Page 96 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

NOVA

We movedmy things into the house the next day. I slept there alone that night, though Clay was reluctant to leave me. I pulled thefriends with benefitscard, and pointed out that we weren’t living together, so he agreed.

Though I didn’t want to do that, I figured it was necessary to the plan.

The more we were apart, the more his wolf would push him to assert his claim.

I spent the next few days planning and ordering everything I’d need for my studio in the Lodge, and the week after that setting up both the studio and my new house. Clay sent a letter to Olive’s tattoo shop for me, too. I kept it simple and referencedWickedjust like she had.

If you care to find me

(555) 555-8080

My arm healed.

The full moon came and passed.

Clay spent it alone in Stray, so his wolf could run. I spent it alone in my new place.

Other than that, he brought me coffee from his fancy new machine every morning, and made good on his promise to help me paint a few walls.

Neither of us brought up any sensitive or intimate topics. We didn’t mention Hunter, or Clay’s wolf.

It felt like we had taken a step back, minus the frequent sex and the insane amount of time we spent together. I didn’t love the backward progress, but it was part of the plan, so I dealt with it.

After we finished getting everything set up in my new studio, I told Clay to hit the road, because I had agreed to let Aspen be my first client in the new place. He left me with a kiss, but he did leave.

I’d agreed to let Aspen be my first client. Sydney joined us, since Fletcher was out hunting. Syd had no desire to get any tattoos of her own, but she liked watching the process.

“Do we have the Alpha’s permission for this?” Syd teased, as she sat down in the chair next to Aspen’s.

I was already working on her arm, because we’d started her sleeve a few months back and were working on it when she had time.

“Nah. He loves surprises,” Aspen teased, and we all grinned.

Everyone knew she and Enzo were a team. They would’ve talked about it before she came back to my chair. They respected each other too much not to.

Also, now that I was living in his pack, I didn’t really want to risk pissing off the Alpha.

“How are you and Clay? You’ve been nearly inseparable since you went through heat,” Sydney remarked.

I kept my gaze trained on her arm. Obviously, the tattoo came before the chatting. “We’re good.”

“Just good?” Aspen checked. “I’ve never seen him grin so much.”

“Everyone keeps asking me what the gossip is,” Syd added. “What’s going on?”

“We’re friends with benefits.”

They were silent for a moment.

“Isn’t he bringing you coffee every morning?” Aspen finally asked.

“And helping you paint walls?” Syd checked

“Emphasis on the friendship?” I tried.

“Don’t lie to us, bitch. We’ve been here for you since the beginning,” Aspen warned.

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