Werewolves Be Damned - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,22

between you two, but Finn told me to stay out of it.”

Nexi chuckled, since clearly Finn’s advice wasn’t followed. Not that she minded Haven being up in her business; she liked Haven knowing about her life. “I’m not sure what’s going on between us,” she admitted.

When they reached the cobblestone pathway, they could follow it to the garden straight ahead, or go to the right toward the town in the Otherworld. That was home for the families of the Guard who wanted a more normal life for their children than one they’d get living at the castle, as well as for the supernaturals who were raised in the Otherworld and didn’t want to live in the Earthworld, or so Haven had told her.

Nexi visited the small town once a week to gather groceries. The houses and buildings all matched the historical gothic design of the castle. The setup of the town reminded her of Incline Village, where’d she vacationed with her family a few years ago—simple and quaint, having things like a very tiny grocery store.

Heading down the pathway toward the garden, she realized now that Haven had opened the doorway, questions did swirl about Kyden. “What can you tell me about him?”

“Let’s see…” Haven tapped her lip, slowing down as they walked. “He’s Finn’s best bud—practically brothers, really. We’ve all been close now for a few years since I joined the Council’s Guard.” Her smile warmed. “I like Kyden, a lot.”

Yeah, he was growing on Nexi, too. “Is he a good guy?”

Haven nodded. “I don’t think they come any better.” She paused, then added, “Expect for Finn, of course.” She laughed before she continued. “Kyden plays tough most of the time, but he lets those closest to him see the soft side of him.”

Didn’t that sum it up?

One minute, big brute. Next minute, total softy. “I like his gentle side.” Nexi stared at a gorgeous purple orchid they passed by before she turned to Haven. “The pushy side of him I could live without.”

Haven smirked. “Better get used to that. Male supernaturals are born with the trait, I-protect you woman.” She brushed her hand over one of the bushes, then added, “Besides, it’s understandable, really. We live in a dangerous world and supernaturals are protective over their mates.” She winked. “As well as territorial.”

Nexi scrunched her nose. “Mate?”

Haven gave her a long look, then she chuckled. “Oh, right, you don’t call them that. What is it….oh yeah, wife or husband.”

“Oh, you mean a married couple?” Nexi asked.

Haven shook her head. “Nope, we call it a bound couple.”

Confused, Nexi laughed. “Okay, if you say so.” However, her biggest concern was that not only did Kyden hold a douche bag streak, but all male supernaturals did. Maybe she’d stick to dating humans.

After a minute of pondering as they continued through the gardens, Nexi realized something seemed off. If Kyden’s brutish personality didn’t keep women away, since apparently that was typical, and she couldn’t see anything else wrong with him… “Why is he single?”

“Kyden’s had a few—” Haven cleared her throat, her cheeks turning pinkish. “He’s not really the commitment type.”

“Great,” Nexi muttered.

“Oh, don’t think of it like that,” Haven said in a hurry. “Kyden’s not a jerk or anything. He just hasn’t found anyone he’s meshed with.” Her eyebrows rose. “You know, the right one, type of thing. He’s not a heartbreaker, if that’s what you’re wondering.” She smiled, nudging Nexi’s shoulder. “Besides, he seems happy when he talks about you. Whenever he mentions you his eyes light up, which of course he tries to deny.”

Sweet and all, but did that mean Nexi was going to give the go ahead for all things hot-and-heavy?

Not tonight.

Maybe tomorrow.

Ready to get off this subject and to clear her thoughts of the sudden hot-and-heavy images rushing through her mind, she asked Haven, “Have you heard anything from Finn about that vanishing vampire?”

Haven’s lips thinned. “Nah, everyone’s going with the theory that a witch is helping him, but no one knows why.”

”Is that normal?” Nexi asked, but quickly thought to herself that nothing in the Otherworld was what she’d call normal. “I mean, different species teaming up?”

Haven shook her head as she brushed her hand over the rose petals as they continued down the pathway. “Usually supernaturals don’t intermingle, except for those in the Otherworld. Most in the Earthworld stick within their race.” She leaned down to sniff a rose before she shrugged and resumed walking down the path. “But what else could it be? How