19. Amethyst
Nineteen
Amethyst
“ I would’ve been on my way to get you shortly,” Skyler whispers through the silence. “Not that I’m complaining that I get to lay eyes on you sooner,” he finishes with that smooth confidence. “Is everything okay?” Concern bleeds through his words.
How can I possibly answer that? On one hand, yes, I am physically safe. Yet, on the other... nothing is okay. My entire life, entire existence, has been a lie. I had grown to resent the paranormal, and now I am paranormal. I always was.
Very much so — a mixed breed. Something that I questioned the existence of just weeks prior.
What am I supposed to do with this new information? I can’t ignore it considering I’m fucking floating out of my window at night and prancing around the forest.
Skyler pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. His touch featherlight as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, concern painted in his eyes. “Amethyst?” Desperation laces his tone.
Clearing my throat, I grasp the last shred of my sanity, finally answering him, “I am... I’ve been better.” A humorless chuckle escapes me. The green shades of Skyler’s eyes glow brighter. “Amethyst, did someone hurt you?” The question is accompanied by a deep growl.
“Oh!” I shake my head, “No, not physically, no. I didn’t mean...” My train of thought derails. Skyler, this beautiful, perfect man, is worried about my well-being. The warm feeling that has become quite familiar settles into my chest.
My mind dances back to his lips. How close they were to mine. The soft glow of the moon and the dashboard illuminating the angles of his face. Fuck, Amethyst. Get it together; you’re being awkward.
With a deep breath, I boldly ask, “Can we go somewhere?” My eyes bulge, not quite sure where I found the confidence to say that, I add, “Unless... I mean. I don’t want you to get in trouble. Skyler, I don’t want to be the reason you lose your job.”
His hand cups my cheek, thumb brushing across the warmth of my blush.
“Sunlight, every day I debate leaving this hellhole. If caring about you makes me lose this job, I wouldn’t so much as bat an eye.
” He smirks, puffing out his chest, “I’m sure I could find another fairly quick, what with my bad jokes, nicotine addiction, and lush lashes. ”
Rapidly blinking for demonstration, he chuckles, and I find myself mimicking the noise. “Seriously, what mascara do you use?” I giggle, lifting a hand to cover my mouth. “Shifter special,” he winks.
Rolling my eyes, I open my mouth for a quip. But before I can get the words out, his phone rings. With a sigh of pure misery, Skyler moves to check his phone. No sooner does he glance down, do his eyes travel back up, staring blankly, lips turned down.
Skyler looked as if he’d rather jump headfirst into a den of cottonmouths than answer that phone. “ What could you possibly want?” He bites out. I don’t know who’s on the other end of that call, but I wouldn’t want to be them.
Suddenly, he glances my way, his expression completely changing. His shoulders relax and a smile spreads across his face. He looks as if a prayer has been answered. “We’ll be there.” He says matter-of-factly, ending the call.
“Care to accompany me completely within policy?” His grin is contagious as I cock my head. “ Maeve,” he spits her name out like its soured milk, “has requested I go to Vrynthis tonight and close the store. Then open tomorrow. Apparently, the whole crew walked out.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “I’m envious, honestly. The best part is that she asked me to bring an associate. If you’d have me, I’d love to do this with you.”
Traveling for work with Skyler? Holy shit, can I do this? Vrynthis is two hours away. Two hours in which my professionalism will quickly dwindle away. Aside from potentially — okay, definitely fraternizing with him, am I prepared enough for this?
Skyler’s gaze softens, “Amethyst, I can promise you with absolute certainty; no one will harm you. My body could be six feet under, but my spirit would still walk this Earth to protect you.”
My breath hitches, and I swear I can feel the broken pieces of my heart stitching back together.
It’s then I realize. Skyler thinks my hesitancy is because of Enzo.
When the reality is, somewhere along the way, I’ve become comfortable enough in Skyler’s presence that the thought of Enzo finding me in Vrynthis never even crossed my mind.
This time it’s me closing the distance. I place a hand on Skyler’s arm. “I would love to, Skyler. My hesitancy wasn’t out of fear for my safety. Rather if I was good enough at the job to work at another store.”
I smile up at him, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “Because of you, thoughts of that, never crossed my mind. With you, I feel safe.” I could drown in the hazel depths of his eyes. That longing gaze setting my body on fire.
Skyler wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. The beat of his heart relaxes me, and I find myself breathing in sync with him.
“I just —”
Skyler speaks simultaneously. “There’s something —”
I pull back with a giggle. “Sorry, go ahead,” I tell him.
Shaking his head, he insists, “You first.” With a crooked grin, I continue, “I just need to drop off my mom’s spare car.
” The fingernail of my thumb finds its way between my teeth.
“I... sort of took off in it after she told me some major secrets.”
Skyler raises an eyebrow, but I don’t elaborate. Not here or now. We’ll have plenty of time on our way to Vrynthis for me to cover all the bases.
Hey, Skyler. Remember how I kind of freaked when you told me you were a wolf?
Turns out I’m also a fucking wolf.
Do we go howl at the moon together now?
My own eyebrow raises as my thoughts spiral.
This is all starting to seem like some weird twist of fate.
What exactly are the odds of befriending and falling for your wolf shifter boss, only to find out that you are also a wolf shifter and could really use the guidance of this very handsome and more wolf-y... wolf.
Sounds like the start of a cheesy Howlmark movie except it’s my real life. Shit, now I’m wondering if all those movies are based on true stories. Oh, Creators. Skyler is still staring at me with an amused look on his face.
“Penny for your thoughts?” He inquires. Shaking my head, I throw out a hand, waving it back and forth. “Oh no, your penny would be far better spent elsewhere.” Humor drips off my voice, but I’m quite serious. “I’m not sure these deranged thoughts are even worth a penny.”
“Hah!” Skyler exclaims, placing a hand over his heart. “That is where you’re wrong, Sunlight. I’d pay far more than a penny to know what goes on in that gorgeous mind of yours.”
His words settle in my bones, wrapping softly around my heart.
“Tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine,” I quip, blowing Skyler a kiss.
His expression changes from playful to...
hungry in the blink of an eye. His gaze settles on my lips, and suddenly I’m burning up.
Squirming under the attention mixed with the desire to crash my lips into his.
“Let’s get out of the hellhole, shall we, Sunlight? I’m quite tired of sharing you with Burrow’s.” Placing a hand on my lower back, he guides me to the door of his office, slinging his jacket over his shoulder with the other.
Taking the last step down from the office, Wren stares daggers through me just like she did when I first came into the store.
Previously, I’d not the slightest fucking clue what I’d done to make her dislike me.
But as her eyes flit up to Skyler, then roll as they see the hand still splayed across my back, the pieces fall together.
She called Maeve. Suddenly, I’m glaring back at her with my own ire.
I wonder if Skyler knows? “Wren,” his voice breaks the tension hanging between Wren and I, “Maeve has requested I go to Vrynthis for the night. Onyx is back early so there’s plenty of coverage here.
But I am going to try to call in an extra person anyway just to help you out. ”
“Whatever,” she huffs, “we’ll be fine. Have fun...” She rakes her gaze over me, “Working,” s he adds in air quotes. I scoff, her words hitting the mark. I know exactly what she's implying.
“Watch it.” Skyler growls. “My tolerance for you is dangerously close to its end.”
With a huff, she turns toward the register, throwing her long, mahogany braid over her shoulder and scanning a pack of vials with a little too much force. Without another word, Skyler guides me around the counter and out the door.
Mom isn’t home. A part of me is thankful but mostly I’m disappointed. We rarely have disagreements, especially not to this nature. Now I’ll be leaving town without getting to clear the air.
Sighing, I slide the key to her spare car into one of her plant pots. I’ll send her a text later to let her know that I’m alright.
Skyler is leaning against the hood of his car; arms crossed over his chest. The soft curve of his mouth, and the longing in his eyes make me feel like I’m floating as I descend the porch steps. He meets me at the passenger side, pulling the door open.
My cheeks flush, “You really don’t have to, you know.” I murmur, slipping into the seat. He takes my hand in his and raises it to his lips. Pressing a light kiss to the top he searches my eyes. “Amethyst.” A plead. “Let me take care of you.”
Words fail me. With a small nod, I manage an, “Okay.” His smile warms my heart. Gently closing the door, then falling in the seat beside me, he reaches a hand over and rests it on my thigh. “Let’s get you a bag and get this show on the road.”
“Let’s do it!” I agree. “Wait, what about you? Don’t you need a bag?” He glances at me, turning his head over his shoulder as he backs out of the driveway. “Unfortunately, I’m used to traveling. I always keep a bag in the trunk.”
My laughter echoes around us as we pull into my driveway. “It’s always fucking Vrynthis, too. They go through a worker a day there, I swear.” Cracking his door open, he adds, “I must say, I’m curious what Maeve did to piss off the entire staff at once, though.”
Again, he opens the door for me. A blush warms my cheeks as I take his hand. I want this to last a lifetime. Just he and I and these soft moments. I head toward my front door, but he isn’t following. “Please, come inside.” I motion to the house. With a twinkle in his eyes, Skyler accompanies me.
“Beautiful home.” He praises as I throw clothes into a duffle bag. “Thank you! I designed it myself.” The necklace from my dad lays on the dresser and I decide to wear it. Before I clasp it, I stop, noticing Skyler’s raised brow in the mirror.
“You’d be surprised how much money you can make playing a part on the internet.” I shrug, but the words sting. It didn’t start out that way. I never wanted to become someone I wasn’t. The bedroom walls suddenly feel suffocating.
None of this was worth it.
A warm hand on my shoulder halts my thoughts. “Don’t drift away. Stay here in this moment with me.” Skyler’s voice wraps around me as he pulls my hair back, draping it over my left shoulder. He takes the necklace, fastens it, and fixes my hair.
My eyes never leave his in the mirror. All my focus goes toward breathing. Maybe it was all worth it. Maybe everything had to happen exactly as it did to allow me to end up in this moment with Skyler. When he’s this close to me, touching me, I...
I need him.
Turning over my shoulder, I tilt my head up as his comes down to meet me. But just as our lips brush, on a pained breath he rasps, “Amethyst, there’s something I have to tell you.”