Chapter 184
[ 927 words ]
Sage
I say hello to her parents, Phillip and Miranda.
“Ash has been talking about this all morning,” Miranda says.
“Dante is no better. He’s excited to be neighbors.”
Phillips’ smile is a little tight and I smirk.
Miranda elbows him. “Oh stop. Dante is a good boy.”
“I know. Doesn’t mean I have to enjoy the fact that our daughter’s new friend is male.”
I mentally shake my head. Good to know parents everywhere dread the era of teenage hormones.
A few pack members help us move our things to our new cabin.
Once the boxes are inside Dante turns to me. “Can I go with Ashlynn? She’s going to introduce me to her friends.”
Part of me wants to keep him where I can keep an eye on him but I know he needs this. Not just the interactions from people in his age group, but the sense of belonging from other wolves.
“Just be back for dinner,” I say.
He smiles and walks out the door with Ashlynn.
Turning I jump back in horror at a sound too close to a squeal coming out of me.
“What the hell is your problem?” I shout at IIya. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”
“You should be more aware of your surroundings,” he responds unrepentantly.
“No you shouldn’t be here at all. Look around, I’m done moving.”
He looks at the front door, then at the pile of boxes in the kitchen.
“If you’re going to have everything done by the time Dante comes back you’ll need some help.”
I want to laugh but his tone tells me he’s completely serious.
“I’ve got it.” I say opening the box marked pans.
He opens the one beside it labeled dishes. “Do you make a habit of shouldering burdens unnecessarily?”
“I wouldn’t call self sufficiency unnecessary.” I’m not sure what the hell is happening here.
He grunts.
The next few moments pass in silence. The only exception is when I point out where I want something.
I take a moment to study him. The calm, efficient nature of him. There is no fidgeting, no wasted movements or excess energy spent humming.
His hair is shorn and I can’t help but wonder if it’s just another way of keeping himself contained, controlled.
His thick dark brown brows contrast with the pale hair on top of his head. His smooth alabaster skin reminds me of someone who comes from a cold harsh environment.
A flash of interest that is purely female startles me enough to look away.
Needing to get away from him I say, “I think that’s good enough for today. Thank you.”
He finishes breaking down the boxes we emptied and takes them to the back, returning and taking a seat on the kitchen table.
He doesn’t look like he has any intention of leaving.
“Am I missing something here? Did Elliot assign you to watch me?” I try to hide my offense, but I doubt I do a good job.
“No one is watching you. Your pack now.”
I look at the time realizing we spent all morning and most of the afternoon working.
I chew my bottom lip. I should kick him out, but the thought of not even offering him a hot drink after all the free labor doesn’t feel right.
Sighing, I turn to the fridge and ask. “Are you hungry?”
He’s quiet so long I turn around to make sure he is still there.
When his vivid grey eyes meet mine it’s arresting. My pulse spikes and his gaze flicks to my pulse as if he felt it.
“I could eat,” he says.
Something about his tone puts me on edge even if the prospect of his interest brings an uncomfortable longing to the forefront.
I look back at my assortment of groceries trying to figure out how I’m going to approach this.
“Sandwiches okay?”
“I’m not fussy.”
We fall into another silence and it isn’t as uncomfortable as I expect it to be. In fact, it isn’t uncomfortable at all.
It’s kind of …nice.
Once I have the sandwiches ready and set them down on the table along with two hot cups of coffee and two glasses of water.
He stares at his plate.
“Everything alright?”
“Yes. I didn’t expect this when you said sandwich.”
I look at the grilled chicken sub. “It is a sandwich.”
“The bread is fresh,’ he says, like it’s an accusation.
“I’m a baker,” I counter.
“This isn’t lunch meat.” That statement sounds… impressed?
I’m a little offended. “My son is a growing hybrid shifter. If I give him lunch meat he’ll probably eat ten packs in one sitting. I try to save myself time.”
When he stares back at me I could swear there is amusement in his eyes.
He looks away and starts to eat without another comment.
Weird man.
Or wolf, I guess.
After I take a few bites on mine we fall into a simple conversation. I ask him more about life in the pack trying to learn as much as I can about our new home. He surprised me by asking about Dante and what raising him was like.
Once we finished eating I, decide blunt is my only course of action.
“What’s going on here? I mean you said you’re not assigned to me anymore so what is all of this about?”
“You’re honest, Sage. I like that about you.”
“Oh. Okay,” I say confused.
He takes my empty plate with his and goes to the sink to wash the dishes, before turning to face me.
“I’m going to be upfront with you. I don’t see a point in beating around the bush. I want you. And I’m going to have you, so you may as well get used to me being in your space because I’ll be here often.”
With that said, he leaves me, stunned into silence.
What the hell have I gotten myself into.
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