He considered that. "Is it the dating part you don’t like or the men?"
I snorted. "Both."
He looked delighted. "Challenge accepted."
Before I could come up with a retort, Angel slid a stack of tip-outs across the bar. "You’re free, Krystal. Go home and stop torturing the man."
I snapped off my apron and grabbed the cash. "Thanks, Angel. Don’t burn the place down."
"Not unless you want overtime," she shot back.
I gave Zaden a nod. "I’ll think about the dinner."
He winked. "I’ll be here."
I stepped outside into the thick, late-summer air, the scent of honeysuckle and barbecue smoke curling through the night. The urge to run off the tension buzzed in my bones.
Stock Creek was small, but it wasn’t dead. Cars lined the curb, music drifted from open windows, and porch lights glowed in every direction. I walked home, letting my mind wander.
My cottage was set well back from the main road, tucked behind a wild tangle of forsythia and lilac bushes on pack land. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The cottage was tiny but perfect. Every wall was covered in bookshelves, and most surfaces held some kind of art project, half-finished paintings, a stained-glass sun catcher, the guts of an old radio I’d been meaning to fix. My guitar leaned against the corner by the battered armchair. The kitchen was cramped, but I could cook dinner and help Bryce with homework at the same time.
Speaking of. I glanced at the clock. He’d be at Nathan’s house, probably begging for another round of Mario Kart with Elle before their big pack camping trip tomorrow. The thought of Bryce, half-wolf and all boy, made me smile. He’d been my whole world since the moment I saw two pink lines on a stick, even if I hadn’t planned for him. Maybe especially because I hadn’t planned for him.
My rule had always been simple. No man meets Bryce unless I’m sure he’s worth it. None had made it past the front porch in all ten years of his life.
I changed into running shorts, laced up my shoes, and hit the trail behind my house. The woods beyond Stock Creek always hummed at night, full of cicadas and the distant yip of a coyote. I broke into a sprint.
After a mile or so, I stripped off my clothes, tucking them behind a tree, and then let myself shift. My fur was a silvery grey that caught moonlight and made me feel weightless. For a fewglorious minutes, I ran full-out, claws tearing up the soft loam, every muscle focused on movement and speed.
When I finally looped back, I shifted back to my human form and slowed to a walk, sweat cooling on my skin. When I reached the tree where my clothes were, I put them on and headed back to my cabin.
Tomorrow, Bryce would leave for three days of hiking, swimming, and learning the finer points of wolf etiquette from Nathan and the other pack dads. I’d have a whole weekend to myself. Sounded peaceful until I realized I had no idea what to do with it.
Back at the cottage, I showered, pulled on an old concert tee, and scrolled through my phone. There were three missed texts from Rissa, two memes from Tavi, and a calendar reminder to pick up s’mores supplies.
I called Nathan first. "Hey, I’m coming by in the morning to see Bryce off."
My uncle’s voice was warm and steady, as always. "He’s been counting down. Elle’s making pancakes. You want some?"
"You know I do," I said. "Tell Rissa I’ll bring coffee."
He snorted. "She’ll love you forever."
We hung up, and I stared at the ceiling, my brain refusing to wind down. My thoughts circled back to Zaden. His eyes, the confidence, the way he’d made me feel important without even trying. His voice had a weird familiarity, but I dismissed it as wishful thinking. I’d slept with exactly one man in the past decade, a one-night stand in a Nashville hotel, when I was still stupid enough to think a pretty face could solve my problems.The only thing I remembered clearly about him was that he’d called himself Bob.
My cheeks flushed. God, I hoped Zaden hadn't heard that particular story. Not too many people knew it, the origin of my Bryce.
I tried to read, but my mind wandered. Eventually, I gave in and called Tavi. "Bitch, it’s Friday night," she answered, not even a hello. "Shouldn’t you be making bank?"
"Shift just ended. I have gossip."
"Does it involve sex, murder, or small-town scandal?"
"Maybe all three," I said, laughing. "My boss showed up. The actual owner of the bar. Turns out he’s a dragon."
There was a beat of silence, then, "You’re shitting me. Are you safe? Is he hot?"
"Safe, yes. He’s part of the Beck Clan. And he’s hot. Like, might-make-me-break-my-no-dating rule hot."
