Pruitt
The smell of coffee permeated through the bottom level of the cabin. In the kitchen, gave his vampire lover’s shoulder a squeeze. “Want some coffee, Riah?”
“No, thanks, stud. Last thing on my mind.”
“Anyone else?” asked, gesturing to the latest batch as he acknowledged their company in the kitchen, which included Kale, Quinn, Darcy, and the trio of Dark Moon Boys.
“What a conveniently cloudy day,” Uriah remarked, brave enough to peek behind the kitchen curtain. “Makes me think I can finally kick some of you out, you know, given that the Fang Mobile is practically built to avoid sunlight, anyway.”
“I’d like to raid your weapon arsenal back home, so it’s not a bad idea,” remarked Quinn. “Plus, I get the hint, roomie.”
Hope the game doesn’t get canceled because of bad weather, thought to himself.
“Oh, uh, I checked my weather app and it doesn’t look like there’s any storm alerts this evening, so we should be good,” Haven replied aloud without thinking.
Uriah looked from Haven to , his eyebrow raised.
“Maybe we get some werewolves to drive us?” asked Quinn, looking from Magnus to Fen before turning to Haven and Darcy. “ I mean, not you guys . Well, I guess I’m still a little confused about what you are, though, Darcy.”
“Trust me, same,” said Darcy, crossing his arms.
“And I’ll take care of what we discussed, U,” Kale said as he gave Uriah a half-hug. “Jules is gonna help, too.”
“I’ll need to get back to Moonhaven before the game. Otherwise, it might look suspicious,” said Haven as Griff entered the room. studied each of their faces as they made eye contact. “For now, though, I can always just re-park my truck so they can get the van out.”
Haven bumped into Griff as he passed, stopping and sheepishly smiling.
“Hi,” said Griff.
“ Hi ,” replied Haven. could hear the blonde werewolf cursing himself internally for not saying something more substantial. “Um, I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you all for everything,” Griff looked from Kale to Quinn, then to Magnus and Fen. “I truly mean it. We’ll connect soon.”
The group said their goodbyes, Quinn joining the other vampires in sneaking into the van under cover of the clouds. watched from the porch as Fen and Magnus argued over who got to drive while corralling playful Lykos and a chatty Windsling.
“And don’t let the little wolf guy pee in the van, either!” Uriah shouted before closing the van door behind them. took the opportunity to sneak up behind the vampire and wrap his arms around him.
“Trying to scare me, huh?” asked Uriah. “Like you did back at that frat house that smells like an animal shelter?”
“I shouldn’t have come last night,” acknowledged. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ll forgive it, I suppose, because you are looking sexier than ever,” Uriah whispered to as the Fang Mobile disappeared down the driveway.
“Don’t flatter me, vampire scum,” teased.
“Hey, I like that,” said Uriah.
“I know you do,” replied, nibbling gently at his ear. “When Fen and I connected, I was able to see and talk to Theodulf. He was an important part of my life— a past love—but this whole situation is just making me think about what’s important to me now.”
“What’s that, Pru?” Uriah carefully studied the werewolf’s face as he grabbed for his hands. “Oh, and by the way, I’m also technically one of your past lovers.”
felt his face muscles tightening in response to the long smile he was holding. “You were important to me then, and important to me now. I’m so grateful to Griff for reconnecting us. I’m so proud to see you mature, own your shit, and show your true colors. I’m not sure if I’ve ever said this to you before, but it doesn’t make me any less nervous to say it now. I love you, Uriah.”
The vampire let out a sigh as his eyes glistened and became bloodshot. “Leaving Crescent Ridge last night without you was the worst feeling in the world, Pru. I may act like I’m the big tough guy, but I—well, I fall to pieces without you. I love you, too.”
sniffled before pulling the vampire into a warm hug. “Something tells me we’re destined to be together, Riah. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
He felt the vampire’s lips on his and closed his eyes as he enjoyed the soft, cool pressure of Uriah’s tongue teasing his own. “Now, the first thing I actually wanted to say was, ‘Damn bastard beat me to sayin’ love you first, and he’s gonna rub it in for an eternity.’”
“Guess you’re more of a romantic than you even realize,” said before going in for another kiss.
“You bring it out in me. You truly do,” the vampire admitted. “And don’t you dare tell anyone this, but I love that, too.”
“Your secret is safe with me, handsome,” replied.
“Interesting, you mentionin’ how you were nervous and all,” said Uriah. “I-I’ve been wanting to tell Griff how I feel, too. It’s a vulnerable thing, you know, tellin’ someone you love ‘em. You know, I don’t want it to just slip out at the wrong moment and he doesn’t believe me.”
“I don’t think there’s always a right moment, Uriah,” replied . “The right moment is telling someone before it’s too late. Thinking about dying or going away from you two without telling you how I feel about you? That hurts my heart.”
Uriah looked down. “So you’re gonna talk to him before, uh, the big game, then?”
put his hand under Uriah’s chin, lifting his head up so that they were at eye level. “I’d like to. What were you thinking?”
The vampire shrugged, leaning into and resting his head on the werewolf’s chest. “I mean, I’d love to just go in and tell him now, but I think he’s a bit busy.”
“You’ll find the time,” began , “and you’re gonna feel immense relief after you do. I promise.”
The smitten supernaturals made their way back inside as Griff—followed by Darcy—walked past them. They were mid-conversation.
“You ready for the spell, Darce?” Griff asked. Darcy seemed immediately aware of and Uriah’s curious eyes on him.
? What you thinkin’ about Darcy, Riah?? asked.
Uriah leaned against the closest wall, biting his lip as he watched the two witches. ?Big Man D isn’t so bad when he’s not possessed. Guessing he wants to stuff the little witch as badly as we both do about now.?
Griff punched Uriah’s arm. ?I can hear you two, you know.?
“The spell?” began Darcy. “Uh, y-yeah. I am. I hope you guys don’t mind, but we’re going to do a couple of charms for tonight.” He looked at and Uriah, giving them each a polite nod.
“Charm away, you stud,” Uriah said, patting Darcy on the back. “And wrap it up, too. Actually, don’t. Little witch ain’t a fan of that.”
“Hey! And no biting,” shook a playful finger at Darcy.
“There’s an office room upstairs where I put our grimoires, plus a little bag of potions,” Griff said to Darcy, prompting him to turn and head up the steps with a bashful smile.
The witch stood on his tip-toes to give first Uriah and then each a kiss on the lips. “See you guys in a little?”
“Go on, you fit little lad, you,” teased Uriah as he ran his hand through Griff’s hair and messed it up.
“Be safe and have fun, G,” said with a smile, his hand caressing his witch’s face.
Griff disappeared just as Haven reentered.
“Hey,” began Uriah, twiddling his thumbs as he spoke. “I just wanted to, um, say thanks again for looking out for Pru, Haven.”
“No worries,” said Haven. “From what I gathered from Griff, he’s well worth putting my neck on the line for.”
Haven and made eye contact.
“You doin’ okay?” asked .
“Did Luna make you kiss me, or did you kiss me?” Haven suddenly blurted out.
was able to see Uriah’s jaw drop from where he stood. “Um, uh…” he searched for a proper response. “You know how this—I don’t know what you call it—infection makes you go through moments of complete clarity, and then the next thing you know you’re on autopilot?”
Haven nodded.
“Well, I’ll admit I thought you were one of the bad guys.”
“That didn’t quite answer the question now, did it, Aussie?” Uriah prodded, testing out a new nickname.
Haven laughed. “Technically, no.”
“Fine. I did it of my own free will because of what I just said. Didn’t trust you. I apologize,” said with a sigh. “And, yes, Riah. Since I know you’ll ask, he is a good kisser.”
Uriah nodded as his eyes looked Haven up and down. “Oh, I already know he’s pretty much a good everything.”
“Yeah,” began again. “I mean, I just thought that maybe you’re this Wolf with Two Powers guy we’re looking for.”
Haven shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe I am the Wolf with Two Powers.”
“Two powers?” interrupted Uriah. “Well, I recall at least a couple from the night you took control of your hunky host body Pru over here.”
nudged Uriah. “Anyway, that’s why you can hear my thoughts, Haven. And vice versa.”
Haven cracked a while. “Dang, we’re all kinds of connected now, huh?” he joked.
“I guess so,” said .
“And by the way, about the whole parasite control thing, I didn’t mean to do anything without your consent. I hope that’s clear,” said Haven. “I’ll admit I didn’t even know what was going on. Once I figured it out, I stopped jumping in.”
“It was quite hot, actually,” said Uriah. “Pru thinks so, too, doesn’t he?”
After blushing, finally nodded in agreement.