Second Thoughts After Divorce

Chapter 23

Ashton’s POV

Hunt’s departing laughter echoes in my office as I take a deep breath, feeling the tension of the moming slowly melt away.

I enter the room, to find Rose emerging from the bathroom in a fluffy towel, as she catches my eye instantly.

“Did you actually go to your office to make a call… naked?” Rose giggles lightly, as I smile mischievously.

“I did… I reckon I should probably shower now?” I state the obvious, as she continues to smile in amusement and nod

“I have arranged a dinner for tonight, for two of my closest friends to meet you. I have also invited Ruth and Oliver – the boy that had helped you with your bracelet down at the pub. I inform her, as she moves to gather up some fresh bedding taking it towards the sex coated bed.

I guess it would be best to change the sheets today… she has the right idea… I would’ve no doubt waited for someone else to do it….

“Ok that sounds good! I’ll get ready and change the bed whilst you shower.” Rose offers, as I nod at the plan and head in to my closet to gather my clothes.

With that, I waste no time on heading in to the bathmom, hopping into the hot shower, before scrubbing my body with the best smelling soaps I own.

I don’t want her to be disgusted by the smell of me… since I had practically basked in the scent of our sex all morning now!

I chuckle at the thought, continuing to wash and rinse myself – before giving my hair a quick scrub,

Once satisfied, I exit the shower, brush my teeth thoroughly, use the mouth wash and put on some deodorant. I then dress in my black polo shirt and black slacks, pairing the outfit with a pair of my freshest black sneakers.

I open the cabinet, spray on some of my best cologne, before taking a few seconds to sort out my hair so that it wasn’t sticking up.

That will do…

1 exit the bathroom, seeing the bed freshly changed and made up, before my eyes scan the room for the female in question. “Rose?!” I call out for her, however receive no answer.

Rove should still be in here, she wouldn’t have just wandered off on her own…

My heart skips a beat, and before I can stop myself, my wolf stirs restlessly within me. Panic bubbles up, and I feel overwhelmed by the new mate bond that has formed between us both. It’s an intense connection, and I suddenly realize that I have this Insatiable need to know where she is at all times…

I take a deep breath, trying to quell the anxiety rising within me as I check the closets first, finding nothing.

This band is new territory for both of us, and it’s going to take time to adjust. I can’t let my wolf instincts get the better of me. With a determined exhale, I remind myself that she’s probably just in another room on the floor…

I exit my room and start storming down the hallway, my steps purposeful. I don’t even think to knock as I march into her previous bedroom, sighing instantly when finding her there–standing in front of the small wardrobe, weighing up her outfit choices for tonight’s dinner.

She looks over at me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and confusion. “Ashton? What’s going on?” Her tone comes soft, as I breathe in and out heavily.

I stride over to her, my jaw clenched, feeling that my wolf was still uneasy.

I pull ber into my arms, holding her tightly against me, and I breathe in her scent deeply, letting it wash over me. It’s a primal instinct, seeking solare

trassulate from the one person who can now provide it.

“Sorry, I mutter, my voice a low rumble against her ear. “I just… I needed to know where you were.”

She lifts her head to look up at me, her brows furrowed in onken. “Is everything okay? I only came here to get clothes,”

I close my tyrs, trying to regain control over my racing emotions. “Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just… this hacking mate bond. It’s stronger than I anticipated. 1 need to be able to sense you… to know where you are of my wolf loses his sbir.!

Rose studies me, her gaze searching mine in understanding, “Oh! Yeah I get itt Sorry I didn’t think to say… She comments softly, as I sigh.

I nod once, a mixture of frustration and embarrassment bubbling up within me. “It’s not your fault. We don’t have a mind–link yet like other mates and pack members do… but once you find your wolf, it should work. Until then, I need you to tell me where you’re going, just at least until the bond settles. down.” I explain, keeping her close to me.

She tilts her head thoughtfully, her fingers reaching up to brush against my jaw as she studies my face. “I understand. I’ll make sure to let you know.”

I exhale a sigh of relief, the tension in my shoulders slowly dissipating. “Thank you. I’m sorry for…storming in here like a psychopath!” I smirk, earning a light giggle from her next.

Rose chuckles softly, her lips curving up into a gentle smile. “It’s okay, Ashton. I’m still figuring all of this out too.”

I press my forehead against hers, savoring the closeness. As we stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I feel a sense of calm settle over mie

The bond might be more intense due to it being forced, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything at this point in

“Alright, let’s get you ready for tonight, 1 suggest, finally feeling calm enough to pull away from our embrace. “We have a dinner to attend and I’m driving us to the place so we will be leaving earlier. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Rose’s eyes light up with curiosity. “You look good… I don’t know if I have anything nice enough for a fancy dinner…” She turns to show me her options, as I shake my head.

Ima

a fool! I keep forgetting that she came here with nothing other than a rag covering her body! I’ll need to get her more shit of her own…

“Leave it with me… stay here, I’ll be back soon.” I state, as she turns to eye me curiously choosing to nod and sit down on the edge of the bed.

1 exit the room, heading downstairs, before mind–linking a pack guard to bring my car around. As I see the SUV pull up, I head outside–taking the keys from the guy before climbing in myself.

I waste no

no time before pressing down on the gas, heading in the direction of the town which was only a short distance. I drive through the busy street, seeing many of my pack members bowing their heads as I pass – recognising my vehicle – as I continue on.

A five minute drive from our village town, I reach the desired mall, which held some of the more expensive stores. I park up at the front, exit the car, and quicken my steps inside..

“Afternoon Alpha!” An elderly man greets me, as I nod and offer him a smile on passing.

Others gasp and bow their heads at my sudden presence, instinctively moving aside to let me through. I spot a dress store, and head straight for it, and as I enter, the others grow cautious and decide to leave..

1 ignore their choice, preferring to shop in peace anyway, as the store assistant offers me a shy smile which I nod at.

I stare at the many dresses lining the racks, before realising that I don’t actually know her exact size… fuck!

“Need any help Alpha Silver? The girl offers, coming to my side, as I sigh heavily

“Yes, in fact, I do! I am picking up a dress for a friend and didn’t catch her size first!” I grumble, as she nods in understanding.

“Well um… we have some dresses that go in sizes extra small, small, medium, large or extra large? Perhaps you could judge it that way? Or maybe you could take a couple home and bring back the ones you don’t need tomorrow?” The girl suggests, as I nod at the wise suggestion,

“If I had to guess I would just say a small… but again, I don’t have a fucking clue in the slightest. I’ll probably just take three sizes back… I announce, moving towards the ones that drew my attention first.

I pick up a bright pink short dress and gather flince of its sizes, I then pick out a mid length black tighter dress and pick three of them and lastly i decide to grab a gold sparkly short dress which I thought lose would like too….

The guri insists on only charging me for three of the dresses, understanding and trusting that i would bring the others which don’t fit back tomorrow for

I pay, thank her, and rush in to the shoe store next door – knowing that I would do a better job this time having known and remembered what shoe size

I select five pairs of new shoes in total, three pairs of heels and two of the latest sneakers- a black pair and a white pair.

Great.

I decide to then quickly grab her some perfume and jewellery, knowing that she doesn’t own any yet, as I carefully select a scent that I liked best.

Once I am done. I haul the bags back to the car, toss them in the back seat, and begin my drive back to Rose who had been waiting on my return for well over half an hour now.

My wolf was also growing restless from being away from her again, but I push his worries aside and continue to drive back through the village town and up the hill towards my private grounds.

The gates open for me instantly, as I drive in, park up, gather my bags and hand the keys to the guard to take my car around to the garage for me.

I rush upstairs, down the hallway, and find Rose as she sits before the small dressing table in her room – combing through her long blonde, straight hair.

“I got you some stuff to choose from… I didn’t know what size so I got you three of each. I announce, gaining her attention as her eyes grow wide.

“Ashton! You seriously didn’t have to do that!” Rose tells me off, as she stands from her chair and approaches the bags.

I study her as she retrieves each item and admires it one by one. as my wolf grows happier from the new feeling of accomplishment.

*I love them all! Even the shoes! The perfume and jewellery too? This is too much! Although, I don’t know how good I’ll be at walking in the heels either!” Rose laughs, holding up the black pair of heels as I smirk.

She would look damn good in them though…

“What’s your favourite?” She then asks me, laying the dresses out across the bed to admire them all side by side.

“I think I like the black, but you also suit pink… I figured you would like the sparkly one too… I seriously don’t know you’ll look good in all of them!” I shrug, as she blushes at the compliment and looks at them in thought.

“Give me ten? I’ll try them on and decide what to do?” Rose ponders, as I smile and nod once tuming to give her time alone to figure it out.

It was the least I could do for her… after everything she had done thus far for me…

I needed a female in my life more than she knew… and I was glad I had picked her.

Chapter Comments

Would she not need to mark him?

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