AN ALPHA'S OBSCURED VENGEANCE

13

To a degree, Eric seemed to care for Ash. But she just didn’t know whether it was the way that Ash would have hoped. She lightly tapped her finger on her chin thoughtfully so that she almost tripped and fell.

You’re going to owe me big time for this, Ash. She thought to herself.

“It’s not because of her age, is it?” She asked. The night was quiet. Despite the music from the club. It was quiet enough that she didn’t need to yell for him to hear her. Eric glimpsed at her for a moment then asked, “What’s not because of age?”

“You know what I'm talking about.” She rolled her eyes and opened the backdoor of her car so that he could place Ashe there.

“The reason you keep rejecting her.” Due closed the door and stood in front of him, hoping to get some answers for her friend. She looked too pitiful throughout the day. Mopping around like that.

Eric’s lips curved up a little at her question, and then he folded his hands over his chest. Truthfully, Ash knew how to pick’em.

“Should I answer that?” He teased with a small grin.

“You’re being annoying right now.” Due tsked. She knew he was playful sometimes, but can’t he read the room.

“Why do you keep tossing her around like that? There’s no need to even keep quiet about it, Ash makes her interest in you so obvious.” Due said.

Eric pondered over her words for a moment as the playful gleam changed to one of utter endearment when he looked at Ash through the window.

“At first it was because of the age difference.” He said.

“Now?” Due spoke when he didn’t say anything

“I’m not sure.” Eric pondered, “There’s not really any deep reason behind it. Perhaps… reluctance?” He voiced.

“So you also want her?” She poked for more. It was both to satisfy her curiosity and ease Ash’s mind.

Eric grinned, “Oh.. without a doubt.”

And she could tell it was his truth too. Before she could poke around for more, he was shooing her away and heading back into the club. On the way home, Due couldn’t stop thinking about her friend. Eric clearly liked her too. He looked like it and he admitted to it too. But that didn’t tell her why he was pushing Ash away. This was why she wasn’t too keen on mating or courting. It was all too much. Yh, she sometimes felt the loneliness, but it wasn’t to the extent where she wanted to settle down. So all she could do was poke her nose into Ash’s relationship or lack of and try to ease her friend’s dismay.

Due wondered if it was really necessary to be in a relationship. Sure there was that societal need to be in one, especially as a werewolf. But it still didn’t shake the feeling of just wanting… solitude. No bonds and restraints. No hurting and confusion. Courtships were truly a mess. And she wasn’t sure that it was her cup of tea.