Page 4 of Her Curves, His Fate

“Newcomers always have that wide-eyed look about them.” The man chuckled, raising his glass in greeting. “You’ll fit right in soon enough.”

“Appreciate the warm welcome,” Rafe replied, clapping the man on the back before settling onto a stool at the bar. He raised his hand, catching the attention of the elven bartender.

“What’ll you have?” The man had a slender build, a head of silvery hair and eyes that could revival the color of the rarest emerald. Rafe ordered the beer on tap as he covertly studied the other patrons. Creatures who normally concealed themselves were openly mingling here. Something about this town seemed to bring everyone together.

His beer arrived and Rafe took a long draw, savoring the cold bitterness.

“Welcome to New Haven,” he muttered under his breath, his wolf stirring restlessly within.

“What’s that?”

“Just feeling a little restless,” he admitted. Wasn’t a bartender the perfect person to talk to?

“You must be new in town.”

“That obvious?” Rafe replied with a wry smile.

The man shrugged. “I would have remembered seeing you here before.”

Rafe almost laughed as the elf’s gaze took him in. It wasn’t the first time that a male had approached him. He felt no offense, but he knew he didn’t swing that way.

Rafe nursed his beer, keeping to the shadowy end of the bar. He had no desire to hook up with any of the women—or men—eyeing him as if he were a piece of meat on a stick. He’d had his share of casual hookups and quite frankly, he was tired of them. Besides, he was here for the meeting. The shifter council called on every few years. This year, New Haven had been the lucky winner to have a shitload of shifters invade their town.

He stilled as the tinkled sound of a female voice reached his ears. At the same instant, a wave of citrus scent hit him like a two-by-four straight between his eyes. His wolf immediately went on high alert even though Rafe did not sense any danger.

No, what he was sensing was delight.

His body tensed as his wolf senses took over.

Was it true? Hell, it couldn’t be true, not after all these years.

But the rich, heady scent was as shockingly familiar as it was entirely new to him. His entire body tensed as he inhaled deeper.

His fated mate - here!

Rafe had accepted his solitary life, concentrating on making his pack strong for the next generations, even if his descents would not be a part of it.

Yet now, his entire being screamed in recognition at this mystery woman’s nearness. His hands tightened on the long neck of the beer bottle as he resisted leaping to his feet, going on the hunt. Instead, he allowed his senses to take over, zeroing in on her.

It didn’t take him long to find her. She was behind the bar, talking to the elf who had waited on him earlier. She was a vision pouring drinks, all lush curves and bouncing raven locks. She moved with confidence between rows of liquor bottles, laughing easily with everyone she served. Her beauty pierced through his hardened heart like a stake, cracking his loner façade with just one look.

She was magnificent - everything he’d secretly longed for but convinced himself didn’t exist.

He couldn’t help but feel a strange pull toward the witch.

There was something about her…

As he sat there, his senses adjusted to the new scents his wolf set up a howl inside him.

Rafe swallowed hard, heartbeat racing. After decades of waiting, there she was. Rafe gripped the bar stool tightly as a wave of desire crashed through him. His wolf pressed against his skin, wild with need.

Then, fiercer emotions rose. Was she safe, happy, damn, did she have a male in her life? He growled low in his throat, fists clenching. Any man who dared touch what was his, would lose that hand. And maybe his balls too, just for good measure.

As he continued to stare at her, she glanced at him and their eyes locked eyes. A confused expression moved over her features. Her beautiful features. Her eyes were a deep, dark shade of brown that seemed to have a sparkle inside them. Her skin reminded him of the finest porcelain. His jeans tightened, lust slamming into him.

He watched as she held a whispered conversation with the elf. Then, it took a moment before she finally reached his end of the bar. She was stopped along the way to pour drinks. but then she was finally in front of him. It took every ounce of his control not to reach over and pull her across the bar straight into his arms.

“Evening.” Her voice held a deep, sultry note that made his wolf howl again. Both the man and the beast wanted her instantly. “Another one?” she asked, indicating the beer he’d finished.