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Get a grip, Ash.
“How are you finding the place?”
He set the beer on the counter and began to place some inside the fridge. He kept taking quick gazes at her with those big, luminous blue eyes. They were so intense that Ash had to make her way to the couch to avoid wanting to drown in them.
“Well, it’s only been a few hours, but so far, so good,” she quipped.
Mason laughed. It was a melodious sound.
“It must be a lot better than roaming the woods on your own,” he said, closing the fridge door and leaning against theback of the couch. “Give those a minute to get cold. It’ll be worth it, I promise.”
He was exhaustingly charming. Ash had left the big bowl of microwaved noodles on the counter, and he caught a whiff, spinning with a big grin on his face.
“Oh,” Ash said, slightly embarrassed. “I couldn’t be bothered to whip up something complicated.”
“I could have brought you something,” he said, picking up the bowl. “I should have, actually. Not very welcoming of me.”
Ash smiled broadly. She could feel herself blushing like a schoolgirl as she took the bowl from him and slid down to sit on the couch. He sat next to her, propping his elbow against the loveseat.
It wasn’t a very big seating arrangement. Ash could smell him keenly and felt his eyes on her as she nervously stirred the noodles around.
“What about the fireplace?” he said, ceaselessly smiling.
“Well, again, it hasn’t been very long. I’m sure I can start it up soon once I’m done eating.”
“No worries. I will do that for you.”
Mason shot to his feet, then knelt in front of the fireplace. He placed the pre-chopped firewood inside the hearth and struck a match against the stone of the wall, easily setting it ablaze.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Ash said with a chuckle.
“I already feel guilty about not bringing you something to eat. Don’t mind me.”
He rose, and for a brief moment, Ash thought that he was going to leave. A part of her thought that it was a good idea. The whole mate thing had sent her focus for the hills. But her wolf wanted him near … it wanted him all over her.
“Stay if you want. I can cook you up some of these tasty noodles,” Ash said abruptly, the wolf winning.
“I’ve eaten, but I will certainly stay for a drink if that’s okay with you?”
Ash nodded while raising a forkful of noodles to her mouth. She told herself that it was a good opportunity to get him talking about his past and to dig into the truth of who the supposed wrongdoer sitting before her truly was. It was a place she felt comfortable starting from, with her keen investigative mind.
At least, that was what she was going to go with for the time being.
Mason sat next to her, smiling like a fool. It was difficult not to find it endearing.
“So tell me,” Ash began once she finished chewing. “When did you become alpha? I’m getting a sense that this is a recent occurrence.”
Mason’s eyes looked suitably impressed.
“If you think a couple of years is recent, yes, I guess so. Why? Do I have that fresh wolf smell?”
Ash felt her face bloom with heat. She bent her face into the bowl, attempting to veil her bashfulness.
“Not exactly. You are very welcoming, that’s all. Not all alphas are welcoming of a wandering wolf like me.”
Mason shrugged and rubbed his chin.
“I feel like everyone deserves a chance. You are giving me a chance by letting me lead you, too, right? So it’s a gamble for both of us.”
