After lunch, they went to Branson Landing, where they explored several stores and walked a lot.By the time they were done, it was supper time, and they picked one of the restaurants on the water and had an enjoyable meal.Once they were loaded in the SUV, the girls immediately fell asleep.It had been a big day for them, and all the fun and energy used had worn them out.She was sure that someday she would be gone, and she would miss those two girls and their father a great deal.
The girls had made the best choice; Lottie was tired herself.When she woke up, Darren was holding her against him.Lottie checked to make sure she hadn't drooled on him because that would be gross.It had felt nice to lean against Darren, but now they were home, and that was over with.Lottie followed the others out of the SUV and into the house, sure that everyone would get ready for bed.
Whenever Darren was home, he was always the one who put the girls to bed.Once they showered and changed into their nightclothes, he would go to the room and read to them.After that, he would talk to them for a little while until he could see that they were getting sleepy, and then he would leave.
“They both fell asleep so quickly.Maybe we need to have more activities because they stay up and talk for quite a while, usually.”Darren observed that when he came back down to the living room, she was working on her computer.
“It's that age where they have a lot of energy, and it needs somewhere to go.”
“Where does your energy go?”
“Even using a little bit of magic takes the extra energy away,” Lottie admitted.
“I wonder, what are you first: a witch or a wolf?”
“This may surprise you, but they rarely compete.I'm usually both.”
“You're lucky because my human and my wolf have a hard time getting along,” Darren observed.
“That’s because your situation is new.I’ve always been both a witch and a wolf.But I also have a human side.My three parts learned to work together when I was young.Once you’ve had time, if you learn to open up to your wolf, things will work out.Have you changed yet?”
“I haven’t.”
“Maybe your wolf needs to be let out for a little while,” Lottie suggested.
“Would you go with me?”
“If you want me to.”
Darren gave her a hand up, and she took it.She had to admit she really wanted to know what his wolf looked like.Her wolf was excited, especially since she hadn't changed in a week or more.They walked out to an area near a forest.Forests were where wolves felt most at home.The change came over both instantly.Lottie took off running, and Darren chased her.
It was fun to play in the woods as a wolf.The problem was that it made her more aware of the bond between her and Darren, while he didn't seem to realize it.He was a new wolf, and maybe that was why.It was such a strong bond, though, that it made her question whether he couldn't see it.That made her worry that she was mistaken and that it was just the draw that a white wolf had for the opposite sex that was pulling her in.It had grown into a draw since he had changed.
She decided to take his earlier advice and just enjoy what was happening now, without worrying about later.Lottie usually tried to plan her life, but many of her plans didn’t work out.Maybe she needed to learn to take things one step at a time.Lottie was hiding from him as he walked by, looking for her.She couldn't help herself, and she jumped on top of him, knocking them both to the ground with her on top.They both changed back to human, and Darren caught her off guard as he rolled them to where he was on top.
“You’re beautiful.”He whispered as he lowered his lips to hers and gave her a passionate kiss.
She should have stopped him, but she was caught off guard.It was when his fingers moved to the buttons of her shirt that she finally reacted in the manner that she should.
“No.”
He immediately stopped and got off her.Darren headed back toward the house, and she followed him.She knew she’d made the right decision—she didn't want to be his plaything.From the look in his eyes, that was all he wanted from her.Even though being a wolf came with certain expectations, casual sex was not her thing.She’d seen it cause trouble for many of her friends, biting them in ways they hadn't expected.Maybe she would always wonder what it would have been like with him, but it was better left as something to dream about—a dream safe from reality.
They entered the house, and she headed to her room.She assumed he headed to his room as well.After a long, hot shower where she cried over what she would never have, she put on her PJs and conjured a hot cup of green tea.Once she finished her tea, she decided to forget about him and concentrate on her job with the girls and her other sidelines.In time, she would learn to forget him.That would be hard to do when she had to see him every day.Lottie was tough, and she would conquer the disappointment life had dealt her.
It was morning, and she was ready to start the day.Breakfast was waiting, and only Darren wasn’t there yet.He joined them moments later.Plates of food were on the table, and everyone began to fill their own plates.Harry appeared suddenly.
“I just wanted to check on everyone,” she said.
“Join us, Harry.”Flo invited.
“If you don't mind.Can you tell me how everything is going?”Harry asked.
“As far as we know, there have been no further attempts, but we are still being alert,” Carlos explained.
“I heard Cage planned to come by, but I thought he would already be here,” Harry explained.
“Why was he coming by?”Carlos asked.
