Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
T oday was the day Piper would officially step into Talon’s world. It was the Halloween party, and she was nervous, but not out of fear. She was anxious about making a good impression. Piper had spent her life being ridiculed and called strange by her own town, so the thought of entering a world she didn’t fully understand filled her with uncertainty. She didn’t want to embarrass Talon or, worse, make things harder for him by not fitting in.
They hadn’t really talked about what had happened when Talon had gone into town to confront Mayor Johnson. She knew that he was arrested and facing a court date. Talon did, however, inform her that Chuck and his buddy would never be a problem again. She let it go and gave him her full trust. All that mattered to her was that her home and land were safe.
The past week had been a whirlwind, with both of them working to turn her home into their home. Talon had moved in completely, his presence filling the space with a warmth she hadn’t known was missing. Piper couldn’t have been happier. Every room now held signs of him. His clothes mingled with hers, and his scent was woven into the fabric of the place she’d always thought of as hers alone.
Bruce, the ever-watchful talking cat, made frequent visits, though it seemed his genuine interest was in Pecker. The two had struck up an odd friendship that Piper still couldn’t quite wrap her head around. She had caught them more than once lounging together in the yard. Pecker strutting around like a guard dog while Bruce sprawled in the sun, watching with lazy approval. Piper tolerated the damn cat because she knew without Bruce, she never would have met Talon. For that, she owed Bruce so much, not that she would ever tell the damn cat that.
As they walked through the woods, she could feel Talon’s world was calling to her, and she was ready to answer. She just hoped she could live up to the expectations she had set for herself and that Talon’s people would see her for who she truly was.
“This is the veil that separates my world from yours,” Talon said, his voice low.
Piper stood beside him, staring at the faint, shimmering force before them. It was a wavy, translucent barrier that rippled slightly, almost blending into the surroundings. She had to really focus to see it. An energy she had felt a thousand times before while romping around this area overwhelmed her.
“I’ve been near this so many times,” Piper murmured, eyes wide with awe. “I’ve never seen it, but I’ve felt the energy.”
“It’s not meant to be seen by humans unless you know it’s there like you are witnessing now. The hum you feel throughout your body now is always present.” He explained, watching her closely. “You’ve felt this before?”
“Yes,” Piper nodded, still mesmerized by the almost invisible force. “What exactly is it?”
“A boundary,” Talon explained, his gaze fixed on Piper. “It’s a force that keeps my world hidden from your world. It allows us to exist side by side without fully knowing the other is there. It’s part magic, energy, and nature woven into the land, protecting both sides.”
“Amazing,” She lifted her hand but stopped before touching it. “So, crossing this, I’ll be stepping into your world?”
“Yes,” he said, then took her hand. “Are you ready?”
Piper hesitated to answer as she stared at the veil.
“Piper, we don’t have to go.” Talon turned her to face him, lifting her chin so he could see her eyes. “I would never force you to do anything.”
“I want to go,” She replied, trying not to let the tears at the back of her eyes escape. “I just don’t want to let you down or embarrass you in any way. I don’t have a good track record with my own town. I don’t?—”
“Stop!” he put his thumb against her lips. “Never think I would be embarrassed by you. Piper, you are my world. I love you, and if people cannot see what I see, they are fools. Everyone is going to love you. Trust me.” He smiled at those words.
“I do trust you, so stop asking me to trust you like I don’t trust you.” Piper sighed then her eyes narrowed. “Do you think I don’t trust you? Do I act like I don’t trust you? I haven’t even asked what you did to Chuck. What did you do to Chuck?”
Talon chuckled. “There’s my girl.” He kissed her, then took her hand again and led her through the veil.
Her body tingled briefly as she stepped through to the other side. She frowned, looking around. “Wait a minute.” She looked behind them and then forward again. “It looks the same, " she said, sounding disappointed.
He didn’t say anything as they walked up over a hill. At the top, she gasped. Looking down, she saw the people everywhere dressed in costumes. It looked like Halloween threw up with all the decorations.
“Okay, my mistake,” Piper whispered as her eyes tried to take in everything.
“Come on,” Talon laughed as they made their way through the crowd.
“Talon.” A man walked up, looking at Piper and then at Talon. “You going to introduce me to your friend.”
“Roger, this is Piper,” Talon introduced, and Piper could tell Talon was watching her closely.
“It’s nice to meet you, Roger,” Piper said, shaking his hand.
“You as well, Piper. What an unusual name.” Roger said, then wiggled his nose like a rabbit. “If you require a therapist, let Talon know. I have fair prices, and I’m the best there is.”
“Oh, ah, okay.” Piper smiled and watched as he walked away. Glancing at Talon, who was grinning from ear to ear, she frowned. “Why does he remind me of a rabbit?”
“Because he’s a rabbit Shifter who is the town’s sex therapist,” Talon said, then laughed at her expression. “Who also has a porn addiction.”
“Well, it’s about damn time,” A beautiful redhead walked up with Mac. “I’m Zelda, and no one comes to my Halloween parties out of costume. Except for these alpha males. They refuse to wear a costume.” She shot Mac and Talon a glare. Lifting her finger, she twirled it as colorful waves came from the tip. “Now that’s much better.”
Piper frowned, then looked down at herself and gasped. She was now dressed in a black form-fitting dress that came to her thighs, with a daring neckline. It was trimmed in a deep purple and was absolutely gorgeous. “Ah, thank you,” Piper said, then laughed. “Do you do whole wardrobes by chance?”
Zelda laughed and then hugged Piper before hugging Talon. “I like her,” Zelda said, then gave him a warning look. “Don’t fuck it up.”
Mac grinned at them as he followed Zelda, who continued greeting guests.
“She’s a witch,” Talon whispered, then grinned when Piper glanced at him sideways.
Flicking her hand toward her new clothes, she snorted. “I figured that out.” She then twirled. “What do you think?”
“I love the dress. Fair warning: I plan to make love to you with it on when I get you home because you look sexy as hell, but the red/pink hair, I’m not digging. I like my blonde Piper.” He winked at her and chuckled at her blush.
“Wait a minute.” She reached up, pulled a strand of hair before her face, and gasped. It was most certainly red, but then sighed, realizing it was a wig. “Okay, we’re good—just a wig. I’m not taking it off here, though. I don’t want to upset Zelda.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t advise that,” Talon said, giving her a serious look. “She might make that wart on your nose permanent.”
“What!” Piper’s hand shot up to her nose, then smacked Talon on the arm. “There isn’t a wart.”
“I finally get to meet the girl that stole Talon’s heart.” A woman’s voice sounded behind them. Piper turned, and the woman’s eyes lit with recognition. “I know you. I’ve waved to you before while you’ve walked or rode your bike past my tattoo shop. It’s finally good to meet you, Piper. I’m Wicked.”
Piper smiled at the beautiful woman, Wicked. “It’s nice to meet you also,” Piper said, then laughed. “I think your cat, Bruce, has a new best friend with my turkey, Pecker.”
“And why am I not surprised.” Wicked rolled her eyes. “And nice name for your turkey. I see you’ve met Zelda.” Wicked motioned to her outfit.
“Yes,” Piper said, glancing down at herself. “I showed up without a costume, which I wasn’t warned about.” She glared up at Talon, who just grinned and shrugged.
“Well, it looks amazing.” Wicked gave her an approving nod. “And she also did amazing with the wig. Even though I hate dressing up, I allow her to dress me once a year. It makes her happy, and everyone is happy if Zelda is happy.”
“I hate the wig,” Talon grumbled, then looked down her body again with a grin. “But I agree with Wicked. Zelda sure knows how to dress women.”
“Pig.” Wicked said, but with a smile. “Okay, I’m off to find my husband. You two have fun. And Talon bring her to the house for dinner one night so we can have girl talk.”
“Don’t do it,” Bruce said as he approached them when Wicked walked away. “Her cooking tastes like feet.”
“That’s not very nice.” Piper frowned at Bruce.
“But it’s very true.” Bruce snorted. “Ask Talon.”
“It really does,” Talon admitted, agreeing with Bruce for once.
Bruce and Talon shared a knowing look, and then Bruce turned his attention toward her. “Listen, Piper. About this book you’re writing. I’m an expert when it comes to all things paranormal. Plus, I don’t recall ever hearing about a book that features a sexy, badass cat who has a harem of females he protects against evil forces. My services come very cheap, especially if you add me as a co-author.”
“Oh, well, that’s very kind of you, Bruce.” Piper tried not to laugh outright. “But I think I’m going to shelf the book idea for a while. Pun intended.”
“Ah, man. This could be epic. We could be the dream team.” Bruce whined, looking disappointed, bless his cat heart. “Why did you change your mind?”
“Because I’m living it, which is so much better than writing it.” She smiled as Talon tugged her away from Bruce.
“Well, maybe I’ll write my own paranormal romance.” Bruce’s mumbling followed them. “I’ll name it, Bewitched by Bruce: Nine Lives and One Wild Night. Hell yeah! Where’s Fat Bastard? That asshole needs to learn how to type.”
“You know I would support you if you wanted to write a book.” Talon stopped her away from Bruce to look down at her. “I trust you not to expose us.”
“That means a lot to me, Talon.” Piper rose up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “But I meant what I said. I’m living the dream, which is you, I don’t need to write about it. I want to enjoy life with my real-life wolf Shifter.”
“Come on, let’s make our rounds so I can get you home, get you into bed, and show you how real I am.” He whispered as he led her toward the food. Piper chuckled, but her body tingled in anticipation.
The rest of the night was spent meeting new people, with Talon whispering if they were Shifters and what kind. They went through the haunted woods, which actually scared the crap out of Piper. Zelda sure knew what she was doing with all the terrifying Halloween scares. She guessed being a witch didn’t hurt. She had so many questions but held them back. Tonight, she just soaked everything in and enjoyed being with Talon.
Now the night was over, and they were walking through the veil to go back home. They walked a short distance before Talon stopped.
“Do you know where we are?” He turned her to face him.
Piper glanced around and then looked up at him. “The woods.” She laughed when he frowned at her.
“No, smartass.” He growled, then kissed her with a grin. “We are where my life began.”
Piper pulled her eyes away from his, let her gaze scan again, and landed on one spot. She smiled and then looked back up at him. “That’s where I gracefully flew over the handlebars.”
“It is,” He smiled, holding her close. “That day, my life changed forever. I love you, Piper.”
He let her go and knelt before she could express her love to him. Holding out his hand, he slowly opened it. “Will you marry me?”
Piper’s hands flew to her mouth as she stared at the ring in his hand, then lunged toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Yes, I love you, and yes, I will marry you.”
Piper cried into his neck, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. Her eyes rose toward the sky. “I found a good one like you always said I would, Pops.”
“Get a room,” Bruce grumbled as he heard kissing noises from the couple. Kissing was disgusting. Bruce sighed, then rolled his eyes as he continued to lick his balls. Standing, he headed toward Piper and Talon’s house. “Guess I need to go inform Pecker he’s got a new daddy.”