Chapter 20: A Little White Lie

Garin was feeling strange after reading the history of the Red Hoods. While it was compelling, much of it just felt…wrong. They painted shifters in such a brutal, fierce light which he had never seen in Willow. She was gentle and kind, not the bloodthirsty, baby-eating beasts that were described therein.

He knew some of it had to be true. Certain events that lined up neatly with actual historical happenings, such as their origins dating back to around the same period as when the Vikings were rumored to first trade here. His scholarly mind was fascinated at how the shifters fit into the tapestry of history.

It should scare him, the things he read. He should at least be freaked out enough to never want to see Willow again, which he was sure was his father’s intention, instead, he wanted to know more. He couldn’t picture her as a snarling monster. There was definitely something wild about her, but he didn’t think that meant the same thing as what the hunters believed.

He would ask her himself when he saw her tonight. Last night was incredible. His lips were still bruised from her hungry kisses. He didn’t mind. She could devour him, body and soul. It was pathetic he knew, but he stopped caring the moment their lips touched.

His family was gone when he came downstairs. A small paper bag with a note pinned on it was left on the dining table.

“Meet us at the stage near 4th and Elm. Wear this. -Mom”. With an irritated sigh, he grabbed the bag and left. He only wanted to see Willow. He could most likely ignore his family in the crowd.

####

“You look wonderful,” Lyall said and planted a kiss on her cheek. His lips felt dry and foreign to her. She fought the wave of repulsion and rewarded him with a small smile.

“Loriann, you look beautiful as always,” he planted a kiss on her cheek as well. She gave him a small pitying smile and patted his cheek.

“Always the charmer. Well, I better get going. The ladies at the soup kitchen were expecting me ten minutes ago! See you two later!” She blew them a kiss and sailed through the door, lugging her bags full of freshly baked bread.

Willow looked awkwardly around the foyer, not wanting to look at him. She felt like he could see Garin’s lips on hers. Her face flushed crimson and she busied herself with trying to find her coat.

“What should we do first?” he asked, standing too close to her.

“Whatever you want. I have to be at the cart around six to start serving. Caitlin is opening but it’s her first year and I don’t want her messing up the cider,” she replied, slinging her purse across her chest.

“Ah, yes the famous Moon Cider,” he drawled. She wasn’t sure if he was extra irritating today or if this was always just his abrasive personality.

“World famous. Let’s get going so we can grab some food before it gets too crazy.” She said and pushed past him to the door.

“You mean before all of the tourists get wasted and puke in the streets?” he replied with a laugh. She crinkled her nose.

“That too. Let’s go!” she hurried down the steps and waited for him to unlock the passenger door. She was meeting Garin at eight, so she hoped to be able to ditch Lyall well before then.

“Coming, coming,” he tugged the door shut behind him, not locking it. Willow didn’t notice, her eyes focused on the clock tower, that she could see even from her house.

Thankfully, she had a designated parking spot behind her café even though she rarely drove, otherwise they would have been better off walking. The street was already thick with people, their voices raucous above the band playing down the street.

“I’m going to drop my purse off here, so I don’t have to worry about it. You don’t have to come in if you don’t want to,” she said to him as she jogged up the wooden steps to the back door.

“Okay,” he said absentmindedly and pulled out his phone. She checked her café. No one had been in here except Caitlin. Willow could smell the patchouli oil that she insisted on wearing every day. She stashed her purse in one of the vintage lockers that she had put in the break room and locked it, keeping only her keys and phone on her. Before she left, she grabbed an extra packet of the cider spices. Fingers crossed Caitlin hadn’t been too stoned when she gave her the recipe.

Lyall was leaning against his car when she came out, still staring at his phone. He quickly pocketed it when she appeared.

“All set!” she said cheerily, counting down the hours until she could see Garin again. Even though she was going to tell him goodbye, she still ached for him. Even if she only had ten more minutes with him, it would be worth it.

“Let’s go,” he said and held out his hand. She instead gingerly took his elbow. He looked down at her hand and then her faces, his eyes cold. She pulled him gently towards the sidewalk. They were instantly surrounded by people.

“Big turn out,” she called over to him, barely able to be heard over the din. He nodded, still scowling over her slight rebuff. She couldn’t wait to ditch him later. His mood swings were exhausting, how had she never noticed them before? There wasn’t a Garin before, she told herself.

They purchased some food at a local vendor, Willow got an apple dumpling and ice cream, not bothering with actual food tonight. Lyall on the other hand got a steak sandwich and beer. Good, if he were tipsy, he would be easier to lose. Although the moon was supposed to be full tonight, that could make ditching him a bit harder than usual.

She ate without tasting the food, feeling the time to meet Garin drawing nearer. Lyall ate his food without speaking, instead frowning at the crowd, occasionally making a snide comment.

“You know, if you think this is stupid, you didn’t have to come,” she said through gritted teeth, her patience fully run out. His reptilian eyes swiveled towards her, cold.

“You wouldn’t spend time with me otherwise.” He spat. She noticed his pupils were smaller and his eyes seemed more yellow than usual. The moon was already calling to him. She took a chance.

“Maybe you should take that as a hint,” she said, nastily watching the rage swim in his eyes. “I have to go,” she stood. His hand clamped down on hers.

“We aren’t done here,” he said, his voice low. She smiled at him sweetly before ripping her arm from his. Even with the moon rising, his strength couldn’t match hers.

“I believe we are,” she said and stalked towards her truck. Her heart rammed against her ribcage so hard she was worried she would be bruised. She had never spoken to Lyall or anyone like that before! It felt intoxicating. It felt powerful.

For the first time in a long time, or perhaps ever, she truly felt the power of what she was running through her veins.

####

Lyall was now on his fifth beer, glaring at the crowd. How dare she talk to me like that! He thought, his mind spitting venom. She would change her tune once they were married, he assured himself, sucking down the last bits of foam at the bottom of the cup.

He tossed the plastic cup onto the ground behind him. A festival worker glared at him. He snarled at her, his eyes flashing. She gulped and grabbed the cup, hurrying away. At least someone was smart enough to fear him. Willow…she needed put into her place. She thought she was all high and mighty because she was a Bittermane.

He spat, wiping the name from his mouth. Her mother tarnished that name for good by being a whore and running off with that hunter. He shook his head. A flash of brown moving through the crowd caught his attention. It was the new hunter in town, Garin. He was pushing through the people, making a beeline for Willow’s cart.

“Garin!” Lyall called, Garin was only a few feet from him. His head pivoted and he saw recognition pass through the hunter’s eyes. Garin paused for a minute before walking towards Lyall, cautiously.

“Hey man,” Garin said, relatively friendly although still distant. Lyall didn’t like the look of him and certainly didn’t like the heady smell flowing from him. He felt like someone had jammed a candle down his throat.

“Got dragged here huh?” Lyall asked and offered him a beer. He had three more cups sitting beside him. Garin awkwardly took it, not drinking.

“Eh, not really. Willow wanted me to meet her here, so here I am,” Garin shrugged casually but Lyall could see the eagerness in his eyes. It was time to mark his territory.

“That’s weird because I’m here with Willow,” he gulped his beer. Garin looked at him quizzically.

“Well, yeah as a friend, I’m sure she feels better with you in a crowd like this.” He replied after a minute, gesturing to the rowdy throng.

“No man, I’m not her friend. I’m her fiancé. She didn’t tell you?”