Witchin' USA

by Amanda M. Lee

  “Who’s out there?” My voice cracked as I fought the urge to curl into a ball and hide in the ditch.

  The answering sound was enough to make my blood run cold, a low growl emanating from a spot far too close.

  “Oh, my … .” I bit off a whimper when the yellow eyes flashed again, this time only three feet away. I ran, my body reacting even though my head couldn’t wrap itself around what I saw.

  My breath came in ragged gasps, and footfalls echoed behind me, although they appeared to be punctuated by nails clicking against the asphalt.

  I could feel the unseen force closing the distance and exhaling warm air on the back of my neck, and then I saw it.

  At first I thought it was my imagination. Perhaps I envisioned someone racing to my rescue while I was really a hundred feet back getting my throat ripped out. My mind couldn’t handle that, so it went to a different place. That made sense, right?

  The vehicle was almost on top of me before it slowed, the headlights blinding me as someone opened the driver’s side door and climbed out. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was in even more danger now. I had no idea who was stopping. It could be an evil madman … or a snake shifter, for all I knew. Hey, if they have shark shifters they probably have snake shifters.

  Then I heard a familiar voice and my heart leapt as I threw myself at the figure.

  “Hadley?”

  “Galen?” I was crying when I buried my face in his chest.

  He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as he ran his hand down the back of my head. “What happened?”

  “There’s something out there,” I whispered, my lower lip trembling.

  Galen’s body stiffened “What kind of something?”

  “I just saw yellow eyes.”

  Galen licked his lips, taking a moment to decide. “Okay. Get in the truck.”

  I fought when he tried to push me inside, but he was too strong. “What are you doing? Come with me. Let’s leave.”

  “I just want to look around.” Galen forced a tight smile. “You’ll be safe in the truck. Now get in.” He gave me another shove, hoisting me inside and slamming the door shut before I could mount another argument.

  “Don’t leave me here,” Galen warned, wagging a finger. He flashed what I’m sure he considered a reassuring smile before stepping into the blazing lights in front of the truck.

  I watched as he tilted his head to the side and lifted his nose to the air, my heart skipping a beat when I realized his mannerisms reminded me of a very specific animal. It was only then that the obvious question hit me. If all of the residents and workers on Moonstone Bay were paranormal creatures, what did that mean about Galen?

  I didn’t get a chance to ponder the question for long. Galen clearly heard something in the brush toward the left side of the road. I lowered the window a crack so I could listen, cringing at the unmistakable howl ripping through the night air.

  “What was that?” I hissed. “Was that a … wolf?”

  I barely got the question out before Galen’s body began to shift. It had to be a trick of the light or something. There could be no other explanation. The transformation happened so quickly, though, that when Galen’s wolf form hopped away from the shorts and shirt piled on the ground I was left with nothing but my abject hysteria to comfort me.

  I heard snarling … and snapping jaws … and an exaggerated whine when some sort of canine was terribly hurt. I couldn’t see the fight. I couldn’t register what I’d seen when Galen leaned over and planted his hands on the ground, his back contorting higher as his fingers elongated and … no, thinking about it was too much.

  Oh, holy hell! What is going on with this freaking island?

  I COULD HAVE driven away. Galen left the truck running, and after a few minutes of listening to growling and howling I was more than ready to put some distance between myself and whatever was going on within the shadows.

  I wasn’t so far gone that I could consider leaving Galen behind, though. He saved me from whatever was out there. If he hadn’t shown up … I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened.

  I was just about to do something infinitely stupid – people everywhere would’ve been screaming at their screens to stop me if I was trapped in a horror movie – but a dark figure appeared in the headlights before I could.

  My heart seized at the sudden movement, and I gripped the steering wheel, debating putting the truck in drive so I could run over the stranger before I recognized Galen’s strong shoulders. He barely spared me a glance as he leaned over in front of the truck, shrugging into his shorts and hanging his shirt over his arm before moving to the door.

  He stared at me through the glass for a very long time, perhaps ascertaining if I was about to freak out. Finally, he tugged on the door, and when it wouldn’t open he merely arched an eyebrow. “Are you going to unlock it?”

  The simple question snapped me back to reality. I fumbled with the controls on the panel before finally managing to do what he wanted. Galen was careful when he opened the door, making no sudden moves to close the distance between us. Now that I could see him under the dome light I realized he had a gash across his cheek and another, much deeper slash, across his sculpted abdomen.

  I openly gaped at the wound. “Do you need to go to the hospital?” I asked, my voice sounding breathy and unnatural.

  “I’ll be fine.” Galen captured my fingers before they could graze over the wound. “Are you okay?”

  I snapped my eyes up to his, the terror and fear from only moments before returning. “You’re a shifter.”

  “I am,” Galen confirmed, his lips curving. “How do you feel about that?”

  I was struck dumb by the question. “You turned into a wolf. Or, wait, was that some sort of dog? It looked like a wolf. I’ve lived in Michigan all my life, but the only wolves I saw were in the zoo. I guess you could be a dog.”

  “I’m a wolf.” Galen’s smile was kind, his patience apparently never ending. “Do you have questions?”

  I pressed my lips together and nodded.

  “What are they?” Galen prodded.

  “I’m not sure yet,” I murmured, my mind threatening to shut down. “I just … what happened? What was out there?”

  “It was another wolf shifter, but I couldn’t get close enough to figure out who.”

  “I heard one of you cry out.”

  “Yes, well, there might’ve been a bit of chasing and our friend fell down an incline. I’m guessing he hurt himself, but I can’t be sure.”

  “He? How can you be sure it’s a man?”

  “I can’t, but that’s my assumption.”

  “Because only a man would do something like stalk a woman along an abandoned road after dark?” I asked.

  “No, because I simply believe it was a man.” Galen gestured toward the passenger seat, making small shooing motions with his hands to get me to slide over.

  I did as he asked, although I was unable to move my eyes from Galen’s battered torso as he climbed into the driver’s seat and shut the door. “How did you get hurt?”

  “It was during the chase. I fell down a hill and smacked into a rock. It will be fine in the morning. I heal rapidly.”

  “Because you’re a wolf?”

  “Yes.” Instead of putting the truck into gear, Galen kept his eyes on me. “Are you going to freak out?”

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  “Well, can you fasten your seatbelt before you decide?”

  I nodded and did as he asked.

  “Thank you.” Galen licked his lips, giving the appearance that he was calm. Instead of maintaining his cool, though, he exploded. “What were you thinking getting out of your vehicle and trying to walk back to town after dark? Are you stupid? Are you trying to kill me?”

  The yelling was enough to allow me to recover at least a portion of my wits. “Excuse me?” I was beside myself. “The bus got stuck. I thought I saw something in the road. My phone had zero service a
nd the battery was almost dead.”

  “So you saw something in the road and decided to get out of the vehicle?” Galen was incredulous. “You are stupid, aren’t you? That’s the only explanation.”

  “Hey! I’m the victim here,” I spat. “I was minding my own business, visiting my grandfather and drinking iced tea, and then my life imploded. Again. Do you know how many times my life has imploded since I landed on this stupid island?”

  “If you expect me to feel sorry for you, I won’t,” Galen argued. “You were supposed to wait outside the tiki bar for me. We had a few things to talk about, if you remember correctly.”

  Crud. Of course he’d bring that up. “I’m trying to deal with a lot here,” I countered. “I burned a woman today and have no idea how I did it. That was after I went all sex crazy and apparently did the dirty with you. I can’t even remember it, which totally sucks. It’s been a long, freaking day.”

  Galen worked his jaw as he considered my outburst. “I don’t even know where to start.”

  “If you’re going to start by yelling at me, pick another spot.”

  “Okay. How about this? We didn’t have sex,” Galen barked, taking me completely by surprise.

  “We didn’t?” I should’ve been relieved, but part of me was a bit disappointed. I had no idea why. Okay, I’ve seen him without his shirt on, so I know why. “But … you were naked in my bed.”

  “So what?” Galen challenged. “We got wet when you lost control of the spell last night. I didn’t want to sleep in wet clothes. You had nothing for me to wear. I didn’t want to leave you alone in case you woke up in a panic so I slept naked. Big whoop.”

  “But … .” That couldn’t be right. That would mean I misread every sign.

  Galen continued to stare. “I’m waiting.”

  “For what?” I tripped over my tongue. “I … what are you waiting for?”

  “An apology,” Galen replied, unruffled by my squeak.

  “Apology? Why would I apologize? I didn’t do anything.”

  “You thought I would take advantage of a passed-out woman,” Galen argued. “You thought I was the kind of guy who would do that.”

  “I … well … I didn’t think that exactly,” I hedged.

  “Now everyone in town thinks I’m that sort of guy,” Galen grumbled, navigating his truck back toward town. “I should be offended that you think I’d do anything of the sort.”

  Given everything that happened – especially the fact that he drove so far out of his way to look for me – I couldn’t help feeling guilty. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should be.”

  “I said I was.”

  Galen growled as he focused on the road. “You’re a lot of freaking work, woman. Has anyone ever told you that?”

  I shook my head as I chewed my bottom lip. I felt guilty. I also felt confused. “How did you even know where to find me?”

  “I expected you to show up at the lighthouse eventually, but when you didn’t I got worried,” Galen replied. “I called Wesley, and he said you should’ve been back in town, so I decided to check the road. That bus is old and could break down at any moment.”

  “It’s also a stick, and I wasn’t sure I remembered how to drive one,” I admitted.

  “That’s not what you told everyone about last night,” Galen groused, causing me to narrow my eyes.

  “I said I was sorry.”

  “You’re going to be sorry.” Galen’s voice was barely audible as he spared me a dark look. “Believe me, honey, when we sleep together you’ll darned well remember it.”

  Oh, well, that was comforting. Wait a second. “Did you say when?”

  “Yes. Now, shut up. I want five minutes of peace.”

  “Fine.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “But I think you’re being awfully presumptuous that there’s going to be a when.”

  “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”

  “Oh, bite me.”

  “That can be arranged.”

  I had a feeling that was true.

  24

  Twenty-Four

  “We need to talk.”

  “Ugh.” I threw myself on the lighthouse couch with a bit of dramatic flair and stared at a spot on the wall rather than risk meeting Galen’s gaze. “Didn’t we already do that?”

  “We did but I’m not done.”

  “I’m done,” I countered, plucking at the afghan hanging over the back of the couch. It reminded me of one I’d carried around my father’s house for years when I was a kid before it accidentally got thrown out on trash day. “I don’t want to talk about it again. It makes me look bad.”

  Galen snorted, taking me by surprise when he sat on the couch next to me. “It’s fine. I can see why you jumped to that conclusion.”

  “That’s not what you said twenty minutes ago.”

  “Twenty minutes ago I was keyed up from a fight,” Galen pointed out. “I’m fine now, although I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that you just assumed I’d do something like that while you were passed out.”

  I did my best not to appear embarrassed – which wasn’t easy given the way my cheeks burned – but ultimately I could do nothing but rub the tender spot between my eyebrows and sigh. “I’m sorry. That was wrong … and mean. I didn’t know what else to think when I woke up. Your clothes were in a heap on the floor, for crying out loud.”

  “Because they got wet,” Galen reminded me. “You lost control of your magic and the water spout hit us. That’s the reason I changed your clothes. I didn’t want you getting a chill in the middle of the night.”

  That hadn’t even occurred to me. “You changed my clothes?” The idea was horrifying, abhorrent … and entirely embarrassing. Were my legs freshly shaved last night? I couldn’t even remember.

  As if reading my mind, Galen chuckled. “I did change your clothes. It was the second most exciting thing that happened to me last evening.”

  I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. “The second?” He should be so lucky to see me naked. I mean … does he even understand what a compliment is? They’re always necessary after a bout of nakedness, for crying out loud. In fact, now would be a great time for a compliment.

  “The first was watching you play with your magic,” Galen replied. “You looked as if you were enjoying yourself until things got away from you.”

  “I don’t remember much of it,” I admitted, scrubbing the sides of my face with my hands. “It comes back in flashes.”

  “It will get better.”

  “Will it?” I was hopeful he was right. “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “How long have you been a wolf?”

  “I was born this way,” Galen replied. “Do you have anything you want to ask about that?”

  Did I? Absolutely! Was now the time? I couldn’t be sure. “So it’s not like the movies? Wolves are born, not bitten.”

  “True shifters are born, not bitten,” Galen clarified. “However, there are a number of shifter lines that can create half-breeds by biting. Wolves are one of them. Those lines aren’t nearly as strong as born lines.”

  “Ah, I see.” I did my best to pretend I was taking it all in and totally fine with the information. “How many born shifters versus bitten shifters are there on the island?”

  “Um, I think that most of the shifters on the island are born,” Galen replied. “Born shifters and bitten shifters don’t generally play nice with one another.”

  “Why not?”

  “Bitten shifters have inferiority complexes.”

  “Why?”

  “Born shifters are superior.”

  I snorted, rolling my head back so I could stare at the ceiling. “Are you sure you don’t have a superiority complex rather than the other way around?”

  “Not even remotely,” Galen replied. “Bitten wolves are weaker, and they tend to be power hungry. Think about it. What kind of person would purposely let himself get bitten just so he can turn into an animal?”
r />   That was an interesting question. “I don’t know. It was another wolf shifter out there tonight, right?”

  Galen nodded. “It was a born shifter. I can promise you that.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “Different scents.”

  I took a moment to picture Galen sniffing another guy’s butt and made a face. “Ugh. This conversation just went to a creepy place.”

  “Really? And I thought the fact that you believed I had sex with you while you were unconscious was the worst it would get.”

  “You’ll never let me live that down, will you?”

  “Probably not,” Galen answered. “I’m offended that you think you would’ve been able to forget.”

  “Oh, geez.” I slapped my hand to my forehead. “This night keeps getting worse.”

  “You would never be able to forget it,” Galen said, refusing to be dissuaded from this particular point of conversation. “It would be seared in your brain and give you naughty palpitations whenever you thought about it for years to come.”

  “Naughty palpitations? You think a lot about yourself, don’t you?”

  “Yup.” He didn’t look even remotely ashamed when he flicked his eyes to the door upon hearing it open. Instinctively I moved a bit closer to him, causing him to rest his hand on my knee. “It’s fine. It’s Booker.”

  Booker didn’t look happy when he strolled into the room, his expression dark. “I don’t like either one of you right now,” he announced.

  “How did you know it was him?” I asked, impressed. “Could you smell him?”

  “I heard the bus in the driveway,” Galen explained. “That bus has a particular sound. I see you managed to reclaim your property.”

  “I did,” Booker confirmed, bobbing his head. “It was in the ditch right where you said it would be. Thankfully it doesn’t look as if it will need any work.”

  “I’m really sorry,” I offered. I meant it. “I don’t know what happened.”