Chapter 6

Tension was thick in the air. Breathing was proving to be a challenge and the urge to run and hide in the darkest corner of the house was strong. My white-knuckled hands gripped the arm-rests to try and stop me fleeing in fear.

"You need to breathe, Maggie-May. Passing out is not a good look for a first date." There was more amusement than concern in Nate's voice.

"As long as you're having fun, then my potentially life-changing decision is worth it."

A smirk was his only reply. Meanwhile the third person in the room was completely silent. Not a word had passed Max's lips from the moment I'd arrived at the Manor to meet the outside wolf. He was a dark thundercloud of disapproval. As beta, Max's job was to protect his Alpha and his pack. Inviting in a stranger did not sit well with him.

"You agreed to meet the guy, that's it. Nothing life-changing in a simple meeting." Nate was now trying to soothe me, and possibly the quietly raging storm in the corner.

"Feels like a life-change to me. Remind me again why this was a good idea please?" 

Nate was often my voice of reason so I really hoped he played to his strengths right now. I needed to know that I wasn't a crazy person.

"It isn't." The storm spoke.

"Thanks for that insight. It really helped sort things out for me."  All I could feel was the heat of his anger radiating across the room. His hostility put me on edge and I could feel my wolf scratching inside my skin. Unhappy.

A movement in the doorway drew all of our attention. Jonas entered followed by a tall, broad shadow. My heart-rate kicked up again.

"Ah good. Everyone is here." How Jonas managed to sound so calm in the face of the heavy tension in the room made me jealous. "Maggie, come here." He extended a hand.

Drawing in a deep breath I drew on my inner strength, determined to look collected, I moved forwards.

"Maggie, this is Zachary Stone. Zachary this is Maggie Jones."

Looking up I saw deep, brown eyes set in a pleasant looking face. He was about as non-threatening a person as I'd ever seen. So placid was his manner that I would never had sensed the wolf in him had I met him on the street. 

"It's a real pleasure to meet you Ms Jones. I was so pleased when Jonas said you agreed."

Zachary held out a hand for me to shake. Carefully I reached forward to take it.

"Sure, no problem. I mean I'm happy. To meet you. I'm happy to meet you." His hand was cool to touch but his grip was firm. I turned to Jonas in desperation, needing help before my nerves really set in and took control of my mouth.

            "Dinner is ready. Shall we go through to the dining room?" Jonas saved me and led the way out of the room, Zachary close behind.

"Let's get this group date underway shall we." Nate passed me rubbing his hands together. "Nothing uncomfortable about this at all."

Turning to follow I risked a quick glance back at Max and ran into the brick wall that was his chest. He moved like a ninja. Icy eyes stared down at me, rage and worry swirling together in their deep blue depths. I waited, expecting a tirade of angry words, maybe to be told that I was making a mistake. Instead he gently turned me and nudged me towards the door.

********

Two hours later and the world's most uncomfortable dinner date was finally drawing to a close. I had thought this was the best way to meet Zachary for the first time, safe with friends there to provide a buffer and shield. I was an idiot.

"So, Zack, you're an accountant did you say?" 

"That's right. And I prefer Zachary." That was about the tenth time he'd reminded Nate that evening of his preference, and I was pretty sure this would be the tenth time it would be ignored. "I know it isn't the most exciting sounding job but I'm good at it."

He'd been quietly fending off verbal barbs from Nate all night, neither rising to them or running from them. I admired him for that, he seemed intent on not adding to the drama. Perhaps my decision making was better than I thought, maybe I could trust myself.

“I think we've grilled the poor man enough for one night, don't you agree Maggie?" 

I nodded, silently thanking Jonas for the rescue.

"Yes, definitely. Thanks for putting up with all of us Zachary, I know this has to have been an... odd date." I offered a small smile in his direction.

"Not at all. I've enjoyed myself. And Jonas the food was fantastic, you have real skill." Both he and Jonas stood. "Maggie, I hope we can meet up again soon. Jonas has been kind enough to put me up in an apartment in town for a few weeks. Perhaps we can get coffee at your diner?

"Sounds good."

Zachary nodded once and then left the room, Jonas following in his wake. The moment he left it was like all the air rushed back in and breathing was easy again. I hadn't quite realised all the tension I'd been holding onto as my shoulders relaxed back into their normal position.

"I don't like him."

"He speaks! Seriously Max, you left me doing all the hard work tonight." Annoyance laced Nate's tone.

"Hard work? You were torturing the poor guy. I wouldn't have been surprised if he got up and left halfway through the main course." I scolded Nate.

"He should have. Hell, he seems the type to run away when things get tough." Condescension dripped from Max's words. From the coil of his muscles the tension hadn't left him at all.

            “I get it. You've judged him. Thankfully though he isn't here to date you. Your opinion is noted and ignored." I stood to leave. "I'd say thanks for your help tonight, but honestly neither of you did much to make this any easier." My anger was impossible to miss. 

Nate half rose but before he could say anything Max cut him off, "Come on Little Fighter, I'll drive you home."

"I don't think -"

"Wasn't asking Maggie."

Seething I followed him from the room.

********

"So?" I ground out, unable to take the silence in the car any longer.

"What?" My nemesis asked.

"You clearly have something to say since you pretty much ordered me into your car earlier."

"I'm just being a good guy and giving you a ride home." He kept his eyes fixed on the road.

I growled in frustration. "Max, I know you don't like a strange wolf in the territory. I know it makes you uncomfortable, but Jonas ok'd it, hell he encouraged it, so maybe you need to get over it." Arms crossed I turned to stare out the window watching the world slide by.

Suddenly I was thrown to the side, narrowly missing banging my head. The car swerved, pulling onto a deserted country lane. Killing the engine Max finally looked towards me.

"I need to get over it? Is that what you're telling me?" I couldn't read the emotion in his eyes.

"Yes, that's what I'm telling you." I huffed. "Max, I'm trying to be understanding, I'm trying to see things from a pack beta point of view. Maybe you could try and see things from my perspective too?"

"A pack beta point of view." Even with my wolf hearing I barely caught the quietly repeated words.

"Max-"

"No, you're right babe." He started up the engine.

"I am?" Those words has never come out of his mouth before.

"Sure. Jonas has welcomed good ol' Zack so I should do the same. I promise I'll make the effort with the guy. Help you really get to know him." I could see the grin on his face, hear it in his voice. It made me worry.

"Thanks?" 

"No problem Little Fighter, you know me, I'm all about being helpful."

********

That night I lay in bed, listening to the sounds of the night outside. I could hear the rats digging around in the garbage cans, and further down the street a couple was arguing. The wind was picking up, rattling the window-panes.

I allowed my mind to drift back over the events of the night. It hadn't gone how I thought it would, but maybe it wasn't the complete disaster I'd first thought it. I'd managed to get through the dinner without running or throwing up, I'd joined in the conversation, and I hadn't kicked Nate or Max in their man parts. All positive things.

Zachary seemed...nice. Right now I couldn't think of another word to describe him. In the presence of the other three at the table he'd faded into the background a bit, he didn't push himself forward. Maybe that was a good thing, maybe I needed someone like that, who wouldn't set me on edge and unbalance me. My life often felt unbalanced enough without adding to it.

I yawned, exhaustion creeping in. I couldn't do anything more about this tonight and overthinking things would only bring the fear back. I needed sleep, not least because I'd been invited to join a run with the pack tomorrow. 

As I drifted into sleep all I could see where arctic blue eyes and a sly grin. Trouble was coming.