The Wolf's Witch (book 1)

53. Partial Truths

Kaitlin

I lingered in the shop. I didn't want to have this conversation upstairs where Noah could overhear. Leon had started working recently and had hopefully left already.

I fidgeted with the hem of my dress, "I think Clara likes you."

My voice seemed to open the floodgates. Sethan's direction was puzzling, "You made it seem like it's platonic between the two of you." My head lifted but I spotted Leon almost half way down the stairs first. He ducked his head almost immediately, decisively cutting his sharp double take between Sethan and I short.

My gaze was inevitably pulled to Sethan. Like a fly on the wall, Sethan was paying Leon no mind. His eyes were engulfed by a fierce gold light which was pinned on me, "How many times did you two k—"

He'd figured it out. Devlin drank from me often. It was the only way I could continue to work for his mother, the Queen. If only I hadn't become cursed that night.

"Sethan," I said softly and Leon took that chance to scurry out, "I don't have any romantic feelings for the Gancanagh, as hot as he is."

If Sethan hadn't made it absolutely clear that I was his mate, I would've high tailed it after Leon. My mate looked predatory. I'd added the last part to be reassuring without thinking it through properly.

"What? You want me to lie to you? I'm with you and not him." Sethan was still tense as evident by the low rumbling in his chest as he paced to retain the beast. The whole car ride over, I'd been counting down the seconds hoping the steering wheel couldn't snap up under his grip. I crossed my arms, sincerely sick of his growling nonsense. "Stop it." I commanded, "Accept it happened and move on because without trust there is no relationship." I let my voice go soft, mostly because I wanted to ease him but I would be lying if I said I wasn't losing hope for us, "You're the idiot that's living in my brain rent free."

Sethan hands fisted and unfisted on repeat.

He hadn't taken his half-form shape. This was progress, right?

I exhaled to keep from saying anything stupid. In the meantime, Sethan began to pace, likely his equivalent to my sighing and counting to ten.

I shook my head at us, "After everything she said, that shouldn't even be your main concern. Ask."

The snarl in his voice sent chills up my spine, "How old are you?"

Age? He was skirting around the coven issue Clara dropped on him.

I considered it but gave up fairly rapidly, "I don't know. Ask something else."

"You don't know?" he asked skeptically, stopping in his tracks.

I tried to keep the irritation from my voice, "When have I lied to you?"

He took the slowest turn I've ever witnessed.

His eyes caught me off guard. They were partway human, "You've clearly been keeping things from me."

"I don't have to unload every detail of my life to you. Today was our first date, or at least, was supposed to be, and frankly I don't recall you asking." I didn't mean to sound peeved but Clara was a fucking total bitch. I'd been nothing but nice to her.

"Oh really, because I clearly remember asking what else I needed to know at the bar that night." Sethan countered. I kept my mouth shut and didn't remind him that the little I've shared with him that night had spooked him. He'd said he'd been processing what I'd told him but we both knew he'd gotten second thoughts. For good reason, sure.

He resumed pacing for two rounds before asking, "If not your exact age, what about your appearance? If you fought in the war that means that you're close to 200, if not over."