Page 205 of His Hungry Wolf

“We went to school together. He was a year under me but he was in a couple of my classes. We did play on the team together, though.”

“Football team?” I asked.

“It’s the only team this town has,” Titus said self-deprecatingly. “We can only afford one extracurricular activity here. So, I hope no one’s interested in women’s basketball.”

“Oh, that sucks!” I said feeling for the girls.

We finished dinner and chatted a little longer before we eventually settled the bill. Even though Titus had offered to pay, Quin insisted. Titus fought him on it until I stepped in.

“Just let him. Trust me.”

Titus was hesitant but conceded. I couldn’t tell what Titus was thinking, but it was obvious that he was used to being the big man. Perhaps I should have told Quin to let him do it, but the truth was that it felt unfair considering what I knew about Quin’s family’s wealth. Besides, it was something Quin wanted. I had a hard time not giving my boyfriend what he wants.

“So, what is this thing that Nero’s doing?” I asked as we walked to the trucks.

“It would be better if you just saw it,” Titus explained.

“Okaaaay,” I said looking over at Quin who was holding my hand.

Quin didn’t say anything about it until we were alone in the truck following Titus on narrow roads leading through the woods.

“Yeah, this is definitely not a book club,” he said watching the trees as they went past the window. “Do you think this is a good idea?”

“Do you think we should go back? I can still turn the truck around.”

“Do you?” Quin asked me. “We’re only going because we want to talk to Nero. We could easily come back next weekend or the one after that. You heard Titus, Nero works the weekend rushes, and… Woah!” Quin froze overwhelmed by something.

“What’s the matter?” I said panicked.

“It’s back! I can smell again. At least, my wolf can.”

“Are we outside of the protective spell?”

“We must be. Wow! Having it come back all at once is… a lot.”

“Are you okay?” I asked concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Do you think it’s a coincidence that Nero’s holding his book club outside of the barrier?”

“It’s definitely not.”

Quin cracked open his window and stuck out his nose.

“There are other things out here.”

“Other things like what?” I asked scanning for somewhere I could turn the truck around if I needed to.

“I don’t know. But they aren’t human.”

“Do we say, “Screw this?””

“No keep going. I think we’ll be okay,” he said with a puzzled look on his face.

“Quin, if anything happens, I’ll keep you safe. I promise you. Okay?”

Quin looked at me. “Okay.”