It wasn’t for her own good.
You failed.
You hurt her.
And because of him, she had starved herself for a long time, but no more. Phoenix wasn’t going anywhere. He was there at the pack to stay. Ashley would see that he meant to be her mate. He intended to give her a life she deserved, and he would never stop.
She didn’t even realize it, but without even trying, she had given him something he had forgotten he craved.
Ashley had given him a home.
Chapter Seven
The days passed rather productively. Ashley spent her mornings waking up, enjoying a cup of coffee, and watching Phoenix as he held up swatches for her to help him decide the color scheme of the house, even furniture. They were still a long way off from furnishing the house, but he wanted to be prepared with orders.
So far, most of the upstairs was fully plumbed and the electric outlets were all working. Ashley had gotten electrocuted downstairs over a miscommunication. Her tongue had been numb for a couple of hours afterward and some of her hair had stood on end. Phoenix was pissed and from that day forward, whenever the electrician was in, he made sure she went back to the DIY store to gather supplies.
While the men worked on the house, Ashley started to uncover the most breathtaking garden she had ever seen. It truly was a dream. The house was surrounded by forest, but there was a back porch that led onto a large thatch of grass, totally designed for late-summer picnics. Beyond the main garden, covered by large bushes, appeared to be a small field. She was trying to work on revealing the beauty. It was hard work, and she had no choice but to ask Daniel for help. Seeing as his father was the main gardener, it made sense to ask him.
Thankfully, Daniel saw what she did, and so they had worked together, only that came with another load of problems. The main one being that Phoenix was jealous, even though Daniel left before her each night, and she walked home with the alpha. They shared a meal together with her parents, and there had been a few occasions late at night when they’d been the only two up. Each time that happened, she couldn’t help but think about the kiss they’d shared. His lips on hers, the feel of his hard body wrapped around her.
“I don’t think the alpha likes me,” Daniel said, after working for a couple of weeks on the garden.
Ashley stood up and wiped across her brow.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“No, I don’t know what I’ve done, but he doesn’t like me.” Daniel sat back from where he was kneeling. “Do you think it is the way I smell?”
“I doubt very much that the alpha cares how you smell. In case you didn’t get the memo, we’re all stinking here.” Ashley bent forward and worked out several of the weeds from the field. She planned to clean it up, strip it all back, and then work the ground with fresh new seeds, bringing back the herb and vegetable garden.
“I don’t know, he keeps glaring at me, and he ignores me. I was telling him how I uncovered a few of the statues and asking him where he’d like them to be placed, and he walked away.”
Ashley sighed. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure he has a lot on his mind.” She was going to have to talk to him. “So, tell me, how did your date go?” she asked, wanting to change the subject to anything but what was going on with the alpha.
She knew what was going on, as did Phoenix. He was jealous of her, and he had no right to be. She had never strayed. At each point that Daniel had asked her to be his mate, she’d shot him down. She had told him point-blank, they were never going to be together that way. They were friends, nothing more. Which is why she was helping him date so he could find the mate he craved.
“It went okay, but like me, she’s looking for her one true mate.”
“Ah, you’re finally looking for her,” Ashley said.
“Yes, I admit it, okay. I watch my parents and the couples in town, and settling doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. You’re right and I’m wrong.”
Ashley laughed. “See, I told you.”
“Do you have time to be laughing?” Phoenix asked.
Ashley pressed her lips together as she looked over at her mate. Her hatred of him had somewhat faded in the past few weeks. It was hard to hate a man who was being sweet and kind, and making her forget all that annoyed her about him in the first place.
“Sorry, Alpha,” Ashley said. “We were talking about mates.”
Phoenix glared and Daniel sighed.
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a mate?” Daniel asked. “I’ve been on countless dates and I’m trying to find the woman for me.”
“It’s lunchtime,” Phoenix said.
“Of course it is, another lonely lunch for a lonely wolf,” Daniel said. “I’ll see you when I get back.”