“She can’t talk,” Holden said.
Iris tapped her paw on the floor five times.
“Oh,” Cali said, and we gave her a look, “It is you,”
We nodded.
She took a few more steps forward, reaching out her hand; we stood very slowly and let her come to us.
Once her hand was on our head, we leaned into her touch. She seemed to relax, and Iris nuzzled her side.
“Okay, this is weird, but,” She shook her head, “You’re so soft,” Iris barked a laugh.
“Can you change back? I have questions,”
Iris nuzzled her once more, taking a step back, and we shifted. I grabbed my clothes, besides my underwear that was now ripped to shreds and re-dressed. “So, do you all do that?” Cali asked. They nodded.
“Why?”
“Why do you do anything? Nature?” Holden responded, not sounding so sure.
“You’re a f*****g werewolf,” Cali turned to me, shaking her head once, she started laughing, “Or I’m going crazy,”
“You’re not,” I put my arm around her and pulled her to my side.
Holden stood up Cali’s chair but backed away before she sat down, he was treating her like she might snap at any second, and she very well might.
“Now that the cats out of the bag,” Holden said, “Or dog, I guess,” He smiled at her, “Ask away.”
Cali had fewer questions than I expected, but I knew she would have more. I’m sure she was in complete shock. I don’t know how I would process something like this, it changed everything that she thought was true, completely skewed her version of reality. I knew it wasn’t something she could just get past in one night.
“What do you guys eat?”
“Human flesh,” Caspien said, his voice dark.
“I, for one love me some good puss-“
“Shut the f**k up, Holden,” I stopped him shaking my head.
Cali just gave him a smirk.
“Human food, normal food.” I explained, “We aren’t that different,”
“Besides, you can turn into a giant wolf,” She gave me a deadpan stare.
“Besides that,” I smiled at her, “We live in packs usually, with others of our kind. Many have normal jobs in the city or intermingle. We’re like humans but have loyalty to our packs; it’s kind of nice.” I shrugged, not sure how to explain it.
“Do you guys have some Alpha wolf-like they do in packs?” She asked, laughing.
“Yes,” I said
“Really?” She snorted, and I motioned to Caspien.
Cali’s eyes went wide, “Makes sense; you have that creepy air around you that makes everyone uncomfortable,” Caspien tensed.
“That’s not his fault,” I whispered.
“I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just, you know,” She waved.
“I do,” Caspien said.
“So, no werewolf was good enough for your Goddess? Had to fish from another pond,” Cali leaned forward towards Holden, eyeing him.
“I guess,” He flashed her a smile leaning forward himself.
“So, now what? The fates themselves destined us,” She squinted her eyes, “I never really believed in destiny,” She raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’ll have to show you just how perfect I am for you,” He growled.
Cali looked surprised for a split second, “Now that, that I could get used to.” She took a long sip of her drink.
“I want you as my mate if you will have me, but I’m willing to take it at your pace. Show you this world and why I’m perfect for you.”
I swear I saw Cali smile, but it was gone before I could be sure.
“Then what? We get married, and I never sleep with anyone else again?” Her voice was devoid of emotion, and Holden looked hurt for a brief moment.
“Trust me,” He said, leaning into his chair, his confidence back, “You won’t want anyone else ever again.”
“Prove it,” She tilted her head.
“Maybe at your place,” Caspien cut in.
“I also have a child, so,” Cali seemed like she was trying to throw him off, “A daughter, she can be a handful sometimes,” She shrugged innocently before pinning him with an intense stare, “Just like me,”
“I can handle that, and I’ve always wanted kids. What’s her name?”
“Loreli,”
Holden stood up so fast that the chair almost fell behind him. He smiled at us all broadly.
“That’s my mom’s name! This is perfect; wait until she hears her first grandchild has her name,”
Cali looked taken aback for a second.
“Griffen is going to be pissed, he was the first one having a kid, and now we both do,” Holden laughed, looking at Caspien.
“I’m sure he will be happy to have some future babysitters,” Caspien shook his head.
“So that’s it? You would accept me without knowing me and my child and without meeting her?”
“Yes, completely.” Holden said his voice edged with sincerity, “I trust the Moon Goddess,”
I hoped The Moon Goddess was right with this one. From what I knew of Holden and Cali I knew they were both amazing people, but still, she’s made mistakes. I threw up a silent prayer to her that this wasn’t one of them, it was more of me pleading with her than anything else.
“Okay then,” Cali crossed her arms and chewed her lip, thinking, “Let’s try it.”
“Yes!” Holden shouted, “First things first, let me show you why you’ll never be satisfied with another man again,”
Cali let out a sigh and brushed off the sweater she changed into at home.
“We will have words,” She looked back at me with a serious expression.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.