Page 14 of Silas

“I can definitely agree with that. Well, goodnight Nova. I look forward to building our relationship tomorrow. Starting with getting everything ready for the Christmas Festival.”

“Goodnight Aspen. Sleep well.”

You know, when Gail first asked me to help with the Christmas Festival, I was extremely nervous about it. I didn’t feel comfortable meeting so many people at one time. But given how these ladies just accepted me into their lives and made it feel as though they have always known me, I am not feeling as nervous about it now.

Chapter 9

Silas

Iregret all life choices that lead me to this exact moment. Why is Nova standing at the hot cocoa stand that Gail said she needed someone to work? This is a literal nightmare. I can’t be trapped all day with my human mate while she smiles and flirts with everyone in town, ignoring me. To top it off, with the full moon only a week away, my wolf is restless and downright rudeto me lately. Usually he would chatter about the hunt, but now he’s also ignoring me because I haven’t claimed Nova yet.

As soon as her smell wafts across the breeze, he immediately perks up.Our mate is working with us today!

Yeah, well, that doesn’t change the fact that she is human and doesn't know about wolf shifters, fated mates, or bonding.

You aren’t giving her a chance to learn about them and instead choosing to ignore her.

We have gone over this. I don’t have time to walk her through wolf packs, mating bonds, fated mates, and shifting into a wolf.

You are running out of time on more things than this debt to the Ghost River Pack.

Ignoring him, I take an immediate turn and head to find Warrick. There has to be some way that we can swap. I’d rather spend all day in freezing water than be stuck at the booth with her.

I find him chatting with a beautiful woman by his booth, thankful that I didn’t have to do much hunting for him.

Coming up to stand beside the two of them, “Warrick, do you have a moment?” He glances between the two of us and nods.

“Will you excuse me for a moment?” She nods her head and walks down the path to the coffee shop.

“What’s up, man?”

“I need to change booths with you.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Why?”

“I just do man. I can’t work at the hot cocoa booth all day. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t rather spend your day flirting with the local girls than being dunked in icy water.” Shifting from foot to foot, I look around as a couple walk past us.

Glancing around at me, he looks down at the hot cocoa booth and busts out laughing. “Nah man. No can do. Gail said there would be no switcharooing. Each of us is to stay in our assigned roles. Now I see why. You’re going to be fine. What is the harm of spending one day with your mate? Surely it can’t be that bad?” Chuckling, he claps me on the back, “Anyway, it’s almost time for the event to start. Might as well head on over there and rip that bandaid off. Have you even spoken to her since you were an asshole to her?”

Glaring at him as I turn to head back towards my booth, I throw a no over my shoulder as I walk away. All I can hear is his full belly laughter ringing out into the world. Asshole. Why is everyone so determined to make me spend time with Nova? My wolf is giving me smug satisfaction, feelings radiating through me. Clearly, he is happy with the turn of events.

Just think, this is a great opportunity for you to get to know our mate. And maybe not be an asshole this time?

There will be no ‘getting to know her’. I am going to do everything in my power to not inhale her scent all damn day whilst also keeping my distance.

Walking up to the booth, I clear my throat to grab her attention. She pops her head up, smiling as planned, only to immediately drop the smile from her face. “Oh, it’s you. Is your visit to tell me I can’t attend the Christmas Festival? Come to ruin the holiday cheer with your Grinchy ways?”

“Uh no, I came to work at the hot cocoa booth that Gail told me she needed someone for. If anything, you have her to blame for this lovely meeting. If I had it my way, you wouldn’t be here, let alone working in the same booth as me.”

Her mouth drops open in shock. Snapping it shut, she glares at me. “You just couldn’t help it, could you? Is it normal for you to just be a dick, or do I just get special treatment?”

“I don’t have time for this or I guess I should say we don’t have time for this. The festival is opening soon, and the town is riding on the success of it. So if you don’t mind turning off your attitude and focusing on the booth…”

“My attitude?! Oh, you have some nerve. Just so you know, everyone tells me how wonderful you are, but I think they just don’t know the real you. So here is how today is going to go. We aren’t speaking again. I am going to set it up so you have the cash register and all you have to do is take the money. Lord knows we don’t need your shitty attitude to rain on everyone’s Christmas parade. I will take the orders and disperse the hot cocoa. You good with that, your majesty?”

“Yeah, I’m good with that.” That is exactly what I wanted to happen. I need her to keep her distance from me and what better way than to piss her off?

We work in silence over the next twenty minutes, making sure there are enough carafes full of hot cocoa and there is enough change in the cash register. She sets up a device to take cards via my phone right as Gail comes walking up. I watch in wonderment as Nova’s face lights up with the most beautiful smile as she spots Gail. When did these two become so familiar with each other? Looking over to Gail, I can see that she is already staring at me and if we weren’t in the middle of thebusiest day, she would likely give me another one of her lectures. Dipping my head to break eye contact, I pretend to be arranging the napkins, straws, and cup holders as she walks up.

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