Graysontipped his chin forward. “Andthat’s where you’re going?”
“Ithink so.”Iexhaled. “No,Iamgoing.Ihave to see her again.”
Overthe next several minutes,Icondensed the story, including howI’dacted like a total buffoon that morning in my cabin when she couldn’t wait to get out of there. “Iwas so confused about what was happening,”Iexplained. “Afterall these decades,Inever thought it would happen to me.Look.”Imotioned to the gray in my beard. “I’ma grumpy, old shifter.”
Graysonchuckled. “You’renot old or grumpy.”Thenhis expression turned serious once more. “ButIagree.Youhave to go find her and take a chance.Otherwise…”
Hedidn’t have to finish the thought.Iknew.Allshifters knew.I’dlong for my mate.Itcould be agonizing.Thepain of being apart fromCassandraalready grew more acute with each passing day.
Theother option might be worse—rejection.Itcould break me.
Afterletting him knowI’dkeep him posted,Iwalked out of his office, feeling his concerned gaze on my back.
Ireturned to my cabin and packed a few things for the road trip south toMassachusetts.Theroads were slick with icy spots asInavigated out of the mountains, listening to a rock station.TheRollingStonesreminded me “YouCan’tAlwaysGetWhatYouWant.”
Mywolf was vigilant, eager to be reunited withCassandra.Oncewe passed the border intoMassachusetts, he stirred with restlessness.
Mate.
Soon,Ipromised.
Weheaded over to the coast and thenIspotted the sign:EnteringSalem.Established1626.We’darrived.AsIdrove downtown, my gaze roamed over the vibrant city with its many witch references.Itwas a stark contrast to the rugged wildernessIwas used to, butIliked their openness to embrace witchcraft.
Iparked my car and paid a meter, somethingIdidn’t have to do in the mountains.AsIwalked the brick sidewalks with a red line painted down the middle to indicate a history trail,Ipassed several shops likeAurora’sthat sold herbs, crystals, and other magical items.
Ifound the location of the buildings where theSalemSupernaturalNetworkwas housed and searched for the greenVictorianhouseAurorahad mentioned.AsIapproached, my heartbeat sped up and my wolf stood alert.
Ready?Iasked him.
Hurry,he urged.
Easyfor him.Iwas the one facing the possible sting of rejection.Itook a deep breath before entering.
Staycalm,Iwarned.Thelast thingIneeded was an overzealous wolf making me act like a fool—again.
AsIopened the front door, chimes indicated my arrival.Ientered and the fragrance from a number of plants greeted me.ThenIscentedher.Cassandrapassed through this entryway not long before as her fragrance was still fresh.Myheart thundered in my ears and my hands turned clammy.Inside, my systems shot up a level, as if going haywire at the nearness after so many days had passed.Thenear frantic impulse to find her throbbed with greater intensity.Mywolf stirred inside, urging me to seek her out.
“CanIhelp you?”
Iheard her melodious voice before she stepped out of an office wearing a soft burgundy sweater and black jeans.Herhair was pinned up but a few blond curls framed her face.Myheart galloped in my chest, and my wolf rose.Mate.
“Cassandra,”Isaid, my voice barely above a whisper.
Surpriseregistered on her face. “Valen?”Herbig brown eyes widened. “Whatare you doing here?”
“Icame to see you.”Igulped, bracing myself for her reaction. “Canwe talk?”
CHAPTER10
CASSANDRA
Igaped atValen.Icouldn’t believe he was at theNetworkhere inSalem.Hisbroad-shouldered frame and impressive height made him appear even larger surrounded by all the plants in the reception area.Andhe said he came to talk to me?
“Comeinto my office,”Isaid quickly, ushering him in and closing the door before my coworkers peered out and prodded us with questions.
Assoon as we were alone in my workspace, my pulse raced.Itwas so strange to have him whereIworked and met with clients.Whenwe’d been at the mountain, it was an escape from my day-to-day world, but now he was in it, proving how real this was.Valenstared at me with a questioning expression, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled.Tensionswirled around us as the silence grew more pronounced.
Icrossed my arms and leaned against my desk. “Whyare you looking at me like that?”Iasked.
