Page 9

I let go too fast, and coffee sloshes beneath the lid.

She straightens the cup in the tray and steadies it against her hip before looking at me again. “I’m Nora Moon.”

Moon?

I almost roll my eyes. Of course that’s her last name. The universe has developed a sense of humor, and I’m the punchline.

The wolf, naturally, is delighted.

Nora raises an expectant eyebrow as she waits.

Right. Normal people introduce themselves.

“Hewit,” I say gruffly.

Her smile returns. “Hewit.”

She says my name like it’s something she’s happy to have discovered, and the warmth that spreads through my chest irritates the hell out of me.

I want her to say it again.

As if she’s heard me, she says, “Nice to meet you, Hewit.”

Fuck.

I shake my head. “It isn’t.”

Her eyebrows lift in surprise this time.

There. Any sensible person would take the warning and move on.

Instead, her mouth twitches. “Are you always this friendly?”

“Yes.”

She laughs. A real laugh. The sound runs straight through me. My wolf presses closer, not trying to break loose but leaning toward her with a need I don’t understand.

Stay.

Mine.

I take another step back.

Nora watches me for a second, and her expression makes me uneasy because she looks less offended than interested. “You’re my neighbor, aren’t you? Briar End Lane? Number twelve?”

“No.”

She tilts her head. “No, you’re not my neighbor?”

“No. Don’t—” I stop.

Her eyes brighten with immediate amusement. “Don’t what?”

“Come over.”

Nora shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “I wasn’t planning to.”

Good.