Voiceless - M. Sinclair Page 0,40

something considering how close our family was.

My eyes moved outside momentarily, rain falling more steadily as I frowned, noticing an unmarked vehicle rolling by. Instinct told me that wasn’t a good sign and I tried to hide my unease from her.

Luca didn’t miss it though, and I had a feeling that while we had hoped they would disappear, we would instead be forced to deal with whatever trouble they were trying to bring to Willowdale.

Also, weren’t they supposed to only be allowed within the town limits at night? It was far easier to believe security was more lax then. I frowned, shaking my head, worried that Luca was sending off a quick message on his phone probably to ask Sheriff Liam what was going on.

Honestly, I didn’t care what we had to do. I wanted it handled as fast as fucking possible. I didn’t want to lose any more time than I already had with Colette in this lifetime.

10

Colette Allard

I thought I’d felt happiness before.

Willowdale was slowly teaching me that I had absolutely no idea what true happiness and contentment felt like. What it felt like to be supported and authentically cared about by those around me. To be listened to and heard. To be loved. Well, at least until I came here.

I blushed slightly as I picked at my dinner, wondering how the hell my life had changed so much. I wasn’t positive it was normal to feel this strongly about your mates, but everything they did made me… happy? That seemed too simple of a word, but it would have to do for the time being.

Currently, Hunter and I were sitting in a small diner on the corner across from my new ballet studio, my legs pulled over his as I picked at my fries. I’d already ate the full burger, so I was ready to go into a food coma.

“When do you want to open the studio?” Hunter asked curiously as I took a sip of my milkshake. It was chocolate with extra chocolate… and some more chocolate. I really felt like explaining my favorite type of candy or sweet treat wasn’t necessary after placing that particular order.

I tilted my head and shrugged. “I mean as soon as possible, I have no idea how many people are actually interested around here.”

“More than you would think.” He rubbed my shoulder as he let out a small yawn, probably on his way into a food coma as well. “When the studio shut down, some students transferred to the larger city at the base of the mountains, but it became such a hassle during the winter months that a lot of kids stopped dancing.”

I nodded and titled my head thoughtfully, “Well, I would say that I can hold an open house to gauge who is interested and what class levels we would be looking at, then I can work up a schedule. Oh! Maybe we can even work it out so we can hold a twice a year recital. I used to love those as a kid. Do we have a theatre in town? Like at the high school?”

“We do,” he nodded and then smiled. “I love how excited you are for this.”

“I’ve always wanted to teach dance,” I shrugged and then flushed. “I used to help the teachers at the academy teach Saturday morning classes with the little kids. It made my weekends way more interesting, especially since it meant not going to the country club with my parents.”

“I’m not sure I’d ever want to meet you parents,” Hunter admitted as I leaned my head on his shoulder and nodded.

“You know they never called? I’ve been gone almost a full week and absolutely nothing.”

Hunter stilled and turned me so I was looking up at him, his voice rough as he spoke out loud. “That’s because they are stupid, Colette. They are stupid and clearly selfish. I think I would realize you were gone, even if it was only for a moment or two. Actually, I know I would. They have absolutely no idea what they’ve lost but I bet they will one day, but at that point it will be too late, little fox.”

“Why?” I teased, feeling a bit breathless under the intensity of his gaze.

“Because you’re already ours,” he stated simply, dipping his lips down to mine.

A soft sound came from my throat as he brushed my lips in a teasing manner, my nails biting down into his forearms as I tried to move closer to him. His