Star Blessed

Bonus Chapter- Consolation

a/n For those of you who ship Thorne and Lincoln- here's a look into the night they met at Joe's Pub.

Thorne

Thorne stood outside of Joe's Pub and debated going inside. Loud music stuttered through the entrance as patrons walked in and out, and the stale scent of smoke and liquor made her stomach churn. As a witch, she preferred open spaces, preferably outside, but Meribella had promised to be back before the storm rolled in. Lightning cracked the black expanse above, and the first sprinkle splattered against her bare shoulders.

She looked down at the phone in her hand. She'd sent two text messages to that towering wall of muscle Meribella had taken a shine to, and he hadn't responded to a single one. "Well, shit," she fumed, stepping into the crush of people.

Within a few seconds, she felt appreciative eyes caressing her curves, and she let her lips settle in a sultry smile as she searched for her admirer. There were several from what she could make out as she looked around the room. Some got excited and stepped forward when they caught her welcoming expression, but she shook her head as none snagged her interest. Until she saw him.

Lincoln was just as good looking as she remembered, perhaps even more so now that his face wasn't disfigured by a scowl. Events that evening hadn't allowed for time to fully appreciate his body. Sculpted abs were clear through his t-shirt, and his biceps bulged, pulling the faded fabric tight around his arms. Golden hair fell into his face and curled over his ears, and she imagined it would feel like silk in her hands. He was leaned against a hightop, showcasing long, lean legs, holding a beer in one hand while he talked to Joe, but his attention was divided between the bear shifter and herself.

"Hey Thorne, didn't expect to see you tonight. Meribella doesn't work this evening."

With great effort she turned away from the adonis in front of her and settled her focus on the elder witch. Vivian had a knowing smirk on her face, but Thorne didn't blush. She'd never felt the need to hide her attraction to someone else. It might have come from growing up around women who could see and sense what she was feeling even when she wanted to hide it.

"I actually came in here looking for her," she explained, her brain clearing of lust and returning to what drove her into the bar in the first place.

"Nope. But I did hear a rumor."

"Oh? And?" It was a struggle to keep her voice clear of annoyance.

"Well, last I heard she tried to go down to the beach and after the murders-"

"What?" Thorne screeched, snagging Vivian by her shoulders. "When did this happen?"

"Early this morning. They found the bodies on the beach. Guess Raff ran into her when she tried to go down there, and she didn't take kindly to being told she couldn't go for a swim. Imagine a selkie doesn't appreciate that much."

"No, I guess she wouldn't," Thorne agreed, her heart settling into a normal rhythm once she realized Meribella wasn't a victim. She almost felt sorry for the poor bastard. Meribella had one of the softest hearts she'd ever met- the girl tried to hide it but Thorne's ability to read auras, while weak, picked up on the vibrant green hue around the selkie. But she also didn't do well with having her independence threatened.

"Anyways, he tossed her over his shoulders and took her back to his place. Heard she screamed the place down, and then it got real quiet... if you know what I mean."

You go girl. "Ha, can't say I blame her. That man is yummy."

"He sure is. I'm just glad for both their sakes she isn't human. Pregnancy is unavoidable with werewolves and always fatal for the mothers."