I took a shortcut through the rows and discovered a merchant selling large bouquets of flowers. When we lived together, Aric bought me fresh flowers every week. I thought of him as I selected the perfect arrangement of white lilies and orange roses. I’d just paid for them when I scented a werewolf standing next to me.
She was a few inches taller and wore a dark red sweater and tan slacks. Her skin was fair and her pure white hair cut into a stylish bob. I thought she was pretty and carried a certain elegance. There was also something familiar about her eyes, but I couldn’t determine what without staring. I assumed she caught my scent, because she turned to me.
She smiled kindly. “Good afternoon, dear.”
Wow. Talk about polite. Usually, I received challenging or strange looks from weres when they caught my scent. I smiled. “Good afternoon.”
“Those are pretty flowers you have there.”
“Thank you. I like the orange—” I stopped speaking when the strong clean scent of water crashing over stones cut through the aroma of ferns and exotic arrangements. As Aric approached, I realized why the other wolf’s eyes had looked so familiar. They were the same eyes she’d passed on to her son.
His expression softened when he saw me. I hadn’t expected to see him again so soon, and despite the problems between us, an overwhelming sense of joy stirred inside me. Aric’s steps slowed as he neared and as he took me in from the top of my loose flowing locks to my chocolate boots. A warm smile spread across his face, minimizing the signs of his sleeplessness. “Hello, Celia,” he said.
At the sound of my name, the other werewolf’s eyes widened. My heart drummed frantically against my chest and my tigress leapt to attention. “Hi, Aric.”
Aric’s long hair slightly darkened his beautiful light brown eyes, and his ever present five o’clock shadow was thicker; he’d probably skipped a day without shaving. But despite the small traces of fatigue that lingered, his facial features remained just as strong, just as handsome, just as sexy. I cocked my head to the side. The tension and the circumstances from the other night hadn’t allowed me the luxury of admiring my wolf. But I did then, and drank every inch of him in. Aric in turn stepped closer, staring at me in the way that made my toes curl.
If the other wolf hadn’t elbowed Aric subtly, I’m certain we would have stood there much longer. He cleared his throat. “Celia, this is my mother, Eliza Connor.”
All of a sudden, I was eight again. My cheeks blushed feverishly while I shuffled my feet. “Hi, Mrs. Connor,” I mumbled.
When they both grinned at me, I realized Aric had also inherited her smile. Eliza placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a gentle squeeze. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Celia.”
We’d spoken a few times on the phone, but I hadn’t recognized her voice. I should have. It was just as kind and lovely as it had always been. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Will you be in Tahoe long?”
The cheer faded from their faces. “No,” Eliza said quietly. “I don’t plan to stay more than a few days.”
A horrible emptiness threatened to tear my chest wide open. I realized why she was there. “You’re here for the wedding.”
A sense of foreboding swept around us, reminding Aric of the albatross that awaited him and robbing him of the pleasure that had so briefly enlivened his striking face. Eliza watched him, her expression void of the happiness she’d initially demonstrated. She reached out to touch his arm and glanced back at me.
I peered at the flowers clutched tightly in my hands. The sudden meeting had briefly pushed aside our troubles and circumstances—enough that I’d forgotten about the Tribe, the attempts on my life, and the end of my and Aric’s relationship. For those brief minutes I was happy again, beside my love, meeting his mother for the first time. Funny how reality could clobber dreams like a fist.
I didn’t know what gamut of emotions played across my features. I only knew I couldn’t stay there any longer. I handed Eliza my flowers. “I’d like you to have these.” I swore in my head when I realized my voice had cracked.
She took the bouquet, not bothering to look at it. Instead she searched my face, grasping, I imagined, for something to say. My eyes stung. I needed to get away. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to see you. Please forgive me, but I have to go.”
I hurried away. Behind me I heard Eliza’s insistent voice. “Let her be, son. She’s been hurt enough.”
I collapsed into the driver’s seat and wiped my eyes with my sleeve, frustrated with how I’d reacted. It took me a few minutes to calm down enough to drive. I arrived back at Misha’s so upset I barely remembered the ride. Resentment, sadness, and anger churned my stomach. All I wanted was to go back to the guesthouse and lock myself in. Yet, when I saw Misha waiting for me in the garden, I knew I wouldn’t be able to make my escape.
Misha stood along the freshly swept stone path like a man who could crush the pyramids to dust, despite holding a Cavalier King Charles spaniel in his arms. The dog was completely enamored with Misha. It must be a girl. The bitches love Misha.
“Hello, kitten. It pleases me that you made it back safely—despite your lack of escorts.” He pointedly glared at his bodyguards. Rivers of sweat ran down Hank and Tim’s faces and fear of Misha’s rage made them quiver. The Catholic schoolgirls wore smiles, obviously delighted they weren’t the ones in trouble for once.
My hands fell to my sides. I didn’t want to deal with any of this crap. “Misha, don’t be mad at Hank and Tim. I’m the one who ditched them. And what the hell’s up with the dog? I told you I don’t want to participate in your freaky science experiments.”
Mish sped to my side me before I could blink. “Come now, my darling. How bad can it be?” He swatted my shoulder with the dog’s tail. I already had my guard up in an attempt to block the dog’s essence. It didn’t help. Either I was too upset or too distracted. Whatever the reason, I crashed to the ground in a violent seizure.