The men opted out of the lazy river, choosing instead to sit near the water, pouting as they watched the girls float along. Grayson and Caspian were also pouting from being ignored.
“Well, I’m not too proud to wave the white flag.” Caspian furrowed his eyes as the other men gave him challenging glares.
“No way. We can’t submit first. If Asher and Garrett are managing, then we can, too.” Grayson encouraged Caspian to keep holding strong. After all, their mates were enduring the harsher punishments.
Asher and Garrett were barely managing, especially now. There were several male eyes that they had caught looking at their girls. Their possessive wolves were tugging at their linesand snarling to claim their mates. Their stubborn sides clashed with their possessive, jealous wolves.
“Hi there.” The men turned around to see a few young ladies standing behind them. “We noticed you guys sitting around and thought maybe you’d like to join us? We’re going to play pool volleyball and need some more players.”
Kristen tilted her sunglasses down and looked toward the boys in the distance. “It looks like our boys have been discovered.” She tilted them back up and leaned back, unbothered by the female attention toward her mate. She knew she had nothing to worry about.
“Well, they are a good-looking bunch, even if they can be buttheads.” Lita giggled. Neither girl was worried, nor did they feel threatened by it. As long as the other girls kept their hands to themselves, they would be granted clemency and allowed to live. They were almost toward their end of the lazy river, their skin toasted warm in the sun. Lita reached her hand in and splashed the cold water onto Kristen, who squealed when it hit her.
“Ahh! Oh, it is ON!” Kristen hopped off her raft and the two girls engaged in a water battle.
Asher turned his gaze back on Lita, not looking at the women again. “No thanks. I’m waiting for my baby to get done with the lazy river.” Completely dismissing them.
“Oh … what about you guys?” The girl looked between the other men.
“My girl’s over there too, but thanks all the same,” Garrett said politely, while Grayson and Caspian just shook their heads no.
“Oh … okay.” The girl turned away to look for other potential players.
“AHHHH!”
The sounds of the girls’ shrieks and screams made the men jump in panic. They scanned for danger, only to see Kristen and Lita having a blast splashing each other.
“Eat my tsunami, Kristen!” Lita giggled as she shoved a massive wave of water toward Kristen.
“Tidal WAVE!” Kristen hurled a massive water strike, successfully drenching Lita.
“CANON BALL!”
SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH
The four men jumped into the water in strategic locations around the girls. Lita squealed as she felt a pair of hands snake around her legs, hoisting her up from the water.
“Back to the cave, men. We got the women!” Asher ordered as he launched Lita over his shoulder, Garrett following suit. The men were being obnoxious and grunting like cavemen, thoroughly embarrassing both girls.
Lita giggled and kicked her feet as she was carried out of the water. Asher lowered her down in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. “You win.” His lips brushed her forehead, then traveled down to seize her lips. He pressed on her back and pulled her into him, their bodies heating from the contact. He gently pecked her lips one more time before lifting up from her. “No more ganging up on you. I’m on your team for the rest of the day.”
Lita nodded and smiled sweetly at the childish man in front of her. She was crazy about him. Though, she could go for him not embarrassing her again. “I’m ready to get changed into something dry, and I could go for a warm funnel cake.”
“Funnel cake? Yup, I’m down.” Grayson perked up happily.
Lita squeezed in as much fun as possible in the short day. They rode everything and made lots of memories. Kristen and Garrett left to take Caden and Rosa back to her house to collect her bags, then they would head back to the pack house. He wouldn’t be parted with her, even for a night, and she seemed to feel the same way. Caspian and Grayson went to compete in a few more arcade games before they headed back home for the night.
Lita and Asher were sitting on a bench looking up at the night sky, which was peppered with stars. He had his arm around her and she was leaning her head on his shoulder, both completely content and blissfully happy. Fireworks soon began to launch into the night air, creating a kaleidoscope of colors in the dark.
“This isn’t very traditional for werewolves, but you aren’t just a werewolf. I want you to know just how truly extraordinary you are, and how special you are to me. I want to ensure that you always recognize your place in my heart from this moment forward. Luckily, our mate link provides a constant reminder of that bond.” Asher smiled warmly, turning to fully face her. His eyes, deep and sincere, locked onto her emerald gaze, which shimmered with an inner light. “Spending eternity with you isn’t just a possibility, it's an absolute. You are the greatest blessing I never dared to dream of.
“I’m unbelievably fortunate … so deeply grateful to have you in my life. You’re breathtakingly beautiful, unyieldingly strong, and your love and compassion for others are boundless. Your forgiving nature humbles me. I can’t envision a life without you by my side. You are my mate, my luna, my fairy princess, and I hope you will also do me the honor of becoming my wife.”Asher extended his hand, revealing a diamond ring that danced with light, each facet catching the brilliance of the fireworks exploding in the night sky above.
Lita was shocked. She wasn’t expecting a proposal. That was why he’d had the mate link turned off. Her eyes twinkled in the light as she nodded her head. Streaks glistened down her cheeks as he slipped the ring on her finger.
“I love you, Lita.” Asher was looking at the most beautiful girl in the world, both inside and out. Whatever he could do to make her happy, he would do it. His life was hers for the taking and hers to command.
“I love you too, Asher. You’ve given me a family and a life where I belong. I’ll forever be grateful to you for that.”