Page 4 of Tempting Frey
The thing was… I’d never stopped believing Frey was my fated mate. Ever since I’d hit puberty, he’d been the only alpha I’d ever seen. Brokenhearted like only a teenager could be, I’d tried going on a few dates during freshman year, but the thought of simply kissing someone else made me nauseous. Instead, I’dlived for those few short glimpses I’d gotten of Theodore Frey over the years.
It was possible we weren’t fated at all and I was just a late bloomer who hadn’t grown out of his first childish infatuation. I only needed to get close enough to him to make him really see me andsmellme.
After a few days in each other’s proximity, we’d both know.
My dad picked me up in full sheriff’s uniform. He just couldn’t help himself, could he? Dex came to say bye to me in the morning, but he quickly scurried away at the sight of my dad. Probably for the best—I’d only ever seen him as a friend. I hugged my hungover ex-roommates and was on the road in a fully packed car by half past ten.
“So, what’s the plan?” Dad asked as he sped up on the highway.
“I want to take it easy for a few days, then job hunting. I saw a few openings at some companies in Green Peaks when I searched online.”
“That would be a long commute.”
“I’d need to rent a room there, I guess.”
Dad harrumphed. “Well, better than having you stay in the city. Your pa and I were afraid you’d never come back.”
“Just because I can’t shift doesn’t mean I don’t miss the mountains.”
Dad patted my arm. My mysterious inability to change forms despite being a shifter kid had been a concern for my parents, but I was reconciled to it.
“Old Hughes is retiring,” Dad said. “I could ask Frey about a job at the town hall.”
It was pure luck he was driving and couldn’t see my face. Me working for Frey? The poor guy would freak out. On the otherhand, I’d see him every day, and he’d see me. Our mayor and I would be in an enclosed space… He wouldn’t be able to avoid me anymore, and I’d finally get my answer.
But what if the answer was no? What if I found out I was in love with an alpha who wasn’t my mate? What would I do then?
Ugh.
“Ollie?”
“Sorry. I was miles away. Did you say something about the town hall?”
“Just that I can ask Frey if he has a job for you.”
“I’d like to find work based on my merit, you know, and not because my dad’s pal is the mayor.”
Dad scoffed. “Tough, because everybody is everybody’s pal in Beauville. What if you’re the only guy in town with the right qualifications?”
“Even if there is an opening, I should apply the regular way.”
“Nonsense. I’ll talk to him.”
Oh, to be a fly on the wall to see how Frey would react. “Dad, don’t, please. Let me find my own way.”
Dad grunted noncommittally, meaning he was set on doing it. I would have to bring it up with Pa.
It was more than eight hours before we finally passed the Welcome to Beauville sign. The evening was bright, the summer sun hanging just above the peaks on the horizon, painting the valley in dreamy orange hues. I rolled down the window and hummed happily when the familiar scents filled my nose and lungs: pine and mountain meadows, with a hint of barbecue from Jordy’s.
Dad made the sharp turn up the steep road toward our house and grinned at me. “Home sweet home.”
“I’m glad to be back.”
Frey’s cabin sat below, separated from the other houses by a meadow sprinkled with squat pines and bushes. His car stoodoutside. Was he at home? But he walked to work, the pub, and basically everywhere in Beauville. He only used his car when he had to leave town. Maybe he was in the forest, running in fur? I’d only seen his bear a few times when I was a little kid. He was a giant, even bigger than Monty or Dad. Intimidating as hell.
I thought I glimpsed movement in one of the windows, but Dad turned the car again, climbing higher up the slope, and I lost sight of Frey’s cabin.
I couldn’t wait to see him again. Maybe applying for the job at the town hall wasn’t such a bad idea.
