Page 30 of The Witch and The Cowboy
Really, Cady? Throw me under the bus, why don’t you?
Cadence gestured for him to move closer, and he leaned down so she could whisper something in his ear. I couldn’t hear it, but the werewolves did and so did Freya. The few who remained on the porch laughed, while Ryder growled.
Is Freya…blushing?
For the first time, I wished I had some supernatural power of my own so I could know what on earth Cadence said.
“I like you, kid,” Kai said to my sister and chuckled. “And Freya! It’s been too long.”
Freya schooled her face into a smile and hugged the Alpha. It was strange to watch such an imposing figure transition into a welcoming teddy bear. He fixed his frightening gaze on me.
Maybe he’s still intimidating.
“And you are?” he asked.
I cleared my throat.
“He’s the reason I wasn’t captured by the dark witches,” Freya interjected.
Kai lifted a bushy eyebrow.
“He can’t speak for himself?” he asked.
“My name’s Walker,” I said. I refused to break his stare. “And I guess I’m a witch hunter.” Kai laughed.
“Interesting company you keep, hunter.” He gestured toward the house. “Come. You must be starved. Let’s discuss the purpose of your visit over a hot meal.” He winked at Freya. “I assume this meeting has a purpose—it’s not like you come for social calls ever since my son screwed things up with you.”
That explained Ryder’s friendliness.
I followed Kai into his cabin, and Cady skipped alongside me. The entryway was grand but simply decorated by a few coffee tables, industrial light fixtures, and a mud-stained oriental rug. The hardwood floors were damaged here and there by claw marks. Two huge staircases led to the upper floors. Beyond them, on the ground floor, were two sets of doors. We quickly walked through one of them and entered a huge dining hall.
Iron chandeliers hung over long, wooden tables with leather-upholstered seats. One table was laden with a huge turkey, various trays of vegetables, and a freshly baked chocolate cake. I was just relieved none of it was raw. My stomach was so empty, though, I wasn’t sure that would’ve been enough to deter me.
I took a seat between Freya and Cadence, nearest to Kai, who sat at the head of the table. Ryder cut into the turkey, and the platters were passed from person to person, just like any family meal.
“Alpha,” Freya said. “Why have you denied our invitations for in-person conversations?”
He chuckled.
“I’ve missed your blunt words, witch,” he said, “but we’ve denied nothing! My messenger met with yours and never returned. I haven’t been eager to send another.”
He stared at us with eyes that gleamed like a predator’s.
“I’ve only been so welcoming because it’s you,” Kai continued, “though I do wonder where your mother is and why she wouldn’t risk coming herself. She knows about my soft spot for you.”
Freya flinched.
“Her mother is dead,” I snapped. “Freya only risked so much and traveled so far to get answers.”
Kai’s jaw dropped in shock.
“Freya,” he said, “I had no idea.”
As she stared at him, her face was a blank page. I regretted my quick response. Hearing someone easily acknowledge your mother’s death was almost worse than having to say it yourself. I busied myself with digging into the turkey, which tasted as great as it smelled.
“It’s true,” she finally said. “I came here because I have nowhere else to turn. Witches keep disappearing and the elders have done nothing. My mother died trying to stop it. I have to step up now that she’s gone.”
I felt like an ass for being pissy over her snappiness. Grief and anger were hell on polite conversation. I knew that better than most.
