The shifter glances back at me, and I drop my gaze to his arm, attention caught by the abundant amount of ginger hair on his pale skin.
“The Wolf Man,” I blurt out, fur on the brain. When I flick my eyes back to Mahon’s face, I find the bearded man pouting.
“You gotta be kidding me, Satine. You’re breaking my heart over here. Wolf shifters always think they’re hot shit.” He waves a dismissive hand in the air. “Bears aresomuch better. Trust me.”
“Well, you are the expert.” Digging my teeth into my lower lip, I keep my snicker to myself. Reaching into my to-go bag, Ipull out the bear claw Mahon was kind enough to bring me. I split the pastry in half and offer him a piece.
He leans toward me, his scent increasing with the proximity. “You honor me,” he says, tone serious.
Then, the bear shifter plucks the treat from my fingers and takes a substantial bite. I’m so focused on the flex of his jaw that I almost don’t hear the crunch of tires on my gravel drive.
But my sense of self-preservation kicks in, and I whip my head to the side in time to watch a truck amble toward my house. Without considering the move, I pull the hood of my sweatshirt up over my hairless head, leaving only my face and hands uncovered.
Even though I know of Calder, it doesn’t mean he knows of me. This casual chat with my delivery guy has shone on my day like an unexpected ray of sunlight, and I don’t want the joy marred by a selkie flinching at the sight of my differences.
Mahon levers himself up from the stairs with a groan that my mind translates into a sexual noise for some unexplained reason. Or maybe I can blame my yard art for putting my brain in the bedroom.
Shit. Calder’s going to see my monsters fucking.
I only meant for my nameless delivery guy to see it. I was going to break the setup down after he was gone. As Calder steps out of the cab of the truck, his focus goes straight to the green booty. I wonder if he’ll keep the sight to himself or if all of Folk Haven will learn about the backwoods monster’s twisted sense of humor.
At least while the selkie is distracted, I can retreat to the nonjudgmental emptiness of my house. While I gather up my trash and my coffee cup, Mahon strides across my front yard, reaching his moped in seconds and barely pausing before he squats down and heaves the entire thing over his head.
All plans to retreat are delayed, as I’m mesmerized by the strain of the shifter’s biceps against the blue cotton shirt. His crimson hair really does pair nicely with the sapphire color.
The truck sinks under the weight of the scooter, and I tear my gaze away.
“Satine!” My name booms through the trees and freezes my feet once again, just steps away from my door.
With a slow turn, I watch Mahon bound toward me, wide grin parting his beard. He vaults the steps to my porch and skids to a stop in front of me, extending his hand.
Guess the guy has good manners. I set the leavings of my lunch down before straightening and accepting his handshake. At least, that’s what I think he’s offering.
Instead, Mahon tugs me into his warm body and slings a strong arm across my shoulders. My wings gather even closer to my back under my loose sweatshirt, but the bear doesn’t seem to notice as he guides me toward the new arrival.
“Calder! Come here. Have you met Satine?”
The selkie finally looks away from my yard art, his eyes finding mine. To his credit, he merely blinks a few too many times before smiling at me. He holds out his hand, which I shake in a firm grasp, all the while staying tucked in close to Mahon’s side.
As if our relationship were more intimate than having met face-to-face a short while ago.
“Nice to meet you, Satine. Hope Mahon didn’t talk your ears off.”
Suddenly, feeling comfortable enough to joke with these two mythics, I let the first response I think of come out of my mouth. “Actually, he did.” I tug down my hood, revealing my ear-less head.
Calder’s eyes widen, Mahon’s laugh roars, and I bite my lip, fighting a smile. This is the goofy rapport I have with people online but rarely in person. The interaction is heady in a way.
After a second of shock, Calder grins wide and exhales in relief.
“Wish I could stick around.” Mahon lets his arm slide away, and I try not to think about how I miss the warmth. “But Heath is already going to chewmyears off for taking so long.” The bear shifter affects a dramatic pout. “He’s going to make me mop. And it’s not fun anymore since he said I can’t use the handle as a microphone and serenade the kitchen.”
The image he describes is easy to conjure in my mind. This wild redhead could do all manner of things at this point and not surprise me.
“I’ll let you go.” With a step toward my house, I can’t help feeling like I’m returning to a cage. Maybe today is a good day to go for a swim.
“Nice to meet you.” Calder waves as he climbs into the driver’s seat.
I return the gesture before facing Mahon.
