Fates Entwined

19

"This is Stella, of the Ophiuchus pack," he said.

"I'm Ana," she said, giving me an unexpected hug. "It is so nice to meet you. Jordan has never brought a woman here before, you know."

"Oh, um..." I fumbled, unsure how to respond.

"Come sit down. I have the best table ready for you." She led us to a red booth with a window that overlooked the park, where we could watch people jogging along the trail or kids playing on the playground as the sun set behind them.

Ana handed us the menus, took our drink orders, and left us to decide what we wanted to eat. I tried to focus on the menu, but I kept looking out at the town instead.

"This town is different than I expected," I eventually said.

"You mean, we're not as horrible as you thought we'd be?" Jordan said as he closed his menu.

"Something like that." I considered my words carefully. "The last time I was around your pack was when they were in hiding with the Scorpios and you had to fight to become alpha. Back then there was a heavy scent of fear and anger around the Leos, but I don't sense any of that now. Everyone has been very kind, and for the most part, people seem happy too."

“I’ve put a lot of effort in the last few months to make changes in my pack. My father and his beta ruled the Leos with an iron fist, and then we were under the control of the Sun Witches, but now we're free." His eyes shone with determination as he spoke. "I want us to be a different pack than we were before. A better one, embracing the best qualities of Leo instead of the worst. A pack that people respect instead of fear."

“That’s surprisingly mature of you,” I said.

“I am occasionally capable of that, believe it or not.” He glanced at the park outside. "One thing I've focused on is giving everyone a sense of stability while making sure the town is secure and my people feel safe. But these recent kidnappings threaten to destroy all that."

Damn him, he was making me feel sympathetic again. And despite my better judgment, I wanted to help him. "Tomorrow we'll keep looking for clues. Do you know of any nearby caves that might match the one I saw?"

"Possibly. I'll get us a map of all the local caves so we can start narrowing them down."

When Ana came back with our margaritas and asked us what we wanted to order, I flipped through my menu again but felt completely overwhelmed by all the choices. “What do you recommend?” I asked Jordan. "I don't get much authentic Mexican food where I live, and I have no idea what to order."

He grinned at me. "In that case, you should get the combo number three. Beef taco, cheese enchilada, and chile relleno. That way you get a taste of all the best things here."

"Okay, I'll have that." I raised my eyebrows. “I shouldn’t trust you, but I will. Just this once.”

Jordan laughed and it sent a rush of warmth through me. He ordered his food while I took a sip of my margarita to hide how flustered it made me.

We discussed a few more ideas for finding Roxandra, and before I knew it, the food had arrived. By then I was ravenous, thanks to using so much magic today. I took a bite of everything on my plate, letting the rich flavors melt into my mouth, and groaned. “I hate to admit it, but you were right. This is delicious."

Jordan put a hand over his heart. “Wow, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me."

I couldn't help but grin. "Don't get used to it."

"I wouldn't dare, but I do want a recording of you saying I was right. Can you say it again into my phone?"

"No way. And don't bother telling anyone what I said because no one will believe it."

"True." He leaned forward, flashing me some of that trademark Jordan smolder. "I'll just have to get you to say it again somehow."

I pointed at him with my fork. "That is not going to happen."

He sat back with a cocky smirk. "Challenge accepted."

I rolled my eyes and went back to eating, certain I would never utter those words again.

"Tell me about yourself," Jordan said after a few minutes. "I know you're a kindergarten teacher, and Kaden says you're the best tracker in his pack, but I'd like to know more."

I took another sip of my margarita. "This isn't a date, Jordan."

"I know that." He looked like he wanted to say more, but then shook his head and looked away. "Never mind."

That vulnerability that I sometimes glimpsed in his eyes was back, and it made my chest ache. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything," he said, meeting my gaze with an intensity that took my breath away.

Luckily Ana saved me in that moment by asking if we wanted dessert, and Jordan ordered us some churros.

"Ayla mentioned that you like to read," he said. "She says you have a book club with Larkin where you all read romance novels. Is that your favorite genre?"

I threw my napkin on the table, ready to throw down with him next. "Go ahead. Make fun of me for liking them."

He held up his hands. "Whoa, I'm not making fun of you. I think you should read whatever you want. I just want to know what you like about them."

"They're the perfect escape, and they always have a happy ending so they're comforting to read. After the last few years, I really needed that." I tilted my head and smirked at him. "And everyone knows the men in romance novels are so much better than men in real life."

"Ouch. I guess I'll need to read some of your favorite books so I can take notes."

My breath caught at that, and I had to quickly come up with a snarky comment so he wouldn't see how much his comment affected me. "You, read a book?"

"Why does that surprise you?" He played with the straw of his margarita, almost like he was nervous. "I like to read too, actually."