All Chapters of Wild and Untamed: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Dinner was placed in front of them, street tacos with extra jalapenos and lime for Annie. Candy smiled as she watched her mate close her eyes and inhale the aroma. She looked down at the burrito, her mouth watering at the sight of the green spicy sauce.  “I promise you’ll enjoy this.” Candy said as she unrolled the burrito and dumped in the spicy salsa.  “It smells so good.” Candy muttered as she tucked into her meal.  They ate in a silence, it wasn’t an awkward silence as Candy had worried they would have. She’d been on dates before and hung out with the guys.  This was different, it was nice. She still hoped to hang out with her friends and bandmates. It would be nice to be able to hang around Eli and get to know him as a friend now that she had no interest in

“What’s that?” Annie asked as she looked at Candy.  “Earlier,” she said softly, carefully considering her words. She didn’t want to hurt her mate, she had already been through so much. “Earlier, when I was at practice…”  “Candy, what’s wrong?”  “I kissed Stolas.” Candy blurted out. She hated herself as she watched Annie’s face fall. Her shoulders seemed to curl in. As if she were trying to shield herself from anything else that might hurt her.  Her whispered “Oh,” Was one that Candy felt stabbing into her gut. She could see the blank look returning as she closed in on herself.  “It was just a kiss and I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, I just couldn’t not tell you.&r

“Are you ready to head home?” Candy asked as they walked down the sidewalk. She had hoped to be able to talk Annie into a few more things. It seemed that after she’d passed the sheer babydoll nightgown that her mate was done trying on clothing.  She’d slipped it into their purchases anyway.  “I am, my feet are killing me.” Annie said, as she looked down at her sandals.  Looking over at Annie, Candy worried her lower lip. “How about you sit down and I’ll pull the car around?”  “You wouldn’t mind?” Annie asked as she looked back at the bench they had passed. It would be a quiet moment. Now that shoppers had started to head home, Annie could use one of those. Yes, she liked spending time with Candy, but sometimes being alone in the quiet was nice too.

Candy sat the shopping bags on Annie’s bed. She looked around the small room. Worrying her lower lip. The pack had houses and apartments spread throughout the city. She wondered what Annie would like, or if she’d like to stay here in the pack house. Annie’s sister was here, she’d probably want to be close to her. Candy’s parents were here. She knew that her own mother would have no problems coming over to help out with the babies. It was clear from her response during the ultrasound. Candy couldn’t help but wonder how her father had taken the news. She felt a pang of guilt at not having gone to talk with them about it yet. Everything had just happened so fast. She took comfort in the fact that her parents knew how things worked with shifters. How quickly they moved. She was glad that she’d never settled. That meeting Annie had shown her what she felt for Eli was nothing compared

“What, what’s wrong?” Candy asked as she moved closer to her mother, trying to see what the older woman saw. “Is everything okay?” Annie asked, trying to push herself to sit up. Candy came to her side, placing a pillow behind her so she could sit. “Yeah, you didn’t have a birthmark on your hip before, did you?” Candy asked, already knowing the answer. She hadn’t had much time to become acquainted with her mate’s body, but she was sure that hadn’t been there before. “No.” Annie said, lifting her arm up as she moved her shirt higher. The swirling, bursting pattern was burnt into her skin. Doc moved her hand closer to inspect the skin. It was hot to the touch. “Candy, go get some burn cream and bandages from the clinic.” “I don’t want to leave Annie.” Cand