Page 39 of Selkie AU: Beyond the Storm

There was a selection of boots on this female human’s table. Some of them with strings and fur, and others like the rain boots I was wearing. “I like these boots,” I told him honestly, wrigglingmy toes around in them. They were Rowan’s boots, which made them the best.

“They’re a bit big for you.”

“I’d be happy to help you pick out another pair,” said the woman, smiling widely at me. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you related to Miki?”

I shook my head. “No, who’s that?”

“Oh, she’s a woman who lives here. I saw her earlier today actually. You look similar. You both have white hair and gray eyes. And you’re both really pretty.” She fluttered her eyelashes at me.

Rowan’s hand clasped around my arm as he pulled me a little closer to him. “If you’re happy with those boots, then let’s go.”

The woman frowned as Rowan ushered me away from the table. “Well, I’ll see you around, then. Hopefully,” she called after us.

Rowan kept us moving until we were out of sight from her, and I turned to smile deviously at him.

“What?” he grumbled.

“Are you jealous,mate?”

“I’mnotjealous.”

“That’s just what a jealous mate would say.”

He rolled his eyes at me, his cheeks a little pinker now.

“You’re so cute.”

“Cute?” he scoffed in disbelief. “I’m not cute!”

“Yes you are.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He scowled harder, and I smiled even more. “Don’t worry about it.” I slung my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. “I only have eyes for you, my perfect mate.”

Rowan huffed, but I could tell he was trying not to smile.

“I’m serious. You can mate me right here in front of everyone if you want me to prove it.”

His blush darkened. “There will be no mating in front of other people, Milo.”

“Best way to get your point across and publicly claim me.” I shrugged one shoulder.

A large hand found mine, weaving our fingers together. “This will be enough.”

“Boring,” I teased, and he rolled his eyes. “Well, let’s hurry up here so we can go home and mate, then.”

“Trouble,” he grumbled, pulling me by our connected hands back into the flow of people.

I no longer had an interest in any of the markets. I wanted to go home to my nest so I could show my mate how much I belonged to him.

That was until I saw a table with jewelry on it. I yanked my hand out of Rowan’s so that I could hurry over there.

Not that way.The familiar and unexpected tug of guidance caught me off guard, causing me to trip in my oversized boots. Gravel stung my palms as I collided with the ground.Hurry.

I sat up as Rowan shoved through the people between us to get to me. “Milo, are you okay?”

I grabbed him, using him to pull myself up as I looked around us, unsure exactly what I was supposed to be looking for, but knowing there must besomething.