He didn’t lie to Ashley either. He did feel the guilt of not making it in time to save them, all because he’d been fucking debating coming to town. He wanted to visit the town, enjoy their food, and make sure they were safe and happy. His lack of trust in the alpha had gotten him on his bike, and he rode straight to town, only to find several dead, and the women … he gritted his teeth. He blamed himself for not getting there on time. He had fucked up big time.
Wandering around town, he checked the time and saw he’d been walking for several hours. Some of the pack had stopped him to talk. Many had told him about their business. Flora at the florist had told him about the abundance of flowers, many of which she picked in the woods. Alice owned the natural herbs and medicines shop. She believed in the healing power of the mind, and he agreed. As wolves they had a natural ability to heal. They were all good people, all of them amazing. He stopped by another shop that had different signs outside. This was owned by Malcolm, who was a nice man as well. He liked to work with wood, to create artwork people would want.
Phoenix learned that most of them had websites, earning money through their orders and shipping worldwide. He’d already been introduced to Eric and Michael. They were the ones who carried the goods out of town to the local postal depots, to get them ready to export. It was a fully functioning, surviving town. They didn’t need an alpha, but no matter what he did, they would not allow him to remove the title.
He arrived at the diner and sure enough, Ashley had taken a seat in the back. The diner was full to bursting with many of the pack enjoying their lunch. Ashley ate slowly. Was that why she didn’t eat? She was trying to lose weight because of what he’d said? Hell, no. He wouldn’t allow her to lose any more weight. He loved her curves.
“Alpha,” one guy said.
One by one, people stopped him to say hello.
He nodded, smiled, and then came to a stop beside Ashley’s table. She looked up at him and he couldn’t help but smile. Her eyes went wide. She didn’t know what he was going to do.
“Ashley, I’m so pleased I found you.”
“Alpha,” she said, slowly.
“So, I’ve been talking to your father.” He made sure to keep his voice loud enough for the pack to hear. “And he is happy for you to help me. I know you work tirelessly at the DIY store, and I need you to help me fix up the old house. John can’t be spared but he said you know what you’re doing. I have several in the pack willing to help when they are able, but I feel it would go a lot more smoothly with you onboard.”
He heard the rumbles of gossip as the pack tried to quietly talk about the fact he was asking Ashley for help. She looked past his shoulder and he saw her jaw clench. To deny him would bring the pack’s wrath. They adored him and she knew it. They loved her, of course they did, but he was the alpha.
He hated using this damn title to get what he wanted, but it would seem when it came to Ashley, he had fucked up big time. Shit had been lost in translation. He loved the way she looked. She aroused him and that would never change.
“Yes, Alpha, I would be honored to help you,” she said.
“Excellent. I was thinking we could work on it immediately.” He turned toward Susan.
“Already getting your usual ready,” she said.
“Thank you.” He wasn’t raised with a pack. He’d learned at a young age to fend for himself, so the pack doing this for him, being so open, was new to him, and hard to comprehend.
He took a seat opposite Ashley. She glanced around the diner and he offered her a smile.
“I know what you’re doing,” she said. “My parents are not happy with my decision either.”
“There is no reason for you to leave.” He put his hands flat on the table. “It’s good to see you eat.”
Ashley sighed and picked up a fry. “So, is this a real job or something you’ve cooked up?”
He chuckled. “Trust me, it’s a real job and I don’t think you’re going to like it a whole lot of the time.”
The house was in need of some serious TLC.
Chapter Five
Phoenix was not wrong. On the outside, the house looked amazing, beautiful, a little unkept, but on the inside it was a mess, and that was putting it nicely. Walls were missing. Electricals were exposed, and it looked like there had been a few animals using it as their sleeping grounds.
Ashley had dressed in a black shirt and a pair of dungarees that had seen much better days. She grabbed her hair and pinned it up. There were cobwebs everywhere. The supplies had already been delivered and the pack had helped.
“Where have you been sleeping?” she asked.
“Here,” Phoenix said. “It’s not too bad.”
“There’s no heating. No safe running water. Phoenix, this place is a dump and I don’t say that lightly.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think I want to know the smell, do I?”
“No, I cleaned away what was … rotting.”
“Gross. Wow, you wouldn’t know how bad this place is from the outside, would you?” she asked.