Page 11 of Match (Damselverse #1)
Chapter eleven
Halle
I ’m settling in quite well at the pack house. Now that I have turned my nest into my own personal haven, I am finally starting to believe that I may have found a home here.
Though only on a temporary basis. Soon, I will have to leave and get back on my feet.
I just hope that Dane lets me keep my blankets and pillows.
Every corner of the room has been covered in a blanket of some kind, and it’s almost like the nest I always dreamed of.
The nest my pack refused to build me.
Sometimes, they would take a pillow from me as punishment if I did something they didn’t like.
Those were some lonely nights, and I make a vow once again that I will never go back.
I refuse to be anyone’s plaything, and if I keep repeating the mantra, then I may just be able to manifest it one day and make it my new reality.
My nest is beautiful, but it’s missing something, and I can’t quite put my finger on it.
I’m sure I will figure it out.
Someone knocks on the door, and I quickly look in a mirror to check my reflection before I permit them entry.
“Come in.”
Dane’s face pops into view. His eyes light up when he sees what I have done with the place.
“Petal, it’s gorgeous! You’ve really transformed this room.”
My cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
A sneaky grin takes over his face.
“What is it?” I ask.
“So… we’re about to watch a movie, and we were wondering if you would like to join. I made popcorn.”
Now, that does sound wonderful, but I am already trespassing as it is.
“No, I shouldn’t.”
“And why not?” he asks.
I shrug. “Because…I don’t know… Will Penn be there?”
Dane blinks. “Of course. It’s his turn to pick the movie.”
Right. I feel bad every time I see Penn. The Alpha may tell me that he forgives me, but there’s no missing the sadness in his eyes.
He misses his bookstore; he told me so himself.
So, I doubt he wants anything to do with me.
“Please, join us. It wouldn’t be the same without you,” Dane begs.
How can I say no to those eyes? He really can be precious.
I concede. “All right.”
Dane smiles, then does a happy jig. His enthusiasm really is infectious. “Yay!”
I let him lead me to the large theatre they have at the house, and there we find Aiden and Penn waiting for us.
It looks as if Dane has even saved a spot for me, and I try to ignore the flutter in my chest as I take my seat.
The movie starts, and through it all, I keep stealing glances at Penn.
Damn, he is gorgeous, the shadows from the movie dancing in the defined shallows of his face, and I still recall the moment he tried to get that naughty tabby back in his catio.
A smile comes to my lips, and that’s when the Alpha turns my way.
I pretend to be absorbed in the movie again. It’s a war one with subtitles, and I take it this was Penn’s choice.
Dane looks bored, trying to stay awake, but Aiden pays a little more attention.
When the movie finishes, Dane whispers to me, “Thank goodness. Don’t tell Penn, but I always found his taste in movies questionable.”
“I can hear you,” Penn scolds, and Dane looks at me with a snort.
“What kind of movies do you like, Halle?” Aiden asks.
I think about it. My Alphas never let me watch movies, but I do know that they watched a lot of porn.
Sometimes, loudly and pointedly.
Were they trying to tell me something? “You will never be as hot as the girls on TV…”
I shrug, pushing the hurtful memory aside. “I like cartoons.”
Dane smiles. “Good choice. Well, for our next movie night, you can pick, Halle. It was my turn, but I will let you have it.”
“Well, thank you, Dane,” I reply.
“In fact, you can pick your movie for tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to go back to the firehouse the day after. So, I won’t be able to take care of you as much.”
My chest deflates. “Oh.”
Well, that sucks.
Dane is the only one I feel comfortable around. Aiden is always busy at the clinic, and things are still awkward with me and Penn.
“But no worries, Petal. Because Penn will take care of you. Won’t you, Penny?”
The bookish Alpha almost chokes on a popcorn kernel. Then he fixes his glasses, turning a bright shade of red. “S-sure.”
While I’m excited at the prospect of being around Penn, I am not looking forward to the awkward pauses.
Well, just maybe we will turn a new leaf. It’s about time we put our past behind us.
Because I am sure that Penn is a big softie deep, deep down.
And I can’t wait to crack him open.