A Magical Shift: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves, and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 1) (19 page)

“You’re lucky. The smoke inhalation could have been worse. Next time, get out in time,” the doctor said.

“Yes sir.”

“I’m signing your release papers, but I want you to rest for the remainder of the day.”

Rye glanced over at her and smiled. “No problem.”

As much as she wanted a repeat performance of their experience by the lake, she’d make certain he remained still.

“Do you have a ride home?” the doctor asked.

She piped up. “A friend drove me here, but I’m sure she can give him a lift.”

“
Thank you
,” Rye telepathed, and she received it loud and clear. “
Kalan said he couldn’t stay
,” he told her.

That was interesting. Betas were supposed to have their Alphas’ back. Once the doctor left, Rye needed to change out of his hospital gown, and if she watched him undress, she might do something stupid. “I’ll wait for you in the visitor’s lounge.”

“Afraid you’ll be tempted?”

He could not read her mind. Could he? She grinned. “I’d love nothing better than to look at your hot ass through the opening of that sexy gown, but we need to get you home.”

Izzy found Elana and assured her that Rye would be fine. “I hope you don’t mind, but I kind of volunteered you to drive him back to the shop.”

“Certainly.” She ran a comforting hand down Izzy’s arm.

With that worry gone, she turned her concern to Rye’s friend. “Did you speak with Kalan when I was in with Rye?”

“He told me a little about what happened then ran off.”

“Did Kalan say why he had to leave? Rye seemed a bit perplexed why he hadn’t stayed.”

Elana shrugged. “No.” She huffed out a laugh. “Poor man must have been quite upset because he ran into the door.”

Izzy laughed—not at Kalan, but at the relief that ran through her. “I totally understand. You saw how I was a total basket case.”

Elana smiled. “You really care for him, don’t you?”

There was no denying that she was going to mate with Ryerson McKinnon. “Yes, I do.”

‡

“S
it,” Izzy commanded.
“You heard the doctor.” Sheesh, Rye was more stubborn than anyone in her family.

“I’m fine.” He dropped down onto the sofa, propped his feet up on the coffee table, and crossed his arms.

She didn’t believe for a moment that he’d stay there. “I’m about to cook an early dinner, and I don’t need you rubbing your body against mine and distracting me.”

“Suit yourself,” he said.
“However, that won’t stop me from mentally tormenting you. I’ll tell you how I plan to lick your pussy and then drive my cock so deep into you that—”

“Stop!” Izzy laughed. The man had a one-track mind. “I’m making a chicken casserole, so if you don’t want it tough, stay put and keep out of my head.”

“You can’t keep a good man down for long.”

She shook her head.

Even with trying to keep from worrying about him, it took several minutes to find all the pots and pans in his kitchen. Izzy had already itemized what he had in the refrigerator and pantry, so her choices of what to make had been limited. If he planned to ask her to stay with him for any length of time, there’d have to be a shopping trip in their near future.

“Find everything?” he asked, humor lacing his voice.

“Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll ask if I need help.” It was difficult enough not to walk across the dining room and have her way with him. Ever since he’d bitten her, her sexual urges had grown exponentially. If she wasn’t careful, those desires might inhibit her ability to do her magic.

She dumped the chicken in the dish then read the directions on the back of the box.

“Mind if I watch TV?” he asked.

Bring two cups of water to a boil and then add the rice. “Go right ahead.”

“Whoa. Add head? Sure. You can give me head anytime. Come and get it.”

She laughed. “Whoops. I see I might need a bit of practice with this telepathy thing. I meant to say to go right ahead.”

Rye smiled and turned on the tube. Most likely he’d twisted her words on purpose. She cleaned the kitchen then organized his dishes while the chicken cooked. Once it finished, she served the meal and was delighted Rye’s appetite seemed to be as good as new. Perhaps his body had already healed from the smoke inhalation.

He patted his stomach. “I could get used to this,” he said. “Where did you learn to cook so well?”

“My mom taught me growing up, but I also took advantage of some cooking classes in Italy and France.”

“Well, you can cook for me anytime.”

She smiled, but Izzy wasn’t quite sure what he meant. If she was his mate, she assumed she’d be staying with him. Right? So many of the rules confused her.

After dinner, Rye stood and when he gathered some of the plates, she held up her hand. “I’ll clean up. You sit.”

He ignored her and placed the dishes in the sink. “Believe me, I’d be the first to take it easy if I wasn’t back to normal. How about we go outside and I’ll demonstrate my strength for you.”

She wasn’t sure that was a good idea, but even if she insisted he take it easy, he wouldn’t agree. “I like the outside part, but you don’t have to prove anything to me.” She wanted to step closer but knowing her, one kiss would lead to more heated things.

Rye held out a hand. “Let’s go then.”

She was game. The fresh air always invigorated her. “Where to?”

“To Silver Lake.”

She sighed, remembering the days when she used to play there. Sunshine and swimming filled her with sweet memories. “I haven’t been there since I was a little kid.”

“I’m curious to know if you think it has changed.” Rye wrapped an arm around her waist and led her down the path that followed the roadway. “I love it here. I can’t imagine ever leaving.”

“There’s no place like home, and I speak from experience.” She’d been hesitant at first to leave her idyllic life style in Europe, but once she was home again, she could see what she’d been missing.

He smiled. “I’m glad. You mentioned you might apply for a teaching job for the fall. How’s that coming?”

“I haven’t applied yet, but I probably will soon. As much as I love working at the Crystal Winds Spa, it might be nice to branch out. Don’t get me wrong. I love my mom, but always being around my whole family can sometimes be a bit—”

“Overwhelming and claustrophobic?”

She chuckled, “Yes to both of those.”

“I get it. Try being the next in line to be Alpha. Talk about responsibility. Dad is always lecturing me about how to do this and how to do that. When my parents return from their vacation and he passes the honor onto me, I’m going to work hard to do things my own way.”

She liked that he wanted to take charge. “Do you sometimes wish you hadn’t been born first?”

“When I was young, I used to think that, but as I got older, I realized that I relish being the leader. I enjoy being a fireman too, but I want the best for our Clan.” His grip on her waist tightened. “Let’s cut through at the next turn off.”

Right before the road split, someone came toward them from the opposite direction. “That’s Chelsea!” she said.

“With Badger.”

They met up and Chelsea hugged her brother. “I ran into Kalan in town, and he said you were in the hospital. Why didn’t you call me?” She ran her gaze up and down his body.

“I didn’t want to worry anyone. I was fine. The smoke didn’t affect me.” He explained how the building had collapsed as he was putting out the fire. “Do me a favor. When the folks return, please don’t mention it? I don’t want to upset Mom.”

Izzy bent down to play with the puppy. He was so cute.

“Actually, I was on my way to see you. Mom and Dad just returned from their cruise.”

Rye looked off to the side, acting as if he was trying to remember when they were supposed to be home. “Did they have a good time?”

“An amazing one, but be careful about asking or you’ll have to sit through the slide show of all of Dad’s badly exposed pictures. I think there are more photos of Mom than there are of the scenery.”

He chuckled. “We’ll be sure to stop by.”

Chelsea smiled. “They’re having a party tomorrow night, and both of you are invited.”

“Not that I mind, but did you tell them about us?” he asked.

“Not me. I didn’t think it was my place to break the news, but Finn told me he saw you two at the bar and that Molly waited on you. If they invited Izzy, they must know you two are together.”

“Can’t keep anything secret around here, can I?” he said.

Izzy laughed and stood. “I keep forgetting what a small town we live in. I’d love to see your folks again. What can I bring?” she asked Chelsea.

“Perhaps a dessert?”

Izzy was happy she wouldn’t have to come empty-handed. “You got it.”

They discussed time and logistics. “I have tomorrow off, so that won’t be an issue,” Rye said. “We’ll be there.”

The two of them hugged, and Chelsea went on her way. As nice as it was to see his sister, Izzy wanted to spend some alone time with Rye. When they weren’t clawing at each other to take off their clothes, they found interesting things to talk about.

As they emerged from the tree-lined path, the shimmering lake spread out before them. Rays from the early evening sun bounced off the surface, making the entire area magical. “It’s beautiful,” she said.

“The lake inspires me. There’s a spot where I like to sit and reflect. Wanna see?” Rye had suddenly grown quiet, and his more serious side intrigued her as well.

“Absolutely.” She’d loved to learn more about him.

They were partway around the lake when a tall figure emerged from the trees. It was James.

“Hello there,” James said.

Izzy still couldn’t believe he would live forever. As much as she loved life, she wasn’t sure she wanted to if everyone she cared for was long gone, though James at least had Naliana, though it was only once a month.

“James.” Rye shook hands with the man.

James studied her. “Have any luck with the return of your powers?”

It wasn’t so much that she wanted to show off, as it was to confirm she was at full strength. Izzy turned around and swept up the air in front of her, focusing on the water itself. With a twist of her hand, the water rose, twirled, and then skipped across the surface.

James clapped. “That’s amazing.”

Izzy let the water drop. “Thanks. I guess I’m back to normal.”

Rye drew her close as if to present a unified front. “Any news about Izzy’s stalker yet?”

James nodded. “Some. If my source is correct, the man’s name is Owen Chancellor and he’s from Scotland. Supposedly, he wants to take Izzy back to his home. For what purpose, my source didn’t know.”

Dread collided with relief at being able to put a name to the face.

“Do you know where he is now?” Rye asked, the grip on her waist tightening.

“No,” James said, “but I’ve asked my source to dig deeper.”

With that, James turned and disappeared into the woods. Izzy squinted to catch a glimpse of the fleeting figure, but the man was truly gone. “Is he capable of disappearing? One minute he was heading down the trail and the next he wasn’t there.”

“I have no idea. I wouldn’t put anything past the gods though. Naliana has asked for favors before—like saving James from certain death. For all we know, she asked for the cloak of invisibility too.”

“Now that’s a trait I’d like,” she said.

Rye leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You have enough powers, my witchy woman. Anymore and I’ll get an inferiority complex.”

From the glint in his eyes, he was only kidding, but it did remind her that he might have some of her traits. “If you could perform some of my magic, what would you like it to be?”

His brows rose. “I think everything you do is way cool, though as a kid I used to pretend I was a dragon.”

She laughed. “Did you want to fly?”

“Not really. Mostly I just wanted to shoot fire at things.”

Izzy scrunched up her nose at the image of this adorable little boy setting things ablaze. “Like what?”

His cheeks dimpled. “Anything that would burn.”

“That’s such a guy thing.” And she loved him for it. There would come a time when she’d explain to him how to test for his possibly acquired new talents.

They continued to walk around the lake until he stopped and motioned toward a large rock. “I used to sit here for hours, daydreaming. Come on.”

Rye helped her up then sat next to her. “What did you dream about?” she asked.

“A little bit of everything, but mostly what it would be like to stay in my wolf form forever.”

It seemed likely that she would never experience that. “What did you imagine it would it be like?”

“For starters, I’d be surrounded by friends while I roamed wherever I wanted. Basically, I could just enjoy the outdoors. I wouldn’t have to work or have many responsibilities.” He lowered his gaze. “Just so you know, I was ten at the time. You?”

Her life had been so different and not nearly as fun. “I wasn’t much of a dreamer. From the time I was little, it was drilled into me how different I was. Having the ability to control the elements was and still is a big responsibility. I wasn’t given a lot of chances to just be myself.”