I was lost in my own head listening to music on the porch of the house that I hadn't realized Elliot arrived until he appeared next to me on the swing and pulled the ear bud out of my ear. I jerked as I quickly looked at him before chuckling, "Oh hey." I said as he leaned over and pecked me.
"Now I know you weren't really paying attention to today Psychology homework so what was going in your mind?" he asked. "Is it because it's the first day of spring?"
My smiled turned into a small frown as I nodded, "Yeah. It's freaking me out because it could happen tonight, tomorrow, the day after that, or that following days. I have no idea when it's scary not knowing."
"You're gonna have people be there for you." he said before he fully turned to face me with a big smile on his face and my eyebrows furrowed together. He opened his mouth as he tried to say something but he looked slightly nervous.
Amused I reached out and lightly pushed his shoulder, "What? Come on and say it, Elliot."
He reached up and took my hand in his, entwining our fingers, "Aeriela, we're the only few who haven't gotten a mate yet." he said, making the amuse look quickly disappear from my face. "I like you-Hell, I freaking love you. I have been thinking allot about this the last couple of days and I would very much like if to have you as my mate, my wife, and the future mother of my kids."
This was typical of wolves around our ages. Luna had just recently gotten engaged and mated with a boy a year older than us name Fletcher. He was Beta Will cousin and Luna was head over heels crazy for him. Around sixteen lots of young wolves will start pairing together to get ready to be together. Elliot and I were late bloomers in finding mates.
"What do you say?" he asked, drawing my attention back to him. "I know it's unexpected Aeriela but this is a good thing. I care allot about you, I'm gonna be working with my uncle at the railroad station near the mines in Crowsight."
"Crowsight?" I questioned and he nodded. "That's about four hours away from here. I don't wanna leave here."
"I know but the money is very good Aeriela." he said. "I'll be able to make allot of money for us, I'll take care of you and you'll never have to worry. You'll have a safe easy life."
I didn't want to be taken of, I was fine how I am. He has been thinking about this but I haven't. I knew one day this would come but I thought maybe it'll be later on. I didn't know an answer to Elliot question because even though I was scared of having an official mate I also knew there was a chance I might not get another one. Most of the boys are already taken and I would have to go out of Marchand to look for a mate. I didn't want to leave Marchand.
My opened but no words came out since I wasn't sure. I was so glad when I saw Clyde car driving up and he drove up near the garage. He stepped out of the truck with Devin from the passenger and we both stood up from the swing.
"Elliot, how nice to see you." Clyde said as he walked over towards the porch.
Elliot smiled at Clyde and lowered his head a little to show respect, "Hey Mr. Vaughn, how are you?"
"Great." he said, looking at me for a moment. Clyde smiled at the both of us before both men stepped into the house and left us alone.
Elliot put his hands in his pockets as he turned to face me with a heavy look on his face, "Aeriela-"
"Give me a day to think about it." I cut him off quickly as my hands nervously played together. "Sorry I can't give you an answer right now. You taken me by surprise and I haven't really thought about it. Let me think about it today and I'll tell you tomorrow."
He stared down at me for a moment before nodded, "Alright, sounds fair enough. Tomorrow we meet for breakfast at Gazania Park at noon?"
I nodded quickly, "Yes sounds real good."
Elliot leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. I forced him a smile even though I was nervous as hell on the inside. He walked off the porch and walked away from the house. I ran my ran across my hair before running it down my face and across my mouth as I wanted to groan but I kept my mouth closed.
What a surprise attack.
*
I quickly walked out of the forest onto the ranch and quickly ran over towards Mat's big home since I needed to talk to her about this. I ran over towards the house and ran onto the porch. I pulled the hood down from my hoodie before running into the house.
I saw Killian sitting down on the couch talking to a familiar face that I haven't seen in maybe eight months since he had moved to Portland. I ran my hand across my hair as I looked at Ulric and he stared back at me. He was more muscular then before with clean shaved with light facial hair going down from his sideburns to his jawline and sprinkle of hairs on his muscular face.
I quickly looked away because I could feel my heart racing and I told myself no. I even wanted to slap myself but I didn't want to look like that same weird girl I use to be. I cleared my throat, forcing myself to look up at them as I raised my chin, "Where's Mat?"
"Out running." Killian said as he stood up and walked over towards me. "Wanna wait for her?"
"Uh sure." I said, nodding my head quickly.
"Want anything to drink? You seem out of breath like you can ran here from town." he said and I followed him into the kitchen leaving Ulric in the living room so I felt like I could breath again. He grabbed a class cup from the cabinet and pour me some water from the water and ice dispenser. He held it over to me and I thank him before quickly chugging it down. He sighed heavily as he leaned against the island table, "I should warn you Ellie-Ulric moving back."
I almost spit the water out of the mouth but I held back the urge. I swallowed it quickly as I started coughing, "Huh?"
"He's got fired from his job in Portland and he can't find another one in time to pay his bills and rent." he said, making me scoff. "So he's gonna come work for Devin."
I stared at him for a moment before I brought the water back up to my mouth and finished the rest of it. I was so tempted to go back in the living room and throw the class cup at him but I knew better. I set the glass down and took a deep breathe, "Alright, he's your cousin Killian. I have completely moved on and I can handle Ulric being back in town. I'm not gonna make this weird."
He frowned at me, "Are you sure Ellie?"
I nodded, "Yes. As you know I'm with Elliot so there's nothing to worry about. I can be an adult about this and not make anything awkward."
He breathed out heavily like a relief, "Good God, this makes it easier to tell you he has a girlfriend name Raynah." he said.
I stared at him for a moment as I processed the news of a girlfriend. Ulric, the guy afraid of commitment has a girlfriend? I didn't know how my reaction should be right now but even though still confused I forced a smile at Killian, "Yeah. Relax Killian, it's all good." I said as I walked over towards him and patted his shoulder. "I'm gonna go wait for Mat out on the back porch. Sorry for interrupting and barging in." I said, forcing a fake smile.
Mat
After my run I was surprised to see Aeriela at my back porch. I grabbed the robe waiting on the steps for me and walked up next to a quiet Aeriela who was staring down at the ground. I turned to look inside the house and I sighed heavily, "Did you see him?"