Wade raised a brow when I got in the car and slammed the door a little harder than I should have. His gaze heavy as he eyed me grunt and wrestle into my seat belt. I huffed, finally buckled in and slumped in my seat.

“Bad day?” Wade asked, putting the car into gear.

I shot my brother a glare through the corner of my eyes and he had the nerve to smirk.

“Keep it up, Wade…” I warned. “We’ll see what happens when you wake up tomorrow with no eyebrows.”

My brother laughed. He never took my threats seriously which would be advantageous to me if I actually decided to shave my brothers eyebrows in his sleep. Not that I would be able to because Wade is a light sleeper. He’d have to be tired out to not wake through my shenanigans.

Wade asked what happened and lowered the radio so I wouldn’t compete with its volume. I grumbled that I was too annoyed to talk about it and looked out my side window. My brother pushed though, reminding me that I shouldn’t keep things bottled up.

Frowning, I knew he was right and rolled my eyes. I sat up and grumbled, “Molly showed up today.”

My brother’s forearms tensed, the veins in them showing and I glanced at his hands turning white at the knuckles because he was squeezing the steering wheel so tight. I waited, hearing my brother’s low growl. When Wade settled, he glanced at me through a frown and gave a small nod to let me know he was okay now.

I relaxed in my seat, explaining that the day started off good; clocking in and having conversation with Cindra about Cece’s unexpected surprise and then helping customers that came in.

It was about a half hour after my lunch that the door opened, the bell indicating someone walked in and I looked over my shoulder from where I was shelving some new items.

Molly had strolled in with her new ‘It’ crowd and looked around the store until spotting me. She looked annoyed for a split second and then told her girls something. They all scattered throughout the store and I eyed them carefully before deciding to go back to the shelves.

I wasn’t expecting Molly to approach me but lo and behold she did.

Miss High and Mighty stood next to me, her arms crossed and giving the side of my face a hard look. I stopped placing a folded shirt on the shelf, turning with a monotone, “Can I help you?” It wasn’t exactly the “customer service” I normally gave but I couldn’t help it.

Molly narrowed her eyes at me and gave me a once over. I realized now that she would do that all the time we were growing up but I was never bothered about it until now.

I scrunched my nose, looking down at my simple dark pants, red slip on shoes and a black collared blouse. It was nothing spectacular but it was required for me to wear dark pants and a top with sleeves and a collar. Of course it wouldn’t be the most stylish to someone who dressed to impress everyday.

I frowned at Molly, raising a brow and asked again if there was something I could help her with.

“You should work on your customer service skills, Gigi. You wouldn’t want a complaint filed for you being rude to paying customers, now would you?”

There was a bubble of annoyance forming in my chest but I bit back a smartass reply. I didn’t want to get in trouble with Cindra.

“Molly, I have a lot of work to do. If you need something, I’m happy to help you find it. Otherwise, I’d appreciate if you would let me go back to work.”

We stared at one another for a good while. I could read instantly how moody Molly was today and I wasn’t sure why. Perhaps she was on her period. She would get kind of mean when Mother Nature brought her monthly gift.

My eyes glanced down at her crossed arms and the left hand was visible. I noticed that her ring was missing and I met her gaze. She must have noticed because Molly flicked her hair behind her and scoffed as she placed her hands on her hips.

“I just wanted to see if there were any new shipments that came in today,” Molly sniffed.

She pursed her lips, smirking at me as she explained that her engagement ring was being polished. With a shiny ring, Molly wanted to have something new to go along with her “sparkly” appearance. I fought hard to not roll my eyes.

Gesturing with a nod at the shelf I was in front of, I explained whatever I was folding and placing on the shelves were the only new clothing items for this week. Molly’s nose scrunched, eyeing the simple long sleeved blouses with stripes, polka dots, and plain designs on them. The little princess scoffed, grumbling that she wouldn’t be caught “dead” wearing the new items.

Molly flipped her hair off her shoulder and sighed that she’d have to find a new store to go to. She purposely gave me a once over and smirked, “Hopefully, it’ll be one with more… class.”

I frowned at her, unfortunately giving her what she wanted because she smiled brightly.

Molly wiggled her fingers and bid, “See you, Gigi!” while announcing to her new friends that they would be leaving. They followed her out, heading down the street.

After they disappeared, I looked around the store and just saw the mess the girls left. They’d taken clothes from the shelves and hangers, and left them around on other shelves, racks or on the floor. I had spent the remainder of my shift refolding or hanging up everything back in place. Cindra had to help me after I explained what happened. She was not upset with me and grumbled that she was glad to lose customers like that if they were going to just harass her employee. I was grateful for that.

Wade shook his head, frowning still as we drove through the gate of our pack grounds. He went down the paved road that led to our house. My brother sighed an apology for me having to deal with Molly. He admitted that he never liked her but didn’t say anything to me because I adored Molly and Eden so much.

“You didn’t hang out with anyone else,” my brother shrugged. His brows furrowed a little. “Not that you couldn’t but because you were perfectly happy with Molly and Eden around. Makes me wish I would have been a little more persistent in giving you advice on her though.”

I grinned, leaning my head on his shoulder. I looked up at my brother and he glanced at me, smiling back.

“Have I told you that you are the best older brother in the world?” I asked, giving a wide smile when Wade chuckled that I hadn’t told him enough.

I suddenly noticed Wade’s amused smile falter and his brows furrowed. He narrowed his eyes and growled, “What the hell is he doing here?”

Sitting up, I looked through the windshield as we closed in to the small parking lot for our cars and for the three other houses in vicinity of the lot. I stared in the direction of our home and my eyes widened seeing Ridge sitting on the porch steps. He didn’t notice we parked as his hands were clenched together and he was pretty concentrated on them.

Wade turned off the engine and was ready to climb out when I grabbed onto his arm. My brother looked back at me, frowning and I pleaded with Wade to not do anything to him. I had to remind him of the possibility that Ridge wasn’t entirely at fault, or even at all in regards to the rejection. Yes, he rejected me but because he thought he already had found his True Mate.

Dad found that odd and completely unheard of. He said he’d have to do some digging but that it was likely that he wouldn’t find anything helpful to why Ridge would go through a Recognition Process twice, even if the first was manipulated. Mom added that the second time would have been powerful compared to the first which was forced and not instinctive. I blushed when they looked at me because, indeed, the second time for Ridge had awoken his wolf’s primal side when we were in the forest. Dad sneered that the Beta best keep his hands to himself from now on.

Wade’s narrowed eyes squinted further and I had to remind Wade of his place in the pack.

“Regardless of what happened, Wade,” my brows rose, craning my neck forward. “He’s going to be alpha. And that could impact our family if you do something he doesn’t like and takes it out on us when he’s in charge.”

My brother let out another growl, glaring in the direction of our home. My grip didn’t loosen until Wade nodded, muttering that I was right and that for me to say the word and Wade would get rid of the Beta.

I swallowed, nodding and let him go before climbing out of the car and shutting the door. My brother waited for me so we could walk together to the house.

On our way down the grassy slope, Ridge finally looked up and saw my brother and me approaching. Ridge stood up, running his fingers through the front of his hair and then forced his hands to his sides.

Wade had placed the stoic look Dad wore when handling “business matters” and stopped about five feet from the porch. He discreetly halted me by him.

“Afternoon, Beta,” Wade greeted, giving a small nod.

Ridge nodded back. “Wade,” he replied then glanced at me, staring a little longer than intended. He looked back to my brother when Wade questioned why Ridge was sitting on our porch.

Whether Ridge could hear the bite in my brother’s tone, he didn’t acknowledge it. He just shrugged that Alpha Beaumont needed to speak with our dad, and the alpha wanted for Ridge to tag along as the younger Beaumont needed to learn the ropes of how to conduct a meeting properly.

Wade grunted, crossing his arms. He pointed out that if that was the case, why was Ridge sitting out here and not inside in ‘said meeting’. I looked at my brother who didn’t acknowledge me.

Ridge picked up on my brother’s attitude. His green eyes stared Wade down, squinting a little as he dragged out that his father was meeting him here.

My brother seemed to let it go, for now. He gave a small nod, “Mm.” and then nudged me to follow him inside. I was doing so until getting onto the porch steps and feeling Ridge’s hand on my wrist.

I stopped, blinking a few times then lowered my gaze to where he was holding me. My eyes flicked up to his and Ridge instantly let go. He cleared his throat, sticking his hands into his pockets this time. His shoulders tensed as he asked if I had a moment to talk. I would have told him that I didn’t but my brother beat him to the punch.

Wade spoke for me, informing Ridge that his sister was tired from a long tiring day at work.

My brother gave me a pointed look, nodding at the door behind him. “Gigi, inside. Now.”

I frowned at my brother making me feel like a child. I mean, I know he was on my side about the whole thing but come on, make it obvious why don’t you?

Pursing my mouth to the side, I glanced at Ridge whose confused frown was thrown Wade’s way.

“Um,” I started, getting Ridge’s attention. He stared at me and I shrugged a shoulder that I really was tired. “It’s just been a long day, Beta. I’m sorry.”

As I was heading over to where my brother was waiting for me, I halted when the man on the steps corrected, “Ridge.”

I turned around, brows furrowed and tilted my head to the side. Ridge stared right at me and that hard pointed look in place.

“Ridge,” he said. “I want you to call me Ridge.”

I didn’t answer other than with a small nod because Wade lightly pushed me into the house.

As we were heading towards the stairs, I harshly whispered to my brother that if he wanted to just tell Ridge to ‘fuck off’ Wade might as well.

My brother nodded, “Yeah, yeah. Get upstairs.” and I lightly smacked his shoulder. He chuckled, nodding that he was serious and shoved me a little more forcefully this time.

At the top of the stairs, Dad was heading down the hall towards us and grinned, “Oh, good. Just in time. I’m actually going to need you both to head downstairs with me.”

Dad informed us that Alpha Beaumont wanted to have a meeting with Dad about Cece’s move to the neighboring pack but that required some negotiation as Cece is of Warrior blood as much as Sawyer is. Dad shrugged Alpha Beaumont didn’t want to lose Cece as she was the offspring of the alpha’s most prized Warrior.

My brother raised a brow. “Soooo why do you need us?”

Dad gestured for us to follow him down the stairs. Even with my brother protesting that I had a long day, Dad shook his head that he needed us both.

“If the alpha requests your presence, you show up, Wade. You know that.”

My brother didn’t look pleased and I was wondering if Dad knew who was standing outside. He apparently didn’t after giving entry to whoever knocked at the door. The alpha walked in, his son right behind him. Dad’s gaze settled on Ridge and his smile disappeared. He turned to glance at my brother and me, both of us raising our brows in a ‘that’s why’ kind of way.

“Angus!” Alpha Beaumont greeted, holding out his arms for my dad to walk in for a hug. The alpha cherished my dad since the alpha wasn’t very affectionate outside his family. Dad tried to put a smile but he kept glancing at Ridge in between whatever the alpha was telling him.

Mom suddenly walked in from the back of the house and Cece was with her, followed by Sawyer. The alpha gave a small hug to Mom and shook hands with Sawyer who offered a respectful nod. Alpha Beaumont told Mom why he was there and that he would like for Cece and Sawyer to join the meeting, if they would.

Mom looked at me and my brother, frowning if we were going into the meeting too. The alpha answered on our behalf, letting us know that Wade would be required in the meeting but that the alpha actually wanted to request something of me. In private.

My brows rose and I felt my family staring. I swallowed loud, craning my neck forward. “S—Sorry?”

Alpha Beaumont laughed, assuring me that I wasn’t in trouble or anything. He actually just wanted to ask me something but that it was personal. I weakly nodded, letting out a small, “O—OK.” before looking at my dad who mouthed behind the alpha, “Breathe in… and out…”

Licking my lips, I stood there watching Dad lead my brother, sister, and Sawyer out to the back part of the house where the alpha had a conference room built. It was more convenient whenever the alpha made his visits to talk “business”. Mom took her leave to search for my younger brother who was supposed to be home already from playing with his friends.

“Well then,” Alpha Beaumont smiled, looking to me and I stood stiffly in front of him. He didn’t notice, at least I don’t think he did.

The alpha mentioned he’d heard about my artistic talent and saw it firsthand with the drawing I’d given Ridge. He looked at Ridge, shaking his head with a grin that his son was ready to bite the Alpha Female’s hand when she asked if she could have it. I glanced at Ridge whose face had a slight red tint to it now. He was glaring at his father.

“Point is,” Alpha Beaumont looked at me again. “I wonder if I can commission you to decorate the square, Gigi.”

My brows rose again. I stared at him, mouth dropping and the alpha chuckled, nodding that he was being serious. He said he had full faith in my artistic ability and that he would like for the square to be more appealing to the eye than just sad gray walls.

I was stunned, not realizing that I was that good at what I did. I drew because I loved it. I didn’t realize others would love it too.

Smiling, I nodded and let out a breathy, “Oh, yes! I would love to, Alpha!”

I giggled, bouncing in place like a child. Already I was going through how much paint and other mediums I’ll need after figuring out how big the square actually was. I asked the alpha if there was anything in particular to be painted. He said there was only the requirement of reflecting the peace of Carmel in the mural.

I smiled, nodding that I was very excited and thanked him for the opportunity. My alpha nodded, grinning proudly and clamped a hand on Ridge’s shoulder who apparently had given his dad the idea when the Alphas wondered out loud who they could get to “spice up” the look of the square.

My gaze met Ridge’s as the alpha went on that I’d be undisturbed in my hours of working on the mural which would need to be done in time for Saturday; for Cece’s and Sawyer’s celebration. The alpha would be speaking to my boss, Cindra, of my needing to take a leave of absence just for the week. He assured me that whatever Cindra was paying me would be added on to the commission rate the alpha wanted to give me.

Alpha Beaumont smiled, placing a hand on my head as I stared at him, wordless. He chuckled that he remembered the last time I looked this way was years ago when I had ice cream all over my mouth and was caught red-handed sneaking a large bowl out of the kitchen.

I blushed, glancing at Ridge who seemed to recall this as he wore a small grin on his face, still looking at me.

Clearing my throat, I straightened after the alpha removed his hand. I thanked him again, assuring him I’d have the mural done by the end of the week.

“Glad to hear that,” the alpha nodded. “And just to ensure you are not bothered with unnecessary peeping pack members or the humans…”

The man placed a hand on Ridge’s shoulder. My eyes widened when Alpha Beaumont declared that Ridge would be accompanying me every single day, for the long hours I was to isolate myself to get my work done. Ridge, apparently, would be responsible of keeping anyone from entering the square.

My head felt like it was spinning. I frowned, scratching my head and cleared my throat as I stammered that wasn’t necessary. But the alpha wasn’t having it. He wanted for the square to be done and with how “kind and gentle” I was known around the pack, the alpha wouldn’t put it past me to let others stop and gawk at my work. He claimed I wouldn’t be able to make spectators leave and so I needed someone around who would.

I raised a brow, glancing at Ridge whose green eyes instantly found mine. He raised a brow back. I narrowed my eyes at him. He gave a small grin.

Alpha Beaumont asked me to make a list of supplies I would be needing to purchase in town and then provide the list with receipts to his wife once I bought everything. I stammered, trying to stop the alpha from walking to the conference room but the man was determined for me to not give any ‘ifs, ands, or buts’.

“I know a week is not long enough, Gigi,” the alpha looked over his shoulder. “But I do appreciate your willingness to work with the time frame. I want to present our pride in our town of Carmel-By-the-Sea to our visitors.”

And that was the final word.

Alpha Hannibal’s presence called for my alpha to show that “alpha masculinity”. Alphas were dominant when it came to proving who could piss farther than the other. So I knew there was no way I was getting out of this without refusing my alpha. That was so not something I wanted to do.

I glared at Ridge once his dad was gone and the Beta raised a brow, glancing my way from the corner of his eyes.

“Really?” I pressed, narrowing my eyes more and crossed my arms. “You couldn’t have your way earlier so you decided to try something else?”

Ridge pursed his mouth to the side, his hands tucked into his pockets. He shrugged, “I needed to speak with you.” like that was the best excuse he could give.

When my brother asked about my day, I might have left out the part where Ridge showed up at the boutique store, out of the blue.

The boxes I had been ripping the tape off of were lined along the storage shelf in the back of the boutique. Inside each box was a specific number of clothing items that I had to tag and then stock on the back shelf before going to the front of the store and counting out what was already on display out there.

It was only ten-thirty when I was finishing stacking the jeans onto their appropriate shelf and bobbing my head to the music that was playing through the speakers installed back here and in the front part of the store. The station had a more romantic vibe for the store, Cindra reasoned.

I proudly looked at the newly stocked shelf with my hands on my hips. Everything was tagged as it was supposed to and I turned to smile at Cindra when she walked out of her small office. Her neat bun was tightly pulled back as usual though she kept brushing her fingers against it out of habit. Like she did now.

Cindra looked at the shelf after standing beside me and nodded, “Good job, Gigi. It looks better than when I do it!”

I laughed, explaining I had a mother who was very big on tidiness. We walked to the front of the store. There weren’t a lot of customers so far today. At the moment, there was only a lady looking around with her squawking kid wanting to go to the candy store.

My gaze looked over the clothes on display, checking that everything was orderly until my eyes fell on the display at the window. My heart sunk when my favorite dress was gone! I had been saving since I started at the boutique to be able to purchase that dress for myself. I had wanted to wear it for my sister’s celebration.

Turning to Cindra wiping down the glass counter, I asked her about the dress.

She raised a brow, tilting her head to the side and replied, “Oh… You mean the one you gazed at every single day? That one?”

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

I constantly wandered over to the dress, feeling the pretty fabric and fell in love with it because it was just my size. That was a big deal considering formal wear had to be tailored for someone with my body type. But I really wanted that dress! And now it was gone!

I sighed, sulking. “Someone bought it… didn’t they?”

Cindra smiled, nodding that someone indeed had. “Just before closing yesterday as a matter of fact.”

Again, my hopes of looking decent for my sister’s celebration was ruined. I’d have to settle for some crappy dress that was in my closet somewhere.

With disappointment, I nodded, “Oh, okay…” then began to walk away to continue looking at the displays for order.

“Oh, Gigi!” Cindra called, and I turned. She smiled warmly at me, motioning me to come over. When I approached, she bent behind the counter to come up with a white rectangular box with a transparent pink bow on top. She pushed the box towards me, and told me to open it.

Glancing at her, Cindra smiled, nodding at the box.

After removing the ribbon and opening the box, there was white tissue paper folded neatly. I took them off, dropping them to the ground when my mouth dropped open at what was inside. I looked up at Cindra. Her dark eyes filled with mirth as she nodded for me to go ahead and take it out. I carefully lifted my favorite dress from its containment; a smile on my face as I took in the beautiful fabric and design of the whole thing.

I breathed out, “Oh, Cindra!” then looked up at her as I hugged the dress to myself.

She laughed, tilting her head as she nodded, “I’ve never seen anyone look at a dress as you did with this one, Gigi. And I know you’ve been secretly saving every bit of money you received for it.”

Cindra bent to place my jar of money that I kept safe in the back office. I looked at her with confusion and she pushed the jar forward at me.

“I want you to take this money home. I know your family needs it more than I do. Don’t look at me like that, Gigi. I want for you to take this dress. You deserve it.”

I felt like crying—something I felt I did too much of— and ran around the counter to hug her tightly.

“Thank you so much! You have no idea how happy I am! Cindra this is going to look great for my sister’s party! I can’t wait to wear it!”

I had told my boss lady when I got to work about my sister and Sawyer meeting the day before. The older woman widened her eyes and listened with fascination as I explained how in Werewolf culture there was a rarity of meeting ‘fated’ significant others. Cindra was quite enthralled in everything and asked questions about how often that happened and what the party was for.

And now I was so excited! I couldn’t wait to show this dress to my mom and sister! Looking down at the dress again, I smiled, extending out the skirt to the side after holding it against me.

Turning to Cindra with a wide smile, I asked her if she’d place the dress in the backroom for me where it would be safe. Cindra laughed, nodding that she’d lock her office just in case anyone would come storming in for it. I gave her a playful look as I handed her the dress after placing it back in its box.

Cindra returned from the back and stood next to me behind the counter. I was adjusting the jewelry on the little spinning carousel we kept by the register. I grinned when my boss teased if I wanted to wear the dress beyond celebrating my sister. Shaking my head, I assured her that there was no other reason.

The older woman scoffed, waving my answer off and prodded that I couldn’t wear a dress like that and not try to catch someone’s eye. I lowered a brow at her as Cindra was making dramatic gestures along the side of her body while pointing out that I was quite gifted in the shape department and any male—human or Werewolf—would be nuts to not notice me.

I sighed, giving a small grin and shrugged that the thought was nice but that I didn’t see myself with anyone. I briefly explained that I was going through what was an unrequited love for someone who didn’t want me… for me. Cindra became a little more interested and so with only the two of us in the store for now, I relayed my unfortunate situation with Ridge and Molly.

“And you let her get away with that?” Cindra gawked. She frowned, pursing her lips and showing the wrinkles around her mouth. " You just let her steal him from you?”

I shrugged that I wasn’t who he wanted. That the man I’d fallen in love with had genuine love for Molly and I couldn’t change that. I shrugged again, pointing out that I had to let him go.

Just as I finished, the door opened and we both looked to see a tall green eyed devil walking in. His eyes met mine the moment he walked in.

Cindra suddenly muttered, “Oo, he’s cute!” then scampered off leaving me on my own. I grit my teeth, calling for her, but my boss deliberately ignored me. She continued walking off into the back room.

Sighing, I frowned at the empty space then faced forward and forced a smile while greeting, “Hi! Welcome to Carmel Cashmere and Co! Can I help you find anything?”

Ridge stared at me, his brows furrowed and he swallowed before sighing, “Gianna…”

He fell silent again and lowered his gaze. Ridge looked around the shop and so did I, wondering what it was that had him acting so weird. With him looking around the store, Ridge asked how I was doing.

My brows furrowed immediately, my chest tightening as he waited for my response and this time I took too long to reply.

“Listen, Ridge…” I began, rubbing my fingertips at my forehead, concentrating my attention on the glass counter. I placed my hands on top of it, shaking my head that there was no need for him to make small talk with me. Looking up at him now, I reminded Ridge that I had accepted the rejection and broke the mate bond between us. I assured him there was no need for him to interact with me other than professionally.

Shrugging a shoulder and tilting my head to the side, I sighed, “It’s what you wanted.”

Ridge scowled, pointing out that he didn’t recall saying that.

I frowned back at him, lowering my voice to remind him about him asking me if I was going to accept the rejection in the forest. A blush came over me, remembering how good he made me feel that night.

“Yes, but that didn’t mean it was because I wanted you to. I was asking because I wanted to know your decision before saying that I didn’t want you to.”

I stared at the Beta, sucking in a breath. My heart raced, but I didn’t want my hopes getting up. I swallowed hard, shaking my head that with what I admitted to him, it was only fair to give Ridge the ability to think things through without the mess of a mate bond in the way. It was why I accepted the rejection, I told him.

He looked annoyed, nodding that he knew that because he felt it when he woke that morning. How empty he felt.

Ridge dropped his gaze to the counter between us. When he lifted his head, those green eyes of his had me weak at the knees. I kept telling myself it was just going to take some time for this reaction to wear off.

‘Just a month,’ I kept telling myself. ‘Just a month.’

“Gianna, I really need to talk to you. But I don’t want to just—”

“I think it’s best we don’t talk when we’re alone, Ridge.”

I cut him off and went back to organizing the carousel all over again. It was done already, but Ridge didn’t know that.

“Like I said, I accepted the rejection. We don’t have any ties to one another anymore. You really don’t have to do this if you are trying to make yourself feel better about the whole thing.”

Ridge lost his gaze with me, staring off somewhere else with a frown. I mentally damned that soft part of me before I sighed and gave a small smile that I heard the alpha reserved the town square for Saturday night. Ridge cleared his throat, frowning as he nodded that his dad provided three hundred dollars to rent out the square. It was a space in town that was shared by the humans and our pack. The alpha paid for it to be renovated some years back but it was kind of plain though very spacious.

“He’s already got my mom planning out the set up for that night. Which was why I was in town,” he informed me.

It fell quiet again, and I took the opportunity to tell him that I really needed to get back to work.

Ridge’s face pinched, looking like he wanted to say something but I stressed that I really couldn’t chit chat when I was on shift. I made up the excuse that my boss was letting me this one time talk but that normally Cindra preferred I didn’t socialize while on the clock.

The Beta sighed, accepting that he wasn’t getting anywhere with me. He nodded, apologizing for bothering me before saying that it was good seeing me.

Licking my lips, I just nodded my head with a small, “Thank you, Beta.” then lifted my eyes to his.

Again, Ridge’s face turned into a frown. He nodded again with a hand to the back of his head. As he walked back a few steps, Ridge forced out, “I’ll, uh, see you then.” then swiveled to quickly leave the store.

I walked around from behind the counter and over to the window. My eyes scanned the area until spotting Ridge had crossed the street. He was leaned forward with his forearms on the wall. Ridge placed his forehead against his arms, just standing there. I might have stood there a minute or two longer before forcing myself to walk away from the window when Cindra returned, asking if I got “his” number.

Crossing my arms, I shook my head and scoffed that Ridge was making this distancing thing really difficult. I raised a brow, planting my feet down and leaned on one foot to give my hard look some ‘umph’. I reprimanded the Beta that this was low, especially for him.

Ridge pursed his mouth to the side, his hands still in his pockets. He shrugged, “Guess you’ll have to scold me on the way to town, won’t you?”

I narrowed my eyes, growling a little but it only made Ridge give a boyish grin. Crap. I get a week’s worth of Ridge being my shadow. How did I not see this coming?

Rolling my eyes, I growled, “Alright, Shadow Man.” ignoring the perplexed look of his from the odd name I called him. “Let’s just go get the stuff and come back. I have a lot of work to do.”

I led the way out of the door after grabbing a notebook and pen, telling my mom where I was going and that I’d be back later.