Page 125 of Red

I grab plates and start cleaning up, while Hudry comes up with wild stories about the possibilities of red wolves. I start laughing at his rainbow wolf theory. It’s nice that someone is excited instead of intimidated. The younger generation hasn’t inherited the hatred of those before them.

Stark carries a few plates over to the sink.

I stop rinsing the one in my hand. “I want . . .” I start, but my words dry up in my throat.

“What?” His jaw shifts; he sounds on edge.

I swallow and try again. “I’d like to go on a date.”

“Fine. Give me a few days.”

“Okay.” I turn the water back on.

Well, he didn’t say no.

Chapter 37

The next three days go by like watching a tree grow. Stark only talks to me when we’re at dinner. He never comes to bed. Jocko has been giving us both space ever since I snapped at him yesterday, after he told me when our date would be, since Stark couldn’t be bothered to talk to me himself. The days without Stark’s touch now seem to bug me as much as not turning—because I needed more annoying daily body sensations.

On date day, I wait out on the back deck for him. He was in the shower while I got dressed.

Jocko walks out of the forest in his wolf form and turns “I heard you two are going on a real date.” He stands below the deck steps.

Pink fills my cheeks. “We are. I hope he likes it.”

“Aloka, the man is obsessed with you.”

“Not lately.” I blow out a breath.

“One of the pack families brought up your mating when we were looking today. I guess it travels fast when it’s him, but you added to it like fire. They made a comment about how he should eliminate you from the pack. If I wasn’t there, and Mitus, he would’ve killed the guy.”

“Well, I’m glad you were there to stop him.” Irritation rings in my voice. Stark hasn’t touched or looked at me in days. Including a full moon, which I spent alone.

“And? Do you know anyone else who kills pack members for their mate?”

I would.

“Okay, fine. He still likes me.”

“I’m glad you’re here, if it matters. And be nice to him. I don’t know what’s going on, but I do know he doesn’t get worked up over small things. You two will be more than okay.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you later.”

Jocko disappears inside, and I wait.

I sense tingles on the back of my neck just before Stark walks out dressed in a suit. Damn. I gawk at his look. I want to tear it off him.

“I’d like this look to stay, yet . . .” I move off the stairs so he can see I’m in a pair of runners and shorts. I could give up on the whole plan and take him back to bed.

“You asked for a date.”

“A different type of date. You might want to go change.”

He spins back toward the door.

This is the right thing to do. I force a deep breath. No need to panic. Hopefully after today, he still will be mine—or at least I’ll be with Mom and Pratt.

Stark comes back out dressed down in a pair of joggers and a black T-shirt. Even now, he still looks perfect.