Chapter Six

James

I watch her walk away from me to rejoin her friends, her full ass swaying with every step. She is wearing a pair of light-blue jeans that look like they were painted onto her skin, with cowboy boots. I want to say something, but words escape me.

She is right. She doesn't belong to me, not yet. And I shouldn't assume she can't take care of herself. The world has changed in the years I have been locked up and it seems women no longer depend on men to take care of their well-being.

Which makes complete sense if men like Slade and the idiot at my feet are running around unchecked now. Apparently, chivalry is dead.

Taking a seat at the bar with Max, Caine, and Calum, I breathe deeply as I calm not only myself but my beast as well. They brought me out here so I could see with my own eyes that the females—my female—was safe. Now we are all just sitting here nursing beers and waiting for the women to decide when they want to leave. They are steadfastly ignoring us from the other end of the smokey room, enjoying their impromptu little party.

"She's something," Max says, tilting his head in April's direction. "Strong."

"Yes, she is," I reply. "They all are. It makes me sad to think of what they've had to live through to make them that way, though."

"Each of them has their own story," Calum says thoughtfully. "She'll tell you hers eventually."

"Maybe."

"Why do you sound uncertain?" Calum asks. "She's your mate."

"She isn't, though. She won't look at me or talk to me, unless she is chewing me out, so I doubt she is just going to accept me. And she sure as shit didn't appreciate me trying to help her."

I track my daughter as she approaches before she takes a seat on her mate's lap. "Why are you here?" she asks no one in particular.

"Just checking on you, my moon," Caine says, kissing her neck.

She shakes her head but smiles. "I suppose we're ready to go home. Sapphire is drunk and I'm not far behind."

Calum and Max disappear instantly, going to find their mates.

"Will you drive the women home?" Peyton asks and I swear I can see mischief burning in her gaze. "My mate and I have other plans."

I don't ask because I am sure I don't want to know, and driving the other three females back to the compound gives me the chance to spend time with April. Even if we will have company.

Peyton doesn't wait for my answer before grabbing Caine's hand and dragging him out of the bar. Turning I find my mate watching me but she quickly diverts her gaze the moment she sees me watching her. That's the first good sign I've had since I scented her.

Weaving between the people on the dance floor, I make my way to their table in the back.

"I'm your ride," I say softly.

"Fine," she huffs, grabbing the hand of a blonde women who stumbles in her heels. "Let's go home."

I watch and wait patiently as they gather their things and head outside.

"I assume you're driving my Jeep," the blonde woman says with a hiccup. "Why is everyone always driving my car?"

"I haven't," April says.

"You really should," the woman slurs. "It's a fun car."

I can't help but smile as the two women pile into the back seat while I hold the door open for them. April hops into the front seat before I can even open her door.

"I don't know how to drive," she says to her friend.

"He can teach you," the other dark-haired woman says, nodding in my direction.

"Yes!" the blonde exclaims clapping her hands. "You guys can use the Jeep."

Neither of us say a single word as I pull out of the parking lot and drive in the direction of the pack compound. I want to promise to teach her, hell, I want to promise her the world. But I don't because even though it goes against every fiber of my being, she needs to come to me. It must be her choice.

We drive in silence, no sounds except the two women snoring softly in the back seat. Once we enter the compound she turns to me.

"We need to drop Keela and Sapphire at their houses. Turn left here."

She patiently explains the way to the first one and then the other house. The men meet us outside, both smiling as they lift their intoxicated mates out of the vehicle and take them inside. And then she directs me to her house.

It's a small building on the far side of the compound with a little garden and a big-ass oak tree. She has a porch with a swing and some potted plants, and I can't help but wonder how often she sits out there. Will she let me join her?

"Thanks for the ride," she mumbles, getting out of the car.

I watch her walk down the stone path until she reaches the steps leading up to her front door. She looks over her shoulder and I swear she is about to say something but then she is gone. Inside her house with the door closed and me sitting in a borrowed blue Jeep, wishing I was with her.

****

April

Sleep evaded me for most of the night even though I was relatively drunk and I took a nice long bath. My thoughts are scattered, and my damn hormones aren't helping the situation at all.

How can it be that I crave to be near a man whose name I don't even know?

How can I long for the touch of someone I hadn't even met until last night?

He may have been in Peyton's house at the same time I was, but my mind was more focused on other things at that moment. I didn't even spare him a glance. Now, I can't seem to get the idea of him out of my head or forget the way his smell permeated the interior of the vehicle last night.

Freshly baked bread—my favorite thing in the whole world—and the smell that clings to him.

I sip at my third cup of coffee since I gave up on sleeping and finally made my way downstairs. I'm sitting on the porch, watching the sun rise, changing the sky from a deep rich blue until it becomes a beautiful light azure without a cloud in sight.

"I know you're there," I say, staring at the copse of trees across from my house. Eventually, they will be felled to make space for more houses as the pack continues to expand.

I watch the man who has consumed my every thought for the better part of twenty-four hours as he crosses the road. He has trimmed his beard, and his long hair is tied in a messy bun on top of his head. His long strides eat at the space between us until he is on the porch, his tall frame leaning against the rail.

We stare at one another, neither speaking as we both look our fill.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, not to be rude, I'm just curious.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot."

"That's an understatement."

He laughs, a full, gravelly sound that sends skitters of arousal coursing through my system. I wonder if I would have these feelings and thoughts if he wasn't my fated mate? I doubt I'll ever find out.

"I think we should start over," he says.

"Meaning?"

He holds out his hand in my direction. "Hi, I'm James. It's nice to meet you."

I try to fight the smile pulling at my lips and I lose the battle. "April," I say shaking his hand.

"I just joined the pack, and I was wondering if you might want to show me around?" he says, releasing my hand and sticking it in his front jean pocket.

"I'm sure we can help you. There are some great people here."

"I've heard nice things," he replies with a devilish smile. "I've also heard the humans in town aren't too bad."

"They aren't," I agree with a nod. "But I don't have a car so someone else will have to show you around town. I also don't know how to drive."

"Well, I have a car a new friend said I could borrow that we can use. And I don't mind teaching you how to drive. See it as repayment for you showing me around."

"Well, aren't you just a nice guy?" I joke. "Trading favors and all."

"It's selfish really," he says. "I get to spend more time with you."

I feel myself blush deeply. I have no idea what to say after that. I'm not used to being the center of anyone's attention.

"Let's get breakfast in town," he says hurriedly when I remain silent. "You can show me around and I can give you your first driving lesson."

I smile softly. "Unfortunately, I can't do that today. I have plans to help Xavia, our pack elder, repair the fence around her vegetable garden."

He nods. "Do you think you might need help with that?"

"Many hands, light work."