Chapter 3

Ares found himself not caring that his favorite station played Christmas tunes instead of their usual heavy metal. In fact, he even hummed along as he headed home. While he’d only planned to drop off the tree and mitten, he found himself spending two hours with Charlotte and her kid. He’d never seen himself as the domestic type, but there’d been something really nice about hanging with them. Making decorations like he used to when he was a boy. Soaking up the joy oozing from Greta. Finding himself watching and being all too aware of Charlotte, the woman who eyed him with suspicion.

With reason. He could see why she might be leery. His actions weren’t just out of character; they could be seen as creepy. He’d almost stumbled giving a plausible explanation for how he’d known her address. Luckily, she had filled out a giveaway ballot so she didn’t completely catch him in a lie but it had been close especially since he’d not known her first name when he’d gone knocking. Only by chance did he see a piece of mail lying on the table addressed to Charlotte.

All that trouble to meet her, and he doubted she’d invite him back. The offer for dinner was likely made to placate Greta. Still… she did have his number.

She won’t call.

His wolf seemed certain and was probably right, which kind of bummed. He wouldn’t have minded getting to know Charly better. Charly… the nickname had slipped from his lips as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He entered his place to find his mom and sister singing at the top of their lungs to Boney M. To their shock, he joined in with his deep baritone.

It led to them gaping.

“Jeezus, you’re like pythons with your unhinged jaws,” Ares remarked as he grabbed a carrot from the dish steaming on the stove and popped it into his mouth.

“You’re in a good mood,” his mother stated as she pulled out some plates.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you hate dealing with people,” Selene remarked.

He did. “I sold most of the trees.”

“Not surprising, given how late you stayed,” Mom observed as she began ladling potatoes and veggies onto the plates.

“Actually, I stopped by someone’s place to donate one of the leftovers and stayed to help them set it up.”

“Oh, who?” Selene asked, grabbing cutlery from the drawer.

“You don’t know them. I actually just met Charlotte and her kid today. Greta, her daughter, lost a mitten, and I returned it. Since they didn’t have a tree, I gave them one.”

“Wait, you went to give it back in person?” Selene’s eyes rounded.

“Well, yeah. They lived just up the road from the church.”

“And you just happened to notice where they went when they left…” Selene snorted. “How good-looking was she?”

“That had nothing to do with it,” Ares protested, fighting the heat that wanted to rise in his cheeks.

His wolf chuffed. She knows you’re lying.

“Sure, it didn’t,” Selene drawled.

“I think that was a very nice thing for you to do,” Mom said as she threw hunks of roast pork onto plates.

“Every kid needs a tree, and I don’t get the impression Charlotte’s got any cash to spare.”

“Do they have decorations?” Mom asked.

“We made some, and Greta had a princess doll for a topper.”

“I’ve got some extra stuff if you think they could use more,” Mom offered. “I’ll put together a box for you to run over.”

He almost kissed his mom for giving him the perfect excuse to visit.

“That would be awesome. I was thinking of grabbing them some outdoor lights. Maybe even taking over Rudolph since we don’t put him out.” As kids, they’d loved seeing their plastic reindeer with its red nose lighting up the front yard. However, they didn’t decorate much anymore, something that might change once Athena popped the baby.

“Oh yes, you should.” Mom’s expression brightened. “And I’ll make a pie. Two pies, apple and sugar. Also be sure to grab a jar of honey.”

It occurred to Ares that not only was he planning to return but his family assumed he would. Could they sense his interest?

Selene arched a brow. “Since everyone’s donating, does the kid want a rabbit?”

“She’d probably love it, but I don’t think Charly has the extra funds to care for it.”

“As if I’d give her one without food,” Selene scoffed.

“You know what, before I show up with a live animal, let me run it by Charly first.”

She’d probably say no. Heck, she’d probably glare at him when he showed up bearing gifts again. How to explain this wasn’t charity but just how his family was?

Dinner talk turned to the upcoming trip. Mom and Selene would be leaving in a few days. Their excited chatter filled his moments of silence when his mind strayed to Charly.

Why couldn’t he stop thinking of her?

Because she smells just right.

Which meant what exactly? And why his wolf’s interest? It had never cared much before about the other women he dated, except for Alice. With her, his wolf had said right from the beginning: Trouble. Ares should have listened, as Alice went full-on psycho after two dates, calling him constantly, freaking if he didn’t answer—his explanation of being at work not enough to satisfy. Luckily, she’d latched onto another guy who didn’t mind the stalking.

Told you she was bad.

Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to be alone in his head. There’d been a time he’d thought himself crazy for hearing that other voice—after all, his sisters never mentioned their wolves talking—but his dad, before he died, had explained some had a closer bond to their beasts than others. Ares, for example, like his dad, didn’t need a full moon to shift. It took barely any kind of effort to flip into fur, unlike Athena, who struggled, and Selene, who needed to be really pissed to do it without moonlight.

Being a lycanthrope made him special, but it also led to issues, such as trusting people with his secret. Mom knew, of course. As did Derek and Derek’s grandparents. Their knowing was kind of hard to avoid, given the whole mad-doctor-kidnapping thing where Ares had to go furry to help save his sisters and mom. However, not everyone would be as accepting as they had been. Ares had to be very careful, not just to protect himself but his family, which meant dating had to be done cautiously. His dad had told him that Aunt Jane—Dad’s sister—had to kill her husband when he found out because he thought her a monster and pulled a gun on her. Ares hoped to never be put in that position.

Which led to Ares realizing no matter his attraction to Charlotte, he should probably stay away. She was a nice woman, with a great kid. She deserved better than a man with a furry secret.

A thought that led to a restless night.

The next day was Sunday, and since Ares had no markets to attend for selling cheese or trees, he found himself puttering. He fixed a loose handrail going upstairs. Vacuumed. Changed the furnace filter.

Selene finally looked at him after lunch and said, “Dude, would you just go over and see her already?”

“Who?”

“Do not play dumb. It’s obvious you’re jonesing to see her.”

“Am not.”

“Says the guy who can’t sit still for two seconds.”

He frowned. Last night he’d decided that it was best to stay away, but would it really hurt to drop off some extra decorations? Greta would probably enjoy having the plastic Rudolph currently collecting dust in storage.

“Isn’t it too soon for me to just show up again?” He’d never been on more uncertain ground.

“Not if you like her.”

He blurted out his dilemma. “That’s why I don’t think seeing her is a good idea.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do I really have to spell it out?” He arched a brow.

“Oh, for goodness sake, I’m not telling you to admit you like peeing on trees, but you can be friends, you know.”

“Friends?” Friends could eventually become lovers. Or not. Maybe the strange vibe coursing through his body would fade if they spent time together.

Not likely.

“And by friends, I don’t mean banging her,” Selene said, as though reading his mind. “She’s got a kid, which means you gotta be extra careful. No stringing her and the kid along. If you want this woman, then you’d better be 100 percent sure you’re ready.”

Was he ready?

No.

Maybe.

How could he tell?

“Maybe I should just forget it,” he mumbled.

“What are you afraid of? Falling in love? Happened to Athena and she’s never been happier. Are you scared of happiness?”

“You just said to take it slow and be careful.”

“I said to be sure before you break that woman’s, and her kid’s, heart. So, yes, take it slow. Be careful. Not just of them, but yourself. I don’t want to see you rocking and crying in a corner. I’d have to take pics and mock you later.”

“You really think I should go over.”

“Or at least give her a call or a text.”

“I don’t have her number.”

“In that case, visit, but not empty-handed. Have an excuse.”

Advice he took and how he ended up on Charlotte’s front stoop, carrying a large shopping bag in one hand and balancing a pair of pies in the other.

The look on Charlotte’s face went through a few stages; trepidation, surprise, suspicion, and, finally, a rueful shake.

“You’re back.”

“Yeah. I told my mom and sister about you and Greta and the tree, and well, we had a few things lying around that we don’t use that we thought Greta might like. Tinsel and some other decorations.”

“Were the pies lying around too?”

“Mom likes to bake. She also sent a jar of her honey. And I brought cheese,” he finished, trailing off.

“Why?”

Because she’s the one.

A furry claim that startled him so much his dumb ass blurted out, “’Cause I like you.”