by KD Jones
“Something doesn’t add up. My inner wolf senses danger around you.”
She smiled glancing up at him. “Your wolf? Aren't you two the same person?”
“We are but my wolf acts as a separate personality sometimes—one that runs off of emotions and instinct. Right now, instinct is telling us that you need to be protected.”
She wasn’t sure whether to be offended or flattered. He held the door to the diner open for her and she walked inside. Smells of food and coffee were overwhelming and caused her stomach to growl. She knew Jay heard it and felt embarrassed.
Jay frowned. “When was the last time you ate?”
She shrugged. “Yesterday at lunch. I had a bagel and yogurt.”
“That’s it?”
She ignored him as she placed her order to go and sat at the bar. He turned her stool so that she faced him. He towered over her and she shivered feeling his body heat. God how she wanted to curl up naked next to him.
“Was that all you had yesterday? What did you have for breakfast?”
She sighed, knowing he wasn’t going to let it go until she answered him. She lowered her voice, hoping no one else heard her. “Look, money has been tight lately. I usually have one meal a day so that I can make sure Granny eats and that we have money to pay for the motel.”
He looked at her — really looked at her from head to toe. She knew what he was seeing. Pale skin, dark circles under her eyes and she had lost at least fifteen pounds. She seemed to be cold all the time even though she wore layers of clothing.
“Does Mabel know you’re not eating?”
“Of course not.”
“How does she not notice?”
“I go get the food and tell her that I ate mine on the way back. It’s a small lie but it eases her mind. She feels guilty that we’re homeless and blames herself. I don’t want her to worry about anything else.”
“How did you end up here?”
“Back in our previous hometown of Bluesville, we lived in my grandparents’ home and I was working to help support us. Granny was head of a coven. Unfortunately, another witch wanted everything that Granny had. So she used magic to get us kicked out of our home, our town, and our coven. We moved around from town to town until Granny got a call from Adrian. She knew him in her younger years and owed him a favor. So we came here to Strange Lake Falls.”
“You could have left at any time. Why did you stay?”
“Granny said she sensed a rise of power that would be centered here around the blue moon.”
“Blue moon? I’ve heard of a blood moon but not a blue moon.”
“Most think a blue moon is imaginary, but it’s not. It happens very rarely but when it does, it brings magic and powers that are incredible. My great-great-grandmother had held her coven’s chanting circle on a blue moon; those who had not yet found their magic received the gift; those who had magic had their powers enhanced three-fold. Only a leader of a coven can channel the powers so that all of their coven benefits.”
“Your grandmother thinks a blue moon is coming soon?”
“Yes, and we need to have a full coven to perform the chant.”
“That’s why the witch from Bluesville got you two removed. She wanted to take over the coven.”
“Geraldine wants the coven to get the powers, for herself. She has always been about herself. She doesn’t care about anyone else.”
“Here’s your order, Cat. One bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and two coffees. I’ll see you tonight when you take your shift.”
“Thank you. See you tonight.”
Jay put his hand on her arm to keep her seated. He put down some money on the counter. “Add two more of those biscuits, Maggie, and a third coffee.”
“No problem.” The waitress left to place the order.
Cat looked up at him. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure you eat. Plus, I’m hungry too.”
She wanted to argue but her stomach growled again. It was embarrassing that she needed help but she couldn’t deny she felt hungry. “Thanks.”
“You never have to thank me for taking care of you. It is my honor. I need to make a quick call outside. I’ll be right back.”
*****
He stood up and walked out of the diner. He took out his cell phone and dialed Adrian’s number. Even though it was daylight, Adrian was an older vampire and wasn’t bound by the daylight hours.
“This better be good,” Adrian answered.
Jay cringed at the tone in his voice. “Adrian, this is Jay.”
“Are Catherine and Mabel okay?”
“Yes, I watched over their motel all night and I’m getting them breakfast now.”
“They’re still in a motel?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m calling you. Cat needs a full-time job and I need to find a permanent place for them to live. I can’t take them to the pack house because…”
“It’s too crowded there. I believe Jacqueline has a rental cabin on the outskirts of her property that nobody's using right now. It only has two bedrooms and one bathroom. Nothing fancy.”
“That will be plenty for them.”
“It needs to be cleaned out.”
“I’ll call Ric and Alpha Lucas to see if any of the pack can clean and stock it for them.”
“I will pay for the supplies.”
“I appreciate it. What about a job? I think Cat went to school for math or something.”
“Catherine had majored in accounting but had to quit when her grandfather died. We need someone who could take over the bookkeeping for the club. Samantha has been doing it but it would free her up to do other things. Have her go by and interview today. I’ll let Samantha know.”
“Thanks, Adrian.”
“I’ve known the James family for many decades. I’m the reason they came to Strange Lake Falls, so I feel responsible for them.”
He hung up with Adrian and turned just as Cat was trying to open the door of the diner but having a hard time because her hands were full. He quickly helped open it for her.
“After breakfast, how would you like to get a full time job?”
“Are you serious?
“Yep. Adrian says that he needs a new bookkeeper at the club to help Sam. Come on. Let’s get you back so you can eat, shower, and change.”
“You need to go home and do the same, and get some rest. You must be exhausted.”
He smiled. “Are you worrying about me?”
She blushed. He thought it was adorable. Mate. His wolf whispered in his mind.
“I just don’t want you passing out on me.”
“I’ll do my best not to do that.”
As they approached the motel room, they saw her grandmother at the door waiting for them with a huge smile on her face.
“I was wondering where you two disappeared to.”
“We got breakfast and coffee. I have to hurry because I have a job interview.”
“That’s wonderful. I feel so helpless. Is there anything I can help with?”
Jay put his hand on Mabel’s shoulder. “You could help get the two of you packed while Cat’s at her interview. I have a cabin lined up for you that should be ready for you to move into this afternoon.”
“Really?” Cat asked with surprise.
“Yes.”
“You’re full of surprises today.”
His eyes glowed when he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I can’t wait to show you other surprises I have in store for you.”
She opened her mouth but nothing came out. He had stunned her into silence.
Chapter 6
Two hours later
“I see on your application that you don’t have a college graduation date listed.”
Cat sat across from Sam, Adrian’s stepdaughter and the manager of his nightclub. “I had to drop out of college when my papa died but I do intend to finish my degree. It will just have to be online courses, though. I can’t leave my Granny to fend for herself.”
&
nbsp; “I admire that. I called for your college credits. I can offer work credits to apply to your degree.”
“Really? You would be willing to do that?”
Sam smiled at her. “You helped me and my mate Brock. There’s nothing you could ask for that I wouldn’t do for you.”
Adrian asked her and Granny to help him find the lone wolf that had been stalking Sam. “I’m glad it worked out. Congratulations again on your engagement.”
Sam looked down at her ring. “I know it’s human and old-fashioned to get engaged and have a wedding, but Brock insisted. He wants me to have my childhood dream of having a big wedding and wearing white. We’ve already mated at full moon with the pack around us but this is for my human side. Besides, my mother insisted and you know how she can be.”
Cat nodded. Sam’s mother, Jackie Belliveau, had been changed into a vampire and she was scary when it came to protecting her kids. Oh and Jackie had also been the first vampire in hundreds of years who had given birth to a baby, the first natural-born vampire in centuries.
“How’s your little brother doing, learning how to manage his powers?”
Sam smiled with love. “Aiden is coming into his powers fast. I think it’s because he’s a natural-born vampire. He got upset when my father decided to stop by and give my mom a hard time, claiming she set our old house on fire to get the insurance money and have plastic surgery.”
“That’s stupid.”
“Well, my brother decided he was acting like a jackass so he hypnotized him. I came by and found my dad honking like a donkey, naked, and taking a poop in the yard.”
Cat burst out in laughter. “Oh man...so glad I didn’t see that.”
“Yeah, I wish I could bleach my eyeballs. Adrian had to correct the situation and warned him not to come out to our house again or he would have him arrested.”
“I’m sorry. It must be difficult for you to have your dad not be able to be a real part of your life.”
Sam shrugged. “I’ve come to realize that family comes in many different shapes and sizes and even species. If my dad had wanted to be a part of my life, he would have done something years ago. I’ve grown up not depending on him and I think I turned out okay. Thanks to my mom.”
“I never knew my parents. No one knows my dad and my mom died when I was born. My grandparents raised me and I wouldn’t be who I am without them.”
“See what I mean about families...all shapes, sizes, and species.”
“I do.”
“What about boyfriends?”
“I dated some in college. There was one guy I was serious about before my papa died, but while I was attending the funeral, Burt decided he wanted to move on and date other girls. I’ve been too busy taking care of me and Granny to get close to anyone else.”
“What about Jay?” Sam laughed at her surprised look. “I’m in a wolf pack and not many things are hidden with us werewolves.”
“Jay’s been a good friend.”
“Is that all?”
“Jay isn’t interested in anything more.”
“Are you sure about that?”
She was starting to question that herself but wasn’t ready to talk about it. “I still have to focus on me and Granny right now. Do I have the job?”
“Yes of course. Can you start tomorrow?”
“I could start today. I’m just grateful to have a full-time job again.”
“Well, I know you’re moving this afternoon so tomorrow at 10 a.m. is fine.”
“Thank you again for everything,” Cat stood up and shook Sam’s hand.
“No problem.”
Cat turned to leave the office. Jay said he would be waiting for her when she came out. He drove her to the nightclub so that she could leave Granny the car. Rod was supposed to be helping load the car with their things to drive over to the cabin later. For someone who claimed he didn’t want to settle down, he was acting really interested in her all of a sudden.
As she exited the nightclub, she didn’t see Jay right away and thought he may be parking around the back of the club where most of the staff parked. She started to walk around the corner of the building when a sound from above caught her attention. She stopped and looked upward and immediately froze.
“Oh shit…!”
*****
Jay was on the phone talking to his brother about how things were going with packing up Cat’s stuff. He heard something that made him look up. Cat was walking his way, but she had stopped for some reason. He glanced up and caught sight of a grand piano as it was being tilted over the edge of the roof.
He raced using his shifter speed and lifted Cat, pressed her against the side of the building with his body, and shielded her when the piano hit the ground and pieces of wood flew up into the air.
“What the hell was that?” Cat asked, trying to catch her breath.
“Are you okay?”
“Except for you crushing me against the wall and taking my oxygen…”
He moved back, releasing her. “Stay here.”
“Where are you going?”
She watched as he made his claws come out of his fingers and used them to claw his way up the side of the building.
Somebody was trying to kill Cat and he was going to find out who. When he got to the rooftop, no one was there. He looked into a storage shed on the rooftop. The door to the shed was lying at an awkward angle, partially unhinged, as though someone had tried to rip it off.
Jay couldn’t detect the scent of the person who had done the damage. He pulled out his phone and called his old alpha.
“This is Ric.”
“Ric, someone tried to drop a piano on top of Cat,” Jay told him.
“What the hell? Is she okay?”
He looked down over the edge and sighed with relief as Cat walked around the remains of the piano. “Yeah, just shaken up. I know I’m supposed to work security tonight but I just can’t leave her.”
“I’ll have one of the others take your place. You guard your mate.”
Jay was surprised. “I didn’t tell anyone about that.”
Ric chuckled. “I may be a councilman now, but I’ll always be your alpha. I probably knew she was yours before you did. Now go protect her.”
“Thank you, Ric.”
Chapter 7
“A piano?” Granny James asked for the fourth time.
Cat was still a little shocked that she had almost been taken out by a falling piano. What kind of bad luck did she have?
“Where did the piano come from?” Granny James looked at Jay for answers.
“The nightclub had a spare piano in the storage unit on the rooftop of the building. Someone broke into the storage shed and pulled out the piano.”
“I seem to attract these freak accidents,” Cat said.
Jay growled. “It wasn’t an accident.”
Cat looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Someone is trying to kill you.”
She shook her head. “No one hates me enough to do that.”
“It’s Geraldine. She’s behind all this,” Granny James claimed.
“Granny, Geraldine couldn’t lift a piano onto the roof of a building or throw it off the side.”
“She could if she used magic.”
“I would have felt her powers. I wouldn’t have even noticed if I hadn’t heard the piano scrape against something.”
Rod looked at Jay. “So we’re looking for a paranormal with strength, a lot of it. A shifter would have a hard time getting the piano up there, shifters can leap but not that high and if they threw the piano up, it would have been broken before it was dumped over the side.”
“What if the paranormal was able to use a pulley system to get up there?”
“That’s possible, but also it could be a paranormal who has levitation abilities.”
Granny James shook her head. “Someone needs to check to see where Geraldine is. I just know she’s behind this. She could have hired someone to kill Cat.”
“I can go to Bluesville. Is there anyone there you trust I could have help me look into this Geraldine?”
“Yeah, the sheriff is an ox shifter and he knows the history between me and Geraldine. He’s an honest man.”
“I’ll leave after we have you both settled in the cabin.”
The cabin...They were supposed to be moving. She glanced around the small motel room. “Is there anything else we need to pack up?”
“Everything is packed and in the car,” Granny told her.
“Okay, well, I guess we’ll follow you and Rod over to the cabin.”
“Actually, I thought you would ride with me and Rod would drive your granny.”
“Why?”
“If this Geraldine is attacking you, she could attack your granny too. Both of you need protection.”
Granny gently nudged her arm. “He’s right, dear. You go on with Jay. We’ll meet you at the cabin.”
She watched as her grandmother practically dragged Rod to the car. It was almost comical but it also warmed her heart to see how gentle he was with her. She waved when they drove past them.
“Your brother is sweet.”
He growled. “Are you interested in him?”
She blinked in confusion. “What?”
“I wasn’t going to push this yet but after witnessing you almost dying twice, I realized life is just too short. I can’t hold back my feelings any longer.”
He moved closer and she could feel the heat coming off his body. “Jay…”
He bent down and kissed her softly. “I felt something for you the first time I laid eyes on you. You have invaded my every waking thought.”
“Sorry…”
“Don’t be. I was just being a stubborn man.” He kissed her again and she couldn’t help but melt against him.
“I’m not.”
“You’re not what?”
“Attracted to Rod. I’m not attracted to anyone but you.”
“Then why have you been pushing me away?”
“I heard you tell Rod at Sam’s party that you didn’t want anything serious, just a good time.”
He pulled her up against him surprising her. “I didn’t mean it. I was just trying to get him off my back. I needed time to accept my feelings.”