“Whoa, hold on, Aurora, you’re throwing a lot at me. So first thing is you need me to find another mediator?”
“Yes. And fast.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.” Aurora swallowed. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
“Don’t be. I’m glad you met someone.”
What did it matter since she would be leaving him soon enough? If she wasn’t here on a job, she had no reason to stay.
Aurora walked through the village later that morning, killing time while Grayson’s pack worked on a proposal. Since it was a gray, rainy day, she brought an umbrella and explored.
She ventured into some cute stores, much more unique than the clones of chains in many cities. They reminded her of the little shops in other small towns in New England. She loved a rock and crystal shop in North Conway and a pewter store in Rockport. The rain kept people off the mountains, and many walked covered by umbrellas in and out of stores in the village.
Would a store like her aunt’s shop work in a place like this, a ski village?
Maybe. It would provide something to do on days when they weren’t skiing and had time to kill. What else was there to do around here but walk through the shops and eat at restaurants? Looking for things to see and do?
A shop could fit in with its unique angle, even if there weren’t witches that she knew of living nearby. Many of the clientele at Aunt Colleen’s shop were humans. Those taking a day off from skiing up here might enjoy taking a break for a tarot or tea leaf reading. Or they could purchase some crystals or figurines as souvenirs. Aurora could even have one wall covered with a bookshelf that stocked both books on magic, the craft, paranormal romances, and mysteries.
Perhaps even some shifters who lived here would be interested in magical goods. Although their magic was different, some herbs and other magical supplies were difficult to come by. Aurora knew the suppliers as she’d been helping her aunt restock inventory for years.
After having a sandwich and a cup of Earl Grey tea at a cute little cafe, Aurora returned to the hotel. The rain had lightened to a drizzle, but she still needed the umbrella to cover her.
Her phone rang. It was her aunt.
“Aurora, I tried to see if we could get someone to replace you. No one is available.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip, conflicted about how she even felt about leaving. Yes, she’d asked her aunt to replace her, but then she’d spent the morning daydreaming about an unrealistic fantasy about opening her own store.
Why would she even go there? She didn’t belong here, she didn’t even have a place to live. It made zero sense in reality.
“Do you think you can finish out this job? After all, it should only be a few more days, right?”
“Right.” It wasn’t as if Aurora had an option. Saying no would be letting both her aunt and Grayson down. “I can do that.”
To finish this job, she needed to focus on being a professional—not think about Grayson’s sensuous lips or the way his eyes smoldered before he’d kissed her last night.
When he called her and asked if she’d have dinner with him again tonight, she declined.
She’d have to avoid him as much as possible.
Stay neutral.
Aurora repeated those two words like a mantra as she walked through the snow over to meet the Sacco pack. Grayson had offered to drive her close to the borderline, but she’d told him it was better that they kept their distance, at least for now.
Besides, it was difficult to think with the way he looked at her with that intense gaze. She’d avoided looking at his lips, yet still pictured their sensual curve.
Focus, focus.
She clutched the file folder more tightly. That’s the only thing she should concentrate on—presenting the Franconia pack’s offer and convincing the other pack to agree to a settlement.
The mountain breeze picked up, so different from what she was used to with living near the sea where she could taste the tang of salt on her tongue. Here, the forests imbued the air with the scent of pine. She zipped her jacket up to her chin, but still that wind cut through.
Aurora called on Zephyr, the goddess of the west wind, and asked her to provide warmth. Vibrant energy stirred in the horizon beneath the setting sun. It traveled over to Aurora, swirling around her with a mild heat, like that cast from a fireplace.
During the remainder of her trek to the Sacco meeting lodge, she repeated her mantra and visualized this meeting being a success. She pictured Kane and Lars being elated by the offer and signing the document. Then she could go back to Grayson, celebrate the good news, and then…
And then what?
Right, what happened then? Would he thank her for her services or invite her to remain through the weekend? Would they be able to spend a few more magical days together before she returned to Salem?
What happened once she returned home? Was there any way a wolf shifter who lived with his pack in the mountains and a witch who lived on the coast in another state could have a chance at a relationship?
It didn’t matter because none of what she envisioned for success happened.
Kane swore as he reviewed the proposal in the meeting lodge. “What are we going to do with this land? This is horse shit.” He pushed the proposal across a wooden table back toward her.
Horse shit? What was he talking about? “I don’t understand,” she replied. “It’s a very generous offer. The land is comparable to your territory now, plus it has access to the stream. In fact, it doubles the size of your lands.”
“In another location.” Kane snorted. “How would it be beneficial to split the pack into two territories?”
Oh, toad’s woes. These wolves were as easy to work with as wrestling a bow tie on a black cat. “That is the only feasible way at this point. The land that borders your territory belongs to others.”
“And one of the pieces is owned by the Franconia pack, which is what we requested.” Lars responded with a piercing gaze.
“They will not agree to that,” Aurora declared. “The mountain isn’t just where they live, it’s how they earn their living.” She took a deep breath, refusing to let them rattle her. She wasn’t going to walk away without making some headway this time “Tell you what, why don’t you keep this proposal and sleep on it for a couple of days.” She pushed the papers back toward Kane. “I think you will find that is more than a reasonable offer. Doubling the area of your current territory isn’t something to dismiss without careful consideration. I’m sure you’ll find it’s more beneficial to your pack than a dead shifter’s head.”
Kane scowled at her.
Before she pushed her luck, she added, “The land has so much to offer your pack. Not only do you have a broader range to hunt, but you can also fish in the stream. That alone should be enticing.” She nodded to them. “I’ll be back in two days to see what you’ve decided.”
When they didn’t stop her, she walked away feeling confident that she’d finally made some progress.
Grayson
After one full day of not seeing Aurora, yet knowing she was so close by, Grayson was ready to claw his office to shreds. It wasn’t like him to grow so agitated, but the ache of not seeing his mate stirred beneath his skin leaving him with unbearable yearning.
When she’d called to tell him how the Saccos had reacted, and that she thought she’d convinced them to mull it over some more, somehow Grayson had gotten her to come to his place for a quiet dinner. He still wasn’t sure how he’d managed to do so, as she’d been avoiding him ever since they’d kissed. Sure, he was thrilled that they’d made a little progress in negotiations, but he was far more elated by the prospect of being near her again.
At six o’clock, he picked her up from the hotel and drove her up the mountain. When her fragrance wafted over, his wolf pranced wildly inside. Grayson was just as thrilled, yet he struggled not to seem too eager and pounce on her the moment she climbed into his car.
“It must be g
reat to live up here,” Aurora pointed out as they passed the log cabins and A-frame homes built on either side of the road that hugged the mountain.
“Many of my pack mates live on the mountain, although some prefer the village.”
“I’d pick mountainside, like you.”
He turned to her and grinned. “It makes it easy to get to the office. I just ski down.”
“And getting home?” She arched her brows.
“I take the ski lift to the peak and then ski back home.”
“What a great set up for someone who likes to ski.” She tilted her head. “What about the summer? Do you walk?”
“Yes. I’m in my office much of the year since we try to offer enticements for each season. In the spring, we have hikers. In the summer, we host many weddings and families for vacation getaways. And in the fall, we have the leaf peepers.”
“You have weddings here?”
“Many. Some choose to get married at the peak, others at the base. And others have their reception in the lodge. It’s quite a transformation to make the ski lodge into a wedding venue.”
She gazed at him with a wondrous expression. “It’s no surprise that this resort is so successful. You’ve really found ways to make it an attractive getaway.”
It can be more than that for you. You could stay here with me.
He shouldn’t jump that far ahead. Saying things like that could scare her away.
Once they pulled up to his Tudor cottage surrounded by trees, she said, “Wow, this is where you live? It’s like a cottage out of a fairy tale.”
“One of the perks of being CFO.” He pointed up the road. “Alpha gets the top spot, of course.”
When he led her inside, she continued to marvel at the interior. “It’s just as beautiful and cozy on the inside. You live here alone?”
“I do.” With four bedrooms, it was big enough for a family, yet he lived alone. He hadn’t minded until this past year. In some way, he must have sensed that his mate was coming—and that she would turn his world upside down.
“It smells delicious in here. Did you cook all this for me?”
Grayson gave a sheepish look. “I wish I could take the credit for it, but I’m hopeless in the kitchen. I’m obsessive about measurements and if I’m missing an ingredient, I’ll abandon the whole thing.”
She laughed. “I confess I’m the opposite. My experimental cooking hasn’t always led to edible dishes.”
“At least you’re brave enough to try.” He grinned. “Anyway, I often get a bite at the pub with a packmate or order takeout from a restaurant in the village.”
“That makes sense. Why cook when you have so many great options within walking distance?”
“Exactly. And why cook for one when I could dine with friends.” He lit candles on the table, which he’d set earlier. “Our dinner tonight is from an Italian restaurant.”
“Mmm. You’ve spoiled me with all kinds of fantastic food this week.”
If you stay, I’ll continue to spoil you. Before he said it aloud, he said, “I’ll get a fire started and then we can enjoy our meal.”
A few minutes later, they sat at the round table with lit candles and a picturesque view of the forest. The fire provided a soft glow and comfortable warmth. They each had a small bowl of Caesar salad, a plate heaping with tagliatelle carbonara, and a glass of chardonnay.
Grayson might have gone overboard with the romantic vibe, but he couldn’t help himself.
“Mmm,” Aurora murmured. “Absolutely delicious.”
“I haven’t had a dish from them I didn’t like.”
She took a sip of the wine and glanced out the window. Snow had begun to fall and it cast drifting sparkles over the mountain. “What a view. Do you often sit here and just soak in what you see?”
“I’m spoiled by the views here, so I probably don’t appreciate it as much as I should.” He definitely enjoyed appreciating it anew from her eyes.
“How much snow is expected tonight?” she asked.
“About four to six inches. Which means the mountain will be busy tomorrow.”
She bit her lip and her expression turned contemplative.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just thinking about getting back to the hotel later. I know it’s not far, but if the roads aren’t plowed…”
“You can always stay the night.”
He hadn’t meant to blurt it out, but once it was out there, he didn’t want to take it back.
She stared at him for several seconds before she replied, “Let’s see what happens with the snow.”
The offer was there whether there was snow or not. He bit the words back before coming on too strong.
During dinner, the conversation flowed. Since there was nothing they could do about the Sacco pack, but wait, they were able to relax.
Once they moved to the sofa with refilled wine glasses, facing the fireplace, he asked her, “Tell me something, Aurora. If you had the opportunity to do whatever you wanted in this world, without feeling any obligations to anyone else, what would you do?”
She tilted her head and gazed at the fire. “You sound like me.”
“How so?”
“I often ask clients who come to the store to visualize what makes them happy that way.”
He nodded. “Does anyone ask you?”
She gazed off. “No, I can’t think of anyone.”
“Well, I’d like to know.”
The corners of her mouth turned up with an appreciative smile. “I think I’d like to open my own store one day, one like my aunt has. As I’d mentioned, I love working with people and helping them visualize what they want—and maybe even helping to make them come true.”
“That’s quite admirable of you.”
She peered at him. “What about you, Grayson? If you could do anything you wanted with your life, what would you do?”
Grayson stared into her eyes for several seconds before he replied. “This. I’m proud of all our pack has accomplished in creating the resort. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Here, I get to live with my pack and do so in a way with all the comforts of the human world.”
“But?”
“Why do you say that?”
“I sense you’re leaving something out. What’s missing?”
He laughed. She read him so well.
“You’re right.” He searched around the living room. “Lately, I’ve felt like I’m missing something. Despite our success with the resort, there’s something inside me that feels…” He shook his head. “Empty.” He shrugged. “Does that make sense?”
She nodded with an understanding expression. “It does completely. Many of us feel that way sometimes, me included. Something seems to be missing.” She tilted her head. “What do you think it is for you?”
Should he say it? Maybe he shouldn’t have opened his mouth after all, but she was so easy talk to, her gentle voice so understanding, and the way she looked at him wasn’t at all judgmental. Her wide, expressive eyes showed that she was truly interested.
“That all of this...” Confusing emotions stirred inside. “That all the success we’ve had is superficial. I’ve spent so much time devoted to the pack and building the resort, yet recently I’ve started to realize I’m losing out on other parts of my life, more important parts. What’s the point of this success if I don’t have somebody to share it with?”
Aurora touched his forearm. “I know what you mean.”
“Ah, we understand each other, Aurora. Maybe we were destined to meet.” His voice sounded odd as he treaded on dangerous territory.
She turned her head. “Do you truly believe that?”
He shrugged.
She gave him a gentle smile. “Well, for you, as a wolf shifter, I’m sure the missing pieces will fall into place once you find your mate.”
His pulse jolted. “Yes.” He swallowed.
“I’m sure you’ll find her one day. Don’t you?”
He already had—and he w
as talking to her. Tell her, tell her! His wolf insisted.
Not yet. Grayson fixed his eyes on hers. “Absolutely.”
Chapter 8
Aurora
A jealous itch stabbed at Aurora as she pictured Grayson here, sharing his place with his mate. She pictured her as a gorgeous wolf shifter, like Victoria. And why not? Victoria wanted him as her mate. Was it only a matter of time before he committed to her?
She shoved that thought aside. Victoria wasn’t here now, but Aurora was, and Grayson had set up this romantic dinner for her. Despite her efforts to stay away from him, she had zero regrets coming here tonight. She’d done all she could for the moment with the Sacco pack. Although she probably shouldn’t be having dinner with him alone at his place until the negotiations were final, but what if this was her only chance?
As if reading her mind, he said, “What happens when you return to Salem?”
“What do you mean?”
He took her hand. “I’m talking about us. This thing between us. You feel it, too, right?”
Her pulse quickened. She’d been trying to ignore the attraction that had simmered between them since they’d met. They were trekking along dangerous territory with this conversation. “Yes,” she admitted.
“It’s something we shouldn’t ignore.”
The way he gazed at her with such hunger held her captive. Nobody had ever looked at her that way before.
Her bottom lip trembled. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this yet until a more appropriate time.”
“It feels like we’ve already waited long enough.” Yearning clipped his voice.
Grayson caressed the side of her neck, and she leaned into his touch. He had a point.
The Wolf and His Forbidden Witch: A Howls Romance (White Mountain Shifters Book 2) Page 7
