I pulled on a cardigan to keep warm in the cool air outside and packed a large Tupperware container full of our missed dinner before heading out. I drove to the ranch because I wasn’t sure where he lived. If he didn’t live there, hopefully someone at his family’s house would be willing to help me.
There were several crews outside, cleaning up from the day’s events, when I pulled up. Immediately, Lucas Long walked over to me with a concerned look on his face. “Ms. Daisy? Everything okay?”
His son, Mason, was one of my students, so I should’ve realized that he might think I was here about his child. “Of course. I’m sorry, I was actually wondering if you’ve seen Michael.”
He cocked his head to the side and his eyebrows furrowed. “Michael?”
I wrapped my arms around my stomach and nodded. “Yes, Michael.”
When I didn’t give him more information than that, he looked over his shoulder, towards the barn. “He came racing in here about half an hour ago. Far as I know, he’s in the barn, mucking out the stalls.”
I forced a smile. “Thanks, Lucas.”
He hesitated and I couldn’t help but stare at his face. He was Michael’s brother. If Michael was different, was Lucas? Were all of the Long brothers werewolves? My heart started racing and I found myself edging away from Lucas.
He noticed and frowned. “Is everything okay?”
I nodded. “Of course. I… I’m going to find Michael.”
Without realizing it, I was practically running across the ranch. As much as it scared me to suddenly think that everyone around me was some sort of non-human creature, I wasn’t afraid of Michael. I’d been freaked out earlier, who wouldn’t be, but I’d still felt comfortable with him, for whatever reason.
I let myself into the barn and headed towards the back, where I heard movement. “Michael?”
A low growl was my answer and then Michael stepped out of a stall, his eyes glowing as he looked at me. “You shouldn’t have come here, Daisy.”
Looking at him, hearing him say my name, I knew without a doubt that I would accept him no matter what. Even if he was a…werewolf.
CHAPTER 5: Daisy
“You didn’t really give me an option.”
Michael ran his hand through his hair blew out a deep breath. “I gave you an out, Daisy. You’d be smart to take it.”
I stepped closer to him. “I need to talk to you. I need to know what happened.”
He frowned and leaned against the pitchfork he’d been using. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I moved closer, all traces of fear gone. I wanted the man in front of me, and to have him, I needed to figure out what was making him act so strangely. “You act like you’re afraid of me, Michael.”
He gave a low growl and stepped closer to me. “I’m not afraid of you. But, you should be afraid of me.”
My body wasn’t reacting in fear, though. I was feeling way more turned on than I should be, all things considered. “I’m not. You don’t scare me.”
He gently pushed me away from him. “Go home. I mean it. You don’t understand, Daisy. I’m not good. I’m not safe.”
I gritted my teeth and set my hands on my hips. “Do not push me away again. Come with me for a walk. Please. We can talk.”
He looked like he was going to argue again, so I leaned up and kissed him. One soft kiss and then I was back on my side of the conversation. “It’s just a little walk, Michael. What’s the big deal?”
He grunted. “Fine.”
Even though it was his land, I led the way. I walked down the little dirt road, past all of his brothers, who eyed us with curious gazes, and only stopped when we were at the edge of the property. The woods were across the street and a fenced in pasture on the other.
“This is going to sound crazy. I know it is. I have to ask, though.” I sucked in a big breath and blew it out slowly. “Are you a… werewolf?”
Michael laughed. “You’re kidding.”
I frowned at him. “I’m not.”
He actually bent over, he was laughing so hard. He slapped his knee. His deep belly laughs both surprised me and turned me on. “A werewolf?”
I put my hands on my hips and stared at him. “You don’t have to laugh at me, Michael.”
When he still didn’t stop, I reached out and slapped his arm. “You’re being a jerk. Stop laughing.”
He straightened and tried to get his face in order, but I could tell he still wanted to laugh. “I’m not a werewolf, Daisy.”
“Then what are you?”
There was a long pause while he looked out into the woods and all traces of his smile disappeared. “Nothing that you should be around.”