Page 7 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Dragon

The tent’s interior smelled slightly of hay and fur. It was quieter in there, except for the occasional bark or meow from the animals inside.

Henry stared at the donation jar for a second, pressing his lips together at the sight of the few crumpled notes and coins inside. Green Sanctuary had barely made any sales so far. A couple oftownsfolk had stopped by to pet the animals, and had reluctantly bought T-shirts or promised to return, but most people walked right past.

Yeah...securing five grand before the end of the day was starting to sound impossible.

At least his day hadn’t been a complete bore so far, he thought, recalling the witch who’d fallen out of the sky. Not to mention he hadn’t come to the fair alone.

He stepped into the tent. Nora sat inside on one of the chairs, her face betraying some tension. She was strikingly beautiful, with a round face and full lips. Her jet-black hair swept down to her shoulders, silver streaks framing her face closer to the front. It was still wet from the rain, and though her clothes were mostly dry, her nipples still poked through her clothes. From where he stood, Henry could make out the curve of her hips, her thighs thicker as she sat.

His heart beat a little faster as he watched her. Henry felt a light stirring sensation in his pants, and clenched his jaw.You’re supposed to be protecting her, not ogling her.

In his defense, it was hard not to. He’d come across his fair share of beautiful women, but this...this one was different, somehow. Was it because she’d literally fallen into his clutches? Henry wasn’t sure, but she’d occupied space in his mind ever since he laid eyes on her.

It occurred to him that Nora was staring at him. Henry stiffened for a second, then cleared his throat.

“Need anything?” he asked her. “There’s some water and orange juice in case you’re thirsty, and if you’re hungry...”

The witch shook her head, her gold irises still fixed on him like she was appraising him. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“You don’t look fine. You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind. Which isn’t a surprise, considering what you told me.” Hetook his seat on one of the other chairs. “Speaking of which...we should talk some more.”

They hadn’t spoken much since she hopped into his truck earlier. Maybe talking would help pass the time. Not to mention he still barely knew a thing about this witch. All she’d told him was her name, and that she was being hunted because her coven was trying to kill her. Looking back on it, maybe he should’ve interrogated her some more before agreeing to protect her. Then again, he’d had little time to spare.

Besides, it wasn’t every day a gorgeous witch fell out of the sky and asked for your help. This woman gavedamsel in distressa whole new meaning.

“About what?” She blinked at him.

Up close, she looked even more stunning. Her breasts heaved slightly, and Henry felt his cock twitch in his pants. He was suddenly very grateful he’d sat down.

“You, of course. You say you’re being hunted.”

“Yeah. He’s been after me for more than a month now. He’s not going to stop.”

“You never mentionedwhyhe’s after you.”

Nora swallowed, and her expression instantly turned guarded. “I...I don’t...why are you asking that?”

She was hiding something, Henry realized. He took a deep breath. “I have to know who exactly I’m protecting. For all I know, you could be some kind of criminal. Why would your coven want you dead? Why would they send someone after you? I need an explanation, and you haven’t given me anything.”

Guilt flickered in her golden eyes, but she shook her head. “I don’t think I want to talk about it.”

“Yeah, well, you could’ve told me that before asking for my help. If you still want it, you’re gonna have to fess up.”

Nora bit her lip for a moment, still staring at him. Then she let out a heavy sigh.

“It’s because of who I am,” she said. “WhatI am.”

“A witch? Why would they hate one of their own?”

“No.” She shook her head again. “I’m not just a witch. I’m...I’m a hybrid.”

Her words hit him like a sucker punch to the gut. The air suddenly felt colder. Henry stared at her for the next few seconds, waiting for her to burst into a grin or shout, “Kidding!” But she did not, and he felt his insides begin to shrivel.

“Did you say...a hybrid?”

She gave a nod. “I’m part witch, part wolf shifter.”

He looked away briefly, hoping his eyes hadn’t betrayed the way he was feeling right now. The wordhybridrang through his mind, awakening memories he’d fought for so long to keep buried at the back of his mind.