The Prince’s Unwilling mate

024 Ayla

Painting the shelves was fine, we did just act like two friends. As long as you ignored the secret glances I shot Griffin every now and then. Judging from how his eyes burned holes in my back he was doing the same. But even Nicolas was kind enough not to mention it. The real issues started when the shelves had gotten their second coat of paint. They looked great and didn’t need a third coat of paint. Nic stayed around and chatted for a bit. His mate Lucas came to pick him He

1. up. came in for a drink and chatted a bit with Griffin and me. Then we were all alone. There was no reason for me to be this nervous about being alone with my mate. Hell, it was something most mates would want. Including Griffin, to me, it was like all these conflicting feelings were put in a pressure cooker.

Still, I had told Griffin I was giving him an honest chance, and I was going to make good on my promise. Especially when he asked me what, my favorite spot in the pack was. Every time I talk about the Great White Oak tree in the center of the packground I get excited. This time was no different.

“It sounds like a beautiful place one that Conan would enjoy. Maybe our wolves can finally meet each other? Or well finally, not that I meant to say that you’re taking too long. I meant it when I said I was going to respect how slow you wanted to take it. It’s just tha…” Griffin stuttered and stumbled

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024 Ayla

Honestly, he was kinda cute when he did. I always thought girls were cute not men. But he was proving men could be cute too. Especially when I shut him up with a kiss on the cheek. Maybe it was mean he

had to hold himself back and I just kissed him. But he could be the one kissing me back on my cheek too I wouldn’t mind that at all. Hopefully, he was just happy to see I was actually giving him a chance.

“I get it let us go to the forest we can shift there and then I’ll bring you to the oak. Willow is excited to meet Conan too.” I answered his unasked

question.

I came to find out I loved it when I did something simple for Griffing, only to be met with the biggest smile in return. During the walk to the forest, we just chatted still just getting to know each other. He loved Mexican food like I did, he took after his mother more. And he didn’t have siblings. An odd thing for wolves, usually we are big on huge families. It felt like there was a story there. If he didn’t tell me right away I was not going to pry. Griffin did not tell me anything about why he didn’t have siblings. Focussing on me again, asking me about Kate. He had heard that I was the one who brought Kate to her new pack. Having met Daniel he was curious about my other sibling. Before I knew it I blurted it out.

“Well in four weeks we will all go over to her mating ceremony. You can come along as my plus one if you want to” It just slipped out because it felt so good to just be here with Daniel.

Just the two of us, of course, Daniel immediately agreed to it. Arriving

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024 Ayla

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at the edge of the forest saved me from further embarrassment. I just hid when I undressed. Griffin looked pained. He probably thought I did not trust him enough to get undressed close to him. Little did he know I was still hiding the scars that finally started healing. When I stepped out from behind my hiding spot I saw Conan for the first time. Griffin’s wolf

was not only beautiful he was huge too. I was a little scared to show

al

Willow to him, with her being a werewolf the lack of size was even more noticeable than when I was in my human form. Conan looked far from disgusted though. For the first time, I was a little disappointed that we could not mindlink. Determined to show Griffin I wasn’t useless even when I was this small. I sprinted ahead and took off as fast as I could. Glancing over my shoulder every now and then I saw Griffin was getting behind more and more. Unless he was a sore loser this first time. seeing each other in our wolf forms was amazing.

By the time he caught up to me, he was panting and he just let himself fall to the damp grass. He then looked up at the Oak tree. Even without being able to talk, I could see just how much he admired it. White oaks aren’t that common and this one was age–old. The very first Alpha of our pack saw the tree and took it as a sign from Selene the Moon Goddess. herself that this ground was suitable to house his pack. I wasn’t sure if I still believed in blessings given by the MoonGoddes but I couldn’t deny the fact that the White Oak pack had always thrived. We had overcome a lot and always remained one of the biggest healthiest packs in the states. For me, it was the Alpha’s and the Luna’s of the pack that kept us thriving. Maybe I was biased because it had all been my ancestors. It did make me be more critical of my own capability as a Luna. Only this time. sitting here looking up at the Oak Tree I did not feel that doubt. Laying her with him was just peaceful.

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024 Ayla

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Soon Griffin had rested enough and he was getting playful. Gently tugging on my tail with his teeth. Head butting me and softly smacking me with his paws. It made me smile internally because if he was being this playful now he couldn’t be all too mad about me running so much faster. By the time we were heading back to the edge of the forest so that we could shift back. I was sad our time ended so soon. Griffin had to go back to, he still had a four–hour drive ahead of him. This week apart. would do me a world of good. I knew he would just miss me. If I was being honest I would miss him too. But not being around him not being surrounded by his scent. Not having to fight this pull to touch him. Would at least provide me with a clear mind.

“Thank you for this weekend Ayla, I cannot wait to see you again next week. Feel free to text and call me anytime even if it is in the middle of the night okay.” Griffin said when it was time for our goodbyes.

Even though I wouldn’t just call Griffin, and even texting would be sparse I promised him anyway. He said to feel free to text and call him and I would. There just wouldn’t be a need to do so. I was going to be busy with my first day working at the library. Catching up with my family since I hadn’t been a member of the White Oak Pack for long. Hist next question caught me off guard. Forcing me to really think about what I wanted.

“Can I kiss you or maybe hug you? What ever you feel comfortable with”

he asked.

Wolf was screaming at me that I had to kiss him, she was dying to touch her mate. Feel the matebond spark and warm our bodies. Deep down I

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wanted that too but I got in my own head. Wondering if it would be giving Griffin false hope. Doubting if I would be able to keep a clear mind if I opened up to him this much. Griffin’s face fell again. Just how his smile would warm my heart. His sad downcast look and his frown tugged at it. A kiss was a bridge too far for me at least for now. I had to stick to some semblance of taking things slow. Friends hug friends. though. We couldn’t deny that we were friends at the very least. Wrapping my arms around him I pulled him closer. He melted into the hug and there was something nice and comforting about him being so much bigger than I was. With him, it didn’t make me feel crowded when his whole body encased me. With one last pack on my cheek, he got into

his SUV and drove off.

Ignoring the slight pang in my heart, the pain of seeing my mate leave. I took out my phone and texted Jessa. Let’s just hope she has some time. for me after this afternoon’s events I needed my best friend more than

ever.

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