Page 50 of Lycans & Lattes

Cheers rang out as the large bonfire came to life in the middle of the clearing. It was my duty to stay behind to tend to the fire and roast the hog or deer that the pack brought back. I had about an hour of mingling before I could use that as an excuse to isolate myself for an emotional reprieve.

Clumps of conversation started around me as Eloise wandered over. “Nice work defusing the heat—no pun intended.” She snickered. “Except now, you’ll have all the matchmakers tripling their efforts to get their choices in front of you.”

I’d already noticed how many mothers with eligible offspring were posturing to join our conversation. Four daughters and one son.

Eloise leaned in and said, “Look at Bianca Rome grooming her son, Francis, for you.”

I snickered, lowering my voice so only my sister could hear. “What she doesn’t know is that he’s heavily involved with the second-in-command of the wolf pack two towns over.”

Her lips tugged into a grin. “Him leaving for another pack would certainly have tails wagging. At least then you won’t be the only scandalous one.”

“It will all stop on the full moon when I bring Willow before the pack,” I countered.

She looked at me like I hadn’t fully thought this through. “You know that means you’ve got four weeks to propose to Willow and convince her to marry you, right?”

My stomach dropped, all of my well-laid plans to keep her safe suddenly evaporating as I realized what I’d just agreed to.

“Shit.”

23

Willow

Iopened the café bright and early the next morning, grateful to Dean for fixing the hinges but even more so to Billy and Avery for their part in hosting the pop-up fundraiser. They’d raised over half of my daily revenue in only a few hours, meaning I didn’t have to hustle my entire ass off to make it up.

Eloise had come by my apartment after the pack meeting. She’d promised to be my bodyguard for the week, but I had a suspicion that the timing was working out in her favor. Apparently, Sandra had cornered her at the meeting to pressure her about finding her own mate and taking on her own responsibilities to the pack, i.e., settling down and procreating while touting lots of examples of lesbian couples in Maple Hollow with children.

I was happy to offer Eloise an out under the guise of protecting me.

With a full house of still-sleeping guests, I flipped the sign on the door, then wandered back behind the counter to warm up the machines. I liked being the first up so I could get caffeinated before talking to people. I was halfway through my maple cinnamon soy latte when Harlow came out of her room, rubbing her eyes.

“One day of sleeping in and I’ve already forgotten the agony of opening shift,” she grumbled as she meandered to the fridge and pulled out the large tub of cold brew that had been steeping overnight. For a second, I thought she might dunk her face in it because she seemed so tired.

While I would’ve normally agreed, being able to open the café felt like I was making a statement. One that said I would not be intimidated or scared to live my life here in Maple Hollow.

I belonged here. This was my town.

A loud yawn came from the top of the stairs as Eloise thudded down each step. “I’m going to need a splash of cream in that vat, but I’ll take it at the corner table,” she shot to Harlow, who was slow to realize she was kidding.

“You didn’t have to get up with us,” I said, booting up the card reader. “Harlow and I have dealt with much worse than a disgruntled werewolf during the morning rush.”

“Are you talking about the banshees that came last May?” Harlow quipped, filling two of our largest glasses with cold brew and a splash of cream. “I still hear them at night sometimes.”

I shook my head, fetched one of the glasses for Eloise, and directed my sister to the sugar packet refills. “Uh, that’s not . . . You know what, I’ll let you figure that one out on your own.”

Eloise took the glass from me and downed half of it in one go. Maybe she would need a whole vat after all.

The door chimed, and Avery slinked inside. She was wearing her signature purple and black lace with a ruffling of tulle. “Morning, all,” said the whimsy goth vampire, her eyes snagging on Eloise before she approached me at the counter.

“Hey, Avery. Your usual?” She nodded, and I went to work. “Pastries should be here soon, but I can set something aside if you’re in a rush?”

“Actually, I thought I’d come in early to hang out with you. I know you don’t have much spare time, and I’m dying to know what you were up to on your day off.” She waggled her brows but took a seat at the closest table. “As you know, there has been some . . . talk.”

“Has Agnes sent you to get the tea?” Harlow asked as she frowned at the brown sugar and stevia packets.

She looked at Harlow. “I’m not a gossipmonger like my mother. I prefer facts and firsthand accounts.”

Relatable. No one likes being compared to their mother.