Chapter Four
Jayden
My sister sure could take me to some unusual places.
Jasmine had declared it her goal to expand my horizons, which usually involved shopping.
Today’s adventure involved a small shop in town I’d never even noticed before.
Off the main street, it was nestled between a coffeehouse and a used book store, both of which I’d also missed and planned to visit soon.
For a little town, we had some great resources, if you left the main drag to find them.
My twin loved that sort of exploration, and sometimes I was delighted that she chose to share them with me.
But on this particular day, she walked me right past the bookstore with its front window filled with fascinating old and new volumes and stopped short of the coffeehouse with its enticing scent of dark roast and cinnamon roll and turned into a shop called Metaphysical Dreams.
I grabbed her arm. “Jasmine, are you serious?”
She stared at my hand until I let go then gave me a sweet smile. “Come on. It will be fun. It will—”
“Expand my horizons. I know.” But I opened the door and held it for her.
Her enjoyment of our outings was the best part for me.
We’d been to the library—which was fun—a couple of restaurants with cuisines neither of us had tried, and even a boutique where I sat in a chair while the sales clerk carried armloads of garments into the dressing room for Jasmine to try on.
Compared to that one, this might be more interesting.
The second the door was open, the scents of floral and herbal incenses and candles tickled my nose. I sneezed, and Jasmine rolled her eyes as she sashayed past me. “Don’t be a wuss. It’s not that bad.”
“No, it’s worse,” I grumbled under my breath, but to my relief, it was actually less strong inside, must have just been the opening door that concentrated the smell. After a couple of minutes, I had to admit it was rather pleasant.
In fact, more than pleasant. The overlying patchouli faded behind something more like rose and lavender with a hint of spice.
Like cinnamon. But muted. My wolf awoke and rumbled inside me.
There was one female working there, and when our eyes met, she offered me a friendly smile.
She had long lavender hair, rosy lips, and violet eyes.
I looked more than once, confirming the color.
I’d heard of some actress in the last century known for that hue but never expected to encounter it myself.
Then the moment passed, as the female turned her smile on my sister.
Jasmine and the clerk greeted one another and went into the ritual of female shopping.
Apparently we were there for opals. I hung back, enjoying Jasmine’s excitement, planning to buy whatever she selected.
Jasmine had her own money, and she always protested, but treating her to something special was one of my favorite things.
I drew closer to the pair as they discussed the opals.
My sister’s eyes sparkled brighter than the gemstones.
But the clerk glanced down at my hand then looked away, frowning.
She’d been so cheerful before—my sister’s enthusiasm tended to have that effect on people.
But now, while she was still perfectly nice to Jasmine, she avoided looking at me.
Instead focusing on her as she added some incense to the counter and reached for her wallet.
“I’ll get that, Sis.” Nudging her aside, I reached in my pocket.
“Oh no, it’s not fair to ask.”
We went back and forth a few times before she gave in as always, and I paid for the items. The female wished us a good evening but made it sound like it was just for Jasmine.
My wolf snarled when we went out the door, wanting to go back in, but there was no good reason for that.
I’d planned to visit the bookstore and coffeehouse, but after the unsettling encounter with the female, I just wanted to go home.
Jasmine didn’t object, so I dropped her off at her home and returned to mine. Settling in front of the living room television with a bag of kettle chips, I stared at the blank screen until both of my pack members came in and stopped in front of me.
“You doing okay?” Carter asked.
“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you are watching TV and it’s not even on. Also, you haven’t opened that bag of chips. If you were okay, you’d have devoured them.” Elias sat down beside me. “Therefore, you are not all right.”
I shrugged. “It’s nothing. Just…kind of a weird thing.
I went shopping with my twin this afternoon to a little shop she wanted to visit.
” Launching into the tale of my afternoon, I described the odd way the female had gone cold on me.
“She was so friendly, and she stayed friendly with Jasmine. But went cold on me. She was gorgeous and smelled so good. But apparently I offended her in some way.”
“You said it happened after she looked down at your hand?” Carter asked.
“Yes. So?”
“So, she was probably looking for a wedding or mating band, and even if she didn’t see it, you and Jasmine are so close, maybe she misinterpreted the situation?”
My jaw dropped. “But why…oh, man I paid for her stuff too. I don’t know what to do. But maybe if I go back, I can clear it up.”
“You seem very determined,” Elias put in. “Do you think she’s…”
“The one?” I closed my eyes and pictured her standing there before she got mad or whatever. “I was drawn to her. But she shut down so fast.”
“Then do it. Go back and tell her the truth.” Carter smiled. “And good luck.”