Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“How was everything?” John asked.
“Everything was fine,” Ashley said. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
John looked at Phoenix who smiled at him. He had no idea what Ashley was doing.
“Er, sure. I’ve already closed up shop for the night.”
Phoenix hadn’t even realized so much time had passed. He would walk Ashley home, that would extend their time together.
Ashley took the lead and John followed, walking toward the back. Phoenix knew he shouldn’t attempt to listen, but he couldn’t help himself.
“What is it, Ashley?”
“Sir, I have enjoyed working here, but I think it’s time I moved on. Please, consider this my two weeks’ notice.”
“Ashley? What?”
“It’s been a wonderful experience, but I know it’s time for me to move on. I’m planning on leaving town very soon. I’m already looking for work and intend to move into an apartment, which would stop me from working for you. It has been a pleasure.”
“I had no idea you were planning to leave.”
Phoenix walked away pissed off, leaving the shop. She wasn’t leaving, no, she was running away, and he wouldn’t allow that to happen. He stepped out into the night air. He tilted his head back, breathing in the warmth. The pack were going about their business. No one, not even a human, would know a pack lived here.
The full moon had already passed. Running fingers through his hair, he waited, knowing it wasn’t long before she would step over the threshold and leave work. He knew what the problem was. He was the problem. It happened before. He’d go to one of her places of work, and the next time he went, she’d be working elsewhere. The DIY store had been her last resort to stay far away from him, and it just pissed him off. She couldn’t keep running away from him.
Ashley stepped out of the store and stopped, staring up at the sky.
“It’s rude to listen in on people’s conversations.”
“I didn’t take you for a coward.”
She spun toward him. “I’m not a coward. It’s time for me to move on. I’m sure you have a lot of experience with that, since you do it all the time.”
Chapter Four
Ben and Leah were already upset with Ashley’s decision to leave. They had voiced their concerns and their lack of support. They didn’t want her to leave, certainly not the pack.
No one would understand why she had to leave. It hurt. There was nothing but pain every single day she was with the pack. She had lived with that pain, hoping it would get better, hoping she’d stop thinking about Phoenix, or that she’d at least find someone to move on. But there was no way she could do that to Daniel, even though he offered himself all the time, which made her sad. He deserved someone better than her, someone who was going to love him for him.
“Is that what this is about? You want to punish your parents and your boss because of me?” Phoenix asked.
She snorted. “Get over yourself.” She grabbed her bag and started walking away, heading toward home.
Ashley didn’t get very far, as she wasn’t just stopped but thrown over Phoenix’s shoulder and carried none too gently away from the town. They entered the forest and when they were far enough away, she slapped his back.
“Put me down. I have no idea what you’re doing or why, but you put me down now!” She growled.
Anger worked its way up until she couldn’t control herself anymore and she bit him, on the ass. He was so infuriating.
“Ow!” He came to a stop near his home, where he lowered her to the ground.
Ashley wasn’t able to catch her balance and she ended up on her ass. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Don’t you see?” he asked.
“See what?” she asked, getting to her feet.
He spun her around, wrapped his arms around her body, and made her look across the forest at his home.
She noticed the leaves had been gathered up and made it look … neat. Ashley had always loved the old alpha’s house, not that she’d ever been invited or visited him while he’d been alive. While her parents were busy, she would wander the woods on her own and explore the outside of his home, which she loved. Even now, the house was beautiful. Set back as some kind of villainous fairy tale’s home, she found it had a certain charm about it.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to stay.”
She shook her head. “I don’t care.”
“Damn it, Ashley, what will it take?”
She shoved his hands away and spun around to face him. “Everything. Don’t you get that? You think because you’re sticking around this time and showing me a small bit of kindness, you expect me to what, lay down, show you my belly, and thank you for even giving me the tiniest shred of attention?”