The Werewolf's Christmas Wish (Nocturne Falls) by Kristen Painter Page B

out.”
    “You’re the best brother ever. Tell Zoe and everybody else I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
    Titus cleared his throat softly. “Hey, about that, I was going to tell you when you got here, but… Zoe and I aren’t seeing each other anymore. I mean, we’re not a couple anymore.”
    Bridget’s jaw unhinged and it took her a second to compute what he’d said. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
    “No. Look, it’s been a long time coming. She wanted to move back to Oregon to be near her folks, and I was never going to move. Then her dad fell and broke his hip last week, and that was it. Her decision was made. We love each other, but we’re not meant to be.”
    “But you were engaged.”
    He sighed. “She gave the ring back. I’m sure you have all kinds of questions, but honestly, I’m worn out. I’d like to get through the holidays without the whole thing turning into a Titus pity party, which Aunt Birdie is already making extremely difficult.”
    “I can imagine. Are you… okay?”
    “Mostly. I’m not bitter, I’m not destroyed, I’m just hurt and missing her and I’ll get over it. In my own time. Okay?”
    She nodded, feeling numb. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
    “It is. Now let me go so I can call the firehouse. By the time you walk over there, the truck will be ready to go.”
    “Thanks, Titus. I love you.”
    “I love you too, Bridge. See you soon.” He hung up.
    She stared at her phone, shaking her head. “Titus and Zoe?” They’d been a couple for so long. She’d assumed, like the rest of her family, they’d get married, have kids, and grow old together. Then just like that, the dream was gone.
    She hurt for her brother. Of the three of them, Titus had always been the one who’d had every aspect of his life sorted out. Hank had disappeared into the military on some quest to turn himself into the perfect alpha who would one day take over their father’s role as leader of the Georgia Pack. Hank’s life had been built around discipline and responsibility. Becoming sheriff seemed the next logical step.
    His marriage had only happened because it had been arranged for him. Otherwise, he’d probably still be single.
    She’d gone to business school, but that had been because she wasn’t sure what else to do and being the daughter of an alpha meant doing something while she waited on the possibility that she might be married off to the son of another alpha. Instead, Hank had ended up being the sacrificial lamb, but thankfully it had worked out.
    The bar business had just kind of happened to her. After school, she’d waited tables and bartended to make some money that was all hers and not tied to pack dividends, but as it turned out, she was good at it. People liked her, and she liked them. Usually. Those she didn’t, she handled with the kind of quick, decisive thinking that had gotten her promoted to manager at the first place she worked.
    So when Howler’s had come up for sale, she’d taken a chance and interviewed with the Ellinghams to buy it. She’d already had the supernatural part going for her, and unlike some of the other vampires she’d run across, they didn’t care that she was a werewolf. They’d wanted diversity in their town, and they’d definitely gotten it.
    Buying the place had been the best thing she’d ever done, but Howler’s had become her best friend, her child, and her husband. It took tremendous amounts of time. And what social life she had happened in the bar.
    But Titus had known right away what he wanted to do. Without the pressure of the possibility of an arranged marriage hanging over his head, he’d gone from high school straight into the fire academy. He’d gotten into a house, settled into a routine, and not long after moving to Nocturne Falls to become chief, he’d met Zoe. Schoolteacher, werewolf, and all-around perfect wife and mother material.
    Or so it had seemed.
    Bridget put her coat on. The best thing she could do was get