Page 28 of Gavin

“Back to Whisper Creek,” Gavin said. He grabbed the passenger door for Sadie and then climbed into the second-row bench seat with her as Devon got in the front.

“You got it,” Devon said.

“How do you like playing chauffeur?” Sadie asked. Devon was, according to Gavin, one of his closest friends and they had grown up together in the pride.

“I don’t mind a bit,” he said. “It gets me out of the boring circuits around the territory.”

“Are you mated?”

“Nope, I’m waiting for my truemate even though my mom assures me that having an arranged mating is a good idea. She just wants grandcubs to spoil.”

“You don’t want to go that route?” she asked.

They left the mall parking lot and once they were on the road, Devon shook his head. “I think my truemate will be worth waiting for, so I don’t mind. I heard the wolves are having a gathering in the fall and Alpha Adam said that because he’s hosting this year, that not only are wolves welcome but any unmated shifters. I think I might go, along with some of the others in the pride. Might find our truemates in other shifter groups. Who knows?”

“That would be neat,” Sadie said. “I’ve never heard of a gathering like that.”

“I don’t think the pack has hosted in a really long time, but it’s just basically a big party for a long weekend with all the single people looking to find their truemates or, at the very least, hook up for some fun. The wolves usually only let their own kindin, but Adam’s an equal opportunity sort of guy and I’m sure it would be for everyone’s benefit to have other shifter groups there.”

“Do tigers do that?” she asked.

“We’ve never done it, but others do,” Gavin said.

She smiled at her mate. “Thank you for today. You really did so much for me, and I can’t express how grateful I am.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’m happy to share everything I have with you and it makes my tiger so happy to provide for you.”

Her mom had packed her bag for her and had included a few days’ worth of clothes and pajamas, plus some toiletries, but it hadn’t been enough by a long stretch.

“So what are the plans for tonight?” she asked.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Well, can you tell me what I should wear? Is it casual or dressy? Do I need comfy shoes or can I wear those sexy heels you picked out?”

He let out a low chuff from his tiger. “You can wear those heels anytime. But we’re going to dinner in Whisper Creek so you don’t have to dress up too fancy.”

“There’s a restaurant in Whisper Creek?”

“Just trust me,” he said. “It’ll be the best first date of your life, I promise.”

“I do trust you.”

“That means the world to me.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles with a soft purr. “We’ve got a reservation at seven. I thought I’d get ready at my parents’ house so I can actually come and pick you up.”

“Aw, I love that.”

He gave her his thousand-watt smile and her stomach flipped.

She didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky to have such an amazing mate, but she was thankful he was hers. Nothing was better than being with Gavin.

She and Gavinhad spent a couple hours that afternoon cutting off tags and washing her new clothes. He’d had to organize his closet to make room for her clothes and she’d loved seeing her feminine clothes hanging next to his masculine ones.

Since they were staying in town, she’d decided to dress casual but with an eye on looking special for their first date. She’d chosen a flowy sundress and sandals and had used her new curling iron to add some volume to her long hair. After applying some lip gloss and mascara, she’d stepped back to look at herself in the mirror over the bathroom sink.

She’d never been on a date before. Wolves in her pack didn’t date unless they were mated, and since no one had ever wanted to mate with her after the color of her fur was revealed, she’d never been asked out.

Which was kind of depressing, but in a way she was glad for it because it meant that tonight with Gavin was extremely special and important. It was her first ever first date, and she couldn’t imagine a sexier guy to share it with.

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