The Witch Who Cried Wolf (Cry Wolf, #1) by Sarah Makela Page A

dinner.
    The small Christmas tree sitting on the coffee table didn’t do much to revitalize my festive spirit. In fact, it made things worse, because now was the time of year when I felt the most alone. When I’d hooked up together with Greg, I thought he’d make things better, but actually he’d only made them worse. Whether on a date or spending time at his house, I felt lonelier with him.
    Shaking my head, I pulled the blanket down from the back of the couch, wrapping it around myself. The home phone rang, and I jumped, nearly bouncing off the sofa.
    “Hello?”
    “Mia, why haven’t you been answering your cell phone? What’s up with Ethan? Did he arrive on time?” Nolan’s usually happy-go-lucky voice sounded worried.
    Damn, I hadn’t heard my phone. Maybe I didn’t take it off vibrate. “He arrived on time and should be home soon. Why?”
    “Your phone went straight to voice mail. Mom and Dad are worried. Why didn’t you answer?” He refused to let up. Another pushy guy was the last thing I needed right now.
    I sighed. “My phone must’ve run out of juice. I’ve had a long day. Call Ethan. I’m sure he wants to talk to you, especially after what you did.” From what I’d heard at the airport, I was sure there would be a long discussion between the two.
    “What? I’m innocent, I swear.” Nolan sounded mischievous, not innocent. Bastard! But I did love my brother.
    “Right, right. Well, we both know that’s not true. Why didn’t you take time off to pick up Ethan? I don’t get it.” I wanted an answer. His boss not letting him off work was a lame excuse—since his boss had let him off for less. It just seemed sneaky, as if he was hiding something, and when Nolan was like this, it meant trouble.
    “What can I say?”
    Anger at his vague response shoved me over the edge. “Stop with the bullshit, Nolan. I want to know why. What came up that you—”
    “Sorry, sis. I’m getting a call on the other line. It might be Ethan. Thanks for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The dial tone cut off any protests.
    I would be seeing him tomorrow night, and when I did, I’d strangle the jerk. If he wanted to play hard to get, then he had another thing coming to him. I’d find out what he was up to, whether he liked it or not.
    Uneasiness tightened my chest. The similarities of Nolan’s reluctance to answer a few simple questions mirrored my own. However, my answers would reveal earthshaking revelations about the supernatural community existing, as opposed to whatever Nolan hid.
    Ethan deserved the truth. He was already wrapped up in situation with me. I could use his help, and it was better for me to keep an eye on him. If he displayed any lunar tendencies, I needed to act before anyone else found out.
    I tossed the phone on the couch, not bothering to put it back on the cradle. If my purse hadn’t been in the entryway, I would’ve gone to check my cell phone to see how many messages had been left for me. Knowing my parents and brother, there would be plenty.
    The most memorable event of the day was Ethan kissing me. Feeling his lips on mine had been like a caress from heaven. Errr.... Maybe the love potion had been stronger when mixed with the healing salve than I realized.

Chapter Seven
    ––––––––
Ethan
    I walked up the sidewalk to what used to be my parents’ house. A sign staked in the yard said Welcome Home in big letters.
    Damn.
    Mia and Nolan’s parents were so nice to me. Sometimes I didn’t feel like I deserved all of the affection they gave. I wasn’t their son, even though they were like parents to me after mine died when a drunk driver hit them.
    Nolan was perched on the porch talking on his cell phone. When he noticed me walking up, he said a few more words and hung up the phone. “Hmm...I’m guessing what Mia told me wasn’t true, that you arrived home and everything’s fine?” Getting up to greet me, he cocked an eyebrow. “What happened to your