He wasn’t used to being rejected. On the road, women were more than willing to share a small amount of time with him. Even with the scars on his face.
“Ashley?”
She got to her feet. “Look, I know you’re clearly used to getting what you want, but I’m not going to have dinner with you. Please, just leave me alone.” She went to walk away and he reached out, grabbing her arm.
Did she not feel anything in that moment he touched her?
“Will you stop doing that? People will start talking and I don’t want to be the gossip. Stop touching me, stop sitting with me, and stop … just stop.”
“You’re my mate, Ashley.”
“And you didn’t give a fuck about that before, so why bother now?”
There was so much he wanted to say to her, but instead John arrived. He had no choice but to let her go, and he was pretty sure in the back of his mind his wolf whimpered. They’d been so long without her.
“How was everything?” John asked.
“Everything was fine,” Ashley said. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
John looked at Phoenix who smiled at him. He had no idea what Ashley was doing.
“Er, sure. I’ve already closed up shop for the night.”
Phoenix hadn’t even realized so much time had passed. He would walk Ashley home, that would extend their time together.
Ashley took the lead and John followed, walking toward the back. Phoenix knew he shouldn’t attempt to listen, but he couldn’t help himself.
“What is it, Ashley?”
“Sir, I have enjoyed working here, but I think it’s time I moved on. Please, consider this my two weeks’ notice.”
“Ashley? What?”
“It’s been a wonderful experience, but I know it’s time for me to move on. I’m planning on leaving town very soon. I’m already looking for work and intend to move into an apartment, which would stop me from working for you. It has been a pleasure.”
“I had no idea you were planning to leave.”
Phoenix walked away pissed off, leaving the shop. She wasn’t leaving, no, she was running away, and he wouldn’t allow that to happen. He stepped out into the night air. He tilted his head back, breathing in the warmth. The pack were going about their business. No one, not even a human, would know a pack lived here.
The full moon had already passed. Running fingers through his hair, he waited, knowing it wasn’t long before she would step over the threshold and leave work. He knew what the problem was.Hewas the problem. It happened before. He’d go to one of her places of work, and the next time he went, she’d be working elsewhere. The DIY store had been her last resort to stay far away from him, and it just pissed him off. She couldn’t keep running away from him.
Ashley stepped out of the store and stopped, staring up at the sky.
“It’s rude to listen in on people’s conversations.”
“I didn’t take you for a coward.”
She spun toward him. “I’m not a coward. It’s time for me to move on. I’m sure you have a lot of experience with that, since you do it all the time.”
Chapter Four
Ben and Leah were already upset with Ashley’s decision to leave. They had voiced their concerns and their lack of support. They didn’t want her to leave, certainly not the pack.
No one would understand why she had to leave. It hurt. There was nothing but pain every single day she was with the pack. She had lived with that pain, hoping it would get better, hoping she’d stop thinking about Phoenix, or that she’d at least find someone to move on. But there was no way she could do that to Daniel, even though he offered himself all the time, which made her sad. He deserved someone better than her, someone who was going to love him for him.
“Is that what this is about? You want to punish your parents and your boss because of me?” Phoenix asked.
She snorted. “Get over yourself.” She grabbed her bag and started walking away, heading toward home.