Chapter 5 #2
We entered the little town, and I was amazed to find all the shops packed with tourists.
A huge celebration for the annual All Hallows Eve Festival for the coming weekend was announced by decorations and signs in every window and post we passed.
Clearly, the town loved Halloween, and this was a tradition not to be missed.
“Do you remember this being a huge holiday when you were a kid?” I asked, looking down as LeeLee took in the sights, immediately wishing I could call back the words.
“It’s okay, Slater.” She tried to smile, but I could tell it was forced.
I noticed a bear of a man hurrying toward us, a scowl on his face.
Without thinking, I pulled LeeLee closer, moving us both out of his path.
The scent of shifter hit me as he passed.
His focus didn’t stray in our direction.
He didn’t have the familiar smell of LeeLee, so I dismissed him.
Their coloring was off, and if they’d been pack, he’d have set off some trigger in LeeLee or me.
“Come on, let’s find a place to stay for the weekend festivities. I think we’ll find our answers during the celebration.’
“What about clothes and money? I know as a wolf I didn’t need any of that, but I’m pretty sure in this skin we are going to need it.” She stopped walking, anxiety making her voice husky.
I tapped her nose. “Yee of little faith.” I extracted my wallet, showing her my credit cards and cash.
Her smile lit up her face. “Does this mean I get to go shopping?’
Fuck, my dick got hard thinking of her in a dressing room slipping out of her clothes and me helping her try on new ones. Yeah, I probably shouldn’t entertain that fantasy. Nodding, I slipped my wallet back inside my back pocket. “Yes, ma’am. Would you like to look around first, or get a room?’
She licked her lips, then looked up and down the sidewalk. “Maybe we should get a couple of things first. It might look strange if we check in without any luggage.’
I was constantly surprised by her knowledge of the human world, which I shouldn’t have been.
She’d only been living in her wolf form but had been conscious as a human.
There were so many things I wanted to ask her, but I held my tongue.
When we mated fully, I’d have all my answers.
We’d already begun the process, exchanging one bite.
I wondered if she was aware. Damn, I needed to talk with her.
The last thing I wanted was an unwilling mate.
We walked past a little shop selling handmade jewelry, which seemed to catch LeeLee’s eyes. “Let’s go see what they have.” I held the door open for an older woman as she walked out, then we entered.
The older woman paused next to us, a shawl covering her from head to toe, but I saw a wrinkled hand reach out to touch my mate’s hair.
Instinct drove me to move between the two.
I smiled down at the woman, unable to see her face.
My own smile felt forced while I waited for her to acknowledge me.
She turned on her feet and exited. The bell above the door jingled.
“There are so many gorgeous pieces,” LeeLee whispered.
I wasn’t sure whether I agreed, since my gaze zeroed in on the large picture window and the stooped woman. Her gnarled hands folded in front of her bent body. A shiver went through me, but I dismissed it and her.
A young girl beamed at us from behind the counter.
“Wow, I love your hair. I tried to talk my mama into letting me get mine done all grey, but she said no.” She fingered her dark brown hair, then continued.
“She said I’d have to bleach it all then color it, and if I still had hair at the end, it would probably look fried. Yours looks healthy enough.’
LeeLee looked like someone had poked her with a cattle prod. “My fiancée had hers done up north. It’s really quite a process.” Which was the truth.
“Yeah, I bet,” she sighed. “Can I help you with anything?’
“We are just looking,” I assured her, letting LeeLee move away from the young girl. I kept my body between my mate and the door. My wolf was unsettled, and I didn’t know why. Inhaling hard, the only fresh scents I could detect were mine, LeeLee’s, and the girl behind the counter.
“Oh, look at this,” LeeLee exclaimed, pointing at a pendant with a half-moon and a wolf. “Isn’t it gorgeous?’
I looked at the piece and nodded. “Can we see this?’
The young girl hurried from behind the counter, keys jingling around her wrists.
“Absolutely. That is one of my favorite pieces. We have a local artist who made it.” Once she unlocked the case, I held my hand out, taking the jewelry from her.
Usually, wolves couldn’t wear silver, and I was happy the piece had been made of platinum instead.
I kept the price tag hidden from my mate, unsure how she’d react if she noticed the cost.
Slipping the delicate piece around her neck, I marveled at the perfection.
The colors of the circle surrounding the wolf were stunning, bringing out the blue in her eyes.
“We’ll take it.” I handed my card to the girl.
Her eyes widened at the black credit card, but she nodded and went back to the counter.
I followed behind her, signing on the screen, then strolled back to where LeeLee still stood, staring down at the pendant.
“You ready, love?’
Tears swam in her eyes. “Thank you.’
I tipped her chin up and bent the few inches down, claiming her lips in a soft brush of our mouths. “You’re welcome.’
“It looks like it was made just for you. I mean, wow. The colors of the stones light up,” awe laced the young girl’s voice.
I looked at the piece and noticed it didn’t reflect the lights. We thanked the clerk and then walked out.
“Now, let’s get you and me some touristy clothes and then check into that Inn on the corner.” I tilted my head to the north, an odd sensation tugging at my gut.