Page 18

CHAPTER 18

A shley

“What about this one?” Emery asks as she holds a multi-color striped shirt against her chest for me to inspect.

The colors definitely pique my attention, but I don’t get that usual giddiness at the sight. Emery must read the frown on my face for what it is, and her shoulders slump.

“Guess not.”

“Those jeans are cute,” Reese says, pointing at the pair of dark blue jeans resting on my arm.

The three of us took a day trip into Santa Fe to do some shopping and have lunch. While I enjoy spending time with my sister and Reese, I can’t deny the way my heart aches.

It’s been three days since that run with Christophe’s wolf in the mountains around the commune. That run was unlike any I’ve ever experienced. Yet, once we completed the run, he and I were forced to part ways.

I only got a glimpse of his backside once we shifted back, and Chance and Mike quickly closed him inside of his house. That was the last I saw of him.

Mate!

My wolf has been calling to him incessantly since that day.

“Earth to Ashley.”

I blink to see Reese waving a hand in my face as if she’s genuinely trying to gauge where my attention is.

“Sorry, what’s up?”

“Emery asked if we should get burgers or tacos for lunch?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Why choose?”

Reese’s smile widens. “I knew I liked you.”

Despite my mood, my laughter permeates the air at the same time Reese intertwines her arm with mine. I hold out my free arm for Emery, who readily takes it.

“Tacos first and then burgers.”

Emery pats her flat belly. “I don’t know where I’m going to put it all but I’m okay with that.”

I lay my head on my sister’s shoulder for a brief moment, relishing the way she’s loosened up since discovering our shifter heredity. Our terrible adopted mother always raised us to be mindful of how much we ate to the point of restriction.

I, naturally, was the one who often rebelled against her food restrictions, but Emery went along with it, refusing to finish her plate or bowl of food even when I could tell she was still hungry.

“I’m so glad you’re eating more,” I tell her.

She looks over at me with a half-smile. “You’ve met my mate, right?”

I nod. “Of course.”

She chuckles before replying, “Do you think he would let me get away with not eating enough?”

Smirking, I shake my head. “I like him for you.”

Chance might be quiet, but the way he looks at Emery speaks volumes. Every night at our shared pack dinners he’s often serving her meals and asking her if she wants seconds.

The three of us order a shared plate of fish tacos and then take a seat at the outdoor portion of the restaurant. I glance around, watching the people strolling past.

“I’ve made progress filling in the blanks on the various roles of the wolves in the Nightwolf pack,” Emery tells Reese.

I turn my attention back to my sister and Reese.

“What’s that you’re talking about?” I ask.

Emery quickly explains her project on creating written records of the Nightwolf pack’s history. She’s putting her anthropology degree to use.

“A book I ordered online tells of some of the folklore around wolf shifters. I’ve been able to match up some of the folklore with the roles within our pack going back a few generations,” she tells us with a smile.

“Is there any information about omegas?” I ask without thinking.

She blinks and then a wrinkle appears in between her eyebrows. “Yes, there is a great deal of information on the histories of alphas, betas, and omegas. And how they all fit into the hierarchical nature of wolf packs. Though, I’ve only taken a cursory look at the research I’ve gathered.”

“Can I read it? I want to learn more about omegas.”

She tilts her head to the side.

“That would be a great idea,” Reese interjects.

“Uh, sure, I could pass the information along to you,” Emery says with less enthusiasm than Reese.

“I want to learn more about all of the roles within a shifter pack. Yesterday, Alicia told me that her grandfather used to be the pack’s settlement guide,” I tell them, speaking of one of the other pack members.

“He would aid the alpha with advice on what direction the pack should go. There are so many roles that I bet have yet to be discovered.”

Emery’s smile widens. “I’ve spoken with Alicia about her grandfather. Remarkable man.”

Emery then starts to talk more about the research she’s done in recent months. Reese listens intently, but I again turn my attention to the different shops around us. There’s a tie-dye clothing store that looks pretty cool.

However, what holds my attention is the second-hand electronics shop next to it.

“Ashley, where are you going?”

Emery’s question stops me in my tracks. I didn’t even realize I’d started moving. I point toward the clothing store.

“Those shirts look really cool. I’m going to go look.”

“What about lunch?” She points to the unfinished fish taco on my plate.

“Oh.” I snatch the taco from my plate and take a huge bite. “Delicious,” I say around a mouthful of food.

Emery’s frown deepens right before she opens her mouth to say something, but Reese reaches across the table.

“Why don’t we finish up here and then we can meet Ashley at the burger joint in about thirty minutes?” She looks at the watch on her wrist to me.

Lifesaver.

I don’t know if Reese has any inclination that I’m not telling the whole truth, but she’s a lifesaver right now.

“Yes. Thirty minutes,” I tell them. “That’s perfect.”

I give them both a tiny wave and then spin in the direction of the clothing store. On the way, I finish up the last bite of my taco, which is really good. However, I have other things on my mind, besides food, at the moment.

I duck into the tie-dye store and instantly fall in love with a number of the shirts and hats that hang on display. After grabbing three of the multicolor starburst patterned shirts, I head directly to the sales counter.

I’m on my way out of the clothing store with my purchases less than ten minutes after entering. Once outside of the store, a quick glance at where my sister and Reese sat at the taco place shows me that they’ve left.

My gaze looks one way and then the other to make sure neither of them are in sight. When I conclude that the coast is clear, I head to the electronics store. It’s less than a minute walk from the clothing store.

“Greetings, how may I help you?” the cheerful, older, female store attendant asks.

“Um, I need a used cell phone,” I tell her.

My sister bought me a new phone a few days after I arrived at the Nightwolf compound. But this phone isn’t for me.

The clerk twists her lips and cocks her head to the side. “Well, you’re in luck. We have a variety of used models.”

I follow her toward the back of the store to find an array of cell phones.

“These are our latest models. Completely refurbished and work as if they’re brand-spanking new.” She laughs a little.

I smile at her and nod as she goes over the various features of the two phones I’ve pointed out.

In all honesty, I just need a phone that can send and receive text messages and phone calls. Yet, I don’t want to rush her along by telling her that, so I bite my tongue, allowing her to explain to me the data features of each phone.

“I’ll take this one,” I say. “Oh, and I suppose I’ll need a data plan as well or something?”

Smiling, she shows me the stand that carries various pay-as-you-go to monthly, up to ninety-day cards.

I buy a ninety-day card and have her install it on the phone. Once I pull out the phone that Emery bought for me, I send a quick text to the number to ensure it works. The text goes through, and I thank the clerk for her assistance.

Again, I’m cautious before leaving the store, making sure Reese and Emery aren’t nearby. My stomach twists a little in guilt, but I don’t want either of them to see me coming out of the store and then start asking questions.

I know Emery won’t be happy with the truth, and well, I’m not certain how Reese would feel, but I know Alpha Chael wouldn’t like it. So, for now, I decide to keep the truth to myself.

“Ashley, over here!” Emery calls, catching my attention.

I stroll over to my sister and Reese outside of the burger joint.

“Did you get anything?” Emery asks, already peeking inside of my bag.

I pull out one of the shirts for her to see. “What do you think?”

“Looks like your style.” She laughs. “Get anything else.”

“A couple more shirts. There’s a cute jewelry store with some nice bracelets. But I opted not to get anything yet.”

She smiles and then holds the door to the burger joint for Reese and I.

“Thanks,” I mumble, ignoring the twinge of guilt at the white lie I’ve just told my sister.