Page 64 of Ondine: Vol. 2

The dawn is finally at its peak and she’s glowing.

“You come out here often?” She asks, meeting my eyes.

“As often as I can. I’m usually fishing or shooting or doing something when I get some time to myself.”

“Is it ok that I invited myself along?”

“I’m very happy you’re here.”

She smiles and takes another bite. My sandwich is long gone.

“Did you read the letter Jake sent me?” She finally asks.

I grit my teeth and twitch my lips.

“It was from all of us. I’ve been trying to write my own piece to add to it, but I’m not much of a writer.” I look at her face glowing in the morning light. She looks like a dream. “I already told you that I’m yours. I’m yours to go fishing with. I’m yours to pick up your medicines and drive your mate to kidnap children.”

She laughs. She finally connected with Freddie late last night and he told her about it. The five boys are not kidnapped. Freddie is sorting everything out with their families. He’s also gotten requests to check in on the well being of a few other kids.

“I’ll keep you then. You’ll be mine. Forever.”

A weight lifts off of my chest and I take an unencumbered breath. I feel free. Lighter and free.

I rub my palms against my jeans, and enjoy the free air.

She gives me a deep, gorgeous smile.

“Ok,” I say and it’s an agreement.

A little breeze picks up and it rocks the boat. The birds are out and loud singing their songs. Little bugs dance across the water.

“This is a nice date,” she says casually and balls up her tin foil and puts it in the cooler.

“Yeah,” I agree.

It takes me a full two minutes to realize what she just said. I’ve even handed her a water bottle and recast my line.

“Did you…I’m sorry. Is this a date?”

“Oh, I just thought…”

“Yes, yes. This is a date. I’m sorry, I never took anyone on a date. I didn’t know.”

She laughs.

“You’ve never taken anyone on a date?”

“No, don’t laugh. I’m an alpha. I don’t do that. I court. And Jake and Shadow courted me. Mostly Jake. And that wasn’t romantic.” I don’t think anyway. “If I would have known I would have done things differently. Maybe made better snacks.”

“I like the sandwich. And you look great in this light. I like looking at you.”

I can feel the blush come up the sides of my neck and color my cheeks.

“I like having you around, Ondine. If you’ll let me, I’d like to get to know you more. Take you on more dates. Would that be alright?”

She takes a minute to let my words sit in the air between us. I use that time to drink my water.

“Yeah, that’d be alright.” She gestures to my ear. “Tell me about your earrings.”