2. Chapter 2

Chapter two

Connor

S he smelled good. I bet she would taste just as creamy and sweet as that frosting.

“Now is not the time and place for that,” I grumble at my inner wolf as I inhale the fresh air, so different from the city I’ve grown accustomed to. The nearly full moon lights up the pavement like a beacon as I make my way down the sidewalk to the parked dark blue sports car rental.

I like it here. I like her.

“Of course you do. You like anything with two legs and the outdoors.” I slide into the leather seats and punch in the address to the bed and breakfast I’m staying at. My body relaxes as the car connects to my phone and plays cello covers of modern music. Tomorrow I was meeting the CEO of Summit Contracting Group to discuss the business proposal. I don't know why he insisted on meeting in a small town when it would have been more convenient to meet in the city where both our company’s headquarters are.

Yes, you do. He says it’s better for his health to get away from the city. I agree with him.

“Could you go back to being quiet?” I stare at the glowing orb in the sky. He was never this verbal when I was living with the pack, usually only nudging feelings my way. And those feelings usually only had to do with fighting, fucking, and eating. It had to be the combination of the upcoming full moon and being so far in the forest in this small town.

Will she be there tomorrow?

My mind goes to the girl at the bakery. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her pale skin, bubblegum pink hair, and that damned frosting splattered all over her chest. The lingering scent of vanilla beans clings to my clothes from the short period of being in her presence. I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles blanch and focus on the moonlit road before me, following the GPS’s directions.

“Not likely, with her working the closing shift.” The road is crowded with single and double-story buildings, their front windows displaying a variety of different goods. Despite being a small town and lacking the larger luxuries of known chain stores, there seems to be a shop for every need. Even though it was late, the streets are still filled with people, their movements a blur in the dim street lights as I drive.

I pull into the neat row of parking spots in front of the Victorian-style building and turn off the ignition.

This meeting had to go right. With the plans for the condo expansion, this deal would put Abernathy Inc. on a whole new level. It would open up opportunities not only for homes for the expanding pack but hundreds of jobs for other humans and those in the magical community.

I thought you didn’t care about the pack.

“I care about the pack. It’s just messy.” My chest constricts at the internal need to protect and provide. I had stepped away from the pack when my twin and I transitioned into adults and found ourselves equally matched, our internal wolves at each other’s throats, vying to lead the pack as Alpha.

It wasn’t messy. You just didn’t fight, but you also didn’t want to play beta to Carter.

“Carter is a good leader. He’s done a perfectly fine job as Alpha.” I rake my hand through my hair. I miss the days before our father died when we could be a family instead of ruled by our animal instincts.

If he would have knelt and acknowledged you as Alpha, we never would have needed to leave the pack.

“His wolf would never have knelt to us. You know as well as I that Carter and I were equally matched in everything.” Except people skills. He always was more of a charmer, knowing exactly what to say in every situation where I was the calm observer.

I beg to differ. You never gave us a fighting chance.

“I had other goals, and letting Carter stand in father’s footsteps allowed us to step from under the pack responsibilities and pursue other opportunities. I’d have never been able to start this company if I spent my days running the clan.” I heave a heavy sigh.

You would have been a better leader for your people, especially with Carter as your beta. You were their protector. He would have been fine playing his part at your side.

Ignoring him ,I open the door and inhale the fresh pine air. If I wasn’t playing protector from afar, I would be happy living somewhere like this.

My phone vibrates, and I pull it out of my pocket. The screen lights up with a message from my secretary, Daisy.

Just confirming your meeting with Summit Contracting Group at tomorrow at 1t0:00.

That is correct. Thank you.

Your jet is ready to leave Friday evening at 18:00. You have a meeting with the board to go over the plans for the condo expansion on Monday at 08:00.

That sounds right.

Hope your trip goes smoothly. Although I wish you’d stay a little longer and just enjoy yourself and relax for once. Are you sure you don’t want to take a few extra days off while you’re away from the chaos of the city? I could push back the board meeting? You deserve the break.

Thanks, but keep things as planned. I'll see you in the office.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket. Grabbing my bag and suitcase, I make my way to the private entrance to my rooms. The whitewashed door opens on silent hinges, and I’m hit with the aroma of vanilla. It immediately takes my mind back to the bakery and her damnable green eyes. I shake my head as I begin unloading my immaculately pressed and packed clothes, ready for the next two days. I can’t afford to be distracted for this meeting, but maybe if all goes well, I could take a few needed days off. Daisy is always telling me that I’m working too hard and that I’m going to work myself to death. She has been with my company from the ground up, and even after her husband had passed, she continued to work for me. She said it kept her mind busy, and someone had to look after me.

The sun is coloring the sky in faint pastels as I push open the door to the bakery and am assaulted with the smell of fresh roasted coffee and an assortment of baked goods.

“Welcome to Magickal Morsels! How can I help you?” A tall blonde with tanned skin and curves calls out from behind the counter. Disappointment curls in my gut at the hopes that the petite pink-haired baker would be here this morning, but I brush the thought away and proceed to the counter.

“Yes, I have an order for scones for Connor Abernathy.” My foot taps impatiently as I glance at my watch.

“Oh yes, Netti said she finished those last night before closing. One moment.” She turns and makes her way into the back of the bakery and appears a few moments later carrying a small white box tied with a neat purple ribbon with my name written in neat curling script.

She stayed up thinking of us.

I scowl and take the box from her hands.

“Is there anyth–”

“No,” I say and head for the door. It opens with a tingle of that damned bell, and an elderly man steps through.

“You’re welcome,” she says. “Oh, good morning, Mr. Claymont. You’re looking particularly fetching this morning.

The old man’s face lights up at her greeting, straightening his scarf before nodding at me as he passes. I push past him into the rising sunlight and am hit with the scent of sweet lemon frosting as the box crushes between my hands.

My mouth begins to water as I think back to the sweet taste of buttercream from last night and the girl.

“Get a hold of yourself, Connor.”

Or you could get a hold of some pink locks of hair…

“No one asked for your opinion. I need coffee and time to concentrate.” I set the box on the passenger seat, close the door, and head to the coffee shop before I returned to my B&B. I have exactly three hours until I meet with Mr. Rogers.

Wrapping the towel around my waist, I lean over the sink and wipe the steam from the mirror and stare at my reflection. My dark locks fall over tanned skin, and my dark blue eyes stare back at me. My mind reels between the new project, this meeting, the upcoming full moon, and the pack before landing on the girl. Netti.

I shake my head and push away from the counter. She was just some witch in this small town. There were plenty of women back at home I could call. I didn’t need to get distracted by a set of pretty eyes.

What about a set of pretty legs?

“Again, no one asked your opinion. She probably doesn’t even remember who I am.” I make my way to the sitting area of my rooms at the B&B and look out the window that faces the dense forest behind the building.

We could go for a quick run.

Memories of running through the forest on four paws, the scent of fresh dew on pine needles wafting through my nostrils, fill my thoughts.

“No. We can run after the meeting.” I sit and pull the travel coffee cup stamped with “have a Tea-rific day with Enchantea” I grabbed after I picked up the scones toward me and take a deep swing. The coffee’s rich house blend was the perfect pick-me-up I needed, especially with how sweet the scones likely were, and I am not usually a sweet person. But for this meeting, I’d deal with it.

Opening my portfolio, I scan for the specifics I want to review with Mr. Rogers. I had gone over it with Daisy a dozen times before flying out, but Rogers’ reputation was not one to mess with. I needed this deal to go through. The clan needed it. I take another swig of the coffee. The strong black brew has a subtle undertone of caramel and I make a mental note to order a bag as a gift for Daisy.

I didn’t have time to think about scones, or the girl. I need to prep for this meeting.

My name, scrawled in what can only be Netti’s neat handwriting, catches my eyes. Her magic is tangible as I run a thumb over the looping letters. I sniff the box, her scent lingering on the cardboard is barely detectable over the sweets inside, and my skin prickles as though I’ve touched a live wire.

“It must just be the magic,” I say before snapping the ribbon off the box and opening the lid, reveling in the delicate yellow scones piped with swirls of icing and nestled in the box with candied blueberries.

Picking up a scone, I sniff again, but nothing seems enchanted about them beyond the charming witch who made them. I take a bite, relishing the way the pastry melts like butter on my tongue with bursts of citrus and vanilla. The taste reminds me of lazy summer days under the sun, cozy naps by the fire, and the way my body seemed to vibrate when I touched her skin.

Netti.

Suddenly, my thoughts are consumed with her. My fingertips burn where they brushed her collarbone, leaving a tingling sensation that lingers. The vanilla chai scent that wafted from her as she gracefully moved about the kitchen last night is as vibrant as though she were in the room with me. I find myself mesmerized by the memory of the way the strands of her hair, falling from her bun, delicately framed her face, accentuating her natural beauty.

As I sit at the table, an overwhelming restlessness builds within me, causing my body to feel constricted, as if my skin is too tight. What was happening to me?

Unable to contain this surge of energy, I push up from the table in a sudden motion, unintentionally scattering my papers and knocking over my coffee, the dark liquid spilling onto the cream-colored carpet. At that moment, though the mess seems inconsequential, my focus is solely on the burning sensation under my skin, reminiscent of the first time I ever transformed into my wolf form. The intensity of my emotions and physical sensations is undeniable, leaving me desperate to uncover the reason behind this inexplicable connection to her.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but all I can think about is her.

Wolf?

…

Silence.

…

This is not good.