Chapter Seven
Clover
Clover walked around the house, not knowing what to do while Patrick slept on the couch. The little guy crashed within seconds after lunch, but Ash still hadn’t come home. She wondered what took him so long, but she forgot to get his number to ask. Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it up to find a text from Tara on the screen.
‘How is Ash’s house?’
Clover sighed and looked around. ‘Boring as hell. He left hours ago, and Patrick is asleep. I don’t even have a good book to keep me company. :(’ She sent it back to Tara. Clover sat at the table and waited for Tara’s reply.
‘Get your ass over here then.’
Clover sighed, she really did want to talk with her friend. ‘How? I don’t have my car.’
‘I’m a few blocks away.’ She could almost feel the sarcasm coming from the phone in Tara’s message.
‘Patrick is asleep. And I’m not waking him up, he looks too damn peaceful. He deserves more peace right now.’ Plus, carrying him once had been enough for a few days.
‘Give me a minute and I’ll be there. You can hold him on the short drive to my house since I don’t have a car seat.’
Clover smiled, Tara was a great best friend and came to her rescue a few times. She returned the favor when the heat of the cops wanted her car for street racing. Tara loved adrenaline so much and Clover didn’t think any guy would be able to truly handle her.
After a few minutes, a knock on the front door made Clover jump to her feet. She checked through the peephole to make sure it was Tara before she opened the door.
“Hey, sweet cheeks.” Tara winked and scooted in. Warmth filled her chest at the nickname her friend picked. They always had a tendency of more banter than serious conversations.
“Hey, sugar pie.” Clover winked back. They giggled and glanced at Patrick. Her arms tensed up, the little pup deserved better than losing both his parents.
“How are you doing?” Tara hip-bumped Clover then looked around the house.
“I’m here. Just a little confused on my place in all this mess.” Clover sighed. She didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes or mess up Ash’s life as he transitioned from single to guardian.
“Let’s get back to my house and you can spill while you bake a pie.” She rubbed her hands together with a big grin on her face. The idea of losing herself in baking helped her to relax.
“Better have the right stuff for freaking cherry.” Clover giggled as Tara tapped her chin.
“I think I have some just for you.” Tara snickered while Clover carefully picked up Patrick. She didn’t want to wake him after all he’d gone through. Slowly, Clover made her way to Tara’s Mustang and sat down with Patrick still secure in her arms.
“Drive careful. I don’t want him hurt.” She glared at her friend. After a moment she noticed a house she’d seen before on the other side of the street. Man, I should’ve realized how close they lived before.
“Don’t worry, sweet cheeks, we’ll be at my house in two minutes flat.” True to her word, they pulled into her driveway two minutes later. “Put him in my bed and I’ll hear him when he wakes up.” Tara motioned toward the hallway.
Clover nodded and walked around Tara’s house with ease. She had spent many hours with her wolf friend in the little house. Yet her sense of direction had been mocked many times by her friend since she managed to get lost like a newborn baby. When she set Patrick down, her heart tightened. The way his sweet little face held no worries while he slept gave Clover peace. And the peace pulled at her heart more than she would tell anyone.
She sauntered into the living room and plopped down on the sofa next to Tara.
“What’s wrong?” Tara rubbed Clover’s leg. She had no clue how to tell her best friend she both wanted and didn’t want to imprint with the sexy Ash. I mean, he’s fucking gorgeous.
“I…” Clover sighed and rolled her shoulder.
“Did you imprint with Ash?” Tara raised an eyebrow and Clover shook her head. Maybe I should have at least tried to touch him earlier. The thought flew around her mind.
“Nope.” Clover pushed her hair back and didn’t meet her gaze.
“But you want to, don’t you!” She gripped Clover’s knee making her wince.
“You’re stronger than me, woman.” She tapped Tara’s hand and completely ignored her question. Part of her had futile hope her friend would drop it, but then again, she knew better.
“Spill it.” Tara pointed her finger at Clover.
“Look, I may like to stare at Ash, but I don’t know if I want him as my…” She struggled for the right word to say.
“Mate?” Tara supplied for her. Clover bounced from side to side as she tried to avoid the damn word.
“And if we aren’t, then I’ll be getting attached to a little boy who I’ll probably never see in a few days.” She scrunched up her nose and glanced down the hall half expecting to see Patrick run up to her.
“Don’t be a soft dick. Get in there and touch him. If you’re not mates, then you can move on.” She pushed her hands out like she controlled the wind or something and pushed it away from her body.
“You’re a bitch sometimes.” Clover shook her head.
“You know you love me.” Tara did an air kiss and grinned. “Now stop beating around the bush. What are you going to do?” She placed her hands on her hips and gave her the I-know-what’s-best look.
“I’m not sure, damn it.” Clover put her hands over her face. “I don’t understand why I want him so freaking bad. I shouldn’t though.”
“Why not?” Tara paused. “You racist twat.” Her serious face turned into a smirk.
“I love wolves, bitch.” Clover smacked Tara’s arm and they giggled for a few moments. The tension in her shoulders eased like it always did with Tara around. After a few moments, Clover sighed and met Tara’s gaze. “Fine, tonight after dinner I’ll touch him somehow, but if I don’t imprint with him I’m coming after your ass.”
“I think I can handle a little human like you.” Tara winked, and Clover stuck out her tongue. Her best friend always had a way of making her feel like a teenager again, but it felt good to not have to worry about life’s problems when they hung out.
“So, when are you going to find your mate?” Clover grinned pushing the one button Tara had. The smile on her friend’s lips flattened into a glare.
“I’m still looking. Unlike humans, I must deal with heat, but you will too.” She started giggling as her nose flared out for a moment or two.
“What do you mean I’ll have heat?” Panic tightened around her stomach making it turn.
“If you stay close to him, then you’ll go into heat. No werewolves live near you every day but that’s changed.” Tara shrugged like it was common knowledge that human women went into heat. Apparently, it was all about the proximity.
“If I don’t imprint with him, I’ll be out of his house in a few days.” Clover tried to push back the worry but Tara nibbled on her lower lip.
“Yes, but…” Tara tapped her nose making Clover’s stomach drop. “Sweet cheeks, you’re about a day, two if you’re lucky, from being fertile.”
“Fuck me sideways. Are you sure?” She turned her head to her shoulder, half expecting to catch whatever her friend caught. Not a wolf, you dumb ass.
“Oh, I’ll let Ash do it, and yes I’m sure.” Tara leaned back into the couch while Clover processed the information.
“Clover?” Patrick’s little voice called out from the doorway.
“I’m here, sweetheart.” Clover adjusted on the couch to find Patrick waddling down the hall.
“Where are we?” Patrick rubbed his eyes and his nose sniffed the air. “Tara?” His eyes focused on Tara on the couch.
“Hey, pup. Get over here and give me a hug.” Tara opened her arms and Patrick ran over to her.
“Mommy and Daddy with Grandpa and Grandma,” he said while he rubbed his nose against Tara’s chest.
; “I know, sugar, but you’re safe.” Tara rubbed Patrick’s back before he wiggled out and crawled over to Clover.
“Safe,” Patrick whispered and fell back to sleep. Clover sat there in utter shock trying to think of what to say as her friend lifted her brow.
“See! Right there, he’s already bonded to you.” Tara stood and walked to the kitchen. Clover knew the little werewolf had her heart. But does Ash want me? Or do I really want him?
Chapter Eight
Ash
Ash walked into his quiet home and it set his wolf on edge. He paused at the entrance, his breath stilling in his lungs while his ears tried to pick up heartbeats. Nothing sounded back to him. He lifted his nose and scented the air and didn’t catch a human trace in the entryway. The bags for Clover fell to the ground and he ran for the spare bedroom after scanning the living room. A faint familiar scent lingered at the door but didn’t move past the threshold.
“Clover? Patrick?” Ash yelled even though his wolf knew they weren’t there. Shit! Did hunters take them? Ash reached Patrick’s room and didn’t see a trace of them. No blood covered the floor but it didn’t put him at ease. His wolf tried to give him some peace because they weren’t dead in the house. Memories of Maple almost dead with her silver cuts sent more panic through Ash’s soul. He didn’t want it to happen to Clover, mates or not he couldn’t bear the thought. His beast howled inside his mind making it hard to focus.
He lifted his nose and ran around the house in a sweeping motion, trying to catch blood, silver, or even a clue to where they were at. The front door opened and closed, and a thump sounded through the house. He froze for a second ready to shift and kill the hunters in his home.
“Shit. Patrick, are you okay?” Clover’s voice carried to Ash and he bolted for the front door. Clover had Patrick in her arms while he rubbed his arm. One of the bags split open spreading clothes all over the wood floors.
“Where the hell were you?” His voice boomed through the entryway making them jump. Patrick curled up into Clover’s arms and she huffed at him. What the hell? She’s mad at me!
“We were at Tara’s house. You didn’t tell me when you’d be back and I was bored out of my mind here.” Clover turned and strolled toward the living room. She explained it like she just took out the trash and came back in. Yet the circumstances were greater than just running to her friend’s house and coming back. Ash leapt over Clover’s scattered stuff and followed her.
“You gave me a fucking heart attack when I didn’t find you here.” He threw up his hands trying to make her see why coming home to an empty house wasn’t okay.
“I would’ve left a note, but I don’t know where your stuff is.” Clover shrugged. “Plus, I didn’t think you wanted me snooping.” She tipped her head and raised her brow. He clenched his fists at his sides trying to calm down.
“That’s not the fucking point,” Ash growled low. Clover’s head snapped around and her brown eyes glared at him. The fire in her gaze sparked up his wolf, if they were mates she’d make the perfect wolf. She carefully set Patrick on the couch and turned on the TV.
“The bear show again?” Clover smiled and her calm voice set the pup at ease but her body language spoke of her anger. What does she have to be angry about? His wolf shook his head and rested in the corner of his mind. Now they knew Clover and Patrick were unharmed his beast wanted to sleep.
“Yeah.” Patrick bounced on the couch then glanced at Ash before dropping to his butt.
“I’m going to talk to Ash in the other room.” Clover kissed Patrick’s head after starting the show. She stormed toward the kitchen with Ash following again. When she reached the counter, she turned on him making her brown curls sway. Her finger pointed to him making his wolf growl and pace inside but Ash ignored him. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not your prisoner.”
“No, but I’m now his guardian and you’re under my protection.” He pointed at the living room then her. Ash needed her to understand how serious he took his responsibilities. “Which means I need to know you and Patrick are fucking safe. At all times.” Ash’s wolf stopped pacing and relaxed in the back of his mind. They were all safe, so his wolf didn’t need to worry while his human side continued to rage on. She let go of a huff and folded her arms in front of her chest.
“I had no way of contacting you. Plus we were safe, Ash. I was with Tara, she kept both of us safe.” Clover shook her head, her curls bounced around her face. She still wouldn’t back down or admit she was wrong to take Patrick from his home without talking to him first.
“I thought hunters attacked you here.” Ash clenched his fists at his sides and Clover’s angry eyes softened at the mention of hunters. Those brown eyes scanned his body and his wolf perked up wanting to know if she liked what she saw. Seriously, bad timing, dude!
“So, you were worried about Patrick, me, or both?” She tilted her head.
“Both of you,” he growled low and rolled his shoulders.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m a people person when I’m home alone, I get antsy and I go out. Normally it’s Tara’s house.” Clover’s voice lost the anger and her shoulders loosened up.
“Next time tell me.” Ash didn’t want to yell at her but the danger to her life and Patrick’s wasn’t over. They needed to be careful and he had to be the one who protected them. He wouldn’t fail at his freaking job no matter what. Ash still hated how he couldn’t finish the task of finding the other pups taken by the hunters.
“I will.” Clover nodded. Ash turned to leave when Clover grabbed his arm. “Wait…” A small zip of electricity ran up his skin signaling the imprint bond. Well, that answers a lot of questions, like why I need to protect a human so badly. His wolf grinned widely.
“Damn, Raymand was right.” He met her gaze and his wolf jumped around his mind, pushing ideas of taking her on the counter into his thoughts. Patrick is in the other room, damn it, he reminded his beast, he was a parent now which meant being responsible.
“Mates?” Clover asked, uncertainty filling her voice.
“Yes.” He glanced toward the living room, Patrick wiggled in his, seat giggling while watching his show. “And how do you feel about this?” His gaze focused on her once more, the little patter of feet sounded behind him and he cursed the timing.
“I…well.” Clover swallowed. “Did you need something, Patrick?”
“Yes. I’m thirsty.” Patrick bounced from side to side.
“I think there’s more.” Clover raised her eyebrow and Ash studied the pup’s movements.
“I have to pee,” he whispered.
“Which will you take?” Clover asked Ash with her hands on her hips.
Wait, hold on here, what just happened? Ash glanced at the bouncing pup then at his new mate. “Can’t he go by himself?” Ash asked but Clover shook her head twice with her lips pinched. Patrick started bouncing faster and his face scrunched up.
“You better take him before his bladder explodes here.” Clover turned to the cabinets. Ash sighed and lifted Patrick into his arms.
“You better not pee on me,” Ash warned as he walked away from Clover. Being a parent came with a lot of responsibilities and no damn rulebook to follow.
“Hurry,” Patrick whimpered. Ash ran for the bathroom and set him down waiting for him get on with it, but he just stared up at Ash.
“What?” He threw up his arms trying to figure out what to do next.
“My fingers too small.” He fumbled with his button but couldn’t get it to separate. Ash pinched his lips together and pulled down Patrick’s pants. “Hold me.” He lifted his arms up and his chubby fingers motioned in a grabbing fashion.
“What?” Ash blinked a few times.
“On the seat.”
“Why can’t you do it yourself? Come on, dude.”
“I’ll fall through,” Patrick whimpered again and resumed his bouncing.
“What about standing?” Ash suggested then the pup turned to look at the s
eat and shook his head again.
“Too small.” Patrick lifted his chubby hands toward Ash. “Hurry.”
Before Ash second-guessed himself, he lifted Patrick and held him there while he did his business. This is fatherhood, unbelievable. Warmth suddenly touched his knee and dread pooled in his gut.
“Sorry.” Patrick wiggled his body. “Done.” He gave Ash a sly smile then shrugged his shoulders.
Ash set him down and looked at his knee. The scent of pee came from the wet spot on his jeans. Patrick pulled up his pants but huffed.
“You need to learn how to do this yourself,” Ash spoke through his teeth as he snapped the button together.
Patrick bolted out of the room leaving Ash with wet freaking pants. There has to be a better way for him to go pee! His wolf growled in agreement.
“Thank you, Clover.” Patrick’s happy voice carried through the house while Ash strolled to his room. He shoved his jeans off and tossed them in the dirty basket then stormed into his bathroom. Damn, this is going to be freaking hard. Ash scrubbed his knee till he didn’t smell piss in the on-suite bathroom, then walked back into the bedroom to find Clover leaning against the door. He met Clover’s gaze for a moment, a smirk tipping her lips up.
“Where are your pants?” Clover asked from the doorway. Her eyes roamed up and down his body and his wolf purred with excitement.
“Patrick.” Ash strolled away and yanked open the door to the walk-in closet and scanned for another pair of jeans.
“Ah, yes, you have to be clear when you hold boys.” Clover giggled and he turned to glare at her. He’d never been peed on in his life and he didn’t find it remotely comical.
“How do you know all of this?” Did she have a kid he didn’t know about? The idea set his wolf into a howling fit, no other male should be able to touch their mate. He snatched up the first pair of dark wash jeans and turned to face his mate.
“I already told you, my nephew is only a few years older than Patrick. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share of wet beds and clothes because of him and his accidents.” She wrinkled her nose as her eyes stared at the wall near him. He wondered why she wouldn’t meet his gaze. His eyes roamed over her curvy body and his dick twitched.
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