Chapter 6

Ash

Willow is the one. I made the mistake once of thinking I had found the girl that was meant to be our mate. What I felt once before is nothing compared to the way I feel drawn to Willow. It was almost an instant connection, and my wolf has been dancing around with excitement. He didn’t mind my first choice, but he didn’t react any way close to this. What I don’t get is why Tate is so resistant to the idea of her being our mate.

Han is on my side this time, but this is what happened before…two of us agree and one of us doesn’t. As much as I wish Tate would open up to the idea of getting to know Willow better, I won’t make the same mistake again. If he wants to move on and continue looking, I’ll respect his wishes, but I just want a day with her. If Han and I are right, then Tate will know it soon enough too.

“You want me to show you the park?” Willow asks looking skeptical.

“Yeah, if you don’t have anything else to do today.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip adorably and looks down at the floor. I don’t want to rush her, but goddess I hope she says yes. Also, she smells amazing! Like cake and fresh coffee…

“Okay. Why not! But umm…” She steps closer to me and leans her head in to whisper, “Will it just be the two of us?”

Oh! That’s right. Multiple people in a relationship is not that common with humans. She must think it’s odd that the three of us are always together.

“Would you like that? I mean the three of us are always sort of together, but if you would prefer just the two of us then sure.”

“Are you three…involved with each other?” She asks and I have to stop myself from cracking up.

Packs are comfortable with be close and affectionate with each other because it’s part of our nature but I guess to those who don’t understand the dynamic between us.

“No. We’re just good friends.” Han is quick to explain.

“Oh! I mean not that there is anything wrong with you guys…you know, but I just wanted to be sure.” She says with an anxious stutter.

“It’s alright Willow. Like Ash said, we often do things together but if you would prefer spending some time alone with Ash then we are okay with that.” Han assures her.

“Right…I’m not sure what to say here...” She is rightfully confused.

“Say whatever you want, you won’t hurt our feelings or anything.” I add.

She looks up at me and I get the chance to admire the grey colors of her eyes. Against her warm tan color of her skin and the dusting of freckles on her face, they stand out even more.

“Okay.” She finally says and my wolf howls happily.

You would think she has already agreed to be our mate with the way he’s going on. I don’t hold back my happiness and smile down at her. Her cheeks fill with a dusting of pink and she looks down at her feet again. Without thinking I reach out and tip her chin with one of my fingers so she will look at me again. Her big gray eyes are wide now like she didn’t expect me to touch her, but I couldn’t resist.

“I’ll meet you here when you get off work.” I tell her before tilting my head and leaving a kis on her cheek.

I turn to the guys and wink at them before proudly striding toward the door without waiting for them. I’m on cloud nine right now!

“Ash.” I groan at the serious tone in Tate’s voice, but out of respect for my friend I turn an give him ym full attention. “I don’t think this is a good idea. I can sense you already getting attached.”

“So what?” I snap at him. “She’s perfect Tate. She’s the one, I know it now.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t make this decision lightly Ash. She will be the future Luna of our pack which is a big deal for our people as you know. I can’t pick the first girl we meet.”

“You can’t.” I say and snap my mouth shut before I really say something I’ll regret.

“But you can? Is that it? You want to take a mate on your own?” he asks raising his voice.

His wolf is rising to my challenge, and I can either back down or take him head on. Well, he might be my future Alpha and my friend but if he thinks he can stop me from being happy with a mate I choose then I will have to go up against him.

“That’s not what I meant.” I say trying to defuse the situation for now. “When we were in that room full of women did you feel anything? Did one of them speak to you?”

He sighs and rubs his hands down his face. “No. But this is one town out of hundreds. We really should be smart about this. She seems to live here so we can always come back for her if we don’t find a better match.”

I scoff at him. “You’re sounding a lot like your dad.”

I turn and continue walking without waiting for them. He can stew all he wants, and Han can keep him company while I spend time with Willow. I get back to Tate’s truck and grab my bag. There is no way I’m going back into that scary flower hotel, so I might scope out a place to sleep in my wolf form for the night. For now, I’ll look for a place where I can buy a nicer shirt for my date. There are a few clothing stores, but only one that looks to have my size. I’m not only tall but I have wide shoulders and a narrower waist. It’s difficult to find clothes that fit me well which is why my mom always made my clothes growing up.

She still does I won’t lie.

I walk into the shop anyway hoping to find at least one thing that will look nice.

“Welcome!” A feminine voice calls out from the back of the store.

I never know if you’re supposed to reply when people do that, so I don’t. Instead I start scanning the racks. There are some nice items but they’re a little too clean and smug rich guy looking, neither of which are my style. I tend to be more of a dark t-shirt and distressed black jeans with biker boots sort of guy. This shop doesn’t seem to have anything like that, but maybe I should change it up to something Willow might like.

“Can I help you find something? Oh my-“ I glance over at the woman and see her staring at me with huge eyes. “Wow.”

She blatantly checks me out which I find funny since it’s surprising how obvious some women are about doing that.

“Good morning. I’m looking for something to wear on a first date.” I try to emphasize that last part so she doesn’t get the wrong ideas.

When she smiles and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ears with a flirty look, it didn’t seem tot register with her.

Okay then…

“Actually, I’m not sure you’ll have anything that will fit me.” I am not about to stick around some horny woman with wondering eyes.

The only eyes I want on me are grey and beautiful. I start to back track toward the door when she grabs me by the arm and pulls me toward the back of the store where she had been. For a second I think she’s being very forward about wanting to have some alone time with me until we stop in front of a few racks of larger sized clothes.

“These will probably be the best fit. Grab what you like and then feel free to try them on.” She points to four booths marked ‘Fitting Room’.

“Thanks.” I give her a tight smile but I can’t manage anything more.

She’s starting to make this a little awkward and I’m quickly regretting coming in here to begin with. Thankfully someone else comes in and distracts her so that I can shop in peace.

“Hot date tonight?” Yet another person interrupts me and I’m starting to get irritated.

When I turn this time it’s a guy standing near me. “Oh, uh sort of.” I reply as I continue browsing.

“No offence but your style doesn’t seem to fit in this place.”

“Yeah, no shit. It doesn’t matter though, I want to look nice so I’ll manage.”

“I’m sure you will besides women are all about personality than how a guy looks these days.” He starts to glance at the clothes around us but doesn’t seem interested in shopping. “My girlfriend has never been big on fancy clothes or expensive dinners. She preferred walks in the park, picnics in the spring, and cuddling up to read in the winter. Sort of clique I know but she doesn’t care.”

I nod along with him, but I don’t really care about a thing he’s saying. My mind is occupied on one woman.