Chapter 15

Ashton loves me! Never has my heart felt so full. I pull back in all seriousness. “Ashton, what are we going to do?”

He shrugs his shoulder. “I’m not sure yet. We’ll work it out somehow.”

Ashton smiles and brings me back to his lips. He rolls us over on the bed, still kissing me with all the love he has. My leg wraps around his, and he grunts. I feel his body come alive down below, and he pulls back. “I’m sorry, babe. I got carried away.”

My cheeks are red and warm. I’m not stupid, I know what sex is, but I’m not ready yet. I’m sure Ashton knows that. I move my leg off of him, and he scoots back just the slightest. “Thank you Ashton. I don’t mean to be a prude…”

He cuts me off. “Gypsy stop. I would never think that of you. You’re not a prude; you’re innocent. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me. I’m in no hurry. I can wait.”

I can’t help the smile that takes shape on my face. “Thank you for understanding.”

Ashton rolls his eyes. “I respect you and would never want to push you into something you’re not ready for. I love you, and I care about you too much to hurt you.”

My adrenaline is beginning to dissipate, and I unwillingly yawn. “You’re the best boyfriend a girl could have.”

He slightly chuckles, “You’re just easy to love.” He kisses my forehead then plants a peck to my lips. “Get some sleep, Princess. I know you’re tired, and you need your rest.” I nod, and he kisses me once more before I close my eyes.

***

Gypsy falls asleep quickly—she always does. Goddess, I love her. She’s so incredible. My heart is beating like mad after hearing her admit her feelings for me. That’s one thing I love about her: she’s not afraid to tell me what she thinks or feels. I pull the quilt over her shoulder and tuck her in. I have no idea how to make our relationship work. Everything is perfect when we’re together, but we have two packs to consider. Two packs that are sworn enemies.

My father hates Alpha Greg with a roaring passion. I don’t blame him. I still can’t believe we sat down to dinner with him and all hell didn't break lose. Honestly, I think it’s because of Gypsy. She has such a purity to her. Every time she came into the room, the tension immediately calmed, from both sides. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to forgo the rule. I can’t just show up with her one day and say, “Hey Pops, remember the servant girl from the other pack? Yeah, she’s the next Luna”… My father will shit a brick, no matter how amazing Gypsy is. He’s a stickler to the rules. I need to come up with something. I have to find a way.

Since getting sober and stepping up to my duties, my parents have been pushing me to mate. Especially my mother. She’s team Trixie, which really pisses me off. My sobriety is only because of Gypsy. She’s the reason I’m stepping up and working harder. One day, I’m going to beat that Beta’s ass.

There’s something off about Trixie. I don’t trust her. Yeah, we were friends as kids, but once I found Laura, she changed. I try not to go there, but deep down, I think Trixie killed Laura. There’s no other way Laura would’ve died, but I have no proof, just a sinking feeling. The chaos of the rogue attack gave her the perfect opportunity. Laura trusted her and had no problem being alone with her. It’s possible. I’ve never mentioned my thoughts to anyone else, though.

I kiss my sleeping beauty’s head then crawl out of the bed. I’m supposed to be on patrol, but I have the canyon’s edge, so I’m technically where I’m supposed to be. I shift and make my rounds. I get closer to the river and a strong perfume hits my nose. Shit.

I dive into the water to hide Gypsy’s scent then pad out onto the bank. I shake it my fur as a trim brown wolf trots beside me and rubs against my flank. I growl and spin on her. Trixie shifts in front of me, no shame at all. She stands there, waiting for me to shift. I grab my pouch and shift behind the cover of a bush. I slip my shorts on. “What do you want, Trixie?”

She steps closer to me and lifts her arms to reach my shoulders. I growl and step back. She drops her arms but still stands posed for me to look at her, which I don’t. “Ashton. I thought you might be lonely. We could go for a run, like old times.”

I shake my head. “I’m not. Trixie, when will you take the hint? I’m not interested.”

She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal. “Luna Madeline and I were talking just this morning about how you need a Luna. The pack needs a Luna, Ashton.”

“So you’re volunteering.” I snort and look up to the heavens. I look back at Trixie. “You will never be Luna of this pack, Trixie. You are the last person on this planet that I would ever mate with. I don’t trust you. In fact, I want nothing to do with you.” I step closer and release some of my power. “Do I make myself clear?”

Trixie dips her head in submission, her lip trembling. She refuses to answer me, so I take another intimidating step forward and stare her down with all the ire I have for her. She whimpers. “Yes, I got it,” she says with an attitude that irks the hell out of me. I growl and step closer, so my chest is in her face. Her head drops even more. She’s fighting me, but she can’t win. “Yes, sir.” She finally steps back.

I relax and cross my arms over my chest. “Now, get back to the pack house. And do not wait up for me. I will be speaking with my mother first thing in the morning. You’re dismissed.” Her jaw flexes. I know she’s pissed, but I don’t care. She spins so her dark brown hair whips around, hitting my chest.

“Just trying to be nice. Asshole,” she whispers, but she knows perfectly well I can hear her.

“Trixie.” I stop her in her tracks. “There is nothing about you that is nice. You’re a vindictive, calculating shrew. Do you honestly think I believe that story about the rogues? I know she died after the attack. I know you pretended to be her friend so you could get to her. I know you thought I’d fall right into your awaiting arms. You may have fooled the rest of the pack, but you never fooled me.”

Trixie spins back around to face me. “Ashton, that’s crazy. I could never hurt Laura. I cared about her and you.” Words fall from her mouth with no emotion whatsoever.

My wolf almost takes control. I’m holding onto him by a thread. “Get out of here before I rip your throat out,” I growl. She flees, knowing I’ll make good on my threat. It wouldn’t be the first time.