“I still don’t like it. You spend way too much time on your own, exploring the woods. We’re worried half to death about the trouble you can get into.”
“Mom, I’m fine. Last night I wasn’t alone. Daniel was with me.”
Leah sighed. “That’s good. Daniel is a good boy. You haven’t had … you know...”
“I’ve told you, Mom, that’s not going to happen. Daniel and I are not mates.”
The cup Phoenix had been holding shattered within his grip.
Ashley sipped her drink while staring at him over the rim.
“I don’t know my own strength,” he said, as an excuse.
Her father was already fussing over him, trying to clean up the mess.
“Let me grab you another one,” Leah said, reaching for a mug. “It’s such a shame. You and Daniel have been friends for as long as I can remember. He’d make a nice mate, I’m sure of it.”
“He’s not mine.”
“I know, but you are aware that some people mate even though they’re not fated mates.”
She chuckled. “I know that, Mom, and when his mate comes along, I’ll be left high and dry. Trust me, I don’t want that.”
“You know, sweetheart, you always talk about Daniel and his mate coming along. What about your mate? Your mate might turn up. I know it hasn’t happened yet.”
She refused to look at her mate, the alpha—the one sitting in their kitchen.
“I will never be mated,” Ashley said. She moved to her place at the counter and took a seat.
“I don’t know why you are suddenly so ‘doom on you’. Mates come out of nowhere. Trust us. We know,” Leah said, walking to her own mate.
Ashley watched her parents. There was love between them. They were happy and together, but that was never going to happen between her and Phoenix.
“I’ve been thinking about moving out,” Ashley said, changing the subject.
Her parents looked worried again.
“I’ve told you we don’t need to talk about this.”
“I know, I know, but you guys don’t want me ruining all the fun you could be having.” She smiled at them.
“I know several apartments have opened up. Deanna, the florist, told me the apartment above her shop is a nice one, reasonably priced.”
“Actually,” she said, stopping her mother before she could start organizing it, “I think it’s time for me to leave town. You know, go out, explore, maybe learn something.”
“That’s not happening,” Phoenix said.
Ashley ignored him.
“Honey, what about the pack? Your job?” Leah asked.
She shrugged. “I love the pack. You know that, but I … John’s great. The store is great, but I just think it’s time, and we’ve talked about this in the past, remember. Some people move on, they go and find something they’re looking for.”
“This is not happening,” Phoenix said. “You are not leaving this pack.”
She took a deep breath and got to her feet. “I want you to think about it. I know it will be good for me.”
Her parents looked toward Phoenix and then her. He’d stood as well.