The White Wolf of Wishing Moon Bay

by Raines, Harmony

  “Cool.” Milo held the light above his head so that the beam fell on the wood. Logan climbed the rocks and pulled down some smaller kindling and some bigger wood that would burn longer.

  Penny watched them work together while pulling apart their pile of wood and finding some pieces that were dry enough to sit on. She dragged them farther into the cave where a ring of stones filled with charred wood marked a makeshift firepit that had been used recently. Placing her wood around the circle of stones, she then scooped out the charred wood so that they could use the same stones to contain their fire.

  Logan carried the larger pieces of wood while Milo carried the kindling as if it were treasure.

  “I can’t let it get wet,” Milo told her as she stared at the ring of stones.

  “I’ll help you.” Penny helped her son carry the wood and then knelt by his side as he watched Logan carefully place the kindling inside the ring of rocks. As she stared at Milo’s face, Penny hoped her son would not forget his first experience of lighting a fire under the careful eye of Logan.

  How could he forget the day he had a picnic on the beach in the winter? But children forgot so much of their young lives.

  While Logan patiently taught Milo the knack of getting a fire started and keeping it alight, Penny opened up the picnic basket, took out the thick blanket which was rolled up tightly, and spread it on the dry sand before unpacking the food.

  Logan might be her mate, but she could kiss Ivan for taking time out of his already busy schedule to make such a wonderful selection of food for them, including a flask of hot coffee and another that contained the same wonderful soup he’d served last night in the restaurant. Thankfully, there was no added rodent.

  “The fire should keep going now.” Logan sat back and stared at the flames for a few moments. “We did a good job.” He held up his hand and Milo high-fived him, his hand so big against that of her son. Yet they were gentle hands despite their size. Hands that could soothe away sorrow, hands that could ignite a fire of a different kind with a soft touch or stroke of fingertips across bare skin. “Here, Milo, you can keep hold of this.” Logan gave Milo a flint and steel. “Keep it safe and I’ll teach you how to use it properly and safely. Okay?”

  “But never on your own,” Penny warned. She didn’t exactly approve of the gift but wasn’t going to spoil the moment by insisting Logan take it back.

  “I’ll be sensible,” Milo promised.

  “Okay, now that we’re all warmed up, shall we eat?” Penny sat down on one of the logs and poured out coffee and soup.

  “Are you sure we can’t live here?” Milo sat close to the fire, but not too close, with his cup of soup in his hands.

  “I’m sure.” Penny sipped her coffee and ate a sandwich. “Maybe later today we should go and take a look in town to see if there are any ads for houses or apartments to rent.” Did people advertise rentals the same way here as in her world? Would anyone rent to a non-supernatural human? “I can be back in time for my shift.”

  “You don’t have to work a shift if you don’t want to.” Logan raised his cup of coffee to her. “Okay, I get it, yes, you do.”

  “I do. I need to provide for us. I don’t expect you to understand.”

  “But I do understand,” he replied. “Because it’s exactly the same as I feel. As a shifter, I’m driven to provide for my mate and my family.”

  “And maybe one day I’ll be okay with that. But not yet.”

  “Then I’ll back off and give you some room. Just know that I’m here for you no matter what.”

  “I know.” She smiled at him as the light from the fire danced across his face. When he smiled back, small tendrils of desire unfurled in her stomach. Despite her better judgment, she might be ready to trust again.

  Chapter Twenty – Logan

  After they’d eaten, Milo helped Logan to safely put out the fire and place the unused wood back where they had found it. Penny cleared the leftovers from the picnic away and stowed them carefully in the basket before she joined them at the cave entrance.

  “Here’s your flashlight.” Penny handed it back to Logan and he put it in his pocket before reaching for the picnic basket. “I can manage.”

  “I don’t mind carrying it.”

  “Neither do I. And since you carried it here, it’s only fair that I carry it back to the car.” She tightened her grip, her expression firm as she stared him down.

  “Okay.” Logan had already learned there was little point in arguing with Penny when her mind was made up.

  “So, where do you suggest we look for an apartment to rent?” Penny was happy and relaxed as they strolled back along the beach. Happy and carefree, the picnic basket swung in her hand as the wind tugged at her hair.

  Milo, refueled from the picnic and warmed by the fire, ran down to the tide line. With his head down, he picked up anything interesting and examined it before either throwing it back down on the sand or stowing it in his pocket. The boy reminded him of the countless hours Logan and his brothers spent down here as boys, trawling along the beach looking for anything interesting or valuable. Ivan had a nose for anything of value, while Logan was drawn to anything with an odd shape or texture.

  “There’s a small real estate agent in town, you could ask there. Sometimes there are ads pinned up in the grocery store. People advertising rooms for rent.” He hated the idea of her not living under the same roof as him.

  We must let her go, his wolf told him. If we hold on too tight, she might pull free and leave town completely.

  She knows what she means to us. Surely, she wouldn’t leave now. His fear of losing his mate spiked but he was certain she wouldn’t leave unless something happened. She’d told Milo they would at least stay for a week or so. But Logan had gotten used to the idea of her staying forever.

  Don’t let us be the reason she leaves, his wolf replied.

  “I’d ideally like somewhere furnished.” Penny watched Milo as he picked up a stone and then ran toward the ocean and threw it in. “We don’t have any furniture. I sold it before we moved.”

  “If you need anything, we can raid the attic. There’s other furniture in the garage, too. Valerie is a hoarder.”

  “I might need to take you up on that offer. As long as it’s all right with Valerie.” She put her hand up to stop him from protesting. “I know, I know, she’d happily share anything with us. But I’d still like to ask rather than upset her by taking advantage.”

  “Then we can ask her.” They rounded the side of the cliffs and the town came into full view. “I know you want to do this alone. But will you promise me that before you agree to rent anywhere, you’ll check with me?”

  “Check with you?” Penny arched an eyebrow at him.

  “Yes. This is a town like any other town. There are certain neighborhoods where you and Milo wouldn’t want to live.”

  “Really? There are bad parts of town?” Penny chuckled. “Are these bad parts of town bad neighborhoods because of crime or because there are…oh, I don’t know, a poltergeist living there?”

  “Poltergeists do not strictly live anywhere.” His serious expression was mirrored in Penny, but he could not keep a straight face. “There are no poltergeists in Wishing Moon Bay. I promise you.”

  “Okay, so what makes a bad neighborhood a bad neighborhood in your town?”

  “Well, some witches and warlocks like to smoke...certain leaves that cause them to hallucinate. Usually, they are innocent enough and there’s no harm done. But occasionally things get a little crazy. You want to avoid those neighborhoods unless there is a protection spell on your door.”

  “A protection spell. That’s a real thing?”

  “It’s made up of runes and symbols. I’ll show you.” He ran along the beach, grabbed a long thin stick, and tested it for strength. Then he stuck the end in the ground and carved four symbols that represented the four elements. “These are the basis of most spells. You call on the four elements and then add in...directions.”
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  “Directions. Okay.”

  Logan quickly added the symbols needed to ward off anyone who might try to cause you harm through magic. “It nullifies the spell. Some spells anyway. If the magic is strong… Luckily witches and warlocks are very peace-loving people. They worship nature.”

  “How do you know all this?” Penny asked as she took out her phone and took a picture of the sand talisman.

  “Valerie made us learn about the different people who live in town. She believes that if you can understand others and understand how they think then there is less chance for misunderstandings.”

  “Misunderstandings. I expect that gets interesting in a town like this.”

  “That doesn’t put you off staying?”

  “No, not really.” She lifted her phone and took another photo, this time of the town and the snow clouds above it. “If anything it makes me want to stay. I want to learn all there is to know about Wishing Moon Bay and its people. I’ve always wanted to set down roots and feel as if I belong.” She shifted her attention to him. “Maybe this is the place for me to do that. The place where Milo can call home.”

  “I hope so, Penny. I want you both to be happy here and I want to share in that happiness.”

  “You’re very sweet. And I’d like you to share in it, too.” She linked arms with him as they made their way along the beach toward where his truck was parked. “And Milo is already very happy.” Turning around, she walked back up the beach while watching Milo run toward them. “It’s the happiest I’ve seen him for months. He loves it here.”

  “You’ll let me help you?” Logan stopped walking. Milo went off to the right as he spotted something in the sand and leaned down to pick it up. After a quick examination, he curled his fingers around his new possession and scampered toward them.

  “I would appreciate your help. Even though I could probably manage on my own.” She held out her arms to her son. “What have you got there?”

  “A shell.” He kept it hidden in his fist. “It’s a present for you. A birthday present.”

  “Oh, honey, that’s so sweet.” Penny’s eyes misted with tears.

  “Do you like it?”

  Penny leaned down and scooped Milo up into her arms. “I’ll love the shell because you found it and thought of me.”

  “I’ll go find more shells.” Milo kissed her on the cheek and wriggled out of her arms before running back to the tide line.

  “He’s a great kid.” Logan wanted to be Milo’s dad more than anything. He wanted to take the boy to the store and help him choose a gift for his mom. To help him at school, even with his homework, a chore Logan had detested when he was in school. As a boy, he preferred to be outside in the fresh air, racing along the beach with Rift and his other brothers. Time sitting inside figuring out numbers and words was time wasted.

  We know better now, his wolf reminded him.

  Living at the hotel with Valerie taught him that numbers were needed to figure out a guest’s bill, that words were important when dealing with those same guests. Okay, so he hadn’t quite mastered the art of using the right words with guests or people and his attitude sometimes came across as abrasive. But maybe that would change now that he had his mate in his life. Finally, he had something to work for. A family of his own.

  “When is your birthday?” Logan asked.

  “The day after tomorrow.” Color rose in her cheeks. “Please don’t think you have to buy me a gift or anything.”

  “It’s your birthday…” Logan nodded as she shot him a warning look. “A cake? Ivan could make a birthday cake. You have to have candles.”

  “Okay, a cake. And only if Ivan has the time.”

  “A cake it is then.” Logan smiled to himself. He told Penny he wouldn’t buy her a gift, but he could give the cash to Milo and he could buy it. There was a store in town that sold beautiful silver jewelry. They could pick out something special.

  “Five more minutes!” Penny called to Milo as he walked with his head down looking for anything his mom might like.

  “In the summer we can come down to the beach and I’ll show you the best places to swim. There are secret coves along the beach that we can swim to.” Excitement bubbled up inside of him at the thought of sharing all his favorite places with his mate and Milo.

  “Milo is not a strong swimmer.”

  “I’ll look after him,” he assured her. “Milo can ride on my back. As long as he keeps his arms wrapped around my neck, I’ll keep him safe.”

  “I’d love it if he spent more time outdoors. He has high energy levels.” She inhaled the salty air. “I always did like the idea of living by the ocean.”

  “Don’t forget the mountains. As much as I love the beach, the mountains are my home.” He shot her a sideways glance. “At least they used to be my home.”

  “Tell me about this cabin of yours. Maybe we can go there when Milo isn’t in school. You can teach him all about nature.”

  “I built my cabin by hand.” He pointed to the exact spot where his home was nestled between the trees. “You can’t see it from here, but it’s right there. There’s a clump of beech trees just below the pines surrounding the cabin, I harvest the nuts when they fall, and they help me get through the winter. The tall pine trees give me pitch which I use for a variety of things and burn the wood on the fire. The smell of pine fills the cabin.” He grinned at her. “I’d like to show you it all.”

  “I’d like to see it. When the weather is warmer. I don’t think I’d like to be marooned on the mountain in the snow.” She tilted her chin, her attention fixed on the snow clouds above.

  “There’s more snow heading for the mountains. It’ll likely snow again tonight and settle farther down, but it won’t snow over the town until late this evening.”

  “You say that with such certainty.”

  “When you’ve lived somewhere most of your life, you become attuned to the seasons and the weather. I’ve sat on my porch and watched the sky for so many years that I can time when a rain shower will reach me down to a couple of minutes.”

  “That’s amazing.” She jumped as her phone rang. Pushing her hand into her pocket, she withdrew it, her face pale when she saw the caller. “It’s Helena.”

  “Oh.” Logan’s mind raced as she pressed answer and put the phone to her ear. What if Helena persuaded Penny to leave town now?

  “Hello?” Penny smiled as she answered the call. “How are you?”

  “How are you? I was just calling to check in on you both. How is your new adventure going?”

  Logan took a couple of steps away, not wanting to eavesdrop on her conversation.

  “Good. Everyone has been so kind and friendly.” She glanced in Logan’s direction. Pink tinged the bridge of her nose and spread down over her cheeks. “I really like it here, Helena.”

  Logan’s breath caught in his throat as relief threaded through his veins. His mate was happy here with him.

  That doesn’t mean she’ll stay forever, his wolf warned him. Anything could happen to make Penny change her mind.

  “You want to come here?” Penny’s voice rose and Logan strode back toward her. “Why?”

  Logan’s fear that Helena might persuade Penny to leave town if she found out about shifters and the other supernatural inhabitants of Wishing Moon Bay left him breathless.

  “No, why wouldn’t I want you to come?” Penny shook her head. “You don’t need to check up on me.” She paused. “My birthday. Of course I want to celebrate with you.”

  He wanted to reach for the phone and tell Helena her sister and nephew were happy and safe. But maybe if Helena came here, she would like it, too, and give Penny the confidence to stay.

  “Okay, I’ll send you directions but the town itself is hard to find. I’ll meet you outside of town.” She put her fingers to her temple as if she had a headache. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Penny ended the call and cursed under her breath. “Helena’s coming to see us. I’m not sure if she’s checking up on us or
if she’s decided that she needs to change her life, too. Or maybe it is just because it’s my birthday. Although, when you’ve seen as many as I have, it’s not a big thing to celebrate.”

  “I think it’s a very big thing to celebrate. I love that you were born.” He cocked his head and grinned and she giggled.

  “Because I am your mate. I get it.” She inhaled deeply, her good mood evaporating. “I’m just not sure what’ll happen if she finds out about…everything. My mom was superstitious and believed in the supernatural. Helena always thought she was a little crazy.”

  “It’s okay.” Logan pulled her into a hug. It was the most natural thing since she was his mate. Penny froze but then slowly thawed, her arms sliding around his waist as she leaned on his shoulder. “Maybe this is how it’s meant to be.”

  “Will she find the town?”

  “She might, but you should go and meet her.” Logan inhaled deeply, wanting to assure his mate everything would be fine. “Just in case.”

  “Maybe she’ll want to stay, too,” Penny suggested hopefully.

  But Logan was scared Helena might steal his mate away. He’d have to make sure everyone was on their best behavior so that didn’t happen.

  We’re just going to have to win Helena over, his wolf said. Which means you need to be on your best, most polite behavior.

  Easy, Logan replied.

  Sure. His wolf settled down for a sleep, not convinced this would be easy at all.

  Chapter Twenty-One – Penny

  “Okay, Milo, it’s time to go.” Penny put her hands to her mouth as she called to her son, but the breeze caught her voice and swept it away.

  “I’ll get him. You go on to the truck.” Logan put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his keys.