Between Witches and Wolves

Chapter 14: Finally, Some Good News

Ellie

The girl from the diner the other day, Emily, is helping me get dressed.

After Tony drugged me and almost r***d me, Nate brought me here. Emily helped me bathe, gently running warm water over my skin and lathering my body with this fantastic-smelling soap.

She didn’t try to ask me questions since it was still difficult for me to talk. Instead, she told me to blink twice for yes and once for no, then asked permission before touching any of my more private areas.

Honestly, I’m so thankful for the bath.

I felt absolutely disgusting.

I still feel a little dirty, if I’m being honest. Tony only touched me briefly, but I swear I can still feel his hands gripping my thighs.

I keep trying to shake off the feeling.

Once Emily decides I’m clean, she lets the water drain and gently dries my skin. She finds a huge, fluffy robe and ties it around me the best she can.

A few minutes later, I hear the bedroom door open.

“Dude, wear a shirt,” I hear Emily say.

He was shirtless? Did he shower too?

I try not to think too hard about it.

Then he walks in.

The first thing I notice is his smell.

It’s even stronger than before.

He lifts me effortlessly, and I can’t help but slowly breathe him in.

The forest after a fresh rain on a crisp morning.

It’s almost intoxicating.

That’s when I notice something else.

I can feel my wolf again.

There you are! I was starting to get really worried about you.

I can practically feel her wagging her tail.

Nate sets me on the bed before pausing near the door. He and Emily look at each other for a moment, almost like they’re having some kind of silent conversation.

Then he leaves.

The moment the door closes, a strange sense of loneliness settles over me.

Why do I feel that way?

He’s practically a stranger.

I try to shake that feeling off too.

Emily opens one of the dresser drawers and pulls out a light brown T-shirt and a pair of men’s lounge shorts.

“Sorry, but I totally forgot to bring clothes, so these will have to do.”

She smiles awkwardly.

But I thought I saw clothes in that wagon she brought?

Maybe it was something else.

Emily helps me into the T-shirt, which is way too big, and then the shorts. Thankfully, they tie at the waist, or they would fall right off me.

The clothes smell like him.

Of course they do. They’re his.

But his scent comforts me.

Apparently, my wolf agrees because I can feel her practically basking in it.

So, you like this smell too, huh?

I’m exhausted. The drugs are finally wearing off, but they’ve left my entire body drained.

“E-Emily... th-thank y-you.”

At least talking is getting easier.

“No problem, Ellie! We look after our own around here.”

Wait.

What?!

Do they know I’m part wolf?

The confusion must be written all over my face because Emily immediately laughs.

“Congratulations! You got the job at the diner. You are officially one of my people.”

Her smile is so big it’s almost unnatural.

“W-what about the i-interview?”

I could’ve sworn she said something about an interview before.

“Well, the boss said it’s fine, so you’re hired!”

My eyes widen.

She must be the boss!

Emotion hits me all at once, and before I can stop myself, tears fill my eyes.

I never have to go back to that damn club.

I never have to see Tony’s sorry-ass face again.

If my body would cooperate, I’d probably dance around the room right now.

“T-thank you!”

Whether she really liked me or simply feels sorry for me, I don’t care.

I have a job.

“Now, get some rest. Nate is planning dinner for tonight, so we’ll wake you when it’s ready.”

Emily pulls the blankets over me before leaving the room.

The sheets smell strongly of Nate.

And I can’t lie.

Curled up in that ridiculously comfortable bed, surrounded by his scent, I fall asleep faster than I ever have before.

I wake about two hours later to Emily gently nudging me.

“Food’s ready. You hungry?”

My stomach answers for me with a loud growl.

She laughs.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Emily helps me sit up.

“How are you feeling? Think you can walk yet?”

“Much better, actually. I-I think I can walk.”

My stutter is almost completely gone.

Finally.

I feel much stronger than before, although my entire body aches like I just finished a full-body workout.

Emily helps me to my feet and keeps hold of my arm as we slowly make our way toward the kitchen.

The moment we leave the bedroom, the smell of meat, vegetables, and warm spices washes over me.

My stomach growls again.

Loudly.

But then I notice the cabin.

It’s gorgeous.

The interior is small but incredibly cozy. An open-concept kitchen overlooks the living room, with a white-and-gray marble island doubling as a bar. Dark gray cabinets line the walls, accented with gold fixtures.

A deep forest-green couch faces a black brick fireplace with a huge television mounted nearby. Soft brown wood floors stretch throughout the room, while pale wooden planks cover the ceiling, giving the entire space a warm, rustic feel.

I’m so distracted by the cabin that I almost miss Nate standing in the kitchen.

Wearing an apron.

“Hey! Look at you, up and walking around.” His face brightens when he sees me. “I hope you’re hungry. We have braised lamb and beef stew with carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and mushrooms.”

As he explains the meal, he fills a white bowl with stew and sets it in front of me.

Then he reaches into the oven.

“We also have homemade cornbread, and I baked chocolate chip cookies.”

He smiles and places a slice of cornbread beside my bowl.

“Thank you.”

No stutter.

Thank God.

“No problem. Just enjoy it and let me know where I need to improve.”

He grabs a pitcher from the refrigerator.

“Sweet tea with lemon.”

He slides a glass toward me before preparing servings for Emily and himself.

The stew smells incredible.

I lift a spoonful to my mouth, gently blow on it, and take a bite.

Oh my God.

The meat is unbelievably tender for only having cooked a few hours. The vegetables blend perfectly with the rich flavor of the broth, and the herbs and spices give everything a warm, aromatic kick.

I tear off a piece of cornbread and dip it into the broth.

Even better.

“Mmm. This is really good.” I look up at him. “You made all of this yourself?”

I’ll admit, I’m surprised.

“Indeed.” He looks entirely too pleased with himself. “Most of the vegetables, herbs, and spices came from the garden out back. The meat came from a ranch about an hour from here.”

He eats from the other side of the island, but I notice him glancing at me every few seconds.

He’s probably still worried about the drugs.

“Well, it’s some of the best food I’ve had in a while.”

Besides the food at the diner where I’ll apparently be working now, but I don’t mention that.

“Where exactly are we?” I ask.

I didn’t exactly pay attention on the drive here.

“This cabin is pretty deep into the mountainside, but if you drive about ten minutes to the main road, the diner between towns is right around the corner.”

My eyebrows lift.

I didn’t realize we were that close.

“Oh. I guess I can catch a bus from there to get home, then.”

As much as I like the cabin, I need to get home and start preparing for my new job.

I’ll probably need to buy a bus pass—

Wait.

My check.

I look at Nate frantically.

“Did you happen to see an envelope with my name on it in that office? It was my last check from that asshole, and I really needed that money.”

I don’t even try to hide the panic in my voice.

Nate’s expression changes.

“I did. And... well, there was nothing in it.”

My stomach drops.

“What do you mean, nothing?”

Tony was never going to pay me?

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Nate must see the panic spreading across my face because he quickly adds, “Don’t worry about it. Just tell me what you need. I’ll handle it.”

He gives me a small, crooked smile.

“I couldn’t possibly ask you for anything else. You’ve both already done so much for me.”

It’s an incredibly kind offer, but I don’t want handouts.

I’ve always worked for what I have.

That’s how I prefer it.

“Nonsense. If you need something, I can supply it.”

He grows quiet for a moment.

Then his expression turns serious.

“How would you like to live here?”

WHAT?!

“Oh, no. I could never impose like that! This is your home, and I have an apartment.”

“You call that shithole an apartment?” He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, this is my cabin, but I don’t currently live here. So, for the time being, it would just be yours.”

Wait.

How does he know where I live?

“You know where I live?” I ask cautiously.

“I made sure you got home safe the first night we met.”

Oh.

Okay.

That makes sense.

He followed me home.

“Oh... but I still don’t think I could live here.”

Even though it would be so much better than my apartment.

And so much closer to the diner.

“What if I ask nicely?”

A slight smile tugs at his mouth.

“Would you please live here instead of that hole in town? I hear you’ll be working at the diner down the road. It would be much closer if you lived here. And there’s an extra car in the garage you’d be more than welcome to use.”

He sets down his bowl and walks around the island toward me, his gaze never leaving mine.

When he reaches me, he slowly raises his hand toward my face.

“May I?”

I nod.

His fingers gently brush my hair aside before his thumb strokes my cheek.

My wolf immediately goes quiet.

Not gone.

Just... content.

“Please,” he says softly. “Just stay here.”

His voice is low and gentle, and for some reason, I can’t seem to look away from those blue-gray eyes.

Every logical part of my brain tells me this is insane.

I barely know him.

I should say no.

I should go home.

Instead, I open my mouth, and only one word comes out.

“Okay.”