What have I gottenmyself into?
Of all the foolish things I could have said, I had to say I was courting the witch my brother is fated to. After spending time with Soren, the very last thing I want to do is pretend to have feelings for another. I’m doing this for Soren, though, so that we can spend time together without raising any suspicion.
I just hope Gunnar doesn’t take my head off. Even if he rejected Arlo, it won’t be easy to see his fated mate with someone else. Although… mayhap this will be a… what’s the word Kieran uses? A silver cloud? I don’t remember. Mayhap seeing me with Arlo will be the push Gunnar needs to spend time with him?
Or he’ll go berserk and take my head off.
Both seem likely possibilities.
Beside me, Anders growls. “This has to be the stupidest idea you’ve ever had, brother, and that’s most certainly saying something.” He pulls up to the curb and unlocks the doors.
I step out after him. “You think I don’t know that? I panicked.”
“You’re an idiot.” Anders smacks the back of my head as he passes. “Sometimes I have to question if you’ve got any brains at all in that thick head of yours.”
“Brains?”
“The meatball in your skull that does all the thinking! Or it’s supposed to.”
There’s meat inside my skull? How unsettling… I scowl at him. “It’s a simple cover story! That’s all. You know I can’t tell Wulfric and Gunnar the truth. They’d be furious.”
Anders returns my scowl, arms folded over his chest. “I came around, didn’t I?”
I shake my head. “Gunnar would lose it if he knew the truth. Wulfric wouldn’t forgive me.”
“You’re making assumptions.”
I heave a sigh. “Am I?”
Anders hesitates, chewing his lower lip. “I don’t know. It’s hard to predict how they’d react. And then we also have the TTA to worry about… I worry about you, that’s all.”
I try to smile, but I’m unsure how convincing I am. “The TTA won’t find out, Anders. I’m not going to endanger our pack.”
“Let’s hope not.” He sounds even less convinced than I feel.
Taking in a breath, I push open the door to Jamie’s cafe. The scent of coffee thickens the air, mixing with the pleasant smell of books.
“Morning, Anders!” A woman behind the counter waves. Her hair is bright, the same color as glass when it’s been tempered by the sea.
“Morning, Jess.”
“Is Jamie coming in?” she asks.
“Later. He’s taking the lad to school.”
She sighs. “Guess we’re stuck with your moody ass.” When my brother scowls, she laughs, making Anders chuckle.
Calling Anders an ass would have resulted in a bloodbath not long ago. I’m proud of him. He’s settled so comfortably in this timeline, carved out a place for himself.
Will Soren and I ever have that?
Anders goes behind the counter, catches my eye, then jerks his thumb toward the back of the store. Nodding my thanks, I pass through aisles of shelves stuffed with books. Sitting on a sofa is the very witch I’m looking for. Arlo is tall and lithe with glossy golden locks and brown eyes that widen in surprise when he looks up and notices me.
“Lyall! What a surprise.”
I offer him a smile. “Greetings.”
Arlo sweeps curious eyes up and down my body. “You look like you’ve settled in nicely. Good. Been spending time with the family here?”
