Page 14 of Luna Ascending

I'm not entirely sure I can put my good mood down to not having a migraine, or if it's aided by the flurry of texts I've just had from Aaron.

“Hi beautiful stranger! I was kicking myself I didn't get your number. I'm not sure I approve of Tavey whoring me out, but since it's to you, I'll forgive him”

“That's twice we've met and you didn't ask for my number... what's a girl to think?!” I reply quickly.

“That she's too stunning for a man to think straight?? Sorry... too cheesy?”

“Stilton-esque cheesy!” I can feel a stupid grin on my face.

“Be fair, I WAS busy trying to defend your honour when you ran out on me...”

“Who talks like that?! But, yeah thanks for scraping me off the floor. I hope you and Marc kissed and made up after I left?”

“Did we hell! I could make it up to you though? With or without the kiss... ”

“It's a date”

Shit, it is a date isn't it? Thatiswhat he meant surely? I only stop cringing when he starts arranging where to pick me up. Liz is not the only one going on a date tomorrow. I smile to myself, and then have a little twinge of guilt.

I don't think I'm leading Marc on – accepting help house hunting does not constitute a date – I set him straight on that. He's foisted himself on me, not the other way around. Still, I need to make sure he really doesn't have the wrong end of the stick when I see him next.

Chapter Ten

Aaron's POV

Meeting Freya has completely thrown my plans. Before, I was so so sure that taking a chosen mate was the right thing for my pack and for me. Now my wolf won't settle, he's constantly pining after her, it's bloody frustrating. She's just a human. Not only can she not be our fated-mate, but there's no space for her in my life. I'm furious with myself, and with her for confusing me.

With my sister's wolf gone, the pack really needs some good news right now. Completing the Luna Rite and the big celebration afterwards would have been perfect. My position in the pack would've been solidified, we'd have created closer allegiances with the Luna's pack, and I'd be significantly closer to being alpha.

Now, I can't even fucking start to think about a decision when my head's so full of Freya's scent. For one tiny little human, she has created a bloody great big mess in my life right now.

I need to get this girl out of my system. Since she somehow got hold of my number I've stopped myself replying to her message countless times.

Maybe I'm going about this all wrong. Maybe I need to take her out, show myself she's nothing special, fuck her if it means satisfying my wolf and move the hell on with my life.

At least my wolf approves of my plan.

∞∞∞

I'm humming to myself, as I pull up outside. It feels good just to be off the estate and away from the pack house for a bit. Everything's still so intense there, and every time I see Aurora she's crying. This time away is desperately needed.

I double check the address is right, it's not exactly where I'd expected to be picking Freya up from – it's pretty rough. The ground floor of her tenement has boarded up windows which is fucking bleak.

Stepping out into the street discarded litter blows past, and a smashed Buckfast bottle crunches under my feet. It's bizarre how much the street's grimness contrasts with the bright sparky woman I met.

My heart's thundering in my chest. I'm here to get this woman into bed, and out of my head, but for the first time in ages I actually care about a date going well. I roll my eyes at myself, pull it together Aaron.

I'm taking her to a wee Italian place she mentioned wanting to try. I checked it out. It's inexpensive and authentic – not what Brits expect of an Italian, but what Italians living in Italy would expect of their local taverna – and it's cosy, perfect for an intimate evening.

Thinking about how much I was moping around before I decided to meet Freya, and how my wolf came to life after, I can't help but wonder about this girl. I don't fucking believe in fated mates, but if I did... everything about her is screaming something special. It's sort of a shame it's not possible, but even worse – it's screwing everything else up too.

I hit the buzzer at 7pm exactly and hang around for a few minutes before I remember she said the fucking thing doesn't work. Freya sounds a bit rushed on the phone, like she wasn't quite expecting me yet. Is being on time unfashionable? Maybe I should have arrived late. Girls take ages to get ready...

Fuck, I have to stop fussing over the unimportant crap and relax. This is meant to be a fun evening. If my wolf would stop doing super-excited laps of my head and calm the hell down for half a second it would help.

I can't help but grin to myself at his excitement. He's not normally this worked up over getting laid, but then I've never considered fucking a human before.

By halfway through the mains, and with a refill of wine I stop feeling like a nervous kid on his first date. Freya seems keen on me- maybe this will work well. I fish for an escapee meatball while secretly watching her.

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