Page 1 of Country and Clove
CHAPTER1
The woods whispered their dark accusations as Aaron picked up speed. Soft moss swallowed the sounds as he fought to sprint harder, faster, further from the darkness within.
It was foolish really. As if he could ever outrun the sins of his past. The amount of blood on his hands made him sick. Every day he scrubbed his skin clean, but the stain on his soul remained.Six weeks. That’s how long the calendar had given him to question why. Six weeks of waking up and seeing the heartbreak in the faces of their families. Six weeks of being the only survivor. Day after day his pack consoled him, supported him, told him things would get easier. They hadn’t.
It didn’t help that most of his closest friends had recently found happiness in the form of their fated mates. First Darren, falling all over Nova and rescuing her from the Collectors. Their relationship barely had any foundation and they were already married with a brand-new baby. All in the name of fate.
How the hell could anyone just fall in love, instantly? Even Gideon wasn’t immune to the fated-mates bullshit. He was the Alpha, and had still gotten his panties in a wad over Dahlia when she’d ghosted him. A few weeks later, she turns up again and low and behold, the two are fated mates. What are the damn chances?
Shit really took a turn when that monstrous Lark went from one of their biggest enemies, to a full-blown member of the pack. All because he found a fated mate in Aria. Aria, of all people.
Watching everyone run off into the sunsets with theirone and onlysmade Aaron sick. The pack was the first priority. Too bad that mentality flew out the window every time someone’s mate was identified.
Aaron didn’t believe in fate. He didn’t need someone to fall head over heels for and raise pups with. Fuck all of it.
It was still dark outside. Aaron preferred to run this time of morning. He beat out most of the early risers by coming before sunrise. It ensured he had less of a chance of encountering any other active lycans on his trek up the mountain and back. It was better to self-loathe in silence.
“That scowl on your face is going to end up permanent if you don’t lighten up, mate,” Lucas called out, sprinting from the far end of the clearing.
“Maybe I like the way it looks,” Aaron argued, slowing to a jog as Lucas covered the distance with ease. He was insufferable. Lucas was the pack’s tall, blond, sunshine boy with his unbearable cheery demeanor and loyalty to a fault. Aaron would punch him in that pretty Australian face of his if he wasn’t his best friend and closest confidant.
“Then I might have to find a different wingman,” he teased. “The ladies like a bit of an asshole every now and then, but your wolf is sending the message that he’ll bite the face off of anyone who gets close to you.” Lucas reached Aaron and they headed up into the mountains.
“Fuck you. I am very popular with the ladies.” Aaron’s country style, roguish good looks, and Southern accent combined with his charismatic shifter energy usually had every girl from the bar to the strip club drooling all over him, begging for a chance to take him home.
“Maybe youwerevery popular. When’s the last time you got laid?” Lucas cocked an eyebrow at him. Aaron clenched his jaw, not enjoying the insinuation. Technically he was right. Aaron usually took a girl, or two, home every night. But his sexual prowess had been far from prevalent since the attack.
“You’re one to talk.” He turned the conversation on Lucas. “Why haven’t you made any moves on your favorite redheaded witch?” It was a low blow but Aaron didn’t care. Lucas’s jaw set.
“That’s different.” He wasn’t denying it. Everyone knew Lucas and Brona had a thing for each other. Her coven had been helping out the pack for over a year now and as far as Aaron knew, Lucas had never even taken Brona on a date.
The rest of their run passed in silence. Aaron seemed to have successfully soured the mood, again. It was becoming an all-too-regular occurrence.
Lucas was a good friend. Aaron had noticed the extra effort he put into their friendship since the incident. Lucas was more present in Aaron’s life than ever before. He joined Aaron on his runs, even though Aaron told him not to. He conveniently had the same workout and lunch schedule nearly every day. He even showed up outside of Aaron’s apartment with beer and takeout when he knew Aaron hadn’t eaten.
Lucas was putting in all the effort, and Aaron had been totally thankless in return. Guilt pierced the grumpy cloud enveloping his thoughts.
“Wanna grab something quick from the coffee shop on the corner?” Aaron asked. “We have a few minutes before the work rush hits.” He laced his tone with as much causal, easygoing energy as he could manage, hoping he hadn’t offended Lucas enough to scare him off completely.
“You know I’m in. I’ll never pass up an opportunity to eat. But you’re paying. You’ve been a right prick today.” Lucas tossed him a smirk.
“If you wanted me to take you on a breakfast date, all you had to do was ask,” Aaron quipped back with a grin.
“Cheeky asshole. Race you there.” Lucas shoved him hard in the shoulder before tearing off toward town.
Aaron growled, taking off after him. They ended up tumbling into the street all fists and kicks, rolling across the road and nearly taking out a woman and her baby carriage. She screamed, drawing their attention. Before the two could rise, a single word boomed from nearby.
“Up.” The Alpha command slammed into them. They quickly separated, standing to attention as fast as their lycan reflexes would allow. Gideon stood before them. He was comfortably dressed in a white t-shirt and sweatpants. His face was pinched and tired. Two grease-stained bags were clutched tightly in his arms.
“Damn, Gideon, hitting us with the Alpha commands first thing in the morning?” Aaron groused.
“What are you doing up so early?” Lucas asked, pulling a tank top out of his pocket and over his head.
“And why the hell do you look so tired?” Aaron eyed Gideon suspiciously.
“Dahlia had me up most of the night.” Gideon shifted uncomfortably, readjusting his sweatpants. “Now she’s craving pastries.”
“Hold up, you’re telling us the reason you have that permanent pissed-off look on your face is because your horny, pregnant wife has a sexual appetite even greater than her Alpha mate’s?” Aaron’s sarcasm was gunning for an all-time high. Gideon’s glare could have melted ice. “Wow, that’s rough,” Aaron added dryly.
