Broken Bonds (Lizzie Grace 3)

“So he said. Odd that you felt it and he didn’t.”

“I have no idea why, if that’s what you’re asking. Where are we going for dinner? Are we doing fancy or casual?”

“Nice change of subject there, Liz,” he said, amusement evident. “There’s a new restaurant in Argyle—only been open a week but getting good reports. Thought we might try that.”

Argyle also happened to be where his apartment was. While all three packs had their own home territory within the reservation, most wolves also owned—or rented—separate accommodation where they could take non-wolf lovers. Outsiders weren’t welcome onto pack grounds except under exceptional circumstances, and being a wolf’s lover or girlfriend would never be classified as such. Wolves might play outside their own species but they very rarely stayed. Katie had been the rare exception, and her marriage to Gabe had only been approved because she’d been dying.

“That sounds like a plan,” I replied lightly. “What time?”

“How much time do you need to get ready?”

I laughed. “I can be ready in ten.”

“I’

ll meet you out the front, then.”

“Done.”

I hung up then flew upstairs, hurriedly changing into a pretty summer dress before putting on some makeup and slipping on a pair of sandals. I then grabbed a larger handbag out of my closet, transferred my purse and phone, and shoved in underclothes, shorts, and a tank top, as well as my toothbrush. To say I had hopeful expectations of staying the night at Aiden’s would be another of those understatements.

And if fate intervened with said pursuit of happiness this time, I was going to be right royally pissed.

I took two more painkillers to take care of the fading remnants of the headache then clattered down the stairs, swept my keys off the bench, and went outside. The last rays of the day gave the darkening skies a golden glow, and the air was warm and filled with the scent of eucalyptus. There was no hint of magic or evil entwined in that scent. I hoped it stayed that way.

A blue Ford Ranger swept around the corner, its headlights briefly blinding me. Aiden pulled to a halt in front of our café and then leaned across the seat and opened the door.

“Evening, gorgeous,” he said. “Loving that dress you’re almost wearing.”

I grinned. Though the shoestring sheath dress wasn’t close-fitting, it sat well above the knee and was low cut at both the front and the back, which meant wearing a bra wasn’t an option. But given I wasn’t exactly well-endowed, the fall-out factor wasn’t much of a problem. Not that I’d thought Aiden would mind if it had been.

“You did say not long ago you’d love to see me getting my pins out more often.” I tossed my bag onto the back seat and then climbed in. “I thought that since this is really our first ‘official’ dinner date, I’d treat you.”

“I appreciate the effort.” His gaze swept me again and became concerned. “Why are you so scratched up?”

“Tree branch backlash. Nothing too bad.” I shrugged. “Did Ashworth tell you anything about the witch that’s arriving?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why? Are you worried?”

“No.” I hesitated. “Well, maybe. I’ve already told you I don’t want to be found by my parents.”

“But your parents are in Darwin, not Canberra.”

“No, they were assigned to Darwin, and that’s where I was born. They didn’t remain there.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue—more so because he was so obviously aware that they were lies.

But all he said was, “How likely is it whoever the council sends will know you?”

“Very unlikely, but I can’t help being afraid, Aiden.”

He frowned. “What do you have to be afraid of? However much your parents mightn’t like your witch powers, they surely wouldn’t physically hurt you—would they?”

“Perhaps not,” I said, even as foreboding stirred. “But there’s all sorts of abuse, Aiden, and some of them take a long time to recover from.”

Especially when the emotional scars ran as deep as mine.

His frown deepened, even as understanding stirred. “You’re an adult—they have no legal control over you. And they can’t hurt you unless you allow them.”

“Which is utterly correct in theory, but difficult in practice.”