Chapter 25: Lottie

Blowing up at Hunter and unpacking all that baggage onto him at once was not intentional, but it was necessary. If this is going to work out between us in any way, he better learn right now. I will not let him boss me around. Alpha or not. No one will ever control me again.

Hunter begrudgingly drives us into town, parking on the street directly in front of Sticky Buns. He doesn't have to say it, but I know it's to minimize the opportunity for an attack. Keeping the car close and easily accessible for a quick getaway. I've been guarded by professionals enough in my life to spot such things. It doesn't bother me because he's doing as I demanded.

Sticking close to my side, he leads us into the bakery, opening the door for me and washing me in its heavenly, sugary aromas.

We walk up to the counter and get in line behind a few people already waiting. A few other patrons are sitting at the colorful tables, enjoying their pastries and sweets. I mostly ignore them, reading over the menu and today's specials, but I can see Hunter's head swiveling to identify every single person present. His brow furrows when he spots a woman with vibrant red hair sitting alone at a table positioned almost exactly at the center of the shop.

I give her a cursory glance. Curious as to why Hunter would be interested in her. I don't feel jealousy at his perusal because he doesn't look very happy to see her, whoever she is.

She has long red hair tied up in a high ponytail. She's dressed completely in black, wearing a leather jacket that makes her look like a badass. Her dark-lined eyes are sharp and perceptive.

The line in front of us moves, and my attention is drawn away from the mystery woman as I follow the progression.

Should I get another cinnamon roll or an apple fritter? Ooh, maybe a lemon tart. They all sound so good. I wonder if Hunter will think I'm weird if I order all three.

Amidst my internal debate on baked goods, the line has moved up again, and Hunter leans down from behind me to whisper in my ear.

"Order whatever you like and find a table. I need to go talk to my brother outside for a minute."

I look up to spot his brother Ryder pacing outside the bakery, more emotion on his face than I've seen from him. He's irritated and . . . angry? His hands propped on his hips, and his body changes direction in his pacing, but his gaze remains firmly fixed on the bakery interior. Weird man.

"Okay," I agree, not wanting to get in the middle of whatever is going on between them.

Hunter steps away, and the person ahead of me finishes placing their order. I step up to the counter, ready to order an outrageous amount of sweets.

"Hi Lottie, what can I get for you today?" asks Calliope from behind the counter.

She greets me with a genuine smile, and I return the gesture. She was extremely helpful and friendly when I needed directions to Daisy's and recommended the best cinnamon roll I've ever eaten. So, I think I can trust her.

"Hi, Calliope, I would like to get a cinnamon roll, apple fritter, lemon tart, and blueberry muffin, please. Oh, and a large milk."

"Okay, would you like anything else? Or are you two sharing?"

I giggle, not at all ashamed to admit they're all for me. "They're all for me, but if he asks really nice, I might let him have a bite."

Calliope rings me up, and as I'm digging for my wallet, a new voice appears at my side.

"Hi there."

I turn to find the badass redhead standing next to me, one hand leaning on the counter and the other on her hip as if she's been there the whole time. She's shorter than me, but I would bet she could win a fist fight with a bear for how tough she looks.

"Hello," I manage, not quite sure what to make of the woman.

"You're not a local, are you?" she asks. But I have a feeling she already knows the answer. Hopefully, she doesn't know who I really am.

"No. Well, not yet. I'm considering relocating, though," I admit. Something I haven't even told Ginger or Hunter yet. Somehow, telling a stranger seems easier.

She nods and purses her lips, looking me over before eyeing Calliope behind the counter.

"I'm Tess. Also, not a local. Just visiting. I heard this is a great place to view next week's blood moon."

She extends her hand, and I shake it awkwardly. Her grip is like steel, and I was right; she is tough.

I don't have time to form a response like, ' What the hell is a blood moon?' before she's speaking again. She's very forward and confident, which is something I admire in a woman.

"So, have either of you seen anything strange around town lately?" Tess asks.

"Um, like what?" asks Calliope, just as lost as I am. Her face scrunching under her thick-rimmed glasses.

"Oh, you know, weird things. People doing weird stuff, acting odd. Maybe people with weird markings or strange creatures in the woods at night?"

What in the actual hell is she talking about? Creatures and weird markings? She couldn't be talking about non-humans, could she?

"I don't think so," I squeak out in response. I don't like the way this conversation is going.

"So, no werewolves then?" she asks blatantly.

"What?" The word comes out shaky and high-pitched.

I did not expect to have to deal with this sort of thing so soon after learning about shifters and non-humans because I'm sure that's what she means. What else could it be? I thought Hunter was a werewolf at first, too.

"You know, hairy beasts that change under the full moon and hunt people for sport."

This is oddly not the weirdest conversation I've had today, but definitely the most awkward.

Calliope and I look at each other. She wears an expression similar to my own. Shock, confusion, and a bit of knowing reluctance as if she and I know the same secret. Perhaps we do. She could be a non-human, and I wouldn't know it since I can't see through their glamour.

We stare at each other for long moments, both with our mouths opening and closing, trying to decide what to say. Thankfully, Calliope speaks first.

"No, no werewolves or anything of the sort. Nothing like that around here," she says with a soft nervous laughter in her voice.

"Nope haven't heard of such a thing since I've been here," I agree, solidifying my tone and shaking my head. Hoping I sound more assured than I think.

"Oh, okay. Well, if you hear anything, let me know. I'll be around for a while."

Tess straightens from her casual leaning position and anxiously taps her fingers on the counter. Looking at us with unmasked suspicion.

Shit, was that not convincing enough? How do I deal with this situation?

Thankfully, I don't have to figure it out because Tess excuses herself with a quiet muttered thanks and briskly walks away.

"What was that all about?"

Calliope shrugs, eyes wide and just as baffled as me.

Not a moment later, Hunter steps up behind me, pressing his body close to mine. His heat pressing into my back, a comforting presence I'm starting to grow used to.

"Did you place your order?" he asks, placing a tender possessive hand on my hip.

"Yeah, but I haven't paid yet."

"Good."

Pulling his wallet out of his back pocket, he starts to count out bills. I start to protest, but his commanding voice cuts me off.

"Add a cinnamon roll and coffee, please."

Calliope taps on her screen, adding the items to the order. When she announces the price, Hunter holds out the cash to pay.

"I have money; I can pay for my own," I protest.

"I know, but I'd like to pay for you if that's alright."

His tone garners no argument, no matter how much I want to point out that I have millions of dollars sitting in my secret bank account doing nothing and serving no purpose. The least I can do is buy my own food. After all, I have been contributing to the local economy nearly every day by eating out and buying coffee from the Ugly Mug. At this rate, I could probably sustain the entire town with my meal purchases alone.

I bite my tongue, not wanting to start an argument over who has more money. It would only be embarrassing and announce to everyone my financial status, which is not necessary. So, I let him pay for my pastries and follow him to sit at a table toward the back of the shop. From here, we can see the entirety of the bakery and everyone in it, including Tess, the rather strange and forward redhead.

Scooting closer to Hunter, I lean into whisper because I don't know who in here knows about non-humans and who doesn't.

"That girl was asking about werewolves."

Hunter grunts and purses his lips as if this isn't news to him.

"You know who she is?" I ask, furrowing my brow up at him.

"Yeah. Ryder's been dealing with her ever since she came into town the day after you did. She's a paranormal blogger on the hunt for werewolves. Which are wolf shifters. He's handling it. That's why he's outside pacing like a caged wolf right now."

I look through the large front window and spot Ryder across the street, frowning towards the bakery as he paces back and forth like a prowling beast. He doesn't look happy. Taking only three large steps before pivoting one hundred and eighty degrees and repeating the movement in rapid succession.

Eyeing Tess, I see her actually sticking her tongue out at Ryder and waving at him with her fingers. Ryder stops still, and I can see his muscles flex and grow from all the way across the street. There is definitely something going on there.

"You sure he can handle her? Kinda looks like she's getting under his skin."

"Yeah, he's fine. Ginger is keeping an eye on her blog and posts to ensure she doesn't mention anything about Snowberry or the blood moon next week."

Again, the mention of the blood moon. What the hell is it? Obviously, I assume it's a moon phase, but why blood?

"What is a blood moon?" I ask, hoping we're not around too many people for him to tell me.

"It's a lunar eclipse that happens twice a year, but every three to four years, there's a special eclipse called a blood moon where the full moon turns blood red. It has something to do with the earth's atmosphere and the sun's rays, but I don't really understand it. You'd have to ask Fynn about all that."

The Blood Moon doesn't have anything to do with being a wolf shifter. But it affects them? Or do they celebrate it? Maybe it's part of their religion? Do wolf shifters have a religion? Do they pray to some moon goddess or something?

"And you celebrate it?" I ask, not voicing the cacophony of additional questions growing in my head.

"In a way, yes."

He gives me a scathing look that suggests their celebration is more than drinking and dancing in the moonlight.

"And who's Fynn?" It seems like a safe question to ask in public.

"He's a good friend of mine. Likes to read and knows things. He's a mere, and I'm sure he would be delighted to meet you. I kind of had to tell him about you when I asked him to do research on the human mate bond subject. So, he knows who you are. But don't worry," he adds quickly before I can berate him for telling others my identity. "He won't tell anyone. He doesn't care about your past career or anything like that. He's more interested in books and how all this is possible."

I'm not happy he told another person who I am, but he says Fynn is reliable, and I believe him. For some strange reason, I trust him.

"Then I would love to meet him."

Calliope appears and places our pastries on the table, set on delicate white plates with tiny cartoon drawings of cupcakes, croissants, and other cute little sweets around the edge of the plate border.

We fall into easy conversation about nothing specific. Hunter devours his cinnamon roll in three large bites and sips on his coffee as he tells me about being mayor and growing up in a small town. How everyone is always in each other's business but also how it's nice to be able to call on your neighbor when you need help removing a dead tree stump from your yard or how everyone shows up with a plate of food when they smell someone cooking bar-b-que.

I tell him how my neighbors filed a lawsuit against me for planting trees that shed leaves in their yard over the fence line. I stay away from topics like my singing career and mother, one because I don't like talking about them and two because I don't want anyone to overhear and connect the dots.

After finishing at the bakery, he takes me next door to Tall Tail Books , and I pick out half a dozen books to take home, which Hunter dutifully carries with a smile on his face. While we're there, he introduces me to Fynn. I hadn't imagined meeting him this soon after Hunter telling me about him, but I guess that's how small towns work. He's polite and curious but quiet, getting lost in his search for a book not five minutes after meeting me.