chapter 7

Reese pulled out a pristine white shirt. The kind he didn’t like to wear as they stained way too easily.

“I’m not wearing that.”

“You want to make a good first impression? This is it,” Reese said. “No woman wants a slob.”

“I’m going to look too obvious in this.”

“Dude, you’re not just doing this for yourself but for the good of the entire pack. Not all of us want to be eligible bachelors for the rest of our lives.

Look at me. I want a wife, kids, and I want to be happy,” David said.

“You’re trying to tell me you’re not happy?”

“No, I could definitely be happier.” David swatted at some lint on the shoulder of his shirt.

“Boys, back off. I can do this,” Caleb said. He wasn’t chasing after this woman because of his pack. She was his mate and he couldn’t let this opportunity pass.

“So you know that you’re always supposed to be nice,” Reese said. “Don’t treat her like you treat us.”

“Compliment her hair. Not her ass. A woman’s ass never looks big.

Never. You have to remember that,” Brian said.

“And don’t watch her eat either. Women get self-conscious about that.

Staring is rude.” This came from David.

He was done with all of their worrying and advice.

“I can do this. Now back off. Trust me. I can do this.”

His men looked doubtful but he wasn’t going to allow them to get to him. He’d been on plenty of dates before and this was going to be the first of many with Bethany.

Dressed in a pair of jeans and a white shirt, which seemed way too out of place for him, he made his way to his truck.

“Remember, be cool,” Reese said.

He ignored him, turned the ignition over, and was gone. He didn’t need to listen to these men, not anymore. He wasn’t a child and could handle a single date.

Bethany had promised to meet him at the diner where she worked. She wouldn’t allow him to pick her up at the boarding house. Did she not want him to know where she lived? He couldn’t understand why.

Driving into town, he ran a hand down his thigh.

He wasn’t going to drag her off to his home and mate her there and then. This had to take time, finesse. There had been plenty of wolf-human matings. They all took a little more handling. He could do it.

It didn’t feel like it would be easy, though. With Bethany still working with that fucking bear, it was going to get complicated.

He didn’t like the thought of her being near a creature with so much potential to get out of control. He’d heard the myths about rogue bears.

She wasn’t safe with anyone else except for him, but he didn’t know how to communicate that to her.

Could he offer her a job? Give her a reason to constantly come to his place? They all cleaned up after themselves so a housekeeper wasn’t right. Nor was a cook.

He could cook and with the amount of food they consumed on a daily basis, she would ask questions, no doubt about it.

Don’t think about it. Just drive.

“It’s one date,” he said out loud.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he came into the parking lot to catch Joe speaking with Bethany.

His woman looked tense and he didn’t like that. He wanted to slaughter the bastard, but he kept his cool. Starting a war with the bears right now would be stupid. He needed to know how many he was dealing with.

“Caleb,” she said.

“Bethany.” He approached her, taking hold of her hand and kissing it. “It’s a pleasure.”

Her cheeks reddened and there was a spice in the air. Smirking, he turned to Joe.

“Joe,” he said.

“Caleb.”

Joe held his hand out and he wanted to sneer. Instead, he gripped the man’s hand.

If Joe had been human, with the strength he was displaying, his hand would have been crushed. As it was, there was not even a single twitch.

“I didn’t think you were working today,” Caleb said. He recalled yesterday Joe saying he’d see her on Monday.

“I saw her standing outside all on her lonesome and figured she needed some company.”

“I’m here now.”

“No rush. How about I get you two some coffee?” Joe said.

He shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.” He took Bethany’s hand. “Are you ready?”

“Er, yes, of course, if you are.” “I’m ready.”

He was done listening to this fucker and he knew without a doubt Joe was doing this on purpose. He had to stay on his guard at all times.

“Bye, Joe. See you Monday,” she said. As they walked away, she said, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine. I just … I thought you didn’t like that guy,” Caleb said.

She frowned. “I never said anything about liking him or not.” She tilted her head to the side. “How did you know?”

“It was a hunch.” “Good hunch.”

“You’re right not to like him.” “He’s my boss.”

“Doesn’t make him a good guy,” said Caleb. “He gave me a raise. A good one.”

“Again, I don’t see what makes him so good.” She chuckled.

“What?” he asked.

“It’s nothing. Can we not talk about my boss? I’m not the kind of person who likes to leave work and still talk about it. You know?”

“Got it. I don’t mind.” He helped her into the truck. Get your shit together.

He knew his pack would be disappointed if he screwed this up. It was a simple date. Nothing good or bad. He climbed into the truck. “You haven’t been in town long, have you?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve gotten the chance to try some good steaks at the bar?”

She giggled. “You would be correct in that. I’ve never been to the bar.”

“Then you’re in luck.”

“Should we really go to a bar?” she asked.

“I can’t think of any better place to be than at the bar. Besides, we don’t have a lot of options here.” He loved good food and it was the only place in town beyond his own cooking that had anything decent to eat.

“You’re going to love it. We’ll be surrounded by people, so you won’t go thinking I’m some kind of murderer.” His pack was going to kill him.

What kind of vomit was coming out of his mouth? Damn, this was harder than he thought.

“A murderer? An axe kind or a nice kind?”

He frowned and glanced at her. “I’m not freaking you out with my conversation topic?”

“Not a little bit. It’s different, no doubt about that, but, I don’t know, it’s kind of fun to know you’re nervous.”

“I’m not nervous. I’m not the type of guy who gets nervous.” “No? Then why do you look like you want to slap your own face?” He glanced at her. There was a twinkle in her eye.

“Okay, you’re right. I’m nervous. I haven’t done this in a really long time. I … honestly don’t know what to say or do.”

“I like that, Caleb. I haven’t been on a date in a long time. You’d think with this being our second date, you’d be okay with it all.”

“You’re mocking me?”

“Not at all. I’m just having fun.”

He liked this. She made him comfortable.

Parking outside of the bar, he took a deep breath. His pack was counting on him. Not only that but he really did like this woman.

She was his and the last thing he wanted to do was screw it up.