Moonbound (Moonfate Serial Book 1) by Sylvia Frost Read Free Book Online Page A

with my intimidation attempt; instead, he looks at me with pity. “Look at it this way, at least you’ve got a really powerful werecall, girl.”
    “Only werebeasts have werecalls. And I’m not your girl.”
    “No,” he says. “You’re definitely not. Not with a werecall that strong. I can’t imagine how powerful your bond must be. Or how your mate hasn’t found you already. Well, he will soon, I guess.” He fiddles with something in his pocket, clenching it then letting go.
    My mouth dries, remembering Orion. As if Cooper’s weird, gay-hating boss wasn’t enough.
    “Shut up.” I look down and start to clean the few stray salt granules that I didn’t catch the first time.
    Cooper runs his hands through his hair, making it stand even straighter and sharper. “You know, I’m all for fighting destiny, but I’m telling you, it’s not an easy battle. And if you refuse to admit it’s even happening, you’re gonna have a hard time winning it.”
    “Fuck off.” I throw it out there, not really expecting him to listen.
    I keep scrubbing, waiting for him to reply. Once I’m convinced I’ve got every stray speck, I look up, and to my surprise I find that he had listened.
    He’s gone.
     

Chapter Nine
    It’s two a.m. I’ve just finished counting down the drawer and am working up how to tell Lola that I might have to duck out for a few days when she a heaves a giant sigh and walks over to me.
    “How’s the drawer doing?” she asks.
    I stare down at the short stacks of ones, fives, tens and twenties. There’s only one fifty-dollar bill, and it’s been there for weeks. “People must’ve used a lot of credit cards tonight.”
    She taps the old PC we use to ring up customers and shows today’s total. Five hundred dollars. Barely enough to cover rent. Lola closes the window quickly, probably hoping that I won’t see. Then she opens the drawer below the screen and pulls out an envelope, which she then sets on the counter.
    I stare at it, hoping it’s what I think it is. I need that check.
    She gives me a watery smile and takes my hands in hers weathered ones. I start at the sudden contact, but she doesn’t let me escape. “Thank you, Artemis, for singing tonight, and for dealing with that weirdo of a customer, and most of all for understanding.” She lets my hands go and picks up the envelope and waves it so it flops around. Its little plastic window crinkles. “About this being so late.”
    “No problem.” I take it and bite my lip, resisting the urge to open it now. I’m not sure how much is in it or if it will be enough. I pick up my purse, put the check inside, and am just about to head out when Lola taps me on the shoulder.
    I turn around and see in her hands the entire wad of cash from the drawer. “Lola!”
    “Take it—consider it payment for your singing.”
    “I can’t,” I say, even as my fingers itch toward the cash. I could run a whole extra week on that much. “You need it.”
    She pushes it into my hands. “I can tell when someone’s in a rough way, Artemis.”
    Reluctantly, I take the money and slip it into the envelope alongside the check. “Thank you so much, Lola. I don’t know what to say.” My cheeks burn as I realize I still haven’t asked her for time off to run. How can I do that now that she just gave me a bonus? But it’s either that or leave her without saying anything at all.
    “You should take a couple days off, too, honey.” She pats me absently on the shoulder. “Peter owes me some extra hours, and you’ve never missed a day. Just sort out whatever’s going on, okay?”
    My eyes widen. “Thank you.”
    “And you’re going to be singing here every Friday.” Lola leans in and offers me a conspiratorial smile. “So you better learn some Elvis in your time off.”
    I laugh. “Elvis? Okay.” I frown when I realize I’m saying “okay” like I know that I’ll be here next Thursday.
    “Do you need a ride?” asks Lola.
    Outside, the rain