Under A Blue Moon | #ONC2022

Chapter 2

I closed my eyes and held in the groan threatening to slip out. Ahead of me at the exit to the parking lot were two women arguing. To the side of them one car had hit the parking gate riding slightly on the pole. The second car had t-boned the back of the first. The crash wasn't bad and both cars only have slight dents.

Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel I tried to concentrate on my playlist which was currently blasting Gravity Glidin by Masked Wolf. Unfortunately, I could still hear the blonde over my music. She was going off about how the other lady was making her late for something important and how she almost destroyed all her precious items. Most of which seemed to be books and candles, based on what was peeking out of her boot.

Right at that moment I wanted to get out and drag both women. Toss them to the side. Maybe gag them as well.

My phone buzzed from the console drawing my attention away from my violent thoughts. I picked up without looking at the caller I.D, something I would regret doing.

"Hello?"

"What's up, princess?" Ethan greeted.

"Bloody hell," I groaned. I was not in the mood to deal with his crap right now.

"Ouch, princess. It really hurts when you act like you're not all for me." I rolled my eyes at his smug tone. I wish it hurt.

"What do you want Ethan?" I asked impatiently. Before he responds, the women finally move on and I have to refrain from sighing in relief. I didn't need to give Ethan anything more to annoy me with.

"I need you to pick up the cakes from Willow's bakery."

"Why can't you?"

"The elders want us to double up the security around the forest before tonight. You know, don't want some random human to stumble upon a hundred or so wolf shifters running through the forest. Would be pretty disastrous."

Despite being an hour and a bit from the town centre every now and then hikers, tourists or just dumb townie's come up to our territories. We haven't had a human attack in a long time but with tensions running high, and that many wolves running on primal instincts, you can't be too careful.

"Well, you're lucky you got me before I left town."

"Wonderful! Knew I could count on you."

"Prick," I said after he hung up.

Willow's bakery was near the town centre and was the best cake shops we had. Upon entering the bakery, I noted the exposed wood and vines that climbed across and hung just below the beams. There were a few tables and chairs situated around the room, most filled with customers.

"Hi there! How can I help you today?" the chirpy woman asked as I approached the counter. She smiled up at me and I couldn't help but smile back at the woman. Her name tag attached to her black apron telling me her name was Elaine.

"I'm here to pick up an order for Parsons," I replied. She tapped the screen for a bit, long enough for me to catch sight of her necklace.

Around her neck was a simple chain holding a snake with a crescent shaped gemstone in the head. It was a clear quartz gem. To almost anyone else it would seem like a perfectly normal necklace, but Robin had told me about witch talismans. A witch typically had a crystal embedded in an animal that represented their power and chosen familiar. Robin said that under natural lights you can see the magic swirling beneath.

I'd only been in the bakery a handful of times in my life, but the Willow's Bakery has been part of the town for decades. As far as I knew though, it was a human establishment. In fact, a witch hasn't been sited around here for years. Typically, they avoid shifters as much as possible.

"Yes, I have your order back here. Just give me a second." The witch went to the back, and it gave me a little time to take in my surroundings. Nothing stood out that said this was a witch establishment and as I pulled in the scents around me all I got was baked goods, humans and wolves.

Elaine came back out followed by a taller woman whose face was obscured by the large white box. I didn't even need to see her necklace to know she was a witch. Power was practically radiating off her and it set shivers down my spine.

They placed the large cake box and five shorter boxes on the counter. With the box out of her hands the other witch turned towards me and gave me a small smile. The freckles littering her nose and cheeks standing out against her pale skin making the light brown of her eyes stand out. Despite what I was sensing, nothing in me felt alarmed by either one.

"Do you want any help taking these out to your car?" the freckled witch asked. I considered denying her request but there were a lot of boxes and I only had two hands.

I accepted her help and we walked out to my car parked a few spaces from the shop entry. She carried the smaller boxes while I carried the main box. We piled the food into the back seats as my boot held the rest of my shopping from today. Some clothes, bird food for Nero and some weapons that I haven't put away yet.

"Thanks for your help, uh..."

"Penny." She held her slender arm out to me, and I grasped her fingers. There was a slight tingling sensation when our skin touched, but she pulled her hand back before I could think anything of it.

"Pierce," I offered back. I glanced at her necklace that fell out from under her white apron. It was a bird with wings outstretched and a red stone in the centre. A ruby by the looks of it.

"Well, it was nice to meet you Pierce."

On the drive home I couldn't help but feel a little restless. I put it down to nerves, but deep down I knew that wasn't it.