Chapter 8

Roosevelt

The last few days had been like a dream. While I felt like I was walking on clouds, in the back of my mind I knew that time was running out, and I feared she would walk out of my life as suddenly as she had appeared.

" Only one day left, " she sighed. Snuggling tight to my side in bed, her index finger traced the lines of muscles across my chest, causing them to flex under her touch.

" Yup, tomorrow will be the day. " I pulled her tighter to me. There was a struggle taking place within me. A struggle between being selfish and telling her I couldn ' t bear to see her leave, or tell her to go back to her life.

" So what happens? Is there a ceremony that we have to perform, or…?"

I laughed. " Nothing as extravagant as that. You just need to make the choice, a life with me , or to go back to the outside world."

" What if I can ' t choose? What if I refuse? "

" The town will expel you and your access will be gone forever. Or at least until the curse is broken. "

She sighed. " No pressure there at all. "

" No pressure. " Twirling a lock of her hair around my index finger, I watched the silken, raven strands slowly fall. I ' d never in my life felt for anyone the way I felt for her. How was it possible? Two days and I ' d fallen head over heels for her. The last six days had been the best in my life, yet here I was , contemplating if I should tell her to go home, or beg her to stay.

I ' d scoffed at the other destined couples. I ' d said making a decision like that in such a small period of time was absurd. Yet here I was, in the very same position. She was twenty-one, she ' d barely experienced the world , and I was going to ask her to settle down with me, here, possibly forever. And eventually give birth to my werewolf cubs.

" What are you thinking? " Her eyes sought out answers.

" I was wondering how you felt about having werewolf babies. It ' s a lot. "

She propped herself up on her elbow and laughed. " Whoa, I hope that ' s not tomorrow. I know this is moving insanely fast , but…"

Laughing, I pulled her back down to me. " No, I have no desire for that at the moment. Not for a long time, but I was just curious. Being with me means that our kids will inherit the werewolf gene. Raising a human child is challenging enough, but a werewolf cub is an entirely different ballpark."

" Ahh," she went back to tracing the muscle in my chest. " In that case, I think a long, long , ways down the road I ' d want that. " She grinned. " If I can handle a grouch like you , then I can handle about anything."

He laughed. " Touch é."

" Are all werewolves dicks? "

I laughed as I thought about all the werewolves I ' d met. Asshole would suit most of them. " Pretty much. "

" Maybe my date for the senior prom was a werewolf then. I ' ve dated a lot of assholes."

Grinning, I ran my index finger along her jawbone. " Seems to be a theme. "

She smiled. " Why do you think I ' m so smitten with you? "

" Can ' t say I really know. " And that was the truth.

" Listen, I was thinking I ' d stay here today , and maybe you could close the diner early so we can spend the evening together."

My eyes narrowed at her. " What do you have planned? "

Pulling her lower lip between her teeth, she shrugged. " You ' ll see."

Sophia

I gave Roosevelt a wave from the front door of his bungalow and watched until the Jeep was out of sight before I set to work. I hated that I was going to waste the morning of the precious time we had left not being with him, but I wanted this evening to be special. I was still on the fence about staying or leaving. This past week had been incredible. But would it be as amazing when the newness wore off and we settled into a routine?

I didn ' t think so. But to never see my friends again ? Never see my father? Not that I ever saw much of him anyhow. And on top was the anxiety that they ' d all go through thinking I was missing. It was selfish.

I felt torn.

But what if we were the ones who broke the curse? What if admitting what I was feeling inside would free everyone?

Damn.

Slapping the door shut in frustration, I closed my eyes, not allowing myself to cry. This was supposed to be a night to remember with the man who I loved. I knew this now, I loved him in a way that I ' d never loved anyone before. I just had to tell him. By the way that he looked at me, I knew he was feeling the same way. Curse or not, this town seemed to know what it was doing in bringing the couples together.

" Suck it up, Sophia. Time to make this a day to remember, " I coached myself as I pushed off the door.

There was a special flower, I couldn ' t recall the name of it, but it grew only in this magical town. It was similar to a red rose, but the petals had an iridescent sheen to it. I ' d seen them on our walk through the forest yesterday afternoon. The plan was to pick an armful of them and use the petals to decorate the bed and leave a trail for him to follow when he got home to me, naked in the kitchen , with his favorite meal cooked and waiting for him. It certainly wouldn ' t be up to his standard s, but he ' d appreciate the effort , and he ' d love the after -dinner dessert. With his stamina, dessert would last well into the night. Just the thought of him devouring me brought a smile to my lips.

Exiting through the back door, I didn ' t bother locking it. Locks weren ' t necessary in this town. Crime was virtually non-existent. It was such a nice change. I ' d never felt so calm and relaxed. How could I leave this?

As I headed into the trees, the forest floor still glistened with morning dew. I stopped just inside the forest, closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply. The fragrance of dozens of plants filled my nostrils. The air smelled like nature undisturbed by man ' s influence. Up until now , I ' d lived a life of high-rises, asphalt , and bodyguards to keep me safe. I ' d never gotten to experience a life like this. If nothing else, this moment, this week, would stick with me for the rest of my life, filed away in my mind among my most cherished memories.

" Now where were they …" I murmured to myself as I made my way deeper into the forest. The morning had given way to the afternoon with no luck. I was about to turn back in defeat when I spotted the path that led to the garden of roses.

Rushing down the path, I came to the clearing where the roses grew.

" Perfect."

Setting to work, I filled the picnic basket that I ' d brought with me. Satisfied that I had enough, I was about to turn back the way I came when a chill ran up my spine. I was being watched. Slowly, I scanned the forest around me , but I came up empty.

Gulping down the urge to panic, I disappeared back into the forest, taking the trail I ' d come from. But the feeling of being watched didn ' t let up. It intensified, with every step becoming stronger.

Stopping, I did another scan of the forest around me. I was just about to give up and keep going when I saw movement to my left. Bushes rustled and a group of little birds took flight.

Don ' t freak out. Just don ' t. Freak. Out.

But my racing heart wasn ' t getting the memo.

As fear sunk in, clutching the basket to me I broke out into a run. I ran until my lungs burned and I was doubling over, gasping for breath. Running in the woods over uneven terrain was an entirely different beast than a treadmill at the gym.

With my breath caught, I was straightening up when a loud howl echoed through the forest. Catching my second wind, I stumbled forward, then skidded to a stop as I came face to face with a large wolf with bright shining eyes, similar to Roosevelt, but not him.

The creature ' s head cocked to the side. Its lips peeled back , displaying a row of sharp teeth. The wolf let out an ungodly screech as its body began to twist and move in ways that seemed impossible. I found myself frozen in both fear and awe as the creature transformed into a naked female. She was nearly as tall as me, but her body was thick with pure muscle.

" Sophia, isn ' t it? "

I nodded. " Yes. I ' m Roosevelt 's." I took one step backward, then another. The way she was looking at me was that of a predator about to swoop on its prey.

She advanced on me. " Good to hear. Does he love you? "

I blinked, unable to speak. Unsure of how to respond.

Closing the distance, she grabbed my arm, her claws digging painfully into my arm. " You and me are going on a little trip. "

I cried out, dropping the basket as I attempted to free myself from her grip. " Please. Let me go. I need to get back home."

" The only place you ' re going is with me. " She bared her teeth, and she had the long sharp teeth of a wolf, her amber eyes flashing. " But if you ' d prefer the hard way, then that ' s much more fun for me. I love hearing humans scream."