I heard the back door open and jumped.
“Hey,” said Caeden, “did I see Travis’ car?” It took a moment for me to get my voice back. By this time Caeden was standing in front of me. “Well?” he prompted.
“Yeah,” I said and turned away so he wouldn’t see the lie in my eyes, “he just wanted a cupcake.”
His hand rubbed my arm. “Are you sure? You seem… shaken.”
“I’m fine,” I said even though I was far from it. I mentally scolded myself. I had to act normal. Caeden didn’t need to worry about Travis harassing me. I plastered on the most genuine smile I could muster and said, “He just makes me mad.”
Caeden seemed to buy it. “Oh,” he said, “don’t let him bother you.”
“You’re one to talk,” I said with a smile and bumped him with my hip.
He looked sheepish. “I know,” he said. “Sorry.”
The bell over the door chimed again and a big group of people came in, effectively cutting of our conversation. I breathed a sigh of relief.
We stayed busy and for the first time I was thankful. Normally I didn’t like it when the store was busy because it gave me less time to talk to Caeden. Finally closing time came. I locked the door behind the last customer and set to work cleaning. Caeden helped. He seemed to sense that I didn’t want to talk. I was grateful. We finished in record time since we didn’t goof off.
I let my hair down from the pony tail and turned to Caeden, “Do you want to come over for dinner? Gram’s making lasagna.”
“Wish I could,” he said, “but I promised my mom that I’d have dinner at home tonight.”
“Oh, okay,” I said. “Tell your mom that I’m sorry for keeping you from her.”
Caeden pulled me against his chest. “It’s not that. She’s just worried about me because of what happened with the Grimm’s she thinks I’m only safe if I’m in her line of sight. She tried to put a leash on me last night when it was time for my duty.”
“No, she didn’t.” I said.
“Oh, she tried all right,” he said. “I guess she thought she’d walk around with me all through my shift. But I’m a big boy and can take care of myself.”
“Oh, so showing up close to death on my front porch is taking care of yourself?” I asked.
“You’ve got me there,” he said and kissed me. “Oh, my mom wanted to know if you and Gram would come over for Thanksgiving dinner? The whole pack usually comes.”
“I know that I’d love to but I’ll ask Gram in case she has something planned,” I said as I locked up the building and walked to my car.
Caeden grinned, kissed me, and said, “Great.” With a spring in his step he got in his car. He let me pull away first before leaving himself.
Gram was excited about having Thanksgiving dinner with the pack so I promised to tell Caeden. I looked at Archie and realized that Caeden and I had forgotten to go to PetSmart after work. Honestly though, by the time we cleaned up after closing there wasn’t much evening left. Especially when you had homework to do. I knew we both had tomorrow off. Gram had another woman that worked only twice a week, Tuesday evenings and Friday evenings. Her name was Cate and she was older, in her fifties, but enjoyed her time at the shop.
I called Caeden and told him about Thanksgiving and asked him if he would want to go with me to the pet store.
“I’m so sorry, Sophie,” he said, “I completely forgot.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m a ditz and forgot too. How can I expect you to remember something if I can’t remember it myself?” I joked.
He chuckled into the receiver. “That’s true. At least now I’ll get to bring Murphy along.”
“Will he fit through the door?” I joked.
“Of course. He’s a dog not a horse,” he said.
“I couldn’t tell the difference,” I said.
“You better get used to it,” he said. “We’re mates and we’re going to be spending the rest of our lives together and that includes Murphy and Archie. Oh, and Murphy sleeps on my bed by the way.”
“I guess I’ll have to sleep on the floor,” I said jokingly.
“Murphy will make room, promise,” he laughed.
“That’s nice to know,” I said.
We said our goodbyes and hung up. Archie took over my pillow again. I kissed the cute little dog on his nose and fell asleep.
* * *
Luckily school was just a regular uneventful Tuesday. For whatever reason I kept expecting Travis to jump around a corner and say, “Gotcha,” but he didn’t. In fact he wasn’t there at all. I felt that this didn’t bode well for any of us. He was planning something. I didn’t know what but I knew he had to be up to something. He had been far too smug yesterday.
I pulled into the driveway and grabbed my backpack, thankful that I hadn’t been assigned any new homework. Archie jumped excitedly at my legs when I entered the cozy yellow house.
“Gram!” I called out. Her car was in the driveway so I assumed she was somewhere around here.
“Yes, Sophie?” she said coming out of her bedroom. Her reading glasses were perched on the end of her nose and she held a large leather bound book in her hands.
“I just wanted to let you know that Caeden was picking me up. I need to get some things for Archie.”
“Oh, I’ll get you some money,” she said, turning and heading back into her room for her purse.
“No, Gram. Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Remember? Dad gave me a credit card. I think this would apply under emergency. I mean the dog does have to eat something.”
Gram laughed, “Yeah, something other than my slippers would be preferable.” She looked down at the floor and I followed her gaze. Archie had indeed chewed a hole through both of her slippers. “At least he’s cute,” she said as Archie looked at us both with big round puppy dog eyes.
“Yeah, he does have that going for him,” I said.
“Talking about me?” asked a male voice from behind me. I turned to look at Caeden. Seeing my face he said, “Knock, knock.”
I shook my head. Gram laughed. “I’ll see you later.”
I gave her a kiss on her wizened cheek, scooped up Archie, and followed Caeden outside. Instead of his Jeep he was in Bryce’s.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Murphy’s a big dog, and leather and dogs do not mix. The car came with a warning label.”
I laughed. “I’m sure it did. Did this one not come with a warning label?”
“No,” he said. “It’s fabric.”
I climbed into the older Jeep and held Archie on my lap. Caeden climbed in and Murphy leaned forward between the two seats to give Caeden a lick on the cheek.
“I missed you too, buddy,” he said to the dog.
I laughed and then was surprised when Murphy’s large tongue flicked out and licked the side of my face. “Eww, dog drool,” I said.
Caeden chuckled, petted the dog, and said, “Good boy.” It looked like the dog smiled.
As we drove Murphy and Archie decided to inspect one another. After a few cursory sniffs they must have been satisfied. Murphy lay down in the back of the Jeep and Archie snuggled into my lap. A light little snore filled the car.
We drove into town and Caeden parked in front of the PetSmart. I didn’t have a leash for Archie yet so I held on tight to him. Caeden put the back hatch of the Jeep down and Murphy jumped out. The dog sat there and patiently waited for Caeden to put his leash on. Murphy’s leash matched his collar, chunky brown leather.
“Come on Murphy,” said Caeden. The dog strode purposefully towards the store. Obviously this wasn’t his first time. People in the parking lot openly gawked at the large dog. My heart went out to Murphy, it had to suck having people stare at you, but instead he seemed to like it. He held his furry dog chin high and eyed the staring people, his large tongue lolling out the side. At one point I would have sworn he winked. He grinned his huge, wolfy dog, grin at a man who had stopped in the middle of the road. Caeden laughed at his dog. I
was quickly discovering that familiars were more like people than dogs.
The sliding doors opened as we entered the store. There weren’t many people there and there was only one person on the registers. Birds chirped loudly and I could hear hamsters twirling in their little metal wheels. Caeden grabbed a cart, which I put Archie in, and headed towards the back of the store.
I immediately grabbed a big bag of dog food. I picked out a dark purple leather collar and leash. I figured since if it was a darker color it was a little less feminine.
“Purple? He’s a boy,” said Caeden. Apparently Caeden didn’t.
“So? Boys can wear purple. Plus, it’s a dark purple.”
Caeden shook his head and looked at Archie. “Sorry, man. I tried.”
I narrowed my eyes at Caeden and proceeded to pick out some dog toys. I held up a toy shaped like a newspaper that crinkled. “Do you like this boy?” I asked the little black and white dog. He sniffed the toy and took into his mouth. “I guess that’s a yes.”
I tested him a couple more times. He refused to take several of them so I could only assume he didn’t like them. He really was like a little person. Caeden got Murphy a couple of new toys too. Murphy found a pack of tennis balls which he took into his large mouth and pulled from the shelf. He walked around the store holding his prize proudly.
After I picked out a dog bed for Archie we were ready to go. We paid and headed back to the Jeep. Dark had already descended and the full moon winked at us like an old friend. I looked at Caeden. “You’re not going to go wolf on me are you?”
Caeden laughed. “I’m a shifter not a werewolf.”
He opened the back hatch and Murphy jumped with amazing agility for an animal of his size. Caeden unpacked our cart and I climbed in with Archie. I had snatched his collar from the bag so I affixed it to his neck. His blue name tag, that I had made before we left, dangled from it. Archie quirked his head and then licked my cheek.
I stuck my tongue out at Caeden as he started the car. “See? He likes his purple collar.”
Caeden shook his head and looked at Archie. “Silly dog.”
Archie stuck his tongue out and licked Caeden’s nose.
We stopped and picked up something quick to eat before Caeden dropped me off at home. He helped me unload the car and then gave me a quick kiss goodbye. My stomach fluttered at the touch of his lips on my skin. I hoped desperately that the feeling never went away. I knew that my body and heart were already in love with Caeden and my mind was quickly catching up with them. I just didn’t know when I would be able to say those three little words of, I love you.
ten.
It was Thanksgiving morning and I was completely undecided on what to wear. I didn’t want to wear my typical jeans, sweatshirt, and hair in ponytail. I wanted to look nice. No, not nice, I wanted to look beautiful.
I stood in front of my closet with my hair dripping wet down my back and a towel wrapped firmly around my torso. I put my hands on my hips. What to wear?
I finally pulled out a pair of gray slacks that I had once worn for an interview and my cozy red sweater. Satisfied as far as my wardrobe went I headed to the hall bathroom to do something about my flat, straight, hair. Sometimes, my hair dried with a slight curl on the ends and other times it hung lank and lifeless. I blew it dry the rest of the way and then curled it into soft waves. I thought it looked decent enough. I pulled out my makeup and spent more time than usual, adding eye shadow and blush. Normally, I only wore lip gloss and mascara. But today was important. I wondered if Caeden felt it too. One day I would marry Caeden, he was my mate after all, and we would be spending holidays together… as a family. This was the start of that tradition and it sent butterflies flying excitedly through my stomach.
Gram knocked on the bathroom door making me jump. “Are you ready yet?” she asked impatiently. I had heard her feet pacing outside the door for the last fifteen minutes. “I am an old woman and I have to pee.”
I fluffed my hair and decided that I was presentable. “Done,” I said opening the door. Gram rushed past me and closed the door in my stunned face. “You could have gone outside,” I said to the closed door.
From inside she said, “I’m a shifter not a dog. Only dogs pee outside.”
“And cats, rats, mice, bears, wolves, which you are I may add, and other various wildlife creatures. Oh, and frequently human males.”
“I’m not a male,” she said and I could hear the sounds of her washing her hands. She opened the door. “You just like to argue don’t you?”
“It’s my favorite pastime,” I said with a smile. “Can we go now?” I asked.
She raised her eyebrows at me, “I’m not holding you up am I?” she asked sarcastically. “I was ready two hours ago and you spent the last three getting ready.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’m nervous.”
“It’s dinner,” she said.
“Thanks for stating the obvious Gram. I appreciate that.”
“Any time,” she replied walking out the front door. We took her Nissan Altima instead of my car. The small car handled the William’s dirt driveway surprising well. When we reached the gate Gram pulled out a card like Caeden’s and slid it through the slot. The wide gates opened beckoning us forward.
“How come you use a card to get in and a code to get out?” I asked as she navigated the dirt road.
“It’s just a precaution. That way if someone manages to get in they won’t be able to get out.” She was thoughtful for a moment. “Unless they shift to a monkey but I’ve never heard of that so I think we’re safe from monkey attacks,” she joked.
“Good to know,” I said.
We made it to the end of the circular driveway and it was littered with cars. It looked like we were the last to arrive. Thanks to me. Gram parked behind a large truck that looked like it could squish her small car if it felt like it. The butterflies resumed their nauseating dance. I took a deep breath hoping that the urge to throw up went away. I was shy and from the cars parked in the driveway I knew a large crowd waited inside. It was time to put my big girl pants on.
“Come on Sophie,” Gram said from the front door.
“Oh, right,” I mumbled, trying to remember how to make my legs work.
I made it to the door just as Gram knocked a second time. The door swung open to reveal Amy, a frilly apron overtop her classic black dress, “Come in you two,” she said ushering us through the door. “Lucinda and Sophie are here!” she yelled over her shoulder.
I was shrugging out of my jacket when Caeden appeared at my side. He kissed my cheek and I leaned back to relish in the comfort that his simple presence brought me. His rich scent of pine and cinnamon enveloped my senses. Caeden took my hand and said, “Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone. They don’t bite. I promise.”
A large group was gathered in the family room and for each person there was a familiar. I saw the rest of the pack standing in a corner with their familiars standing guard at their side. Poor Archie, I had left him at home, he had to miss out on all the fun.
“This is Emily and Grant,” he said pointing to a couple in their forties. “They’re Logan and Chris’ parents.” I could see the similarities. Logan and Chris both had their mom’s heart shaped face but Logan had his dad’s square chin. Their hair color seemed to be in between their parents shades. Chris had her dad’s soft pale green eyes and Logan had his mom’s hazel ones.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you,” said Emily in a high soprano voice. Her honey blond hair was in a fancy up do and she wore black slacks with a gray sweater. Looking around the room at all the fancy clothes I was glad I had chosen what I had.
“Hello,” said Grant taking my hand in his. His hand was large and paw like but warm and soft. His blond hair was brushed back from his face.
I smiled at them both and said, “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Then Caeden whisked me away to another couple. The man wore a dark navy suit and with his black hair and dark eyes
he reminded me of 007. But he also looked like an older version of Bentley. The woman looked like a tiny doll next to the large man. She had brown hair and intelligent green eyes. She smiled when we approached. “You must be Sophie,” she said and took my hands in hers. “I’m Angie.”
I smiled. “Hello, Angie. You must be Bentley’s parents?” I asked.
Angie looked at her husband and patted his flat stomach. “Jeremy really marked him didn’t he? I swear that boy doesn’t look like me at all.”
I laughed. “He does look a lot like his dad,” I said smiling at the man named Jeremy.
“I hear you don’t shift until January?” she asked.
“January sixteenth is my birthday,” I said.
“It’s also a full moon,” she replied.
“I know,” I grimaced. Curiosity had struck me and I had looked it up some time ago.
“Did you know that the most powerful wolves, the best Alphas, eighteenth or sixteenth birthday fall on a full moon?” she asked.
“I didn’t know that,” I said.
“Caeden’s sixteenth birthday was on a full moon. You two are going to be dynamic, unstoppable even. In the legends I’ve heard of one mate’s first shift landing on a full moon but not both,” she said.
“I guess we just had to break the mold,” said Caeden.
Angie squeezed his arm and said, “You always did have to be different didn’t you?”
“Yes ma’am,” he replied.
For the first time I noticed what Caeden was wearing. He wore navy pants with a light blue and white striped shirt belted into his pants. The affect was astonishing. His bright blue eyes captivated and held me immobile. The pale blue and white of the shirt made his already tan skin look even tanner and his dark brown hair was falling across his forehead and curling at the nape of his neck. His customary brown scruff covered his cheeks. He was perfect and he was mine.
He smiled at me and it helped to break the trance… somewhat.
We said our goodbyes to Bentley’s parents and then he glided me across the family room.
Outsider (Outsider Series) Page 12
