’s really soon, and I know it might be rushing things—”
“I don’t care,” he announced. “Kendra, I knew the second I spotted you in that dining room that you were the one for me. I wasn’t sure how we were going to tackle the long-distance thing, but I wanted to. I refused to lose you.” Then, with a wicked grin, he added, “My parents are going to love you.”
“Your parents.” I gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, my God. Your parents. What about Star?”
He grimaced. “Don’t worry about Star. I’ll have that unfortunate discussion once I’m home. With both Star and my mother.”
“Please tell me I don’t need to be there for that conversation.”
“No,” he said, chuckling. He brushed his lips against mine once more, then returned to his chair, my hand clutched in his. “How do you want to do this?”
A good question. I honestly didn’t care about my parent’s reactions, but Brittany’s worried me. “I’ll tell her tomorrow morning at breakfast. I’ll have to return to Daniel’s cabin no matter what to get my things, but knowing I’m not staying there helps. I hate to ask this of you, because it isn’t your problem, but would you come with me?”
“Hey…” He lifted my hand and kissed my fingertips. “Your problems are my problems. And I’ll definitely come with you. You’ll need someone to help you pack up your things.”
“Brittany could do that,” I assured him. “Honestly, I would understand if you didn’t want to come to his cabin.”
Leo slipped one of my fingers into his mouth and gave it a pleasant suck. My breath caught in my throat and, I swear, my body started to tingle.
He slid my finger out of his mouth and brushed a trail of kisses up my arm. Holy free holy…
“I’ll be there with you every step of the way,” he whispered, his breath brushing against my skin.
Every hair on my body stood on end. The things this man did to me. “You’re serious about all this? Me moving to your city?”
“And moving in with me? Absolutely.” His mouth brushed the inside of my elbow.
“Wait, what? Moving in with you?”
“If you want,” he said between kisses. His hands curled around my chair and yanked it forward until I was settled between his legs. “I want you in my life, permanently.” His mouth found my collarbone.
I moaned and tipped my head to the side, exposing the length of my throat.
“Say yes,” he urged, his tongue flicking against my pulse.
“Oh, God…”
His teeth scraped my earlobe, and I trembled.
“Kendra?”
“Mm.” I swear to God, I purred.
“Move in with me.”
“Yes,” I breathed. At this point, I would have agreed to anything so long as he never stopped touching me.
His mouth came crashing down on mine. I sank into him, my fingers clutching at his shirt for balance. Without breaking from the kiss, he scooped me up into his arms and carried me back into his room, away from any listening ears.
“So! What’s the occasion?” Brittany asked in a cheerful voice as we snapped up a table. “We haven’t had breakfast together once this entire trip.”
I laughed into my coffee cup. She wasn’t wrong. But I’d decided this morning, after waking up snuggled in Leo’s arms, to have this conversation as soon as possible, and alone. I didn’t want Leo here in case Brittany lost her temper and said some things she’d later regret. I didn’t need to submit him to that.
“I have some news I want to share.”
Her eyes widened, and she reached across the table and clutched my hands. “You’re pregnant!”
“What?” I burst out laughing. “No! And what? How the hell would I even know that so soon.”
Some of the excitement faded from her eyes and she released her hold on me. “Oh. I guess. So, what’s the news?”
“Leo and I decided to move in together.” I decided to start with the easiest part of the announcement.
Brittany unleashed a deafening squeal. One that had the people seated near us glancing up in alarm.
“Oh, my God! Are you serious? That’s amazing!”
“Really? You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Do you?” she countered.
“Of course not. If I did, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.”
“Then neither do I.” She beamed at me. “Wow! This is so amazing. When I signed us up for this cruise, I had such a good feeling about it. I didn’t think you’d meet someone, but I knew the time away would do wonders for you.”
I couldn’t help but grin. Her excitement was certainly contagious.
Eventually, though, she frowned. “Wait. Leo is an alpha.”
And my heart plummeted.
“He wouldn’t move to Montana, not when he has his own pride back home waiting for him.”
Shit. She’d picked up on that faster than I’d expected.
Her face went blank and she stared at me. “You’re leaving.”
“I am.”
So many unspoken emotions whisked across her face. Fascinating to watch, but also heartbreaking when her eyes welled with tears. “You’re leaving Montana. Us. The pack.”
I reached across the table and took her hands. “I am. But it’s for the best.”
“Leaving your family is for the best?”
“Brittany,” I said. “You know I’m not happy in Montana. You know I don’t feel like I’m part of the pack—”
“Because you ignore them! Because you never gave them a chance to show you how amazing they are.”
“It isn’t like that. I’ve found someone who makes me happy. Shouldn’t I be with him?”
Her bottom lip trembled, but she eventually nodded. “It’s just…”
“I know. I’m going to miss you, too. But South Dakota isn’t that far away. I can come home and visit on weekends and holidays.”
“But you won’t,” she mumbled. A dark cloud had settled above her head. “People always say that. And, in the beginning, they make the effort. Until it becomes too much of a hassle. You realize that if you and Leo ever have a kid, I won’t live anywhere nearby to know my niece or nephew.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“Why not? It’s true.”
“There will be challenges, I know. But this is what I want. A fresh start. A new life. With him.”
She sighed and leaned back in her chair, a sullen expression twisting her features. “You’ve already made up your mind, then.”
“I have.”
She nodded, her gaze roaming around the room as though she couldn’t handle looking at me right now. “Then I guess there’s nothing left to do but wish you loads of happiness.”
“Brittany.”
She shot me a quick glance before averting her gaze.
“Brittany, come on. You like Leo.”
She shrugged. “He’s okay.”
This from the woman who had already stuffed a fish down the back of his swimming trunks while snorkeling. She liked him, I knew she did. She simply didn’t want to admit it right now.
“Plus, we can Skype,” I promised her. “Video chat. And I’ll come home whenever you need me, I swear.”
She gave a quiet nod, her thoughts a million mil
es from here. I wouldn’t win her over today, but I’d expected that coming into the conversation. Eventually, she’d come to agree that this was the best choice for me. I needed to be patient.
“Leo and I are going to hit up the festival. Do you want to join us?”
She shook her head. “I think I want to be alone for awhile.”
“You sure?”
“Go have fun. I’ll message you later today.”
“All right.” I rose from my seat and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You know I love you, right?”
“Sure, but not as much as you love him, apparently.”
Her words caught me off guard. We’d agreed to move in together, but we hadn’t actually spoken those words to one another yet. Was that odd?
Deciding not to open that can of worms, I headed toward the festival, where Leo awaited.
16
Leo
The entire promenade brimmed with Halloween spirit. They’d set up a plethora of tables throughout the room, each featuring a different form of entertainment from palm readers, to crystal balls, to a real-life necromancer. Staff members circled the room, decked out in elaborate costumes, taking photos, while a live band played music off in one corner.
A ghastly witch limped up to me with a mole the size of my pinky growing out of her elongated nose. “Read the young man’s fortune?”
I grinned at the sound of her raspy voice. Had to love the effort Meet Your Alpha had put into this whole event.
“Come, come,” she beckoned, limping back toward her table. “Sit.”
Unable to resist, I dropped onto the chair and eyed the witch, curious about this entire charade.
She stretched out her gnarled hands and gestured toward a deck of cards. “Cut twice, but do not look at the cards.”
I did as she commanded.
She flipped the first card, and a wide grin spread across her wrinkled face. “Ah. Ten of Cups. A most excellent card.” She closed her eyes and held up her hands as though reading my energy. “This is a card of love, contentment, and fortunate marriages.” She hummed under her breath, then slitted open an eye and peered at me from beneath a set of fake lashes. “I sense a woman in your life. Beautiful, with long black hair. She means a great deal to you, even though the relationship is new. Treat her well, and you will find your happily ever after.”
I blinked, surprised by the accuracy of her statement.
She turned the next card. “Four of Wands. Ah, another harmonious card. And a symbol of new beginnings.” The witch narrowed her eyes and focused on me. “You have found a sense of fulfillment recently. Aboard this ship, perhaps.”
“I… How do you…”
“Six of Swords,” she continued, interrupting me. “Hmm. There’s an obstacle that still needs to be overcome in order to secure this new future of yours. Take caution that you handle the problem properly. Swords can cut deeply. Be careful not to sever this new bond of yours.”
Speechless, I stared at the witch. Being that I was a lion shifter, I was open to the idea of cartomancy. I was a man who could turn into a beast—why shouldn’t I believe that the cards could possibly tell our future or speak of our pasts? I thought of the first two cards, both full of harmony and happiness, but the third, a warning, perhaps?
“There you are!” a cheery voice rose behind me.
I glanced up to find Kendra beaming down at me.
“Oh, you got your cards read! Can I go next?”
“Come, come!” The witch beckoned her forward. She shot me a sly glance. “Might this be the lady responsible for the first two cards?”
I rose from the chair and offered it to Kendra.
The witch quickly shuffled the cards and indicated for Kendra to cut it twice, as I had. Once she did, the witch turned over the first one.
“Two of Swords,” the witch murmured. She raised her hands and felt out Kendra’s energies, much as she had mine. “A very interesting card for the young lady. Very interesting.” The woman cocked her head with her eyes closed. “This is a card of choice and control. Perhaps you have begun to take back control of your life. The woman is blindfolded, as though she has learned to trust in herself. Trust that you know what is best for you.”
She turned the next card over. “Two of Pentacles. Yes, of course. This one reflects adaptability and balance. The infinity signs suggests that you can handle anything that comes your way. How lovely. See the ship in the background? It suggests that you’ve cruised through the ups and downs in your life, and perhaps are ready to put the turbulence of the sea behind you. A wonderful card for someone with perhaps a little pain in their life that they are ready to let go of.”
I glanced at Kendra to find a small smile tugging at her lips.
“Your last card…” The witch turned it over, then sat back with a lingering sigh, her gaze straying toward me. “The Knight of Cups. A lovely card to end your reading with, my dear. Unlike the Knight of Wands or Swords, the horse on this card is not charging forward but remains calm and steady, and the knight holds in his hand a golden chalice for you. This card represents new life, new emotions, and an image of purity and light. Take heart that things will work out for you in the end, my dear. Once you’ve learned to trust in yourself and overcome whatever battles lay in wait.”
“Thank you,” Kendra said.
I wasn’t entirely sure about etiquette, so I removed a ten-dollar bill from my wallet and handed it over. Seemed it was the right move, as the witch bowed her head in thanks. As Kendra and I were about to leave, I felt a light tug on my shirt. I glanced back to find the witch standing, her gaze distant, but her grip tight.
“Beware the Knight of Swords…” she mumbled, as though unable to properly form words. “The sky above him is clouded and stormy, and he holds his sword high. This knight often charges into battle without thinking, regardless of the outcome. I sense danger on your horizon. This knight has no regard for consequences. Be wary of him.”
The witch blinked and stumbled back into her chair, staring up at me in a haze.
“Are…you all right?”
She frowned but nodded. “I’m fine.”
Before I could question her further, she rose from her seat and scurried through the promenade, her steps hasty. Had I scared her off?
“Leo?” Kendra asked.
I shook off the witch’s last message and turned back to Kendra. “So, how did your conversation go with Brittany?”
Kendra winced. “Not as well as I’d hoped. She was pretty upset. I hope she comes around. I’m sure she’s already told my parents, too. So, I’m expecting some sort of intervention when we return home tomorrow.”
I squeezed her hand. “All that matters is what you think and feel. If you think this is the right move for you, then they should support you.”
“Should is completely different than will,” she said, sighing. “But come on. I don’t want to think about my family. Let’s check out the rest of the festival. Ever had your aura read?”
I shook my head.
“Come on! It’s fun! I did it once when I visited Sedona. The information they give you is pretty cool.”
Kendra clutched my hand and practically dragged me across the promenade. The line-up took a little longer than expected, but eventually, the two of us sat before another table. This time, it wasn’t a witch seated across from us, simply a casually-dressed man with little to no power ebbing from him.
“Welcome,” he said, his focus drifting between us. He studied the air around us, as though he could see something the rest of us couldn’t. And perhaps he could. According to the small sign he’d placed by his table, he could read people’s auras without the help of any modern equipment. He could see energies in the form of colors.
“New love, I see,” he said with a light chuckle. “Both of your outer auras are continuously shifting as though trying to acclimate to one another. I love bearing witness to these moments.” He leaned back in his seat with a pleased smile. “You, my dear, have qui
te the blue energy surrounding you. It suggests you’re loving and nurturing. You believe in living with your heart and wearing your emotions on your sleeve. I sense a small blockage in your heart chakra, but with the way your aura is currently shimmering, I have no doubts that chakra will clear up in no time.”
Kendra grinned, pleased with that assessment.
“And you, sir, are a darker purple. Part leader, part healer. I get the sense from you that you enjoy harmonious situations. Ah, I see, you’re an alpha. Yes, that fits. And your crown chakra almost radiates its own energy. Very analytical and strategic, you like to take the individual pieces of puzzles and put them together.”
“Thank you,” I told him.
I handed over another small bill, then rose with Kendra. “Anywhere else?”
She bit her lip and glanced toward the necromancer. Even I was curious about that one. A massive group surrounded her, their mouths gaping with awe as she worked her magics. From the looks of it, she’d decided to perform a show for the growing masses to watch. Green fire consumed her hands as she lifted them into the air, fingers outstretched. Eyes closed, she muttered a series of incomprehensible words, then slammed her hands down onto the table in front of her. The candles surrounding her surged to life, their flames roaring as though she’d ignited them with little more than a thought.
Kendra gasped and clutched at my arm. “That was amazing.”
I’d never seen someone start a fire with their mind before, so I had to agree.
Then, right before our eyes, a shimmery essence began to take shape.
Kendra’s fingers dug into my hand. “Is that a ghost?”
I peered closer, my own mouth falling open when I realized it was a ghost. I stared through the creature, noting how the world appeared upside down. The specter blinked open its eyes and gazed around the room.
“Welcome, Louis,” the necromancer spoke.
The sound of her voice—even I shivered. So velvety and strong, as though suffused with untold power.