“Maybe,” he said. “I think it’s more a case of getting you comfortable with the idea first, then guiding you toward your inner wolf. I’ve got a lot of experience, and I think I can help.”
I put my fork down and pushed my plate aside, resting my elbows on the table. “We didn’t get a chance to talk about the other things I need help with.”
Levi wiped his mouth, then tossed his napkin on his plate. “What other things?”
I swallowed, trying to come up with a way to explain. I’d been an outcast among a lot of my peers, and there were several things I’d never been good at since I’d had no practice at it. One was definitely something Anders would want, based on the women I’d always seen him with.
“I don’t really know how to say this without it sounding weird,” I admitted, turning my eyes away.
“Come on,” he said, waving for me to go on. “Spit it out, and I’ll see if I have any expertise.”
“Uh, well… I guess, it’s just that… Well, I haven’t had many relationships. I’m not great atdoingthe things that would make me the kind of person Anders would like.”
Levi grunted and glared at me in annoyance. He clearly didn’t like that I was so eager to change myself for a guy. But if doing that allowed me to stay in Idlewild and gave me the slimmest chance of a happy life, I’d do whatever necessary.
“Anyway, he’s into girls who are…I don’t know…sexier than I am. They know how to flirt and flaunt what they’ve got. It’s the type he’s always gone for. I’m sureyoudon’t know how to act like some hot chick, but maybe someone else in Hidden Grove could give me some pointers or something?”
Saying it out loud actually made itwayworse. It made my skin crawl. Mayve Levi had a point.
He stared at me for several long seconds, long enough for me to feel a little uncomfortable.
“Can I be honest, June?”
The way he looked at me, like he was peering right into my soul and like what he saw, had another swarm of butterflies attacking my insides.
“Uh, sure,” I said with a shrug as if I couldn’t care less, though I actually cared a lot.
“Personally?” he said with a faint smile and a glimmer in his eyes. “You don’t need to change anything. I think you’re sexy enough for anyone.”
Heat raced across my chest and up my neck. I opened my mouth to respond, but quickly realized I had no words, my throat was dry and my mind blank. He simply stared back at me, wholly unashamed.
Finally, he leaned forward, interlacing his fingers and resting his hands on the table. “How about we focus on getting you to shift first, shall we? After that, we can move on to the…otherthings.”
His tone sent yet more tingles shooting through my body.
“You’re right,” I said, standing quickly. “I should probably go rest up. Can we start tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here bright and early,” Levi said.
“Okay, cool.” I hurried to the door, grabbed my coat, and rushed out the door before he could even get out of his seat.
It wasn’t until later, when I was in bed, that I realized how rude it had been to rush out like that. But I’dneededto get out. That hungry, desirous stare had been too much. Closing my eyes, I tried to convince myself that I’d imagined it, but as sleep took me, I still hadn’t managed it.
12
LEVIATHAN
I’d barely slept all night. After Juniper had left so abruptly, I’d stewed for hours, wondering if I’d done or said something wrong. I’d tossed and turned in my bed until the sun brightened my bedroom.
At her knock, I opened the door, my gaze tracking over her. She was dressed in a simple button-up blouse and linen pants, which Linnea must have given her the day before.
“Sorry I left in such a rush last night,” she said sheepishly. “Uh, I was…reallytired and afraid I’d pass out or something. Again, sorry.”
I didn’t exactly buy that story, but it was better than thinking I’d done something inappropriate. Grinning, I shrugged it off.
“No problem. I get it. Let’s go do this,” I said, waving for her to follow me.
The morning was already warming, indicating that the day would be less frigid than the last. The sun had already begun melting the snow from the day before. I led her to a clearing a few hundred yards from the cabin, far away from any prying eyes of the village.
