“Hey.” Lanche’s voice was quiet as he approached me like he would a scared animal. “If you’ve changed your mind, it’s fine. We don’t have to stay out here.”
“Sorry, I just… um…” I didn’t want to tell him the real reason I was nervous about being alone with him, but he deserved at least a partial truth… right? “Um, so… you obviously know I’m a werewolf, but… uh, yeah, I guess I get nervous sometimes because of how I…” I cleared my throat. “How I was turned.”
“I’m sorry. We can leave. I—”
“No, it’s fine. Seriously. I just… when I was turned, I was walking back to my apartment. I used to live on the outskirts of the city, right up against the forest. I felt… I felt something stalking me, but I kept brushing it off as nerves since it was the middle of the night, and I was alone. Well… turns out I really should’ve run when I first noticed it. Then maybe I wouldn’t have been attacked.”
I cleared my throat and looked anywhere but at Lanche. “The were chased me, but it kind of seemed like it was toying with me, you know? Like, it let me think I was going to get away. Let me think I could reach the building’s front door, but I wasn’t fast enough. Right before I made it to the steps, it took me down and started… um, eating me, I guess. It really liked, um, intestines and that whole area. It… well, let’s just say I was praying for death or to at least pass out by the time my brother found me. I’m still so grateful that he scared the were off instead of getting attacked himself. I… I don’t remember much, but apparently, he heard me screaming and came out swinging a bat at it or something.
“Anyway, I woke up in the hospital the next day and was told I was lucky because I almost died. Instead of dying, I’d turn into awerewolf once a month for the rest of my life. So… um… yeah… woods make me nervous sometimes.”
Lanche was quiet for a long moment before he stepped closer, touched my arm gently, and whispered, “Can I give you a hug?”
I didn’t know how badly I needed one until that moment, so I nodded and melted into his warm chest as he wrapped me in his arms. He rubbed my back and made some shushing noises that were more comforting than I wanted to admit.
After a long time, he said, “Let’s go somewhere else, okay? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. This is supposed to be fun.”
Hearing how willing he was to change plans to make me comfortable made me feel a thousand times better about being out here alone with him.
So I stepped out of his arms, sent him a small, shaky smile, and centered myself before giving him a small nod. “I’m fine. Let’s do this.”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind going somewhere else.”
I… believed him. I wasn’t sure how or why, but I did. So this time, when I smiled, it wasn’t shaky or fake or sad or anything like that. It was simply a true smile. “I’m sure. I want to try out this lake you froze.”
He searched my face for a long moment before nodding. “Okay, but if you change your mind at any time, just let me know, and we’ll leave.”
I believed him about that too. “Thanks, Lanche.” I gestured to his bag on the ground near the lake. “Let’s make sure my skates fit.”
He searched my face again for a moment before offering a small smile. “They’ll fit.”
“How would you know?”
He wiggled his fingers. “They’re magic.”
“What? You can make shoes change shape too?”
He snorted. “Nope, not me. But I know a witch who can.”
I… wasn’t sure I even wanted to ask, but seriously?!
Chapter Eight
Lanche
Ireally wished I’d been brave enough to kiss Dain after our snowball fight, but… but I didn’t want to push him before he was ready. He was clearly not ready. So… this was better.
Dain’s eyes were wide when he put on the skates I’d brought for him and they fit.
“You seem shocked,” I said as I finished tying my own.
Dain grumbled a bit as he stood and mumbled, “Yeah, little bit.”
“Haven’t you heard of Mystic Soles? All their shoes are spelled for the best fit. That’s why they’re so expensive. They’re good quality, and they tend to last a long time.” I shrugged, standing to join him at the edge of the lake.
“Never been there. I knew they were expensive, so I just steered clear. I didn’t realize they were magical shoes.”
I hummed. “Well, now you have a pair of shoes—well, skates—from there.”
