Chapter 103

Ava

Chris and I stepped off of the ferry for the second time in a week, and were instantly met with the hustle and bustle of the human world. Cars and motorcycles zoomed past, high-rise buildings stretched up into the sky, the sounds of street musicians and people talking and all the other sounds of the city melting together into one.

It was such a far cry from the quiet serenity of Moonstone, something that would have felt jarring not all that long ago.

But lately, it didn’t feel like so much of a shock. I felt as though I was becoming a bit more used to it, what with all of our recent ventures to the human continent. And in an unexpected sort of way, I was beginning to enjoy it.

Chris took my bag from my hands, carrying it for me without question.

“You good?” he asked, shooting me a curious look.

I hummed in agreement and nodded as I watched a street performer juggle a trio of bowling pins on the corner. A crowd had formed around her, a few little kids tossing coins into the open briefcase at her feet.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just taking it all in.”

Chris let out a soft sigh as we began to walk together. “Do you want me to call a cab?” he asked. “The hotel is within walking distance, but I know the city is… well, it’s a lot. I don’t want my lady to get overwhelmed right away.”

I shot him a withering look and shook my head. “Do you really think I’d be incapable of walking because of a little noise?”

He laughed. “No, not at all. But I know that this is far different from Moonstone, and you haven’t spent much time here. I can afford a cab, so… I don’t mind.”

Waving my hand at him dismissively, I hit the button on the crossing post and shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m actually starting to get used to the city.” No cars seemed to be coming, so I did as city folk would do and stepped into the street. “In fact, I—”

Suddenly, a dizzying array of things happened. I heard gasps, a horn honking, a screech of tires. I felt an arm snake around my waist and yank me back. And then something dark blurred past me.

“Stay out of the street, idiot!” the passing motorcyclist cried out.

I felt as if my heart had stopped. Gasping for breath, I looked up to see the hard chest I was pressed into—and was met with none other than Chris’s smirk.

“Getting used to the city, huh?” he teased, pulling me back onto the sidewalk with him so swiftly that my feet barely touched the ground. “You could have gotten yourself killed, young lady.”

My cheeks reddened beneath his gaze, and I quickly pushed away from him. Smoothing down my dress, I cleared my throat and watched as he picked up our discarded bags.

“Okay, maybe I’m not that used to it yet,” I admitted with a thin laugh. “Thank you for saving me.”

Chris merely grinned in response.

Finally, when the light had turned green this time and I had thoroughly learned my lesson, we crossed the street toward the strip of shops, cafes, and boutiques leading up to our hotel. With only one small bag each since it was just an overnight trip, we began lazily meandering down the sidewalk, peering into various shop windows.

I stopped outside one particular boutique, peering through the glass at a dress that caught my eye—a casual cotton dress that fell around the ankles with a pretty floral pattern and a cinched waist. I cocked my head as I admired the dress, only having my reverie broken by the sound of Chris’s voice.

“Wanna go inside?” he asked, nudging me with his elbow.

Turning, I felt my cheeks redden beneath his gaze. “Oh, we should probably get to the hotel—”

“The hotel can wait,” he said with a wave of his hand. He was already walking over to the shop door and pulling it open. “Besides, I like watching you try on new clothes.”

There was no arguing that, I supposed. Together, we stepped into the boutique.

For the next couple of hours, Chris and I meandered through various shops—not really buying anything, but just browsing as we slowly worked our way closer to the hotel. With hours still to go until tonight’s event, it was a nice distraction.

And besides, part of me dreaded getting to the hotel. Because getting to the hotel meant being alone with him, and right now, with Elder Degas’s words still bouncing relentlessly off the walls of my skull…

I didn’t want to be alone with Chris. Because I knew that I would lose control around him, and that I would likely do something that I would regret. Like sleeping with him again, muddling our feelings, or uttering those three little words that would make our inevitable demise just that much more difficult.

Finally, we stepped out of the last shop. Chris gestured at a tall high-rise building with glass walls up ahead. “There’s the hotel. Thank the Goddess, because my feet hurt.”

I nodded in agreement, fully feeling the period cramps returning myself. I longed for a good bath and some more painkillers, and something good to eat. I just hoped to do it alone so I could mentally prepare myself for tonight’s event.

As we approached the hotel, however, we hadn’t even reached the large glass doors before it happened. The sound of voices and tires screeching behind us caused us both to turn.

There, rushing across the street, was a mob of people—people with cameras, notepads, and wild looks in their eyes.

“Paparazzi,” Chris said, instinctively threading an arm around my waist and pulling me close. “Just stick with me.”

I felt my heart begin to race in my chest as the paparazzi swarmed around us, their cameras already flashing blinding white lights in our eyes. “Shouldn’t we go inside?” I asked behind my hand, which I had raised to shield my eyes from the flashing cameras.

Chris shook his head, muttering through grinning teeth, “It’s too late. Just smile for a few pictures and we’ll be on our way. Running from them will just generate tabloid bullshit.”

My stomach twisted, but I knew that Chris was right; I could already imagine that if we ducked into the hotel and covered our faces, the tabloids would have a field day. Rumors had already begun circulating that I was his new girlfriend. The headlines would likely drum up all kinds of drama about the strange werewolf woman that Chris was hiding from the public, which would only make matters worse.

So, following Chris’s example, I put on my best smile and moved my hand, pretending that I was simply waving instead of covering my eyes.

Just smile and wave, I thought to myself.

But it seemed as though the paparazzi had other plans; they would not be so satisfied with a few polite smiles. No, they wanted something juicy, something exciting.

“Kiss!” one voice cried out, which was quickly joined by a chorus of others. “Yes, kiss for us! Kiss, kiss!”

I felt my heart sink. Turning to Chris, I subtly shook my head. “Chris, we shouldn’t—not in front of the cameras—”

Chris either didn’t hear me or didn’t care. Because the next thing I knew, the world was careening around me as he dipped me low.

He pressed his lips to mine in a passionate kiss, and the bright white flash of the cameras blotted out the rest of the world.