Chapter 19: Lottie

Walking into Dottie's, I almost trip on the threshold. Staring right at me is Hunter and his gaze is as sharp as a predator seeking out its prey. The heat simmering there blisters me from the inside out, and I almost melt into a puddle. My nipples tighten, and a needy throb pulses between my legs. This man does things to me that I didn't think were possible outside sappy love ballads and country songs.

The moment I enter the door with Ginger and the man who was polite enough to open it for us, that heat fizzles and cools to barely an ember.

Did I do something wrong? Is there something on my face?

I start to reach up to check my face but notice Hunter's line of sight isn't focused on me. Following his narrowed gaze, it lands on the man behind me. He's smirking and smoothly steps around me and Ginger heading for Hunter and the other man sitting at his table.

Ginger grips my elbow and steers me toward an empty table far from Hunter's, I make sure to sit at just the right angle that I can still see his profile.

It's been three days since I kissed him on the couch at the cabin. I have no idea what possessed me to act on my desires, but I did. I couldn't help it. I wanted to kiss him so I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek thinking that would be acceptable. Innocent enough as a thank you for carrying me home and taking care of me. I didn't mean for it to escalate, but I am so happy it did. I thought he was happy about it, too, even though he broke it off and left abruptly.

I can only hope I didn't scare him off with my brash actions. Ever since the first moment I met him I've been drawn to him and even though getting involved with a local probably isn't the best idea, it also sounds like a wonderful idea. Every time I imagine it my panties get damp, my heart races, and my breasts ache. You'd think I hadn't had sex in ten years with the way my body reacts to Hunter and just the thought of being with him.

The man who entered behind us sits across from Hunter, and he doesn't look too happy about it. Neither does the man he sat next to. They obviously know each other, but like the pervy man who hit on me in the street last week, they don't seem to like each other very much.

Ginger's trying to draw my attention away from Hunter and the other men, but I don't hear her, I'm too focused on watching Hunter to see if he will look at me again. Give me a sign of how he feels. He's too fixated on the new man at his table that I don't see much directed at me.

"Lottie!" Ginger scolds, pulling my attention back to her.

"What?" I laugh out at her big sister tone.

Ginger is fast becoming a good friend, and I know when the time comes for me to leave, it will be hard to tell her goodbye—even harder to say it to Hunter.

Maybe I won't have to.

This is my life now. There's no one controlling where I go or when. If I wanted to, I could stay. Right? Would I be accepted here as a permanent resident? My only family is my mother, and I wouldn't mind her never knowing where I live. Maybe, just maybe . . .

"Stop staring at my brother. It's weird."

"I'm not staring." I was totally staring. But quickly return my attention back to Ginger sitting in the booth across from me.

"Oh, sure, okay." She rolls her eyes comically as she speaks. "So, what would you call that doe-eyed sparkle look you're giving him?"

She crosses her arms on the table and cocks her head at me. The long waves of her auburn hair shifting over one shoulder at the sarcastic movement.

Scoffing I blush a little but try to give her a comeback as sassy as her question.

"I call it astute observation. It never hurts to know your surroundings."

Her laugh rings out around us, and it's contagious, my own joining and mixing with hers. The lightheartedness I feel in this town has me feeling like a completely different person than I was only a few weeks ago. I haven't worn a single rhinestone or sequin since, and although I still love shiny, pretty things, it's nice not to have to put on a show every minute of every day.

Our lunch progresses easily, we order our food and I covertly watch Hunter from the corner of my eye. His conversation doesn't seem to be going well. The man who was originally sitting with him gets up and leaves, but the man with the long black hair who entered behind me remains. His posture relaxed, confident. While Hunters seems tense, but he too leans back in his seat hands resting loosely on his strong thighs. A concealed fury resting just below the surface.

Ginger excuses herself to go to the restroom and I don't think I'm going to get any better opportunity today to speak with Hunter. I thought about going into his office in town hall but was too nervous to interrupt him at work. Popping by to say hello while at lunch is far more casual and easy. Even if he's currently frowning.

I stand, and as steadily as possible, make my way over to his table. He doesn't notice me until I'm practically on top of him, his conversation with the other man cutting off abruptly as his eyes flash to mine.

"Hi, Hunter."

"Lottie. Hi," he responds a little nervously.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." I look at the man across from Hunter, hopefully relaying my apologies.

"No interruption at all, beautiful. We're just having a friendly lunch. Discussing a few . . . personal matters," the man answers coolly, the picture of laidback nonchalance, a wide smile spreading across his thin lips. "I'm Vincent, by the way. And you're . . . Lottie?"

Vincent extends his hand out, tilting his head in question as he says my name.

"Yes, that's right." Extending my own hand in answer it's quickly intercepted by Hunter's. His long fingers curl possessively around mine as he pulls my hand out of Vincent's reach.

"Did you need something, Lottie?" Hunter draws my attention away from Vincent's polite but flirtatious smile. His own smile pulls at the corner of his mouth, his eyes soft and inquiring.

"Oh, I was wondering if you would like to join me for a run this evening?"

Hunter's eyes widen, and his lips part in surprise. The hand still holding mine tightens ever so slightly but loosens just as quickly. His thumb rubbing small circles against my skin mindlessly.

"I remember you said you like to run, and I haven't run in a while and thought it might be nice to have someone who knows the woods to run with so I don't get lost," I ramble trying to explain away my sudden invitation without sounding like a weirdo or too eager to spend more time with him.

Hunter's eyes shift between mine and momentarily flash to Vincent, narrowing before returning to me. Those lips, that I now know from personal experience are soft and perfectly kissable, pull into a flat line.

"I don't know if I'll be able to. I have . . . a lot of work to attend to."

"Nonsense," Vincent cuts in. "The lady wants to go for a run safely through the woods. She needs a guide. We wouldn't want anything to happen to her. She's so sweet and lovely. Perfect prey for a hungry predator."

That low guttural growl that surprised and enticed me on Saturday night when Hunter carried me to the cabin emanates quietly from his chest. Sometimes I think Hunter is more beast than man when he makes sounds like that. And my traitorous heart and pussy only like him the more for it.

His eyes immediately return to me, the growl cutting off abruptly. His words softer than expected when he speaks.

"Maybe some other time. But please don't go running in the woods alone. He's not wrong about predators."

The edge of my lips quirk, and I try to hide my grin. "I'm not afraid. I'm the beast whisperer, remember?" I joke.

Hunter pulls me closer still holding the hand he intercepted speaking softly. "That may be, Nightingale, but still. Humor me."

Since it appears to mean so much to him that I don't go running in the woods alone I acquiesce to his request with a slight nod.

"Good."

Reluctantly, he releases my hand which tingles with heated pinpricks in his wake. A hand threading through my limp arm at my side makes me jump with surprise as Ginger appears next to me, an absurdly broad smile on her face.

"So sorry for the interruption, boys. We'll let you get back to your conversation and lunch." Ginger pulls on my elbow trying to gently guide me back to our table. "Come on Lottie. Our foods getting cold."

Awkwardly, I wave at Hunter, barely able to squeak out a goodbye as Ginger drags me back to our table. Looking over my shoulder, I see Hunter and Vincent watching our retreat. Both interested for different reasons. Although I have no idea who Vincent is, his gray eyes linger on me. A knowing and unpleasant glint gleaming there. A shiver runs across my skin and down my spine so forcefully I turn away with jerky movements. Returning to our table and cooling food.

~Hunter~

"What a juicy little peach that one is. All honey and sugar." Vincent licks his lips while stile ogling Lottie as she sits at her booth with Ginger, tasting her lingering emotions as elves do. To them, instead of scenting emotions like shifters, they taste them on their tongues. If he had managed to touch her, he could have altered her emotions with his slimy magic and he would no longer be breathing and smirking across the table at me.

The alpha rage burning in my gut spreads to every nerve ending, readying for a fight. This male is looking at what is mine, and I don't like it.

"Eyes off her. Now ." I force my voice to remain low, but I can't contain the growl in my tone, nor the alpha power that forces Vincent to comply. His scowl is venomous. Hating that I forced him to comply. It doesn't matter how much money or property or cronies he has, all must obey the alpha command.

"She seems very important to you for a simple human. Is there something you want to share, Alpha ?" He spits out the last word like a curse.

"Not with you, Elf."

Vincent bristles at my reciprocated tone and sits taller in his pink vinyl seat.

"You have till Thursday next week to accept my offer before things get messy. Though, I would recommend an earlier response if you don't want to see anything untoward happen to that tasty little human over there." Vincent licks his lips again, no doubt trying to absorb the remnants of Lottie's sweetness and lust I scented on her.

"Careful. Threatening a member of my pack is cause for retaliation," I threaten right back at him.

He scoffs and chuckles low and menacingly.

"Oh, Hunter. She's not a member of your pack. She's not even a resident of the town. She's an unattached human passing through. You have no claim over her."

My blood freezes in my veins. I've already claimed her as mine internally. The moment Fynn told me it was possible, that was it. To me she's already a member of my pack, my future mate, my future wife. But to other's she's just a human. Fair game. At least until I claim her fully, cementing the mate bond between us. A factor that I highly doubt I'll be able to complete in time to avert Vincent's attempt to use her against me without fear of retort.

"She's still in my town, and as mayor I can protect the residents of Snowberry," I claim, even though it's weaker than my initial warning.

"What are you going to do? Arrest me? Do you even have a jail cell here? I have every right to interact with sweet Lottie as much as I wish. And until her status changes, I will do just that."

Threatening words won't do me anymore good here than they already have. I have nothing left I can control him with for the time being. Something I need to rectify. Until then, I'll have to keep a close eye on Lottie.

Vincent stands to leave a triumphant smirk on his sharp featured face. And I can't help but offer one more threatening warning.

"Watch yourself, Vincent. You're in my town, and I protect what's mine."

His smug expression doesn't falter as he drags one sharp claw across the table's surface, leaving a jagged line behind and giving Lottie one more cursory glance on his way out. His guards fall into step behind him as soon as he exits.

Thankfully Lottie isn't looking at the elf, but laughing with Ginger, and the frenzied rage that was building subsides at the sight of her joy.

I will protect her no matter what. I don't care if she isn't officially a member of my pack or resident of Snowberry. She is mine. Mine to protect, mine to keep, mine to please. And if he attempts to put one finger on her, I will not hold myself back. I will do what's necessary, consequences be damned.

Taking one last longing look at Lottie, I force myself to stand and leave the restaurant without stopping to speak with her like I desperately want to do.

I'll see her again tonight. I know I said I was busy, but that was a lie. I've cleared all my evenings of former commitments to be free to visit with Lottie in wolf form. Tonight will be no different. Except I'll be posting outside the cabin all night standing guard, just to be sure.