Beatrice had called the local coven, but they had turned down our request to stay there, which was odd. No one was certain why, but witches rarely declined such a simple request.
We pulled into the Hampton Inn in the town and parked to the side.
Aidan linked with me as he looked at me. We’re getting our own damn room tonight. I can’t deal with Logan’s and Beth’s snoring another night.
It had been god-awful. They’d kept me, Aidan, and even Gabby up all night, which had led to even shorter fuses. You know what, let’s spring for it. I have some cash.
No, we need to keep that in case of an emergency. Aidan opened the driver’s door. I have some money saved in a checking account only in my name. We can use that.
I wanted to argue, but this wasn’t a battle worth fighting over. He had a right to be part of the decisions and make a few of his own. I loved him because he was strong, and that was something I never wanted to change.
“Do you think I can get some earplugs here?” Gabby muttered as she climbed out of the car behind Logan.
“I do not snore,” Beth whined as she slammed the car door behind her.
“That doesn’t prove anything.” I shut the door. “It’s more like denial.”
“You never said anything back in the dorm.” Beth strutted to the back of the car, snagged her bag, and threw it over her shoulder. “So, I don’t believe you.”
“That’s because you didn’t then.” She’d snored a little, but nothing like last night.
“Maybe it’s the change of altitude,” Coral said as she, Samuel, and Amethyst joined us.
“What?” Beth’s face scrunched. “That’s not a thing.”‘
“Actually, it is.” Samuel chuckled. “It’s a medical condition.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Amethyst patted Beth on the shoulder. “You can’t help it.”
“If it’s any consolation, you were quieter than Logan.” I glanced over to the odd man. “He sounded like a chainsaw.”
“I’m a man.” Logan’s face was unreadable, but his tone implied he could be joking.
“Wait … are you trying to be funny?” Beth startled, and her face wrinkled.
Logan pursed his lips. “I can be personable.”
“You might want to try smiling more, then.” Gabby smacked his shoulder. “You’re kind of grouchy and broody. Maybe a smile or a chuckle every now and then would make you more approachable.”
Coral tapped her chin. “She has a point.”
“Let’s head inside.” Aidan yawned. “I need to get some sleep.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw it was close to nine at night. It had been a long day, especially since I’d checked on Dad again. They’d convinced Jacob to come back home with them and left without incident. Apparently, Prescott and Bradley were consumed with finding us, but my pack was worried that the Murphy’s and Jones’s packs might try to attack them. Just another thing to worry about. I had to fix all of this before things got worse.
Aidan was right: we needed our rest. “That way we can get up early and start looking for the girl.”
“Are we just going to drive around, looking for a birthmark behind a girl’s ear?” Gabby walked toward the entrance of the hotel room.
“Maybe.” I wasn’t sure yet.
“What?” She paused and turned around to look at me. “I was being sarcastic.”
“Well, to be fair, we don’t have a solid plan yet.” She expected me to have answers, but dammit, I was new to all this shit, too.
“We found you, didn’t we?” Aidan sounded annoyed.
“Because you were with the witches.” The hate in Logan’s response rang clear.
They both didn’t like the way their mates were being spoken to, which was sweet, but it would only cause more problems.
“She asked a fair question, and Aidan was right about us finding her.” This whole hostility thing was getting to be too much, and I hoped it would end soon. “We need to act like our own pack, even if it’s not official, and talk things out.” I paused, forcing myself to stay calm. “That night, I was tugged toward you, so maybe that will happen again.”
“Maybe.” She shrugged, but I could tell she wanted to argue.
As we walked into the hotel, our group quieted.
Aidan and Amethyst took the lead and headed to the dark wood counter to get our rooms in order while our group stood in the wide-open lobby, right in front of the open bar.
“Fate has a way of making things work out,” Coral said as she smiled at us. “Who would’ve thought this group would be standing here, in the middle of nowhere? We got this far. She won’t let us down now.”
“Now that I can agree with.” Gabby’s eyes warmed as if the words had struck a chord with her. “But why did fate make me an orphan with no one to truly love me?” Her mouth dropped open, and she covered it with a hand.
She hadn’t meant to say that last part.
“You’re loved,” Logan replied, his voice raspy as he looked at her.
“Am I?” she said breathlessly and stepped toward him.
I remembered those feelings all too well. Who was I kidding? I still felt like that with Aidan.
“It was bad enough to watch you and Aidan be grossly lovesick. Now I have to watch them too?” Beth grumbled and pouted.
“All right, we got our rooms.” Amethyst held up two keys.
“Same room assignments as last night?” Beth asked.
“Nope. Emma and I have our own room.” Aidan grinned while holding up his own key.
“Nope, not happening.” Beth jerked her head from side to side and crossed her arms. “I am not rooming with those two alone. I’m staying with you.” She pointed at the witches.
“There are only two beds.” Samuel frowned at her. “There isn’t a rollout.”
“Then, I guess I’m sleeping with you.” Beth glared as if daring him to disagree.
His mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Don’t worry. I don’t bite.” She grabbed his arm, keeping him with her. “You aren’t my type, so you’re safe.”
Of course, she’d go there. “As fun as this is, I’m heading to our room.” I looped my arm through Aidan’s. “Let’s meet downstairs for breakfast at eight.”
“Okay, see you.” Beth waved.
“Wait … you can’t sleep with us if you’re snoring that loudly.” Coral’s tone was absolute.
“Well, then one of you is staying with me,” Beth growled. “I won’t be alone in there when they start doing the horizontal tango.”
“Really?” Samuel asked. “Horizontal tango?”
Aidan linked with me as we stepped into the elevator. Aren’t you so glad we got away from them tonight?
Uh, yeah. My body was already warming at the thought of us being alone.
We got off the elevator on the third floor and were in our room within seconds.
As soon as the door shut, Aidan dropped our bag to the ground and pulled me into his chest. His lips were on me in a flash. It’s been too damn long. His words were almost a sigh in my head. His fingers slipped under my shirt and dug into my skin.