A Griffin's Voice: Finding Her Path

Chapter 14

After the Third Date

Fawn’s P.o.V.

I look at Fox, who is laying the bed looking at his phone. He looks up as I walk in and shakes his head at me with a chuckle. He stands up and walks over. “Good day I take it?” He starts grabbing some of the bags to help me put them away.

“Yeah, it was. Seth joined us. The three of us went shopping, roller skating, and out to eat for dinner,” I tell him as we start putting the new clothes away.

“Yeah, I heard that Seth joined you guys. What was up with that? I thought it was solo dates.”

“It was supposed to be just Avalon and me, but he had a panic attack this morning about being alone with me. He just isn’t comfortable enough and isn’t ready to be alone with me yet. I get it. I really do. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable with me and if this is how to fix it then it’s fine. He is going to join Seth and me on our date.”

My brother nods silently. I can tell that he is thinking over my words. Finally, he sighs. “Yeah, I get it. With my anxiety and panic attack issues……I get it completely. It just means that you will be even better at helping him and you will be a lot more patient with him than most females will be. I am proud of you, Little Sister.”

“Thanks, Foxie Boy. So, what did you do with the guys today?”

“We went paintballing and then just hung out in one of their rooms and watched movies and TV. I just got back into the room maybe ten……fifteen minutes ago. It hasn’t been super long. Anything fun or interesting happen today with Seth and Avalon?”

“Not really. I mean besides shopping, roller skating, and dinner……We did do some verbal games. What am I? and two truths and a lie. Told them the legend of Ablaria Kings Gareth and Garrick and Queen Lucy. Told them a little about the legends of the dinosaur shifters. We talked a little about what we want to do when your made king.”

My brother nods silently as his eyes get a dazed look. I know he is talking to Maximus and thinking about what I have all said. We don’t talk or anything for ten minutes. I hear him sigh and he looks over at me. “What did they all say?”

“They want to hear the legends about the dinosaur shifters and they are really interested in our plans. They are happy to know that we want to make changes. In fact, they were planning on sitting down with us to talk about changes that they wanted to make for Ablaria. They wanted to make sure that we were open to making changes. So, they are thrilled that we just all need to sit down and discuss the changes both sides want to see in Ablaria.”

“What about the legend of our ancestors?”

“Seth and Avalon are happy that we had a legend like that to look up too. They can see why we want to make the changes that they too want to see. I also told them about my two cats. Avalon of all people loves cats……so he was really interested in meeting them and learning more about them.”

“That surprises me with Avalon. Like really Avalon? Of all people? That just seems so strange. I am glad that you are making progress with Avalon, if it is small and slow-going. Just don’t give up. Never give up on him, Fawn. He could become one of the best mates ever. Just don’t give up……on him or any of the other four. I think that they could be some of the best mates ever.”

“We really looked down on them at first. It was wrong of us to do. We almost dismissed five amazing males without getting to know them just because of circumstances.”

“I know. It has bothered me too, Fawn. We treated them very wrong at first. We were just dismissive and cold towards them. We owe them an apology, but I don’t think they will accept it.”

“Neither do I, but they deserve it. What are the plans during my date tomorrow?”

“Ummmmm……I think we are planning on doing some training. But I am not completely certain. Just what it sounds like. We shall see. We shall see.”

I nod and we quietly finish putting everything away then we lay in the bed. We turn on a movie for a bit and just watch How to Train Your Dragon.

After the movie we both just go to bed for the night. I lay in bed just thinking about everything. I know that we treated the princes wrongly at first, but I also know that none of them will ever accept an apology, and I really wish that they would. They are good guys, and I just wish that I could turn back time. But I can’t and it sucks.

Avalon’s P.o.V.

We head into Carter’s room. I stop and glare at them as I see them watching Princess Dairies. “What are you three? Females,” I snarl at them in annoyance.

“Calm down, Avalon. They are just watching something our pretty mate might like,” Seth soothes me. I roll my eyes and glare at the ground. “Come on, dude. Let’s watch with the guys while we talk. We have to be willing to watch stuff we might not like, but our mate will. It is our job to introduce her to stuff, because she has never had the opportunity.”

We settle down on the bed with the others. I glare at the TV not wanting to watch this at all, but I do because I know that Seth might be like. She might in fact like something like this and it is our job to show her stuff……even stuff we likely won’t like.

“So, Avalon……I hear that today didn’t start the best for you,” Carter asks quietly.

“Yeah. What of it,” I snap at him, assuming he is just going to tease me.

“Nothing, dude. Calm down. I was just going to say that I am proud of you.”

“Proud of what? Being too afraid of a date and not being able to talk to her……”

“Avalon, don’t think of it that way. I am proud that you know yourself well enough to know your boundaries and limitations. You were brave enough to ask for help, even with knowing that there is a chance that we would tease you for it. Which we never would for two reasons. One, it just isn’t right to do. No one is perfect or the same. Who cares if your anxiety and insecurities don’t let you be ready to be alone with her yet. And two, Seth would have killed us. But mainly one. You’re a brother to us and deserve better than that from us.”

I look at Carter with narrowed eyes before smiling at him as I see the honesty in his eyes. “Thanks, Carter. I appreciate it a lot. I owe you a lot for today also, Seth. Just your presence made me confident enough to talk to her. So, thank you for today, Seth.”

“Not a problem, Avalon. Happy to help today. The three of us had a lot of fun today. I am happy to know that you will be joining us on my date in two days.”

“I am happy that I am as well. It will give me more time to get comfortable around her.”

Seth nods at me before turning to look at Carter. “You ready for tomorrow? Picnic basket and food ready? Horses rented for the day? Nail appointment made?”

“Yeah. The appointment for nails is at 4 tomorrow evening. I am even doing it with her. I have horses available at 9 or 10. I think it was around 9.”

We all nod and go back to silently watching the rest of the movie. None of us really want to talk tonight and I am really grateful for that. It has been a really good, but really tough though. After the movie, we all head to our rooms to go to bed for the night. I fall asleep thinking about today and my sweet darling of a mate.