“You crows and your shiny objects,” I tease, wincing slightly at my condescending tone.
He wrinkles his nose, probably offended. Taking a beat, he places his artistic hands on his narrow hips and lifts his chin at me. “I see you’ve gone with the undercut instead of the modern shag, like so many of your fellow coyotes do. It looks nice on you.”
A not-so-subtle growl rumbles in the back of my throat. “I am nocoyote. I am a wolf.”
“I know,” he responds, winking on a slight head flick. “And I’m a raven.”
I hold up my hands, duly chastised. “My bad.”
He flutters his gorgeous eyes at me, then gives in to a full grin. “My name is Poe. I own the place.”
“No shit. Your scent is everywhere. I was right about the avian, but do apologize for mislabeling you. It won’t happen again. I’m Thorin.”
“Does anyone call you Thor?” he asks with an appealing smile.
“Not if they want to live,” I respond, adding a little bass to my answer.
He cracks up. “Thorin it is. What can I get for you?”
“Triple espresso with cream and no sugar, please.” I look over his breakfast offerings. “I don’t suppose you have anything with protein in it?”
He taps his temple again. “The local gossips told me a lone wolf was new in town, so I made sure to stock a few things, just in case you wandered in. Maria’s breakfast tacos are the best, and I’m told the ones with smoked venison are to die for.”
My eyes widen. I haven’t had good venison in a while. It’s one of the reasons I chose to move into this area. When local municipalities are overrun with deer, they allow locals to participate in controlled hunts, and I am an excellent hunter. Still, I haven’t sampled the local meat, and I’m excited at the possibility of a preview.
I stick my nose in the air, sniffing, wondering how I could’ve missed something like that.
He chuckles. “Maria just pulled up, so you’re getting them fresh.”
The door chimes and a very short woman—I’m guessing javelina shifter—hips open the door carrying an enormous box filled with foil-wrapped breakfast tacos.
“Oh my Goddess.” I inhale deeply, picking out each of the amazing flavors. Chorizo, black bean, cheese, and… yes.Venison. “I’m going to need one of each of those.”
Maria examines me. “Onions don’t bother your stomach?”
I shake my head. “Not in my human form.”
Grinning, she picks out four tacos and hands them to me.
I take them, then look over to Poe, grimacing. “I will pay for these. I wasn’t trying to steal them from you, I promise.”
He laughs and waves me off. “I know you’re good for them. Besides, your first breakfast is on the house. Welcome to Bee Cave.”
Mm. Pretty and generous, even after I was kind of a jackass to him.
Maria takes off, leaving us alone again. Aware of Poe’s eyes on me, I move to a sunny table while he sets up the rest of the breakfast tacos behind the counter. In the meantime, I tear open the foil and take a bite, practically downing half the taco in one gulp.
I curse under my breath, shaking my head.
“Problem?”
“Are you kidding? I’m wondering if it’s too much to ask for another.”
He shakes his head, digging into the box. “Incoming!” he calls out, hurling a foil-wrapped breakfast taco at my head.
I catch the venison goodness in one hand while demolishing the rest of the first one in the other. I sense Poe’s eyes on me and assume my wolfish eating habits are out in their full glory.
Not my fault Poe brought my favorite wild game into the equation.
