Chapter 6: When the Mask Slips

Willow’s heart raced the entire night. She could barely eat. His presence burned itself into her awareness. She was hyper-aware of where he was at all times. Every shift he made in his seat, she viscerally felt it. She felt Lyall’s eyes on her every time she shifted to look behind her.

“Checking out that guy back there?” he asked sharply. She turned back to him; a blush stained across her cheeks.

“No, he’s a hunter. It makes me…uncomfortable when they are that close.” She replied after a moment.

“I’ve never seen him before. Is he a Brochade?” She nodded.

“I guess he is just in town for the festival,” she stated. Lyall nodded. His mood evening out now that he didn’t think she was attracted to the man in the corner.

They were onto their dessert course when she felt Garin stand. Her back began to heat as he drew closer, she felt as if she were aflame. He passed by without a glance at her table. The woman with him spared her a small glance and she felt a traitorous twinge of jealousy. She was stunning. Willow noticed many men’s heads turning as she walked past, her perfect nose held high.

She slumped slightly in her seat after they were gone. She finally felt like she could relax and no longer had to be on guard.

“Are you ready to go?” Lyall asked her, his smile gentle. She nodded once. “You look knackered,”

“Oh thanks,” she scoffed. He chuckled.

“You know what I mean. You still look beautiful as always, only tired,” he replied. She waved off his complement.

“I think you’ve had one too many. I should probably drive,” she gestured towards his empty beer glass. He jokingly rolled his eyes.

“Come on, let us get you home before you pass out at the table,”

“That would be dangerous with all of this,” she said, eyeing the ridiculous number of candles placed on their table. He let out a laugh and gestured for her to walk in front of him. He placed his hand in the small of her back. She didn’t recoil this time. Despite her lack of spark with him, he was at least attentive. The thought should have cheered her, but she still felt a pang of longing for something more.

Lyall watched her and wondered what had gotten into her. She had always been distant but tonight she seemed to be all over the place. She kept going hot and cold. It was frustrating but he knew he had to just keep being patient. She was his intended so someday, they would be mated. He hoped it was sooner rather than later. He had already been waiting for eight years since she graduated high school.

His hand drifted to her leg and settled just above her knee. He felt her muscles tighten and slightly shift away. So, it was going to be one of those nights. He gave her a light squeeze and moved his hand away. Almost instantly he saw her leg relax. He fought back a sigh. He didn’t want to start out his first week here with a fight.

“You work tomorrow?” he asked. She turned wary eyes on him, probably wondering at his even mood.

“Open to close. Sarah is volunteering at the humane society for the day so it will just be me,” she replied, rubbing her eyes slightly. “Shit,” she said looking at the black smears on her fingers. “This is why I don’t wear makeup,” she held up her smudged fingers for him to see.

He chuckled.

“Now you’ve got a sexy goth vibe,” he teased. She let out a small laugh and surreptitiously wiped her fingers on her seat.

“Have you thought about hiring another employee? With just one you end up working nearly every day,” he mentioned.

“I’ve considered it, but I love the café. Plus, I don’t have anything else to do,” she replied with a small shrug. She felt comfort when she saw the lights of her house come into view. Only a few more minutes and she could be alone in her bedroom.

“Well what about when we have kids?” he asked nonchalantly.

“Kids?” she exclaimed.

“Yes, kids. Children, offspring, spawn,”

“I know what kids are.” She spat, her adrenaline spiking. “I just haven’t thought about it. Them. Whatever.”

“You do want kids?” he said, giving her a strange look.

“I don’t know. As I said, I haven’t given it much thought. I’m so busy and I love my life how it is. I don’t think I am ready to have a baby,” she was wishing the drive were over already.

“I’m not saying now, but soon. Eventually,” he replied as they pulled into her driveway. She sighed and unbuckled.

“It’s late. I don’t want to have this discussion right now. As of this second, no, I do not want a baby. Someday, maybe but that will be when I can afford to have help. I’m not going to be stuck at home, barefoot and pregnant.” She gave him a direct look, her yellow eyes flashing. He held her gaze for a moment before dropping it. Despite the differences in their human forms, they both knew she was superior when they shifted.

“Goodnight, Lyall.” She shut the door firmly and walked inside, not looking back. He waited a minute in the car, gripping the steering wheel. He breathed harshly through his nose, quelling the anger that was rising inside of him.

Once they were mated, things would be different. She would want a baby. He would convince her of it. And then she would slowly stop working so much at the café, eventually just managing it from a distance. She would be his and his alone.

After Lyall left, Willow is fuming. She said a quick goodnight to her grandmother and ran up to her room, barring the door. She raged as she paced the small room, clutching fistfuls of her hair while she cursed him. It had taken every ounce of strength she possessed to not shift and tear him to shreds.

Everything had been going so well, even with Garin there. Lyall had been respectful, kind, and even funny. Then he started getting pushy about kids. Ugh, children. She was only 26, she had no desire to have a baby. She was so frustrated.

Flopping down on her bed, she lay in a mess of tangled sheets and wet hair. She knew she wouldn’t be sleeping well again tonight. She was still too annoyed by Lyall and his scent was still lingering. She felt as if it were haunting her, teasing her with every step she took.

She sat up, her hair dripping down her back. She crept to the door and listened. The television was on, the volume loud. She could hear The Antique Roadshow which meant her grandmother was asleep in her recliner, an empty glass of whiskey at her elbow, and a harlequin romance forgotten in her lap.

Maybe tonight wouldn’t be a total waste. Maybe she could see Garin again if only to ease her fears.