Midnight Mate: A Paranormal Romance Standalone

by Heather Hildenbrand

  “I know Angus.” He’d probably meant to sound cold, but thanks to the drink in him, he came off petulant.

  I opened my mouth, ready to blast him for being an asshole. But Angus shook his head. “Not worth it, East.”

  Twenty-eight years’ worth of anger boiled over, though, and I couldn’t stop it now.

  “You’re being rude.” Unlike my father, my tone was clear and sober—and icy cold.

  “What I am is none of your damn business.” My dad whirled to face us. Too late, I realized he’d wanted this to escalate. To run his mouth. “Angus here thinks he runs shit, but he doesn’t run me.”

  Here it came.

  The chatty, fun phase was over. We were on to angry.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked.

  Angus put a hand on my arm. “Relax, East. It’s—”

  “I messed up one time in your righteous presence,” my father snapped, eyes blazing at Angus. “And now I got Tobias breathing down my neck because of your meddlin’.”

  A jolt of awareness speared through me as I read between the lines. Something had happened between them—something pack related. Part of me wanted to know what, but then I realized getting involved would only end badly for me. Again.

  “I’m not doing this.”

  I grabbed my beer, chugged it, and slammed it down. Fishing around in my pocket, I came away with a twenty and tossed it onto the bar.

  “This new generation thinks it runs shit,” my father continued, oblivious or uncaring that I wanted nothing more to do with him tonight. “But I been around longer than these assholes could walk. Nobody’s dictating my life.”

  Fuck me.

  I knew from experience he was only getting started now.

  The bartender raised an eyebrow that said he knew the same thing.

  Angus shot me a look—an apology and sympathy rolled into one. I hated it.

  “I’ll see you, man.” I headed for the door without a backward glance.

  I made it halfway across the lot before the sound of breathing behind me made me tense. I stopped, my wolf rising dangerously close to the surface.

  “Whoa.” Angus stopped short at the look on my face. “It’s just me.”

  “Jesus. Don’t sneak up.”

  His brow lifted. “Never got the drop on you before. You telling me that super-sniffer has lost its edge?”

  I didn’t answer. My eyes darted to the bar behind him.

  Angus sighed. “I’m sorry I riled him up.”

  I shrugged. “He would’ve riled himself eventually. Always does.”

  Angus nodded. He’d been my confidant in high school. The only one I’d ever told what went on behind the closed door of my parents’ house. Not that the town’s bartenders hadn’t seen their share, but even they didn’t see him come home at night. Arguing and throwing things and sometimes throwing us.

  Angus knew.

  And right now, he was looking at me like he knew too much.

  “Your mom came to me,” he said without a single preamble.

  That was his way. Angus liked to rip off the Band-Aid all at once.

  “Came to you for what?”

  Stupid question. I already knew what.

  “Help.”

  But even as I hoped I was wrong, that one simple word told me everything.

  My shoulders sagged. My knee twitched and nearly buckled.

  “She came to you?”

  I couldn’t help the sting in that. She hadn’t bothered to reach out to me. Though, if she was going to go to anyone else, I was damn glad it had been Angus.

  “He knocked her down the stairs, East.”

  “Christ.”

  My hands balled into fists. “What happened?”

  “I called the cops, but she refused to press charges. The usual,” he added as I swore.

  Yeah, it was nothing new. And it was also why I’d left. How did you help someone who refused to help themselves?

  “When that fell apart, I went to Tobias.”

  I stopped.

  “And?”

  “He said he’d have a talk with your pop.”

  I cursed some more. “Right. I can see that went well.”

  Same shit, different decade.

  “I think it would help if you spoke to Tobias yourself.”

  “What the hell good would that do? I’m not even a member of the pack, Gus.”

  “You could be.”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “Your mom could use a voice—”

  “I’ll help her myself. But I’m not joining the pack just to get leverage against my old man. When my knee is healed up, I’m gone.”

  “What do you mean?” He frowned at my leg. “Your wolf healing working on government time or something?”

  I sighed. “I don’t know. It patched itself to the point that I can walk. But not enough to do much else, including my job.”

  “Huh.”

  “What?”

  “Sounds like some kind of block. When’s the last time you shifted?”

  “Earlier tonight.”

  After my mating bond had kicked in, my wolf wouldn’t chill out. I’d waited until dark and gone for a run up the mountain, just like the old days. Secretly, I’d hoped it would trigger the healing. Being back here. Letting my wolf loose on my old stomping grounds. But nothing.

  I’d returned in the same condition as when I’d left.

  “There might be another option,” Angus said.

  “What option?”

  “The witches.”

  “I’m not a pack member.” And even if I was, there was no guarantee.

  Angus shrugged. “Doesn’t hurt to ask anyway.”

  I thought about it, trying to decide if it was worth it. The witches didn’t do anything for free.

  “All right,” I said eventually because it’s not like I had another choice. Unless I wanted to heal like a human.

  For some reason, I thought of Cat. A magical healing would mean no more physical therapy. But it would also mean getting the hell out of here sooner rather than later.

  “I’ll reach out to the coven. See if I can set something up,” Angus said.

  “Thanks, man. I mean it. Not just for this. For my mom, too.”

  “East, don’t even mention it. Time and distance don’t change a thing.” He shook his head like he could already read my next thought. “Neither do pack politics. We’re still brothers.”

  8

  Cat

  My nerves kept me awake half the night. By the time I woke and showered, the idea of spending more time with East had me coming apart. On the third outfit change, Rudy poked his head in my bedroom and whistled low.

  “Damn, girl. Travis doesn’t deserve this kind of revenge.”

  “This isn’t for Travis,” I said.

  Rudy’s eyes narrowed instantly. “Then who is it for?”

  When I started to answer, he held up a hand. “And don’t say no one. Because a girl does not go to this much trouble before breakfast for no damn reason.”

  I sighed. “I’m going to help Easton with his at-home exercises.”

  Rudy’s smirk was a direct contradiction to the innocent way he batted his lashes. “Is that what the kids are calling it now?”

  “Rudy, I will evict you.”

  “The place is in my name, sweetheart. And I’m pretty sure the sheriff has a crush on me, so good luck with that.”

  “Fine. I’ll withhold all details of my day.”

  “You’re evil.”

  Now, it was my turn to smirk.

  “Fine.” He put a hand on his hip, trying like hell to keep the dirty innuendoes from infiltrating his expression. “What about the clinic?”

  “Karen’s going to cover my patients this morning.”

  Rudy didn’t answer, and I could see his brain working overtime right now.

  “What?” I demanded.

  “Nothing. I’m sure you two will have a wholesome time together.” His ga
ze slid to my tight jeans and the low-cut sweater he’d made me buy a couple of months ago because, according to him, it was a lethal weapon. “That outfit though…”

  I swiped my palms down my thighs, my nerves making it hard to breathe. “Is it too much?”

  “Hell, no. It’s perfect. Ghost boy won’t know what hit him.”

  “I’m not trying to—”

  “Yes, you are. And I completely approve. Now, go get him.”

  Biting back a smile, I smoothed the tight jeans and white sweater one more time then fussed with my hair. I’d left it loose and long, my blonde waves hanging over my shoulders. It felt fancy somehow. Probably because I’d worn my hair in a practical ponytail for as long as I could remember.

  I tried not to think too hard about why I was changing that now.

  “You sure?” I bit my lip. “I mean, we’re doing physical therapy. Maybe I should stick to yoga pants and a messy bun.”

  “If you change, I’ll hide your chemical coffee creamer and buy only sugar-free soy milk for the next month.”

  I glared at him. “Now, who’s evil?”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He grinned and marched off, whistling.

  I finished my makeup and rechecked my reflection four more times before heading for the coffee pot. Rudy met me there, a cup of coffee already poured and doctored.

  “Bless you,” I said, taking the mug.

  “Trust me, the Lord already did.”

  I groaned. “I didn’t need to know that.”

  He laughed. “Have fun playing doctor. I’ll see you tonight, and I expect lots of juicy details.”

  He sailed out the door before I could answer.

  Theater people were so dramatic.

  Twenty minutes later, I rounded the drive and climbed the steps to Nicole’s. Already, I could hear the bustle of the breakfast crowd.

  The last time I’d been inside was for a bake sale Nicole’s family had held after the most current renovation was complete. Easton had worked with the contractor for a summer job. He’d been so proud of his work. My mother had raved about the quirky architecture and rambling rooms, and Easton had eaten up her praise. It was one of the first times I’d realized how little positive reinforcement he’d gotten from his own parents.

  I shook off the dark cloud that threatened to descend as I imagined what his childhood must have been like. I wasn’t going there. Mostly because it wasn’t my business anymore. I couldn’t let my feelings get in the way of the job I was here to do.

  He wanted to heal and get out of town. That much was clear. Maybe where I couldn’t help all those years ago, I could help him now. With this.

  With a deep, steadying breath, I marched up the steps and let myself in through the screen door. The place smelled like pine and coffee and I inhaled appreciatively. Memory had me stepping in and to the left, into a large sitting room that led to the kitchen.

  A few guests looked up from where they sat on cozy loveseats and deep-cushioned chairs. I smiled and swept the room, heading for the dining area in search of Easton—and maybe more coffee while I waited.

  “One cup of dark roast, extra creamer.”

  I stopped in front of Easton, surprised to see him already down here and waiting.

  “Hi,” I said, drinking in the sight of him in athletic pants and a tee that showed off the very defined biceps he’d developed.

  Ten years had been way too nice to him.

  Damn.

  He offered me one of the mugs he held, and it took all my concentration to take it without spilling the contents.

  “How’d you know I liked extra creamer?” I asked, breathless.

  “I guessed.” His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Wait. You’re not some kind of psycho who likes her coffee black, are you?”

  I laughed. “No. I’ll take it with the full treatment. Thanks.”

  I held the mug to my lips, fully aware of East’s gaze on me as I sipped. He smelled like soap with a hint of pine. It was the signature scent of Nicole’s complimentary shower products, but on East, it smelled unique. Like no one else could make that scent quite so lust-inducing.

  I really needed to stop this.

  “Crowded today,” I said, searching frantically for neutral conversation. Experience told me he hadn’t missed my racing pulse, but I wasn’t about to let him call me on it either.

  “Would you like to sit outside with these?”

  I nodded and let him lead the way to the back of the house. Outside was perfect. More space between us. Less of a chance his wolf would notice my reaction to him.

  At the end of the long hall, East opened the back door and held it for me. My ass tingled in a way that made it obvious he was checking me out behind my back. Heat rose to my cheeks. Not embarrassment, though. Mostly, it was pleasure at knowing Rudy’s outfit help had paid off. I kept my gaze averted until the fresh air helped to steady me again.

  Finally, I looked up at the backyard sprawling to the fence line. A wall of green greeted me just off the porch. Ivy climbed along over railings, and large shrubs made a natural wall, shielding the space from the main road on the other side.

  It felt private in a way that left me suddenly nervous.

  East gestured to a couple of Adirondacks, and we sat, sipping in silence for a few minutes.

  “I forgot how clean everything smells here,” he said finally.

  “We had a pretty mild summer. Fall air arrived early.”

  Why was I talking about the weather? Lame.

  “I remember autumn being your favorite.”

  “You remember that?”

  He shrugged. “I remember everything, Cat.”

  I couldn’t help the dark thoughts that followed his words. “Even the way you ghosted me on graduation night?”

  He frowned but didn’t buckle under the pressure. Meeting my eyes, he said, “Especially that.” I didn’t miss the pain in his eyes as he said it.

  But I wasn’t going to feel bad about it either. He was the one who had run away, not me.

  “Nicole’s is busier than ever,” I said when the silence stretched. Again, with the small talk. I was terrible at this.

  He looked around appreciatively. “I can see why. Place looks good.”

  “I still remember my mom giving you all those compliments over the remodel,” I said, smiling in spite of everything. The memory was a warm one, and East smiled too.

  “She recognized talent when she saw it,” he said, and I laughed.

  “Right. That’s why she only gave you the easy stuff at our house like mowing and weeding. Angus did the construction if I remember correctly.”

  “Angus had a crush on your mom. I was doing him a solid.”

  My eyes widened. “He did not.”

  “Older women get him every time.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Yes, you do. I know for a fact he dated Vicki Hagerston a couple years back, and she’s eight years older than him.”

  My lips twitched because I knew damn well he was right, but I wasn’t about to admit it.

  “Well, my mom was a catch,” I said finally, and he laughed, eyes twinkling.

  “Apple didn’t fall far.”

  I ducked my head at the compliment, suddenly off balance again.

  “You must have had a steady stream of girlfriends over the years,” I said, too afraid to look up. “Anyone special?”

  “A steady stream, huh? I’d maybe call it a trickle.” He snorted. “But no, no one special.” He waited a beat and then added, “Especially not when I compared them all to you.”

  I looked up sharply, ready to throw my coffee on him if he was screwing with me. But his expression was completely serious—and authentic.

  “You’re a hard act to follow, Cat.”

  “If you’d stayed, you wouldn’t have had to find another act, to begin with.”

  The words were out before I could think them through, or soften them. Whatever. Passive-aggressive
was well-deserved at this point.

  East didn’t answer, and the silence stretched into something strange between us.

  “What about you?” he asked. “Anyone special on your end?”

  My throat tightened because part of me desperately wanted to say yes if only to hurt him like he’d hurt me. But ten years later, I could rise above that shit—as tempting as it was to offer a low blow.

  “No,” I said simply—and firmly enough that East didn’t press it.

  After a few minutes, I took another sip of coffee and looked up to find East watching me again.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You’re different than I remember.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “Not at all.” His words didn’t match his expression though. Like he was confused by it. By me. “For one thing, your hair is longer. I don’t remember ever seeing you wear it down.”

  My hair?

  Ten years, and he wanted to comment on my hair?

  Ugh.

  “You’re different, too,” I said, eyes narrowing.

  His flash of a grin made my stomach flip. “More handsome, you mean.”

  “Ha. Well, your head’s bigger than I remember.”

  He smirked. “It’s not the only thing.”

  I pressed my lips together as heat rushed to my face.

  “You’re as bad as Rudy.”

  His amusement died instantly. “Who’s Rudy?”

  “My roommate.”

  “A man?”

  “A friend.” I finished my coffee and set it aside. “You ready?”

  Rather than wait for a response, I rose. This roller-coaster banter we had going was making my head spin. Work was so much easier.

  “Should we head to the clinic?” he asked, pushing to his feet.

  “I was thinking we could just take a walk, actually. Stretch your legs with low impact movement.”

  “A walk,” he repeated. “Through town?”

  I shrugged. “Is that a problem? If you get tired, we can just turn around.”

  He hesitated, and I could see the tension. “No problem. Let’s do it.”

  On the sidewalk, I was careful to keep a healthy distance between us. Concentrating on not accidentally brushing his hand, I almost jumped when East spoke.

  “I’m not going to bite.”

  I looked up and found him eyeing me in amusement. His hair had fallen over his forehead, making him look every inch the teenaged boy I remembered. My heart lurched and I looked down again.