The Wolf's Guardian

CHAPTER 9. MAKING CHOICES

EVEY'S POV

It's been three days since I found my mate. I don't know if I can say three wonderful days or three very stressful days. He's came every day to my cottage, the first day, he brought material to fix the small set of stairs that lead to the porch, and got to work. I felt like I had to do something, so I asked him to stay for lunch as a reward for helping me. He told me he couldn't stay long because he was substituting as the Alpha while his actual Alpha tended to his mate. I didn't ask, but he shared with me that his Luna is in a coma after having given birth. Naturally, his Alpha is not taking it well and is by her side. He sounds fond of the couple, it seems to me that they share a great friendship and although we are not mated, my wolf says that he feels a great amount of guilt over what his whole pack is going through.

The second and third day went by much of the same, he is determined to help me fix my cottage although I don't know what for, we both know that if I don't reject him, I will eventually have to move with him. He brought up the subject once, but after I said no, he has not said anything again, though I don't know how long it will last. He is slowly growing on me with the little things he does. We haven't kissed again. The first time I felt that my body was going to combust from the shock, bolts of electricity traveled through my body, I felt like I was going to explode. My body was burning inside, and I wanted to melt with him in just one kiss, but it felt wrong. It felt like I was cheating on Shay, I know he is not here, and he can't feel the cheating pains, but to me, he is very much still present, it is crazy but sometimes I can feel him and I feel his scent around me and it brings me comfort. Being with Andrew feels good in a whole different way, I think all the stories that are said about his pack might be an exaggeration because he is sweet and attentive, he is determined to win my heart, and I know that I have to give him a fair chance.

"You sleep better, too. Your constant heartache is no longer there." My wolf reminds me, trying to side with her new mate. But she is right, I don't wake up agitated with the pain in my heart, and I sleep more relaxed.

The sound of a text brings me back to reality, I open my texts, and my heart skips a beat when I see it is from my mate.

Drew. "Good morning, beautiful. I am not going to be able to be there today, I have to step in for Colt at the break ground off our new pack land. My Luna is still not well, and there are no signs of her waking up anytime soon. I'm sorry." I feel a bit of disappointment when I see the text, I was getting used to seeing him here and spending time with him.

"You miss him already. Why we don't just move in with him?" I swear, my wolf knows nothing about relationships. All she sees is her mate and wants to follow the rules.

"First, because I am not ready, second, he hasn't asked again. Third we have a whole life here, What about my shop? and Lily, she is about to give birth and she needs me here." I can't think of moving from here. Plus, it's been four days since my shift, and so far, we are still in peace. Our pack has not been attacked.

"Those are just excuses, Everyone looks at us with fear. They don't understand the real meaning of what we are. The only reason they don't say anything and give you a smile is because of the Luna. Her and April are your only friends here. We can start over at our mate's pack. He doesn't need to ask. You can tell him, and he will not even question it." She retorts.

"I'll think about it, for now we have to go to the shop, April doesn't know how to mix the herbs and Mrs. Thompson needs something to help her with her stomach cramps, while Dr. Smothers performs some tests."

April has been my friend for a long time, we kinda grew up together with my cousin Lily, and then we all found our mates and stopped hanging out so much, but we kept in touch and now, she helps me with my shop. She always checked on me after my mate's death. She stood endless nights with me, trying to comfort me and help me with the pain. I think I owe her my life, and she has never tried to collect.

"Evey, I am glad you are here, Mrs. Thompson has been calling to see if her medication is ready, and Julie Smith needs something to help with her morning sickness. It's been chaos all morning." April welcomes me with her natural calm even though it is crazy in here.

"Thank you, April, I'd be lost without you." I tell her smiling.

"Well, pretty soon, you are going to have to figure things out without me. I don't think you are going to be too long here, are you? I mean, that hunky mate of yours is probably eager to take you away." She gives me a curious look. She loves knowing people's business.

"We haven't talked about it. He is pretty busy these days. I don't know if I want to leave Forest Hills." I am not ready to leave everything, plus that would be like abandoning Shay.

"Everly, you have to move on. Shay wanted you to be happy. Your mate is not only the most attractive guy that ever stepped on this pack, after Erik, of course, but he also looks like a decent and kind man. What else are you asking for?" I don't know what to respond. My mate is very attractive, but when you look past that, you can also see that he is also a genuinely kind man.

"It feels wrong, April, I feel like I am betraying Shay, and I could never hurt him like that. I also can't subject my new mate to that kind of life. I don't think I could ever be his completely." I respond honestly.

"Then reject him and let him move on, but don't do this to either of you. Just before you do anything crazy, think that he is the one who brought your wolf back and that thanks to him, we now know that you are more powerful than any warrior in any pack." She is always saying all these things that make perfect sense and is hard to argue with the truth.

The day went by pathetically slow, I was really busy, but I kept checking my phone every now and then to see if my mate texted me, but I got nothing all day. I shouldn't feel sad, but I do. How can I miss him? Why can't I stop thinking about him?

"Just admit you care about our mate. You are accepting him but are too afraid to get hurt." Of course, my wolf has something to say. Ever since she came back, all she does is talk about fulfilling our life's purpose or accepting our mate for good, and neither of those things are in my to-do list.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find my mate?" His sexy voice calls my attention, and I feel an excitement I haven't felt in a long time.