by Anya Nowlan
When he got back to his room, it looked like Tessa hadn’t moved a muscle while he had been gone, expect for maybe to turn some pages.
“I brought dinner,” he said, waving the to-go bag in his hand.
Tessa’s head snapped up, her gaze darting to him, and then to the window.
“Shit, it’s night already?” she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“You need a break before you go blind,” Tate said, arching a brow at her and walking over to drop the food on the table.
“I’m pretty much done anyway,” she replied. “And let me tell you, that was one interesting read.”
“You can tell me after you eat your burger,” he said, closing the book and tossing it on the bed.
Opening up the bag, he got out the food, and slid her drink in front of her.
“Hope you like your sugary soda and a healthy helping of grease,” he commented, plopping down into the seat opposite her.
“Did you see me with those pancakes this morning?” Tessa chuckled. “I should probably cut down on the carbs and the red meat, but I just don’t want to,” she smiled, unwrapping her burger and taking a big bite.
“A girl after my own heart,” Tate replied, digging into his own food.
“You shifter types probably burn calories faster than you consume them,” she said. “I don’t know what running around as a wolf is like, but I bet it’s good exercise.”
“That, too,” he nodded. “It’s liberating, letting your animal side loose. Your senses are more alive, you can feel the earth thud beneath your paws… It just makes you feel alive. Even better when you’re running with your brothers. The energy is almost addictive.”
“I thought you didn’t have brothers,” Tessa commented.
“Not in a human way, no,” he shrugged. “When you belong to a pack, all the other wolves there are like your family.”
“Oh yeah, packs,” she nodded. “I’ve heard about that. You must miss your brothers, then.”
“I do,” he agreed.
It wasn’t the other wolves in his pack he had been trying to escape when he had left his home in Pinedale. Although butting heads with Caleb had definitely grown tiresome. But he could handle that. No, it wasn’t his brothers he was trying to avoid, not really…
“But you left to… Go on vacation, or just do some traveling?” Tessa carefully prodded.
“It’s complicated,” he replied.
“Oh… I understand,” she quickly said, looking away from him and focusing on her food, instead.
He hadn’t meant to shut her out like that, but how could he explain? She wasn’t a shifter, she didn’t know how things worked for them. And even if she did, what would she think of a man that ran away from his responsibilities?
Maybe it was selfish, letting her think of him as some hero who saved her life, when he himself felt like a coward most of the time. But the way she looked at him sometimes, with such trust and confidence in him… He didn’t want that to change.
“Anyway, about the book,” Tessa changed the subject. “It’s all pretty frilly, with vague explanations and stories I’m not sure are allegories or not. Too poetic for my tastes, especially since I’m not reading it for its literary value,” she arched a brow at him, wrapping her lips around her drink straw.
“But, I think I’ve figured some things out.”
“I’m all ears,” Tate replied.
“Well, the sky getting all dark and dreary today before Loch showed up was no coincidence, for one thing,” Tessa said. “Weird weather changes are a side effect of things that don’t belong in our realm trying to cross over. It has something to do with barriers and shifting layers and other stuff and I don’t really understand,” she shook her head.
“But here’s the kicker,” Tessa added, setting down her burger to wave her finger in the air. “Not all demons can cross over. In fact, only a few can, those who are powerful enough. And even they can’t stay for long before being sucked back.”
Tate leaned back in his chair, brows rising. Now this was useful stuff, farfetched as it all was.
“So that’s why he didn’t fight us when he first tried to take the amulet,” he commented. “He ran out of time.”
“Yeah. He was talking about the ‘others’ not having it, so he must have been lurking around, looking for the thing for a while before coming into my store,” Tessa replied.
“I guess that’s somewhat of a relief, knowing that Loch can’t just pop over here and spend as much time running us down as he wants,” Tate remarked.
Something sparked in his brain as he said it, a realization he should have come to a while ago. If Loch was indeed looking for a more permanent way into their reality…
“That’s why he wants the amulet,” he stated. “So he can create a pathway between his dimension and ours.”
“And who knows what else he wants to bring along,” Tessa nodded. “Or for what purpose.”
“It’s not to pet kittens and eat ice cream, that’s for sure,” Tate replied.
“So we’re in agreement, then,” Tessa grabbed a napkin and wiped her fingers. “We can’t let Loch have the amulet.”
“Definitely not,” Tate said. “But now that we know how important it is… I have no doubt Loch will do anything is his power to get his hands on it.”
“And there’s another problem,” Tessa crossed her arms in front of her. “What happens when I go to sleep tonight?”
Fifteen
Tessa
“He might not even show up tonight, right?” Tessa asked, climbing into bed, this time in her pajamas.
She thought having her own clothes here, the cotton soft against her skin, would offer her some comfort. Truth was, it was Tate getting into bed next to her that got her hands to stop shaking.
“Right,” he agreed. “And even if he does… I’ll be right here.”
“Too bad you can’t come into my dreams with me,” Tessa said with a nervous laugh. “I don’t know if I’ll even be able to fall asleep.”
“You need your rest,” Tate replied. “We can’t fight demons tired,” he added with a small smile.
Dressed in a t-shirt and sweatpants, he pressed up against her as they lay there, side by side. Tessa fluffed the pillow behind her head for the tenth time, trying to keep herself occupied so she didn’t have to think about what might happen once she dozed off.
Tate lifted up an arm and carefully wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her closer.
“Is… this all right?” he asked, looking down at her.
Tessa couldn’t help but sigh as she rested her head on his chest, the warmth emanating from him better than any blanket.
“It is,” she replied.
Turning off the bedside lamp, Tate let his head fall back as they were enveloped in darkness. Snuggled up against him, Tessa enjoyed the safe little bubble she was in, and the way Tate traced his fingers down the side of her arm as he held on to her.
Now, she was having trouble falling asleep for a whole different reason.
Her skin hummed under his touch, her whole body on edge from being so close to him. Slowly, she slid a hand over his stomach, hugging his side while his heart beat under her ear, steady and comforting.
There was being intimate with someone, and then there was knowing, with every part of your being, that the person you’re next to is good, kind, and only has your safety and security in mind. How she had found that kind of peace with Tate in such a short time, she would never know.
Maybe it’s fate? she wondered. I’m not about to rule anything out at this point.
The butterflies in her stomach faded as she listened to Tate’s steady breath, knowing that whatever happened in her dreams, she would wake up by his side. She couldn’t tell if it was minutes or hours passed, but finally, sleep did come, pulling her deep into its embrace.
This time, she found herself back at her store, standing behind the counter. People kept coming and going, picking up stuff on the shelve
s and setting them back down. She tried to say hello to them, a force of habit, but no one even seemed to notice her there.
She half-expected Loch to come walking in, but when he didn’t, she started to relax, her mind letting go, accepting the dream as reality. Since none of the people wanted to talk to her, she took to cleaning up behind the counter, and rearranging the jewelry beneath the glass case.
People still kept milling about, talking among themselves. One couple held up a vintage toaster, looking it over on each side and nodding to each other. Maybe this would be the day she would finally make a sale?
Frowning to herself, she caught her reflection in the glass, filled with a sense that something was off.
The glass… she thought to herself, running her fingers over the cool, smooth surface.
A moment later, the whole thing was shattered, spilling sharp shards on the floor. Tessa yelped and took a step back, glancing at her hands to see if she had cut herself. Everything around her was suddenly quiet, and when she looked up, the store was empty.
Where did everybody go?
The bell above the door jingled as a long shadow cast over the shop floor. Already sensing what was coming next, she flattened herself against the back wall. Glass crunched beneath his heavy boots as Loch walked inside and came to a stop at the counter, a mocking smile hovering over his thin, red lips.
“Hello, little girl,” he said, the odd cadence of his voice making her skin crawl.
“Stop calling me that,” she replied, reminding herself this wasn’t real.
It’s just a dream. He can’t hurt me, she chanted in her head, willing herself to believe it.
“Isn’t that what you are?” he asked, waving a hand in the air. “Mommy’s little girl, the apple of her eye, Ms. Goody Two-Shoes. Always doing as she’s told.”
“You don’t know anything about me or my mom,” Tessa shot back, her teeth grinding together.
She tried to focus on that feeling of safety, right before she had fallen asleep. If she really focused, she could still sense Tate’s arms around her, and hear his voice, telling her everything was going to be all right.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, and stared right into Loch’s eyes, as unpleasant as that was.
“I know a pushover when I see one,” Loch said, but the smile was gone from his face. “Now tell me, have you made up your mind about the very generous deal I offered you when we last spoke?”
“I have,” she replied, squaring her shoulders. “And we’ve decided we are not giving you the amulet.”
Loch narrowed his eyes at her, brow furrowing.
“Still hanging around your wolf friend, I gather,” he said. “Is he the one encouraging you to be a brave little lamb? Because I can tell you right now, it’s not going to work out well for you,” he warned. “He’s a warrior, someone people listen to. But you?” Loch scoffed. “Don’t be a fool. Don’t let him talk you into something that can only end in pain and misery.”
“Is that a threat?” Tessa crossed her arms in front of her.
“Is this the part where I’m supposed to say ‘no, it’s a promise’?” Loch laughed. “You have watched too many movies, little lamb. The good guys don’t win this war.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Tessa replied. “You still don’t have what you want, do you?”
Maybe taunting a demon wasn’t a good idea. Now that she thought about it, it might have been the absolute worst idea. But she had had enough of Loch’s taunts. He wanted to talk shit? Let’s see how he liked it when the tables were turned.
“I’m just a poor, weak little human,” she continued on, making her voice as pathetic as possible. “But somehow, I still have the amulet, and you’re just skulking around town, unable to do anything about it.”
Loch glared at her, nostrils flaring. His anger was a palpable force in the room, and Tessa had to force herself not to cower in front of him.
“I know you were at your apartment,” he said, his voice rising. “This is a small town, Tessa Mayberry, and a lot of people know who you are. How long do you think it will take me to pick through everyone here, until I find someone who knows where you and that mutt are hiding? And believe me, no one keeps a secret from a demon,” he licked his lips.
Tessa’s heart stopped in her chest as she let those words sink in.
“You can’t…” she muttered, shaking her head.
“Oh, I can,” he grinned. “I’ll rip the guts out of every person in Whitefish if that’s what it takes. You are not invisible, and I have nothing better to do than listen to the delicious snap of human bones. Face it, little lamb. You are no match for me.”
In that moment, Tessa knew he was right. What the hell was she going to do now?
Sixteen
Tate
Tate woke to the sound of his phone dinging somewhere in the room. The sun was already streaming in through the windows, and he looked down at Tessa, still wrapped around him, rays of light sliding across her face.
Her eyes fluttered open as she rubbed her face against his chest, a small smile on her lips. She froze when she realized what she was doing, sneaking a glance up at him and blushing when she noticed he was awake.
“Hey,” he said softly.
If only he could start every morning watching Tessa smile in his arms. There was something about how safe she felt with him that touched a primal, protective part of him and made his wolf let out a content growl.
“Hey,” she smiled, rubbing her eyes.
Feeling her body move against his as she pushed herself up to sit on the bed, Tate struggled to keep his thoughts PG-13. This was day two of him sharing a bed with the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, and just looking at her pink, lush lips filled his mind with an urge to kiss her.
She turned to look at him, and for a moment, the way her gaze darted between his eyes and lips, and the way her heart beat a little faster, he couldn’t help but wonder – was she thinking the same thing?
But then, her brow furrowed and she let her face fall into her arms.
“Shit,” she muttered under her breath.
“Another dream?” Tate asked, placing a hand on her upper back.
She had tossed around a little during the night, but when he had held her tighter, she had calmed down without ever waking. He had hoped Loch had skipped his appearance, but it seemed not.
Tessa pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around them, nodding at him.
“I may have run my mouth a little more than I should have,” she admitted, grimacing to herself, the freckles on her nose crinkling. “I pissed Loch off pretty good.”
“Look at you, Ms. Mild-Mannered Antique Store Owner,” Tate widened his eyes at her. “Telling off a demon.”
“He was being a real ass so I threw it in his face that we still have the amulet,” Tessa replied. “And I told him we wouldn’t take the deal he offered.”
“Good,” Tate nodded.
“You’re not mad?” Tessa asked. “I mean, angering a vengeful, power-hungry demon might not be the best course of action.”
“I don’t think being nice to him would do us any good, either,” Tate shrugged. “Why not let him know he’s an evil son of a bitch who’s never going to get his hands on that necklace? Especially if it makes you feel better.”
Tessa let out a small laugh, turning herself toward him and crossing her legs in front of her.
“Well, when you put it that way…” she said. “We do have a problem, though,” she added, growing more serious.
“Just one?” Tate arched a brow at her.
“Well, in addition to the ones we already have,” she replied. “Loch basically threatened to torture everyone in town until he found us.”
“How out of character for a demon,” Tate deadpanned.
“Right. He’s an evil prick of the highest caliber, no surprise there,” Tessa nodded. “But I’m thinking he might actually do it. And I can’t have that kind of thing on my conscience. I don�
��t exactly have many friends here, but there are people I know, people my mom knew, families we’ve been friendly with for decades.
“Not only could they easily tell Loch they’ve seen me walking into this building with you, I can’t stand around and wait for them to be tortured.”
Of course she couldn’t. That’s wasn’t the type of person she was. Tate looked at her, a crease forming in between her brows. Tessa didn’t deserve to have all this happen to her, but life wasn’t supposed to be fair, right?
“I think I have a feeling where this is going,” Tate replied.
“I need to leave Whitefish,” Tessa sighed. “Once I’m not here anymore, Loch won’t have any reason to stick around either.”
“Either way, in a town this small, it would only be a matter of time until he found us,” Tate said. “And since we still don’t know how to beat him…”
“Leaving was always the only option,” Tessa finished his sentence.
“Are you going to be okay with that?” Tate asked. “I’m used to moving around by now, but this is your home.”
“Not much of a home when you’re being chased by a demon,” Tessa scoffed. “Starting to feel more and more like a prison, actually.”
“We will figure this all out, and you can come back,” Tate tried to reassure her.
“Yeah,” Tessa gave him a weak smile.
His wolf whined beneath his skin, wanting to be let loose, to release some of this tension by sinking its teeth into something. Preferably Loch. But all Tate could really do was give Tessa a hug, kissing the top of her head.
Maybe that was out of line, but she didn’t seem to mind, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing back.
“At least I’m not alone,” she said quietly.
“You’re not,” he assured her.
Tessa pulled away to look at him, with something new in her eyes. That loaded moment of sexual tension from when she first woke up was back with a vengeance, sucking the air out of the room. The embrace they just shared took on a whole other meaning when Tate noticed her shiver, a slight flush on her cheeks.