I laughed. “I should let you go before you forget something else. I’ll be home in just a few minutes.”
“Awesome! See you then.” Melody hung up, and I slipped my phone in my purse.
A thrill raced through me while I admired our store through the windshield, the headlights spotlighting the mannequins in the window display. Everything was falling into place. We had regular customers, and if I could secure a deal with Asia, we’d have something unique to offer the Breed community.
Some immortals considered Shifters to be at the bottom of the totem pole—hate spawned out of jealousy for our gift of transformation. After slavery was abolished, Shifters no longer hid in the shadows. Even though I was a wolf, the feather earrings instilled a sense of culture and respect for all. My jewelry connected the wearer with Breed life—a visible badge of sorts. Mel called it Shifter pride, but many of the customers asking for them weren’t Shifters at all. Maybe they were supporters and wanted a way to show others, or maybe having a small piece of our power felt like magic in their hands. In any case, each pair of earrings came with a certificate of authenticity, which also included a brief history about the type of bird Shifter they were derived from and the meaning behind any stones that might be part of the piece. It was the best way to honor the avian community.
What I’d already accomplished was more than I ever dreamed possible.
And now, after trying something risky and new, I finally believed that my life wasn’t about luck or timing. Maybe the fates were watching over me and I’d finally gotten into their good graces again.
One could only hope.
I glanced at the envelope poking out of my purse and wondered,Why wait?
Chapter 5
“Where have you been?” Mel blocked the entrance to the apartment, leaving me standing in the hall. “I thought you’d be here thirty minutes ago.”
“I wish you hadn’t waited for me.”
“Whenwe leave is no biggie. I just didn’t want to send out a search party.”
I worried my lip, not mentioning the envelope taped to our store. I’d opened it before leaving, and it left me so shaken that I’d thought long and hard about the right thing to do. This trip was important to Melody and Lakota, and they’d been planning it for a long time. Chances were the letter was nothing more than a prank.
I noticed her freshly dyed hair—a deep shade of purple. “Your hair looks good. Did Lakota help?”
She pulled a strand in front of her face. “Itoldhim to wear gloves. Were you daydreaming again? Lakota almost went looking for you.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t.”
Then I heard people talking from inside the apartment. I tried to peer around her, but Melody eclipsed my view. “Who’s in there?”
She twirled her hair with her finger, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s a long story. He’s not staying, and Lakota’s trying to get rid of him so we can leave. Our things are already in the truck. We were just waiting on you to get home. Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I’m fine. Why?”
“You look pale.”
I smiled and held my arm next to hers. “Compared to whom, Casper?”
Mel was certainly dressed for a road trip. Sweatpants, one of Lakota’s wolf T-shirts, and a pair of fuzzy slippers.
“I hope you’re not getting out of the truck to eat tacos in Dallas,” I said.
She glanced down at her casual attire. “This is the style these days. Haven’t you seen what humans are wearing to the grocery store? Nobody cares anymore.” Melody backed away from the door to let me in.
I set my keys on the small table beside the door and swung my eyes up to Lakota, who was sitting on the pink sofa against the far left wall. But that wasn’t what held my attention. It was the stranger sitting across from him. All I could make out were his massive arms stretched along the back of the grey sofa and a braid pinned between his back and the cushion.
Lakota swung his eyes sharply over to me. “Where have you been? I thought we had an agreement.”
I dropped my purse on the floor and held out my hands. “I apologize for my tardiness, but I’m here now.”
The visitor turned his head, revealing a tattooed profile. When his smoldering eyes locked on mine, my heart slammed against my rib cage.
It’s him!The man who’d seen me naked on the side of the road. The man whose clothes were neatly folded in my bedroom. The man I thought I’d never have to see again.
The man who was giving me a wolfish grin from the back of our sofa.
