by Moira Byrne
"Whaddya got there?"
"Bum seed I found while I was growing some flats."
"Why not just throw it out?"
"I would never."
I protectively circled my hands around the pot and moved it farther away from him. This seed might have a long struggle ahead, but I would never abandon something simply because it was difficult. It would be even more worth it in the end when I finally got to see the beautiful bloom of the red peony that was currently stuck inside the seed.
My grandfather let out a low whistle and held his hands in the air. "I swear, you and Petunia are so protective over your plants."
I chuckled and gently touched the potting soil. I let a small trickle of magic flow from my fingers and slip beneath the dirt to wrap protectively around the seed. It trembled slightly, then relaxed. I could feel the tiny crack in its shell, then the hint of a root easing into the soil. I let out a satisfied sigh. That would be enough for today. I smiled proudly as I placed the pot on my windowsill where it could drink in the sun.
Pappy looked at the pot of soil with interest, then shook his head when he didn't see anything different from when I'd picked it up.
"They're worth protecting, Pappy. They give us so much. Not only are they beautiful, they—"
My grandfather groaned. "You are your grandmother, I swear. I don't need to hear the 'Earth's bounty giveth' speech again—I've heard it from Petunia a million times."
I laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll spare you."
A flicker of movement off in the distance caught my attention. I recognized the cougar I had been playing with earlier. Sophie. A grin found its way to my face. I briefly wondered if she would come back, but to my disappointment, she darted back into the forest. My smile faltered when moments later I saw a slightly larger cougar chase after her.
I hadn't realized Sophie was out playing with another shifter, a cougar, nonetheless. My mind immediately shifted toward thoughts of it being her "mate" as shifters said. The idea made my frown deepen. She hadn't said anything. I could see her not mentioning it, I suppose. She didn't owe me an explanation just because we talked now and then. And it would certainly explain why she resisted every flirty smile I sent her way.
My grandfather suddenly leaned to the side, trying to get a look at my face. "What's with the frowny-frown? Something wrong?"
I shook my head and pasted my grin back into place. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
After my grandfather had left, I buried myself in work. It was only after I straightened the shed and had grown three flats of plants that didn't need to be grown, that I realized I was beyond restless.
I stopped myself before I started a fourth flat and sighed in relief when I heard my phone ring. I looked around my workshop with furrowed brows. I didn't quite remember where I last left it. I followed the sound and it led me to the potting soil. One of the bags was ringing. Sure enough, my phone sat atop the dirt.
"When did I . . .?"
I shook my head as I quickly fished the phone out from the bag. I must've dropped it in there somehow when I was potting the peony seed. Sometimes I got a little carried away when working with the plants. I glanced down at the display and saw Maddox's name on the screen. I carefully brushed the dirt off and answered.
"Hey, Maxwell, how's it going?" My grin was so cheeky, I knew I was lucky he couldn't see me.
A resigned sigh greeted me on the other end of the line. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
"Not a chance, my friend," I said with a laugh. Maddox had made it his mission to screw up my name on every occasion possible back when we first met because he thought I was pursuing his darling Rose.
I might have flirted with her a few times, that was true. The woman was gorgeous. It was all harmless, though. From day one, the look in her eyes and the way she held herself told me that she was a woman in love with someone else.
"You'll run out of names someday."
"I'll just start smashing letters together at that point," I replied breezily. "Anyway, how's Mrs. Shepherd doing?"
"Oh, you know, the usual. Had a moment of panic after she accidentally told a customer at The Peach that they needed to make sure they got a rain slicker or else they were going to get drenched."
"That's not that big of a deal. Anyone can check a forecast, right?"
"It wasn't in the forecast. It was just a pocket of rain where the customer was headed, and Rose knew they would be working outside." Maddox sighed. "Plus, it was Nadine."
"Nadine?" I asked, confused.
"The sister of Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum."
"Oh, the guys who shot you?"
Maddox was a shifter like Sophie, and he had been shot by some visiting human hunters while out running in his panther form. Hunting wasn't allowed in Fayoak, for obvious reasons. The hunters had gotten off light because we tried to keep our magical natures quiet. The last thing we wanted was a media circus where they would swear up and down they shot at a panther but found a naked human man instead. Even if the media took it as a joke . . .
"Yeah. Nadine has been doing community service with them here."
I bristled at the thought of them still being in town. I hadn't realized they were still here. I was sure they wouldn't go hunting again, but I still worried. I'd better warn Sophie, just in case.
"She came back to The Peach with questions after she got rained on," Maddox continued. "She gave Rose the third degree and started asking about the strange things she's been seeing in Fayoak."
"How did Rose handle it?"
"Not well. She was a nervous wreck, convinced she had single-handedly jeopardized the safety of Fayoak and everyone in it." Maddox chuckled. "Thankfully, I calmed her down."
"Good, good. I'm sure you guys are used to this sort of thing by now though, right? I mean, Fayoak as a whole." I shrugged even though he couldn't see me. "What's one human from out of town asking a few questions, y'know?"
"That's the thing. It's rare that people actually ask. They're too busy doubting themselves and what they've seen or heard to even— What? No, baby, I don't think so. Okay, fine, I'll ask," Maddox paused, then cleared his throat. "Rose wants to know if you're ever going to deliver to The Peach again. It's been over a month and she thinks the current guy is, and I quote, 'so stuffy.'"
I let out a sputtering laugh. Maddox sounded so stilted. We might be on good terms these days, but he was still a little prickly when it came to Rose. That was probably just Maddox, though. For a guy that couldn't see his mate right in front of his face for years, he sure was possessive of her.
"Tell her I'll still drop by sometimes, but I am, sadly, no longer the delivery guy." A grin found its way to my face before I added, "Oh, also, tell her that I miss seeing her during my morning deliveries."
There was a brief pause. He was quiet, and I could practically hear the irritation surging through him.
"He said no," Maddox finally said to Rose.
I burst into laughter again. He was easy to rile, but I was more than happy to take the cheap shots.
"Yeah, yeah, alright, on to business." Maddox's voice took on a professional clip.
I choked back my laughter but couldn't get rid of the grin. "What's the news, boss?"
"I've got a big project lined up. Just down the road from you, actually."
"One of the farms?" I moved over to my old work-table-turned-desk and flipped open the spiral notebook I used as a schedule. I imagined the chaotic scribblings on notebook paper would drive Maddox insane if he saw them, but it worked for me.
"Yeah, it's actually the Galinsky place," Maddox replied.
"Galinsky?" I didn't even bother to hide the excitement in my voice. "Sophie's renting their guest house, isn't she?"
"Sure is. They must really want to keep her there because they're overhauling a lot of the property. Major landscaping needed. You game? You'll make bank on this one."
I smiled to myself. It wasn't the money that made me excited for this job, altho
ugh it would be welcome. But even if Maddox had said we were doing it pro bono, there was no way I would've ever turned it down. Not only did I want the business, but it gave me the perfect opportunity to poke and prod at the mystery that was Sophie Addison.
"Do you know what they're looking to get done?"
"They said it was all up to you because they've quote, 'seen what Petunia can do to an orchard and know that whatever you do will be great,'" Maddox paused and chuckled to himself. "It's always weird when people call your grandmother by her name, by the way. It's just too soft."
"What should it be, then? I'm pretty sure people would've frowned if her parents had named their little girl 'Ego Crusher' or something."
"Nah, I've always thought she'd make a good Wilhelmina or, I don't know, Helen. Never met a Helen without a vicious side."
I shook my head with a laugh. "Look, back to the Galinsky place. If I'm hearing you right, they're giving me the go-ahead to plant whatever?"
"That's right. They're okay with whatever you think's best. Something low-maintenance, though."
A grin worked its way across my face. "I've already got some ideas."
"Great. I'm sure they'll be impressed with whatever you do. Talk to you later?"
"Yep, talk to you later, Michael," I said.
"I'm pretty sure you've already used that one, Alfonse," Maddox replied before laughing and hanging up.
I immediately got to work on growing the flowers for Sophie's place, despite not even knowing the dimensions of her beds. I was too inspired to wait. As I worked, I chose purely by instinct and quickly noticed a pattern forming when I went to pick out the seeds.
Each time I moved to my stores, I couldn't help but reach for the peonies. I thought back to the flowers I grew earlier and chuckled. I had been growing a lot of peonies lately. Each time, I picked purple, followed by a few reds here and there.
They were colors that reminded me of her. Sophie. Nothing fit her better than purple, the color of royalty. The dignity in the way she carried herself made me think of her as a queen. The few red peonies I grew were tucked in the middle, a bright spot among the sea of velvety dark purple.
I smiled to myself as I looked down at them. I brushed my fingers over one of the bright red petals as I thought of our dinner at Two Steps. I felt some small sense of victory for that one. I had finally gotten her to sit down and speak with me for longer than a flirty quip or snatched moment.
It had amused me to no end when she made a point of buying our dinner at Two Steps. That was a victory of her own. I could see the triumph in her eyes, and I had liked it more than she would ever know.
When I first saw her at that barbecue, I thought I had seen the most beautiful creature in existence. Dark hair, pale skin, red lips. She was Snow White, and I wanted to be her prince. A happily-ever-after wasn't in the cards for me, but I would take a happily-for-now.
My thoughts drifted to the image of that large cougar chasing after her. In an instant, my good mood turned sour. That was my warning—I was getting in too deep. I was setting myself up for hurt—something I had promised myself years ago that I wouldn't ever do again.
I could flirt. I could try to unravel her mystery as much as I wanted, but there was nothing permanent to be had. Not from me, and apparently, not from her, either.
With a sigh, I shook my head and tried to clear the elusive cat lady from my mind. But even as I worked, I couldn't suppress the excitement that ran through me at the knowledge that I'd soon see her again.
3
Sophie
Pound. Pound. Pound.
The sudden sound of someone banging on the side of my house jolted me awake. My heart pounded in my chest. Danger. I caught an unfamiliar scent and my cat roared to the surface of my mind. I sat up and swung my legs out of bed. What was going on?
Pound. Pound. Pound.
I glanced at the clock and shook my head as the red numbers told me it was eight o'clock. I groaned. I had planned to sleep in on my day off.
Pound. Pound. Pound.
I snarled. Who the hell was pounding on my house at eight o'clock in the morning? My heart beat frantically in my chest. What were they trying to do? Scare me?
Pound. Pound. Pound.
The only thing that kept me from shifting was the need for hands to open the door. I might be frightened, but I would defend my territory. And if it was some sort of joke, I would verbally flay the skin from whoever was making that irritating racket.
The never-ending noise was like a giant woodpecker beating on my house. What the hell was causing it? I grabbed my robe and slid it on as I raced down the hallway to the front door. It would be easy enough to slip out of if I needed to shift to fight. I was there in less than a minute, and that horrid pounding continued the entire time.
I threw open my front door, my claws out and a threatening snarl on my face. Maybe I could scare off this tormentor. I was brought up short when I saw Maddox standing to the side of my front door.
One look at me and he slipped his hammer into a loop on his wide leather tool belt. He took a wary step back and held up his hands, showing he wasn't armed and that his claws were sheathed.
I took a deep breath, then another. It took me a moment to reorient my thoughts and get my fear under control. If I had been more awake, I would have realized he was the one out there. I cursed at myself. What good were shifter senses if I wasn't going to use them? I was already known as the outsider in our pack. At least it was Maddox. Anyone else and it would only make my reputation worse.
Our pack. I still wasn't used to that idea. I had joined Maddox's pack shortly after I moved to Fayoak. I wanted nothing to do with my old pack. And that had been the first step.
I thought about my first meeting with the pack Alpha, Jack. He'd given me directions to the pack headquarters. I'd been sure I was in the wrong place as I drove through residential streets. I finally pulled in front of an unassuming house. I checked the directions and went back to the text to make sure I had the address right. This was it.
With nerves churning in my stomach, I approached the house. The door opened before I could knock and a man stood there, filling the doorframe. He was large, broad-shouldered with dark, shaggy hair that was way overdue for a haircut. He had creases in the corners of his eyes—the type people had when they smiled a lot.
A welcoming grin lit his face. "Sophie, right?" He thrust out a hand for me to shake.
I could tell by his scent he was a lion-shifter.
I forced a smile on my face and nodded as I shook his hand. "I'm afraid I'm at a disadvantage. You are?"
He laughed as he released my hand, and something in me eased as he didn't try to hold onto me, or rub my knuckles, or do any of those other "flirty" actions. It was a refreshing change from my old Alpha.
"Sorry about that. I'm Jack."
For a moment, my world stopped. My old Alpha wouldn't have been caught dead opening his own door. I met his eyes and felt his dominance instantly. I didn't try to hold his gaze—I didn't want to challenge him.
"Come on in, let's talk."
I followed him in, and he gently grilled me. I'd been hesitant to tell him much. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he knew he wasn't getting the whole story. He hadn't pushed, which I appreciated, and he accepted me into the pack.
Considering his warm acceptance, I felt somewhat guilty that I hadn't exactly been the most active member. Well, that wasn't really accurate. The pack was spread all over Fayoak, and Jack had monthly gatherings. They were optional, but I always attended. I hung in the back and watched. And listened.
I knew if I had paid attention, I would have recognized the disintegration of my old pack. I would have seen what was insidiously creeping in. I'd been so busy in my own world, I hadn't paid attention. And now, in my new pack, I couldn't stop myself from looking for those signs of rot. Thankfully, I had never found them.
I saw happy pack members, not people with fear lurking in their eyes. Arguments happened
, as they do with any group of people, but they were resolved without bloodshed. If a fight started, it was quickly broken up. If punishment was needed, it was fair. All things I recognized from when my pack was healthy. Before Bruce, my first Alpha, retired.
My old pack had been so broken that it was hard for me to adjust, even after all these months. Even after witnessing for myself how healthy the Fayoak pack was. A part of me kept waiting for something bad to happen.
In the back of my mind, I feared Edward would show up someday. I clenched my teeth together and forced my thoughts back to the man in front of me. I didn't want to think about the past right now.
The most important thing at this moment was finding out what Maddox was doing pounding on my house at far-too-early in the morning.
"Good morning, Sophie." Maddox smiled cautiously, still holding his hands up.
"What the hell are you doing out here?" I snarled as my anxiety morphed into anger. The moment the words flew out, I winced and slapped a hand over my mouth.
That was no way to respond to a friendly greeting, but the adrenaline was still rushing through my body and made me cranky.
"Ah, I see." Maddox's smile changed into a grin of amusement. "I take it your landlord didn't tell you we were going to be here? He hired us to do some repairs."
"No, he didn't." I quickly agreed with his explanation. No sense in telling him I was afraid I was being chased by a ghost from my past.
Maddox nodded, his eyes dancing with suppressed laughter. I narrowed my eyes at him, daring him to laugh.
He cleared his throat. "Sorry it's so early."
The pounding started up again on the side of the house. I took a deep breath, using my natural-born senses to figure out who it was this time. However, I didn't recognize the scent. At all.
Alarm shot through me again. It wasn't because I didn't know who the person was. There were many people I didn't know. The problem was that I couldn't tell what he was.