Page 47 of Two Years Gone

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I rushed out of the pack house and to my car. My meeting with my dad had run longer than expected, and I needed to hurry if I was going to make it home before dinner.

I drove the twenty-five minutes to town and stopped at the mall.

When I had seen her old T-shirts and the fact that she didn’t have more than an old pair of running shoes for hiking, I made up my mind to surprise her.

I wandered the mall for a few hours, grabbing everything I thought a girl would need. When I returned home, I snuck upstairs and into her room, hoping she wouldn’t catch me.

I walked into her closet and sorted all the things I had bought for her.

I hoped she wouldn’t be upset and that she would see how much I had wanted to spoil her. She deserved it, especially after having to deal with me and my ridiculous ability to mess up all too often.

I smiled as I looked at the closet that was now full and made my way back downstairs.

Chapter 22

ELLA

I leaned against the door to my room and exhaled. Today had been amazing. Zane had been amazing.

“No,” I shook my head and walked across the room. I still had my reservations. I hadn’t forgotten what he had done, how he had made me feel—even within the last week.

I could feel my wolf pacing as well.Maybe he really is changing. Maybe he…wants us, my wolf spoke cautiously.

I shook my head. He didn’t want me. He had proven that time and again.

Then why did he kiss us? Why did he hold us?

I stopped. I could feel the hope my wolf had, that maybe Zane had changed his mind and wanted to take back his rejection.

“Let’s not get our hopes up just yet,” I replied out loud as I made my way to the bathroom to shower and change.

I walked downstairs to the kitchen.Back to the grind, I thought to myself as I stepped in.

“Hey, babe! How was your little adventure?” my mom chimed.

“It was amazing, actually.” I smiled, my mind drifting to the lake. To his lips. I shook my head.

“So what needs to be done?”

My mother placed her hands on her hips and looked around the kitchen.

“Almost everything is done, it’s an easy lunch today. Why don’t you come sit with me, and we can talk about your morning?”

I smiled, knowing I wasn’t going to be able to get away with my short answer. My mom loved the details.

“He kissed you?” my mom exclaimed with a cheesy smile and wide eyes.

“Calm yourself, Mom,” I teased, my face blushing wildly.

“It’s not that big a deal.”

“So he’s changed?” my mom prodded.

I shrugged.

“I’m not really sure yet. I want to think he’s trying, but I—”