Page 49 of Cuffed By the Wolf

I laugh. “It will make him less grumpy.”

He shakes his head as he approaches. “If any of you mess up, it will take more than a good coffee to get back on my good side.”

“I didn’t know he had a good side,” I mutter.

Barb chuckles under her breath.

“Keep it up, Walker, and your planned half-day of work will turn into a full one.”

I want to call him an asshole, but I bite my tongue. My grumpy boss will make me work a full day.

“Enjoy the coffee, Sheriff,” I say.

He gives me a look that says I want to enjoy more than a fucking coffee.

Shit.

I break our stare and help the person in line.

Gavin doesn’t return to the booth until it’s time for me to get off work. He steps next to me and helps the next person in line.

I refuse to go into deep thought about the way he’s keeping his distance. Ultimately, I know I’m the one who drove a wedge between us. And I’m aware I can’t hide my scent from him much longer.

I saunter through the festival, taking in the townspeople and tourists enjoying this wonderful event. My eyes land on the sign above the tent entrance: Enchanted Visions.

I step inside. Ms. Gloria is with a client.

Slowly, I take in some of the goodies she sells in her shop — bundles of dried lavender and sage hanging from the tent poles, jars of things I don’t have names for lining a back shelf, candlelight flickering even in the middle of the afternoon, though there’s no draft to explain the flicker. I see two women chatting about the Tarot cards, and I smile.

“Sasha?” Ms. Gloria calls.

I guess she’s finished with the customer. “Hello.” I grin.

“How’s it going, hiding from your mate?” she asks with a knowing look.

I glance around the shop, then meet her gaze. “I asked you not to mention that.”

“Have a seat, Sasha. It’s time for you to know who you are.”

I have a little time to kill, so I sit and listen.

“You come from a long line of witches. Your mother’s a witch, and all the women before her are too.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?”

“You live in a non-shifter town. They also don’t allow magic. We’re free to be who we are in Lupton.”

Makes me wonder if other people are hiding their true identities, too.

“I’ll teach you how to use potions and the magic in your hands over time. But today we’ll start with the basics.”

“I think I’ve noticed the magic in my hands on a couple of occasions. Most notably around the women the sheriff has been with.”

“Your omega is very territorial when it comes to her fated mate. I’m surprised you didn’t injure any of them.”

“If I hadn’t held my hand down, I would’ve.”

“Violet,” she calls out.