The Wolf’s Forbidden Mate by Layla Silver

Chapter 6 — Waverly

I wound thread expertly into the sewing machine, flipped the latch, and set the fabric pieces in place under the needle. As I leaned forward to focus on my task, I couldn’t stop thinking about Travis. I shivered as I recalled how he looked at me.

He blushed. That was adorable, I thought. I don’t think I’ve ever had a man get like that around me before. At least not since—

I shut my eyes briefly, willing away the memory. There was no reason to bring up the past. It wasn’t even a particularly hurtful past. It was just strange. I wasn’t used to being around a man who I found that attractive.

His hazel-green eyes had speckles of gold as if a painter had flicked the brush at the canvas and spattered the honey flecks everywhere. It enhanced the green so vividly, reminding me of lush forests and brimming meadows. It made me want to run free. The rest of him was just as appealing, fit and athletic like he swam frequently. I could just make out the outline of his shoulder muscles beneath his collared shirt.

I chortled. Do panthers swim? They’re technically cats, so...

His reddish-orange hair looked soft and I found myself wanting to reach out and tousle it. Maybe it felt like straw. Or maybe it felt like silk. It was hard to tell when I couldn’t stop staring at his eyes and his lips.

I bit my lower lip. His lips looked soft, too.

The needle pricked my finger and I winced, drawing my hand back and shaking it. I sucked on the miniature wound which wasn’t even that bad and rolled my eyes. It would heal in minutes. Perks of being a wolf.

All these distractions are going to cost me my fingers.

I sat back for a second, thinking about how much Travis’s lips had called to me. I could have very well leaned over the counter and stolen them. But that certainly wouldn’t have gone over well.

I wiped my finger on my shirt and reached for a bandage. Or would he have liked that?

After putting the adhesive bandage over my finger, I applied pressure to the pedal beneath the machine and resumed my sewing. I wanted to get a head start on these cats. I was going to make them in bulk, but I wanted to make Travis a sample before I gave him a bunch of plushies. I wanted him to like them. I mean, I wanted him to feel like my work would bring him funds.

But I want him to really like them.

I sighed as I bowed over my work, following the familiar rhythms my hands and fingers knew without me even having to think about it. Which left my brain free to imagine Travis without his shirt on—and without pants, too.

I blushed furiously. God, I’ve never been attracted to a man like this in my life. Not even my ex from Florida had made me feel this way.

The memory of Mark came as swiftly as a breeze off the ocean. Of course, I had to think of Mark. He was the last man I had been romantically involved with and that was the strongest I had felt with someone. During our relationship, he found his mate. That happened at times with couples who were in the process of courting. And it wasn’t as hurtful as people might think. I didn’t feel offended by it. I actually didn’t feel bad about letting him go at all.

There’s something different this time, I reflected as I turned the pieces to follow the outline of the cat form. I don’t just want to be around Travis—I want to merge with him.

The thought was so jarring that I stopped sewing again. I lifted my head to check the time. I still had a few hours before I had to go to Travis’s home. I couldn’t keep stopping like this. I couldn’t keep getting distracted.

But I couldn’t help it. Something about him was pulling me in like a moth to a flame. I could feel the heat against my brittle wings and I knew it was dangerous to fly too close. Yet I still deeply desired to be as close to the flame as possible. Even if it potentially burned me.

Even if it killed me.

I pursed my lips thoughtfully as I traced the edge of the cat plushie. When the sewing was complete, I could stuff it with cotton and it would appear as delightfully adorable as the picture I had used to make it. But I had to finish it. And I had to do it before I went to his house.

I shrugged my shoulders and resumed my work, doing my best to keep my thoughts from drifting. It was the hardest task I had faced recently, perhaps even more difficult than asking my mother about adopting a kitten. After avoiding another accident with the needle, I left an opening in the form for cotton. I withdrew the piece from the machine and turned to reach for the cotton and my stuffing tool.

Within minutes, the cat plushie had come to life. I sewed the remaining opening closed by hand and smiled as I set it on the desk in front of me. I poked its nose and hummed happily to myself as I went about grabbing the right sized eyes. Once those were attached, I stood up and went to my closet to change my clothes.

I tossed my work apron aside, stripped off my comfy pants, and reached for a pair of high waist jeans. I sifted through the tops I had available, settling on a sunflower yellow blouse that had a plunging V-neck. I grabbed a navy blue cardigan to match and draped it over my shoulders as I went back into my bedroom to collect my things.

I placed a notebook in my satchel that had a list of ideas for Travis to peruse. I tucked the plushie carefully under my arm, slipped on my sneakers, and went to the door, cracking it open so I could hear the movement in the house. If I could avoid running into anyone, then I could avoid lying about where I was going.

I mean, it was as simple as meeting a client. That was all. Travis was a plushie client and I was working on an order for him. I didn’t have to mention that I was donating to a cat shelter owned by the panthers or the fact that I was pining after said panther like a teenager who had just hit puberty.

I shook my head as I stepped into the hallway and shut my bedroom door behind me.

Get it together, Wav, I told myself. You’re just meeting a client. That’s it. End of story.

***

I pulled up to a country cabin that sat nestled between a patch of trees. Gravel crunched beneath the tires as I pulled toward a car that was already parked near the stairs leading up to the porch. When I turned off the car, the lights remained on, illuminating the wooden wall before me that hosted ink-like stains.

As soon as the lights shut off, I was blanketed in a sea of gray. The sky overhead crowded with fresh rain clouds and thunder rumbled in the distance, warning of the approaching curtain of rain that was making its way toward me. I stepped out of the car and darted up to the porch to keep the plushie from getting damaged.

I shrugged my shoulders and let out a slow breath.

Okay, this is a client, I reminded myself as I shivered in my jean jacket. Nothing to be nervous about.

When I raised my fist to knock on the door, it opened immediately, the heavenly scent of gourmet food reaching my nostrils before Travis could say anything.

I inhaled deeply. “Short ribs,” I blurted. “Braised in Cabernet.”

He smirked. “What a nose.”

I blushed. “It’s a gift, I guess.”

“Please, come in. I made a lot of food.”

“A lot?”

He smiled sheepishly. “I figured you would be hungry, so…” He trailed off as he gestured to the table set up on the left-hand side of the house.

The place wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t small either. It was snug and cozy, arranged with all the things that Travis must have collected throughout his life. Pictures of cats sat in shimmering gold frames that lined the mantle of the fireplace. In front of that was a couch with a coffee table. The kitchenette sat off to the right. Scooted in the back corner beyond a wide doorway was a bed with a set of nightstands on either side.

I noticed the desk, the mess of papers, the computer, and the lack of a television. I raised my eyebrows as I peered at Travis curiously.

“What?” he asked when he noticed my expression. “Don’t tell me you’re a vegetarian.”

“That’s cute.”

“I mean, you never know.”

I shook my head. “No television?”

“Oh, it’s in the bedroom. I don’t hang out here much unless there’s company.”

“I see.”

He chuckled. “Were you wanting to watch something?”

“No, I was just curious.”

He gestured to the table again. “Please, help yourself. Do you want something to drink?”

“How about a glass of wine?”

“Coming right up.”

It was odd seeing him in his element, though it shouldn’t have been strange at all. I think I was just feeling nervous about being this close to him. He smelled amazing—and so did the food. I shook off my jean jacket and draped it over a nearby chair, shrugging to adjust my cardigan and tuck the cat plushie back under my arm. I hoped I hadn’t under dressed for dinner.

Wow, why would that even be a thing? This is a client.

I shivered when he reached for me. Did he want a hug? Was he trying to shake my hand? I froze up until he tugged the plushie out from beneath my arm. I chuckled nervously as I played with my hair.

God, I’m such a mess.

“This is cute,” he complimented as he took it with him to the kitchen. “Beautiful, actually.”

“Beautiful?”

“Yeah, when did you make this?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Today.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, why...Why would I joke about that?”

He laughed so suddenly that it startled me. I furrowed my brows together as I chaffed my arm.

“You wolves are so serious.”

I rolled my eyes. “Like panthers can’t take a joke?”

“Pulling on my tail isn’t a joke.”

“Speaking from personal experience, are we?”

He shot a suspicious smirk in my direction that rattled my chest and trickled to the apex between my thighs. I bit my lower lip as soon as his eyes went elsewhere. I wasn’t sure if I was going to survive being around him without making a complete fool of myself.

Don’t kiss the panther. He’s not even part of our pack.

I shook my head as I went to the dining room table and took a seat. Maybe sitting would keep me from shivering too much—at least not so visibly, anyway.

When Travis brought the wine to the table, he said, “This auction is going to be a success with your skills.”

“You think so?”

“I know so. Seriously, look at this thing.” He set it in the center of the table, smiling crookedly as he tapped the tiny pink nose. “I’m excited, Waverly. I think this is a great idea.”

“I think so, too.” I sighed. “I’m glad I can help.”

He chuckled lightly as he poured me a glass of wine. “Don’t sound too excited now.”

“I might be a serious wolf, but I’m pretty sure that was sarcasm.”

“You guessed correctly.”

I rolled my eyes. “And why are you being sarcastic?”

“You seem kinda down about the whole thing.”

“Well, it’s…” I trailed off as I lifted the glass and swirled the wine inside. The red liquid sloshed over the edge and splashed against my empty plate. I closed my eyes, defeat crawling all over my skin as I took a sip and pretended like I wasn’t a major klutz with something as simple as a drink. What could I say? My fingers were talented with plushies and plushies alone. With everything else, it was a toss. “I’m basically lying to my family about being here.”

“I understand that. I’m sure my alpha would have an absolute fit if she knew about this.”

“Does she need to know about this?”

I knew Allegra well from the stories Renly and Silas had told me, and everything I had heard from our pack. The pride, too, had plenty of things to say about the silver-haired panther who had no qualms with trading bodies for money—literally.

He snorted. “Allegra? No. Fuck her for turning down our funding.”

“You went to her first.” It was a statement more than a question, and I didn’t mean to sound so surprised. I should have guessed he was out of options if he was doing an auction. I didn’t know him very well, yet I could see how dedicated he was to his shelter. And I wanted to know more about him. I cleared my throat as I held up my glass. “Well, here’s a toast to the beginning of a cool friendship.”

What a ridiculous thing to say, Wav, I scolded myself silently while forcing a gentle smile. Just tell him you want to fuck him already.

Travis smiled warmly, the ginger freckles of amber dotting his face flaming up as he reached across the table to tap his glass against my glass. Was he blushing? God, that was adorable. “Cheers.”

I took a sip of the delicious liquid and allowed it to wash over me, warming me to my core. Travis stood up again and began preparing a plate for me. I waved away his insistent hands to no avail, noticing how much he seemed to enjoy piling meat on a plate for me. He added a heaping serving of caramelized carrots as well as red skin potatoes drizzled with cheddar cheese.

I licked my lips, unsure whether I was hungry for the food or him. Maybe it was both at this point. “This is...This is really nice, Travis. Thank you.”

“Well, I wanted to thank you properly for what you’re doing for me—I mean, for the shelter.”

“Of course.”

He chuckled as he set the plate in front of me. He lingered nearby for a second, appearing like he wanted to say something more. But he drifted back to his seat and served himself, skipping over the vegetables and going directly for the braised ribs. Everything smelled so succulent that I forgot about my nerves. I forgot about making a fool of myself and I certainly forgot all about the fact that my thighs had clenched together minutes ago and still hadn’t relaxed.

I dug into my meal, humming contentedly every few bites and inviting satisfied glances from Travis. He seemed pleased with my reaction to his cooking. And why wouldn’t I love it? The meat was perfectly moist and tender, the vegetables were cooked to perfection, and I was pretty sure he had mashed the potatoes from scratch, leaving plenty of bits of red skin in the mixture that amplified the texture and flavor alike.

When I was done, I sat back and wiped my lips with a napkin. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled as I reached for my wine again.

“Wow,” I whispered.

“I know.”

I burst into giggles. “Not humble, are we?”

“What can I say? I know how to please.”

The purr that followed the sentence was equally intimidating as it was alluring. As I studied his eyes, the sound amplified, rolling in waves over the table and infecting my ears where it slithered into my body and spread to every limb.

Damn it. He’s not making this very easy. I broke eye contact first, choosing to stare into the crimson liquid occupying my glass. I don’t have to be like my sisters and mate. I can just have fun. Right? That’s perfectly acceptable.

“I can say the same for myself,” I said softly. The words left my lips before I could control them. And then the purring started up again, a quick rift that cut through the silence of the house and inspired goosebumps to appear on the back of my neck. I cleared my throat and met his gaze, trying to look innocent. “Should we talk ideas?”

“About?”

“The shelter?”

He blinked a few times and then seemed to come back to earth, smiling sheepishly as he stood up and started clearing the table.

Standing, I cut into his path before he could gather the plates. “Nope, you’re not doing that without help.”

He tried to argue, but I nudged him aside, gathering the plates and taking them to the kitchen. I helped him put away the leftovers and then joined him in the living room where he refilled our wine glasses and sank into the couch next to me. He was just inches away. Anything could happen.

“I was thinking I could make about…” I trailed off as I dug my notebook out of my satchel. I popped the notebook open to the third page and pointed to the top line. “...thirty plushies should give you a good chunk.”

“I’ll be happy to accept whatever you want to give.”

For some reason, it didn’t sound like he was talking about plushies anymore, but I quickly pushed that thought—and the deep, dark desire for him to mean it—out of my mind. “Actually, I was thinking of selling these in the furry community.”

“Furry community?”

“Yeah, I work with a…” I blushed as I shrugged, “a wide range of people in my business. A lot of them like the suits I make, so they commission me to do custom work. I’m sure I could easily sell thirty of these plushies and give you all the money I make from them.”

His eyes widened. “All of the money?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Well, I figure you need to take a small portion for parts and labor. I mean, it can’t be particularly cheap to make those things. The detail you put into them is—”

“Travis?”

He smacked his mouth shut as he met my gaze. Those cheeks burned again with a furious blush that made me want to lean forward and steal his lips. The ache to learn about the texture of his mouth was overwhelming at this point and I had nearly forgotten about prompting his attention until he blinked once, twice, thrice.

He scooted closer. “What?”

“I want to do this for you, okay? I want to give you every single cent I make from selling these plushies.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded while giving him a reassuring smile. “Beyond.”

“Sorry, I’m not used to…”

“People wanting to help?”

His features sank as he ran his fingers through his hair. Soft and silky like fields of wheat. “No, that’s not fair to say. I mean, Oliver wants to help all the time, but I want to be able to pay him, too. It’s been rough.”

“I can imagine.”

“And with Allegra being…” He rolled his eyes, appearing like he wanted to say more, but instead going on to say, “Well, with Allegra being herself, it’s just been challenging trying to figure out what to do.”

“This shelter means everything to you, doesn’t it?”

He bit his lower lip, that delightfully morose sad-boy look drawing me in so much faster than his smile had. He looked utterly defeated—and my gut instinct was to comfort him. Every molecule in my body screamed to solve his problem, to save his shelter, and to cradle him in my arms right after the shelter was safe—and maybe before, too. Maybe I could do a lot more than simply comfort him.

Shit, what the hell is going on with me? My thoughts were getting jumbled. It seemed my body was moving to its own rhythm, closing the space between Travis and I faster than I could control. Who was I kidding? I wasn’t in control anymore. I could feel my wolf poking at the surface like a pin dancing over the surface of a balloon. I was getting ready to pop. And I don’t think I want to stop it from happening.