“I still don’t understand why you can’t take the ferry,” Victor said.
“I already told you, it’d take too long. Our boat’s faster, and we have life vests on board if you’re worried about Sienna falling into the water.” Markus winked at me. “Why don’t we talk about the Romani rules privately? There are a few things I disagree with. Maybe we can compromise.”
Victor raised his eyebrow and looked at me. “If you’re not back on time, I will get on that ferry and come get you.”
“I know.” I smiled.
Victor and Markus walked to the dirt path and stood near the woods, watching us as Kaleb and I walked to the boat.
“Are you nervous?” Kaleb asked as he took my hand.
“Maybe.” I bit my lower lip. I was definitely nervous. Maybe even a little scared.
“I can hear your heart racing. If you’re not ready to do this, it’s okay.” He placed a hand on the boat to hold it steady. “We can reschedule for another day.”
“No. I might be nervous and scared, but I’m excited too. I’ll finally get to see Norwood Isle and meet your family.” Not wanting to wait any longer, I climbed on board the boat. The sooner we got to Norwood Isle, the sooner this queasy feeling in my stomach would go away.
Kaleb climbed onto the boat and started the engine as I sat on the backseat cushion. I looked over to see Victor following the dirt path to his car and Markus walking toward us. After untying the ropes from the dock, he climbed onto the boat and stored them in one of the side compartments. Kaleb sat next to me as Markus slowly eased the boat away from the dock.
“Hold on,” Markus yelled. He pushed the throttle forward and the boat picked up speed, pushing through the water.
Kaleb slid his arms around my waist, holding me tight. As the boat went faster and the wind rushed around us, he lowered his head to mine. “Was your mom worried about our trip this morning?”
“No,” I lied. “She knows you’ll take care of me.”
“She’s right.” Kaleb kissed the side of my head. “I’d never let anything bad happen to you. You know that, right?”
“Yes.” I rested my head on Kaleb’s chest and closed my eyes, letting his heartbeat soothe me.
“You’ll love Norwood Isle. I thought I’d show you around first and then take you to meet my parents. Carmel’s busy with the tourists, but she’ll meet us for lunch,” Kaleb said. He talked on and on about the landmarks he wanted to show me on the island, including his favorite lighthouse, which was on the southern side.
I tried to pay attention, especially since he sounded so excited, but my head was hurting again. Considering I’d had two aspirin only an hour ago, it didn’t make any sense.
“There it is.” Kaleb pointed straight ahead as Markus slowed the boat.
My breath caught in my throat as I sat up straighter and stared at Norwood Isle in the distance.
Kaleb’s home looked just like the tourist pamphlets at the café, except even more vibrant and beautiful in real life. Tall pine trees loomed along a rocky shoreline that was filled with kayaking tourists. About a mile down from them stood the pier with a place for the ferry to dock, a tiny hut that looked like an information booth, and several boat slips. Farther along the shore, a tour guide led hikers along a trail on top of the cliff overlooking the lake.
“What do you think?” Kaleb asked, a huge smile lighting up his face.
“It’s—” I stood and clutched my hands to my chest, gasping for air.
“Stop the boat,” Kaleb ordered, and the boat’s engine immediately cut off.
My body ached all over and my vision blurred as I struggled to breathe. Grasping the side of the boat, I leaned over and threw up into the water. “Damn.”
Markus cleared his throat. “Uh…you okay?”
Nodding, I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath. That was two lies in one day because I definitely didn’t feel okay. My head felt like it was on fire and every breath I took seared my lungs.
“You don’t look okay.” Kaleb gently rubbed my back. “We should head back to Woodlake.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m fine. It’s just—”
“You’re not fine,” Kaleb said.
My heart sank when Markus started the engine and slowly turned the boat around, steering us away from Norwood Isle.
“I’m feeling better already,” I insisted as I sat down. This time, I wasn’t lying. I was feeling better. I could breathe again, and my body no longer ached. “Your parents are expecting me. I can’t—”
“I’ll tell them something came up and we had to reschedule. It’s no big deal.” Kaleb sat next to me and took my hand.
I looked away, feeling like such a loser. I’d just had my first panic attack, and I hadn’t even set foot on Norwood Isle. Despite what he’d said, it was a big deal. If I couldn’t visit his home without freaking out, what did that mean for us?
Chapter 3
“It’s strange you got seasick. You were fine that time we went boating. Should I be worried?” Wendy placed dirty plates and silverware into the bus bin. “I know you’ve been popping aspirin like it’s candy.”
It was late Sunday evening, and we were clearing the tables at Le Loup Gris Café as we waited for our last customers to leave. Bill, the café’s owner and Woodlake’s mayor, had left me in charge of locking up. He’d trusted me to take on more responsibilities as tonight was Wendy’s last shift. She was leaving for California this weekend to visit her father for a month before heading off to college.
“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine.” I wiped the table with a damp cloth, trying not to think about what happened on the boat yesterday. Victor had been upset when Kaleb called him to pick me up from the private dock. Instead of telling the truth, Kaleb had made up an excuse, saying he’d been called away on pack business and we had to reschedule my trip.
“Are you sure? Because I—”
“Yes. I’m sure. It was just a twenty-four-hour stomach bug. I feel fine.” I glanced underneath the table, checking the customers hadn’t dropped any food on the floor. “So, are you excited about your trip?”
“I guess. My stepmom had a baby last month, so I’m not sure how much time I’ll have with my father. But he’s promised to take me hiking.” She grabbed the bus bin and disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she reentered the dining area and came to stand behind the counter next to me. “I can’t believe they’re making you go through a kris.”
I swiped the customer’s credit card through the machine, hoping if I didn’t respond, she’d let it drop. Wendy had been my first real friend in Woodlake, so she and I shared everything that was going on in our lives. Well, almost everything. She didn’t know the Norwood staff who came to the café could shapeshift into wolves.
Telling her would break the unwritten law of never speaking to outsiders about the wolves’ true nature. With Wendy leaving for college, it hadn’t seemed necessary to tell her the truth unless she’d been in danger. She had a few casual dates with one of the Norwood staff, but it was nothing serious. I just wasn’t sure how she’d feel knowing he wasn’t actually human.
“You seem upset,” she said. “Are you worried about the kris?”
“No.” I glanced out the café’s front window. “It’s Kaleb. He said he’d come by today and he hasn’t. It’s becoming a regular pattern. We make plans, and then he can’t make it. Lately, he’s always busy running errands. I’m beginning to think his dad is trying to keep us apart.”
“Give it time.” Wendy dumped the contents of the tip jar onto the counter. “I’m sure his dad’s just surprised Kaleb’s dating a Romani. He’ll come around when he sees how great you are.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Don’t forget.” She winked at me. “I want all the juicy details when you make it to Norwood Isle.”
“Of course.” I smiled, hoping I’d have some juicy details to tell her.
As Wendy counted the cash from the tip j
ar, I took the receipt and credit card to a table at the front of the café where a wolf biologist and several wolf trackers sat. They’d showed up in town several weeks ago and came to the café every day. Armed with their maps and notebooks, they seemed harmless enough. According to Bill, they were part of a government program and were paid to study the Norwood wolves every year.
“Thanks for letting us work here,” the wolf biologist said as he added a sizable tip and signed the receipt. They’d finished dinner two hours ago but had stuck around to review their data from last year.
As they collected their stuff, I turned off the neon Open sign. They walked out of the café, crossed the street, and headed to their hotel.
Wendy handed me my purse and half the tip money, and I took one last look around the café. Everything appeared to be in order for tomorrow’s opening.
“Do you need a ride home?” she asked.
Glancing outside, I spotted Victor standing by his car parked across the street. “No, Victor’s here.”
“I still can’t believe they make you have chaperones. But at least Victor seems like a nice guy,” she said as she waved to him and he waved back. “I should thank him for jumping my car the other night.”
My gaze followed Wendy as she hurried across the street and engaged Victor in conversation. As they talked, he crossed his arms and nodded several times. Aside from two nights ago when Wendy’s car battery had died, they’d barely had anything to do with each other. What else was she saying to him?
“Hey.”
My heart raced as I quickly locked the café’s door. Kaleb stood a mere two feet away, dressed in khaki shorts and a black t-shirt. “Hey, yourself. I thought you weren’t coming.”
“I told you I’d come by.” He pulled me into his arms.
“You did, but I expected you after lunch.” I placed my head against the crook of his neck and inhaled his familiar scent, letting my stress fade away. Being in his arms always made everything better.
“I’m sorry. I got caught up with some pack stuff.” He ran his hands down my back, resting them on my hips as he kissed along my jawline and then placed his mouth over mine.
A wave of tingles ran down my body as he kissed me gently, teasingly slipping his tongue into my mouth. I moaned and pressed myself against him, wanting no space between us. Only Kaleb could kiss me like this, making the world around me disappear. Making me want more when I knew I should wait.
Much too soon, his lips left mine. “How was your day?”
“Good.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, desperate for another kiss. “Are you coming over for movie night?”
“You mean to hang out with you and Victor,” he grumbled.
“He’s not that bad,” I insisted.
“Kaleb,” Victor yelled.
Kaleb released his hold. “Wait here while we talk.”
“I’ll come by the café later in the week,” Wendy said as she got into her car and Kaleb crossed the street. As she pulled out of the parking lot, we waved to each other.
I took a seat on the bench in front of the café and watched Kaleb and Victor talk. Neither looked all that thrilled to see the other. At first, their conversation seemed civil, but then Victor yelled something about this not working out. Kaleb nodded a few times, and their discussion quietened again. Too quiet for me to hear what they were saying.
“I see Victor’s lecturing Kaleb.” Markus appeared next to me and sat down. He wore black shorts and nothing else, which suggested he’d recently shifted and planned on shifting again soon.
“What are they talking about?” I asked.
Markus’ eyebrow arched. “It’s a private discussion.”
“Since when?” I scoffed. Everyone knew the wolves had super hearing and no conversations in Woodlake were private. That’s one of the first things Kaleb told me after I learned he was a shapeshifter. “I know you can hear them, Markus. You could at least—”
My gaze returned to Victor, who was now yelling. Something about honor, respect, and family. Kaleb shook his head and growled as Victor pushed Kaleb against the car. I ran toward them, shocked that Victor would dare touch Kaleb. What the hell was he thinking? You don’t pick a fight with an alpha wolf.
Folding his arms, Kaleb didn’t budge from where he stood. I expected him to be pissed. Maybe even push Victor back, but he did nothing. He actually looked amused.
“Are you crazy?” I grabbed Victor’s arm, pulling him away from Kaleb and stood between them. Facing Victor, I shook my head. “You can’t—”
“Stay out of this.” Victor took hold of my arm and yanked me away from Kaleb.
Kaleb pushed Victor’s hand off me and stared at him with glowing yellow eyes. “Don’t ever touch her like that again.”
Saying nothing, Victor opened the driver’s door and got into the car. “Let’s go, Sienna.”
I looked over at Kaleb, not liking the way he and Victor glared at each other as Victor slammed his door shut and started the car. “What was that about?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.” Kaleb walked me around to the passenger side. “I’ll come see you after the kris. If you need anything before then, Markus will be around.”
I looked over at Markus, who still sat on the bench where I’d left him. If Victor and Kaleb’s argument had been a big deal, Markus would have intervened. He wouldn’t be sitting calmly on the bench.
“I thought you were coming over for movie night.” I slid my hand into Kaleb’s, not wanting to let him go. I missed spending time with him, and deep down, I wished things had never changed between us. We’d spent more time together when no one knew about our relationship.
Kaleb glanced at Victor. “I think it’s best if I don’t come over. Maybe another time.”
“How about we meet at Willow’s Point and watch the stars like we used to?”
“Definitely not.” Kaleb rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t want you going anywhere except the café and home. Promise me you won’t go to Willow’s Point. You’ll stay with—”
“Yeah,” I snapped, releasing his hand, annoyed by how much he sounded like Uncle Henry and Victor. They were always telling me what I could and couldn’t do. I didn’t need this from Kaleb, and now that he’d said the words aloud, I’d never be allowed to go anywhere. Not when Markus and any nearby Norwood wolves had heard him. If I dared go anywhere besides home and the café, they’d alert Kaleb.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had a lot of time together lately.” Kaleb’s eyes softened as he traced my jawline with his finger. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
“I know. I just miss you,” I replied. “I miss us.”
“Me too.” He gave me a quick kiss and opened the passenger door.
After getting into the car, I buckled my seatbelt and Kaleb closed the door. His gaze stayed on me even as Victor turned the car around and drove away.
I stared out at Main Street, and as soon as the woods appeared on both sides of the road, I looked at Victor. He appeared calm enough to talk.
“What were you and Wendy talking about?” I asked.
“She thanked me for helping with her car, and we talked about her going away to college,” Victor replied. “She’s worried about you too.”
“What exactly did she say?” I crossed my arms, surprised to hear Wendy was worried. That didn’t sound like her, and why discuss it with Victor? Why not talk to me?
“She asked me to watch over you. She thinks Kaleb’s going to break your heart.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I chuckled, making a mental note to talk to Wendy. She had no reason to trust Kaleb, but why would she say that? I took a deep breath, wanting to discuss a more important topic. “Speaking of Kaleb, he seemed pretty upset tonight. What were you guys fighting about?”
“What do you expect? He’s a wolf.” Victor’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he stopped at the traffic lights on the outskirts of town.
Loud music filled the air from the bar across t
he street. People mingled outside, talking and laughing as they drank from red Solo cups. A woman who looked to be in her early twenties slipped into her boyfriend’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. I hoped they knew how lucky they were to have such normal, carefree lives.
“I don’t understand why you and Kaleb don’t get along,” I said. “Look at you and Markus. You guys have no problem hanging out.”
“We’re your chaperones, Sienna. We’re not two friends hanging out.” He cleared his throat. “I told Kaleb he needed to give you a ring or he needed to stay away from you.”
“What?” I gasped, hoping Victor was kidding. “You gave him an ultimatum?”
“Someone had to say something. He’s being disrespectful, putting his hands all over you without making a commitment.”
I shook my head as we passed through the intersection. “You’re forgetting, Kaleb claimed me. He’s not—”
“You’re a Romani, not a wolf. I thought maybe he was clueless, so I explained how things work. He needs to give you an engagement ring, set a wedding date, and marry you.”
“What did he say?” I fidgeted with my purse strap, not sure if I wanted to hear his answer.
He stared straight ahead, acting like he hadn’t heard my question.
“Victor.” A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. “What did Kaleb say?”
“He’s not ready to ask you.”
My chest tightened as I quickly looked away and stared out at the woods. Should I be worried about me and Kaleb? At my birthday party, we’d agreed to take things slow. That’s why he wasn’t ready to propose. Not because he didn’t want to marry me.
Taking things slow was a good thing. But if that were true, then why did I feel broken inside like I’d been run over by a car? Why did this hurt worse than the night Lexi attacked me? And why did the thought of Kaleb not being ready to propose make me want to cry?
Chapter 4
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Wendy leaned across the café’s front counter, watching as I placed an apple pie into a box. She’d stopped by and was surprised to see me working the Wednesday morning shift alone. “I don’t mind helping.”
Romani Witch (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 2) Page 2
