Chapter 7
Jay found Canagan seated in his bar when he walked in. The place wouldn’t open for another two hours. He hated when she showed up unannounced—which was all the damned time.
Canagan was an anomaly. Few knew exactly what she was, but he knew the stories. Full Sylvan Fae, who was turned into a werewolf thanks to Killian. She gained control over werewolves when she first changed.
No one took her seriously. She looked like she might be sixteen, not two to three thousand years old. Being changed young in life stopped the growth process early.
She liked to believe she controlled all the wolves. However, there were two factions. Canagan being one, Bran being the other. There was a third if witches were factored in, but they were all on Bran’s side.
Bran wanted Nate to be Alpha, so his buddies supported Nate. Canagan backed Jay, which meant a good majority of the wolves supported him. However, without a true Alpha, the pack could shift at any time.
The biggest flaw to Canagan’s plan was that she believed Jay followed her lead.
He had his own plans. Jay wasn’t sorry he hadn’t become Alpha, though he couldn’t figure out what the fuck had happened when he challenged Killian and won.
Nothing went the way it was supposed to.
Killian died in wolf-form. His body didn’t shift back. The Alpha power didn’t shift to Jay. Nothing changed.
While Canagan put her support behind Jay, he played along. However, he was immune to her sway because he was born a shaman whose animal had always been a wolf. Mind magic, even that toward animals held no sway over him. No one knew he was more than a werewolf.
Somehow, the wolves loyal to Bran resisted Canagan’s persuasion, though he claimed to have no control over them. Maybe he didn’t know how.
Jay sauntered up to the bar. “What can I do for you, Cana?”
“Canagan,” she growled. “You know my name.”
Smirking, he tipped his head. “Sorry. Habit. You want to blend in, yet you don’t want to acknowledge times have changed. With your age, I would imagine you would have learned to accept the current environment by now.”
“Stop mocking me. I want to understand why you’re stalled on your plans to become Alpha.”
“We’ve been over this. I killed Killian, and the power didn’t transfer to me. I have no idea why.”
“Did you, though?”
“Did I what? I challenged the rotten bastard and killed him. You watched as he died.”
“Perhaps not. It’s the only thing that would keep you from becoming Alpha.”
“Or another spell.” He sighed. “I’m looking into other solutions.”
“Look faster, Jay. I’m running out of patience. If we don’t move our plan forward soon, I’ll find someone else willing to take the necessary risks, and who doesn’t simply want to play with their prey.”
“If killing Nate were the answer, I would. However, he isn’t Alpha either, and I’d only piss off those who respect him. Besides, he doesn’t have the balls to claim the land. I wonder if him being the son to the previous Alpha has anything to do with the power not changing. So why bother challenging him again? He handed me my ass the first time, and he’s no more Alpha than me.”
“Wait too long and he will claim the position whether he likes it or not. He’s an honorable man, which is why I want him brought to his knees.” Canagan stood and walked out the door, her blond hair swishing over her ass.
Between her youthful appearance and the fact she made his skin crawl, he wasn’t interested in anything more than their current arrangement.
Now, Savon was another story. She captivated him in a way only his mate ever had. He wanted her, badly. Was she worth the risk of being tied to a Sylvan Fae? Even half? He wasn’t sure, but he wanted to explore what was between them.
Besides, pissing off Nate was one of his favorite things to do. If he could claim Savon, Nate would have no choice but to let her go, for good.
* * * *
A day off was the last damned thing Nate needed. He wanted to close the spanning chasm between him and Savon, but she wasn’t ready to listen. He didn’t know how to break through, so he attacked the weights in his basement instead.
The scent of earthly magic washed over him. Nate set the barbell back in the rack and sat up. “What brings you by, Fran?”
She shook her head. “Just left Savon’s, and I don’t have much time, but you’d be wise to come clean about your nightly visits. Explain what you are and how you’ve been chasing her all these years, or she will truly hate you when she finally figures it out.”
“Been trying. She’s not terribly receptive. She was drunk when I told her last night. It didn’t sink in. This morning she practically shoved me out the door. So forgive me if I’m waiting until she gives me more than two minutes of her time before I spring all of this on her.”
“It’s not me who needs to forgive you. You stalked Savon, while not maliciously, you’ve done harm. She doesn’t understand, and she should.”
“She may hate me when I do finally tell her.” Standing, he paced away and came back. “How do I tell her what I’ve done? How I couldn’t let her go? She doesn’t want to hear it. She thinks I let her go. That’s so far from the truth.”
One shoulder lifted. “You’ll figure it out. Otherwise, I won’t blame her when she demolishes you. But I believe your paths twine again soon. Tell her.”
“I will. I owe her that.”
“Should go to the bar tonight. Play some pool.”
The last time they played went through his head. She was babysitting the neighbor’s kids in her senior year. They were asleep. It was late. Savon beat his ass at the game, so he bent her over the table and fucked her silly.
Rubbing his face, he walked toward the mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. “Not sure pool is the first place I should start with her.”
Humor danced through her eyes. “That’s right. She told me about watching the Thornton kids and how you were a sore loser.” Laughing, she shrugged. “She’s definitely thinking about you, Nate. Maybe you should start there, just don’t fuck her until she knows everything, because I still think the moment you two go there, she’ll be bound to you forever. You enter into a bond with that big a secret and you will pay for that mistake.”
“I’m not that fucking stupid, Fran. I don’t want to make this worse, and I don’t want to trap her. We need a long damn talk because the guys are pushing me to take the Alpha position.”
“What are you afraid of?” she asked.
“Becoming my father. I hate that bastard.” More than words could say. The asshole cost him his happiness.
With him dead, there was no reason to stay away.
“Nate, cliché or not, listen to your heart.” She left before he could respond.
Dropping onto the bench, he flung himself back and grabbed the barbell. He wanted to expend as much pent-up energy as he could before he tried to talk to her again.
Chapter 8
Starving, Savon slipped her boots on and checked her makeup in the mirror. She’d worked her ass off to put everything away and ward her home. Enjoying the rest of the night was her reward. Grabbing her purse, she headed downstairs.
Nate’s sports car zoomed by as she locked the door. Shaking her head, she tried to ignore the questions rolling through her head. Like where was he headed in such a hurry? Was he going to see someone? Maybe Evangeline?
Not that Nate was any of her damned business.
Shit, she needed to stop thinking about him.
They weren’t together. They weren’t going to be. Serious wasn’t on the plate. And Nate had been everything to her once upon a damned time. She wasn’t even sure how to be friends with him now.
Plucking her ringing phone out of her purse left a sigh on her lips. Bran had called a dozen times throughout the day, offering to help. She eventually stopped answering. His motivation was to push her toward N
ate. It was hard enough to resist the pull to her first heartbreak without her brother helping him out.
Besides, she was curious what Jay wanted.
There was a better question. What did she want? A roll in the sack? Or the attention?
Definitely the attention.
She needed a distraction from Nate and their past. Jay could provide that, hopefully. If not him, there would be plenty other men in the bar. Tormenting the jock-cocks would be fun. There was a good chance she wouldn’t pay for a single drink.
The cool wind pushed her hair across her shoulders. The air never became stagnant in Silvertail Ridge. The constant breeze always seemed charged. Magic flowed through the town in a way she couldn’t appreciate before leaving.
At least Nate’s car wasn’t outside Fang’n’Claw. She might turn her ass around, hop in her jeep, and drive away if that were the case.
Jay’s deep blue eyes locked on hers as she stepped inside and made her way to the bar. A warning bell went off in the back of her head as every set of eyes landed on her. Unwilling to let a bunch of wolves shake her confidence, she strode to the bar.
Lifting a bottle of Chase, Jay arched a single golden eyebrow.
She shook her head, a smirk on her lips. When she got there, she took a seat and leaned forward. “Let’s go with a mojito. I plan to enjoy my night, not drown out my annoyance.”
“Because Nate came over to help this morning?” Jay asked, a harsh note to his tone. Magenta swirled through his aura, making her pause.
Her eyes narrowed. “I think my brother made up for being a douchebag. Besides, Nate and I came to an understanding. One you and I should come to because I don’t like the possessive vibe coming off you.”
His expression softened, but the magenta flared brighter. “Don’t want to see him hurt you again.”
“I’m a big girl, Jay. And I’m not interested in having a man in my life right now. I like being single. I like playing. And I don’t need a man to watch over me. Let’s get this straight, shall we? If you’re interested in fun, then we can see what happens. If this is part of some game, then you need to find another pawn. And if you think I’m going to jump into something serious, I’m not.”
His aura grew brighter, shades of green for jealousy and red anger spearing through the orange of hope. He dropped his eyes and focused on the drink.
What the hell was going on?
Savon sat back. “This is a game, isn’t it?” Snorting, she stood and started for the door.
Before she made it halfway, Jay spun her around. A hiss left his lips as his head was yanked back by the friendly spirit in the habit of warning her.
Gold ringed Jay’s blue eyes as he spun around, rubbing at his head. “What the fuck was that?”
“You bit off more than you can chew. This was a bad idea.” Savon stepped away from Jay, not tearing her attention from him.
His head cocked as he sniffed the air.
There were a dozen entities in the place. Maybe more. And all but two didn’t particularly like Jay.
He took a step toward her and the spirits drew closer.
She held up one hand. “Word of advice, back off.”
A slow smile spread on his lips as he dropped to his knees, his hands raised in surrender. “What are you, Savon?”
“My own woman.”
He dipped his head in submission. “I’m sorry. I won’t make that mistake again. This isn’t a game. I’m genuinely interested in seeing where things go naturally. I won’t push.” His gaze lifted to meet hers.
“One chance, that’s it. Anything I don’t like, I walk out that door, Jay. One tiny thing.” Her tone was calm, simply laying down her cards.
Yellows burst across his colors, wiping out everything but lavender streaks. Curiosity, hope, and passion. Interesting.
Standing, Jay backed toward the counter with a devilish smirk. “You have my word. Give me a chance, Savon.”
For what, she wondered.
She took the empty seat at the counter and the woman to her left moved to a table. The man on her right scooted down a seat. Curious, but the spirits were riled more riled than they had been a moment ago. She may have missed them interfering.
That was the problem with her gifts. She could only do so much to control other entities without consequences. They had a mind of their own, and often reacted to her emotions.
Jay resumed making her drink. “Tell me something, Savon. Do you feel the chemistry between us?”
Her brow arched as she leaned forward. “Jay, you promised not to push. I’m attracted to you, but I plan to be single for a while. Right now, I want to enjoy my evening. If I have to fend you off all night, I’ll leave.”
* * * *
Jay took her words to heart. The fire in Savon’s eyes made his dick hard as steel. He had no doubt the rumored protection woven around Savon was unnecessary. Old magics surrounded her. Both Sylvan and something primal and unworldly.
Perhaps he needed to look into sorcerers and their abilities. He didn’t know enough. Not that the details would deter him. The craving for Savon grew every moment, but patience was something he knew well.
The door opened and in walked Bran and Nate.
Jay repressed a growl, forced a smile, and pushed the glass her way. “Savon, your drinks are on me. Just yours.”
She glanced over her shoulder and turned back with a curled lip. Leaning forward, she said, “Didn’t expect them to come.”
He believed her. She wasn’t happy with them there. The bridge wasn’t burned yet. He needed to relax and let things unfold on their own. Either way, he wanted more of the enigmatic woman before him.
“Hungry?” Jay asked. “We do have a full kitchen.”
“Bacon cheeseburger, skip the fries.”
“That’s on me too.”
She reached across the bar as he turned, grabbing his wrist. “No. Let me pay. I’m a customer, and I don’t want you thinking I owe you something other than money.”
“I won’t.”
“I’ll pay, or I’ll walk. Your choice, Jay.” Light danced through her eyes, but the challenge was there.
Her logic made sense. He smiled. “All right, you’ll pay.” He pulled away and put the order in as Bran and Nate took the seats on either side of her.
Turning to her brother with a glare, she whispered, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Bran chuckled, nodding to the tables. “Thought I could challenge my little sister to a game of pool.”
She groaned. “After I eat and have a dance or two.” Her eyes swept through the bar as she licked her lips. “I came for fun.”
Nate dropped his gaze, his hands gripping the counter as his shoulders rose and fell in a steady rhythm.
Jay repressed the smirk as he continued to listen to the heated discussion.
“We had to eat,” Nate gently added. “Not much else to do in town.”
Savon sipped at her mojito as he turned to Nate and took his order, then Bran’s. He left long enough to place their order, and pour their beers.
Her drink was empty by the time he leaned against the counter. “Another?”
She ran her finger over the rim, then nodded. “Yes.”
Bran’s head whipped to him. “Don’t go overboard, Savon.”
Rolling her eyes, she turned to Bran. “Don’t be an asshole. I’ve had one. I plan to stay a few hours, dance, play some pool. A few drinks won’t kill me, and since you two are trying to ruin my night, I need another.”
Nate leaned closer to her. “Want us to leave?” The pain in his voice put a smile on Jay’s lips.
Sighing, she turned to look at Nate. “Didn’t say that. Just, let me have my fun.”
“Sure.” Nate glanced away.
Jay placed the second drink in front of her.
* * * *
Bad fucking idea, Nate.
He wanted to reach across the counter, grab Jay by the throat,
and squeeze until his claws came out for real. Maybe then Savon would realize she was playing with fire.
But no, she was more likely to chase Jay just to spite Nate.
Both Fran and Bran thought Nate needed to be at the bar to protect her. He worried their presence would push her to do something crazier than she had planned.
He agreed he needed to give her the whole truth, but the bar wasn’t the place. Unfortunately, until she understood everything, they didn’t stand a chance.
Jay brought a burger to Savon and leaned over the counter, looking into her eyes as he licked his lips. “Enjoy.”
Her posture tensed as she met his gaze and pulled the plate toward her in a silent challenge.
At least Jay was pissing her off too.
Nate felt the same connection to Savon he always had. The only difference was that it was ten times stronger and she was fighting it.
Eventually she would have to admit they were tied together.
Savon picked up her burger and took a bite.
Nate nodded at Bran before sliding from the stool to walk to the jukebox. He picked every love song she used to play, hoping one would remind her of how good they’d been together.
He came back to the bar as she picked up her drink and moved to a pool table where one of the pricks from school joined her.
Nate took her vacated seat and wished he could say anything to Bran, but in a bar full of wolves, they would only overhear.
Jay walked back. “Why here? We all know you both avoid this place.”
Bran leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. “She was followed last night. Later, the same wolf tried to snoop around her place. We’re here to make sure no one else gets any stupid ideas.”
Jay gripped the counter, leaning closer with a snarl. “Who followed her?”
Nate didn’t expect the protective vibe rolling off Jay. Maybe the bastard hadn’t set that up. He answered simply, “Clay Weston.”
His jaw clenched and he scanned the bar. “That will stop or I’ll tear his head from his body,” Jay promised.
Sleepwalker Page 6