AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She continued to rave about my previous date, but I found myself taking in the sights around us. The people, shifters, and humans alike, going about the business, the busy storefronts, and their intriguing architecture.
While Rose Valley was rather full, especially after the two packs merged, it still had that slow, small-town feel. The locals tended to know everyone, the patrons shopped locally, and it was far from a rat race. It was the perfect place to settle down and catch one’s breath.
“She even told me about the yearly vacation she plans for herself. Somewhere warm, with crystal clear waters, and more than enough food and drinks to stay satisfied. Doesn’t that sound amazing? I’m sure she could use someone to join her.”
Tuning back in, I closed my eyes and took in a leveling breath. “I’m not interested in finding anyone at the moment. I’m doing just fine.”
I thought that for just a moment, she might’ve actually been listening to what I said. That was, until she waved the previous thoughts away. “No matter. I can’t expect everyone to be a match for you. You and Vanessa might not have worked, but I’m sure you’ll get on especially well with Linda.”
Feeling like I was at my wit’s end, I was more than excited to reach River’s coffee shop.
A handful of Mom’s friends were waiting for her inside to have a lunch date, and I had offered to walk her there to spend some time together. Unfortunately for me, that entire time was spent talking about my arranged love life.
Like a fire had been lit beneath my feet, I was quick to press a kiss against her cheek and open the door for her. “Here we are. I should head out now, but have fun, alright? And talk about something other than my failed dates.”
Mom gave me a sympathetic look and rubbed my back encouragingly before she began inside. “They haven’t failed, Griff. There’s still time.”
The latter phrase struck me more than I had anticipated.
As she said her farewell and made her way into the coffee shop, I was left somewhat stunned. Turning away from the building, I began down the sidewalk again and considered those words.
While I did feel like my window to find love was closing, I had never placed enough pressure on myself to find anyone before. I was thirty-two, and some considered that to be their prime. Sure, at least part of me hoped I would find that special someone, but the other part just wanted to relax and enjoy what I had. To slow down and appreciate how life had changed for the better.
Mom was right, I did still have time. I just wished I didn’t have to spend that time going on dates I didn’t even want.
Walking through the main street, I glanced over at the familiar storefront with the big mystic eye. I knew it was Willow’s shop, but I didn’t know much else about it.
Rowan claimed she was brilliant at her craft, and the place was usually booming. To be fair, there were quite a few people in and out of the store.
I didn’t necessarily have anything against witches, and I wasn’t entirely sure what Rowan’s dad had against them in the first place. Fortunately for me, it didn’t take much for me to get over the beliefs that had crippled our progress as a pack.
While I had no issue with them, I didn’t know much about witches and their powers. Since they didn’t affect my everyday life, I didn’t have much of an opinion when it came to their magic.
Although, as I looked over, I found the witch I called my neighbor standing in the window while she cleaned the glass.
She seemed focused on the task and didn’t even spare me a glance.
Despite myself, I couldn’t help but watch her. I didn’t know what it was—perhaps the reoccurring annoyance I felt every time I saw her, or maybe it was how those small pieces of blonde hair framed her face, or how those brown eyes always looked so intently focused no matter what she was doing.
Unaware of my presence, she looked at peace. Radiant. But I had the feeling that would change if she spotted me watching her.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I didn’t know why she kept popping up in my life, or why I even cared about it.
She was my neighbor, after all. She was bound to be around. My mind was just getting the better of me.
Ever since we helped save Rose Valley, and the reconciliation began, I had finally been given the chance to slow down and breathe. Between carrying out orders from our previous leader, and being a second opinion for Rowan, I never had the chance to do what I wanted.
It started with my overbearing parents. While they loved me without a doubt, they often didn’t know when to stop, or when to let me make my own decisions. Going from that to blindly following a man who wanted nothing more than to cause devastation and take Rose Valley for himself, it only made me crave that peace more.
Regaining my wolf and moving to a new town was that opportunity on a platter, and I just wanted to enjoy it.
Everything should’ve been perfect, but my neighbor knew exactly how to get in the way and push my buttons.
It wasn’t because she was unkind or unwelcoming but because she always seemed to nag me. Nagging concealed by forced positivity.
She always seemed so bubbly and happy, when she wasn’t talking to me, and I knew nobody could possibly be that optimistic.
Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I pulled my gaze away from Sara and kept walking. I had the feeling I was being cynical again, but I found her aggravating despite her good looks, and there was nothing I could do about it.
