Chapter 4
Landry
I sleep in late the next day—maybe because I’m lying in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Or maybe because Cooper and I spent half of last night at Reyes and Taylor’s place, explaining that I’m Cooper’s fated mate and packing up all my things.
Not that I had much. I lost everything when the cult took me and have slowly been buying clothes to make up for it. I hate that Reyes has to pay for it. I’ve been trying to find a job in town, but so far, I’ve had no luck.
I look around Cooper’s guest room, at the few shirts and sweaters hanging in the closet and his shoes next to the dresser. I could tell that Cooper wanted me in his room last night, but I’m not quite ready for that yet.
I’m not sure if I should risk getting too attached to him.
I may not stay in Night Grove Falls forever.
This place was never part of my plans, and with the cult still operating a few miles away, it seems like a big risk to remain here.
I’ve only stayed this long because Taylor is here, and I can’t imagine leaving her.
Taylor and I have been through everything together.
She’s the best big sister I could ask for.
Our dad left when we were babies, and our mom was pretty much useless.
Taylor looked out for me. She helped me with homework and worked to provide for us.
I pulled my fair share of the weight too.
I’ve been working since I was fourteen, doing most of the chores around the apartment so she could have a break. We were a team. A good one.
I hear footsteps in the hallway and sit up in bed, stretching as I listen to Cooper moving around. My stomach growls loudly, and I glance at my phone, surprised to see that it’s already afternoon. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late in my life.
Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I hurry to get dressed and ready for the day.
Cooper is waiting when I step out of the room, looking worried. “Morning, mate.”
I smirk. “Technically, it’s the afternoon.”
He smiles, the tension easing from him. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Come on. I’ll make us lunch.”
I take his hand and let him lead me downstairs. I’ve noticed that Cooper loves to touch me. He always seems to have at least one hand on me. Wrapped around my waist, playing with a lock of my hair, rubbing my back, holding my hand. I’m not even sure he realizes he’s doing it half the time.
I’ve become more and more enamored with Cooper since we met. I love how infatuated he is with me. He’s protective, thoughtful, and generous. It’s like I’m his queen, the most important person in the world to him. It’s nice not to have to guess his intentions or feelings.
I watched my mom be used and discarded by various boyfriends my entire life. It’s why Taylor and I swore off dating and men until we met our mates. We thought men couldn’t be trusted.
Turns out we just hadn’t met the right ones yet.
I follow Cooper into the kitchen and watch as he opens the fridge.
“Okay, so we have…” He trails off.
I bite back a smile when I see that his fridge is mostly empty.
“Um, not a lot,” he finishes. He turns to grin at me. “How about we go out for lunch instead? It will be our first date.”
“My first date ever,” I admit.
His eyes heat. “Mine too. I’m excited to have all your firsts.”
My entire body flushes, and a pulse throbs between my thighs. I will myself to calm down, searching for something to say to change the subject.
“Am I dressed okay?” I blurt.
Cooper takes my hand. “You’re perfect.”
“I left my shoes upstairs.”
“I’ll go grab them.”
“Thanks.”
He nods and jogs up the stairs.
“Oh, and socks, please!” I call.
“I’ve got you!”
He’s back a minute later, passing me the socks and shoes. I sit to put them on, and Cooper kneels to tie my shoes for me.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
I realize he truly means it. He seems to genuinely love taking care of me. It’s addictive and has me falling for him even more.
“What are you hungry for?” he asks as we head outside, leading me toward his car.
I tug on his hand. “Can we walk to town?”
He frowns, studying me. “We can do whatever you want, mate, but… why don’t you want to take the car?”
“I haven’t quite gotten over the last time I was in one,” I whisper.
“We’ll work on that,” he says softly but firmly.
I relax as we pass his car and walk down the road.
“Do you know of any places in town that are hiring?” I ask as we make our way toward downtown.
“I’m not sure. I can ask around. Is it for you?”
“Yeah, I’ve been trying to find a job for a few weeks but haven’t had any luck.”
“It’s a small town. Job openings don’t happen very often around here. I’ll ask around, but you know you don’t have to work, right? I have money and can take care of us.”
“I don’t want to take advantage of you like that.”
“You’re not. I want to provide for you.”
“I’d still like to earn my own way.”
“Okay, we’ll find something for you.”
I smile, squeezing his hand as Main Street comes into view.
“Where would you like to eat?”
I chew on my bottom lip. I don’t know the town that well. Taylor and I have been here twice to shop for clothes.
“How about there?” I ask, pointing at a diner across the street.
“Sounds good.”
We cross the street and enter the diner. I let Cooper choose where to sit, and we slide into a booth. I scan the menu he passes me, my stomach growling and my mouth watering as I look over the options.
“What looks good?”
“Everything,” I say honestly.
“We can get one of everything.”
I look up at him in shock. “What? No, that’s way too much food!”
He shrugs. “I’m hungry.”
I shake my head at him as the server comes to take our drink order.
“Just water for me,” Cooper says.
I nod. “Me too.”
I decide on the burger and fries, and Cooper orders the same. I slip the menu back behind the napkin holder and lean across the table toward him.
“Is she a shifter too?” I whisper.
He smiles, leaning closer to me. “Yeah.”
“What about them?” I ask, nodding to a couple across the diner.
Cooper turns to see who I’m looking at, then nods. “Yep.”
“Is there a way to tell?”
He shakes his head and stands, sliding into the booth next to me. “Easier to talk this way.”
I laugh. “You just like being next to me.”
“Yeah, there’s that too.”
“So, there’s no way to tell if someone is a shifter?”
“No, not unless they shift. Or if you have a good sense of smell. That’s how I can tell.”
“You can smell them? Their animal?”
“Yeah.”
“Is that weird?”
He lifts a shoulder. “I’ve never known any different.”
“What’s it like to shift? Does it hurt?”
“No. I mean, it’s a little uncomfortable, but it happens fast. The discomfort is there and gone in a second.”
“That’s cool. I wish I was a shifter.”
“It’s cool now, but it was difficult when I was younger. Learning to hold my wolf back, control him, ignore his voice and thoughts, all of that.”
“You can hear him?” I whisper-hiss.
He chuckles at my excitement. “Yeah. He’s always there.”
“Huh.”
The server returns with our food, and we both dig in.
We spend our date talking about our childhoods and our lives.
I learn that Cooper was born and raised here, that he’s still close with his parents even though he doesn’t see them much since they moved.
He tells me about going to college, studying business, and all the fighting styles that he’s mastered over the years.
I tell him about living in Florida and wanting to get out, about my parents and Taylor. We talk about school, our odd jobs, and what we want out of our futures.
“I’d like to travel. That’s what Taylor and I were doing when we were kidnapped. We were on a road trip.”
“What was your favorite stop?”
I pop my last fry into my mouth. “I liked California. The beach, watching the surfers. And Seattle was nice.”
“You like the water?”
“I guess I’m just used to it after living in Florida.”
The server drops off our check, and Cooper pays.
He stands, offering me his hand. “Want to walk around a bit?”
“Sure.”
We spend the afternoon wandering around town. Cooper shows me all his favorite places, sharing stories from when he was younger. We stop in at the market for groceries, and Cooper orders us a pizza for dinner. We eat as we walk home, laughing as we juggle the grocery bags and our slices.
It’s the best day of my life.
When we walk inside, I’m happy, full, and getting tired. I help him put the food away while smothering a yawn.
“I think I’m going to shower and go to bed.”
Cooper suddenly seems nervous. “Me too.”
I wait to see what is bothering him, but he just stands there.
“Okay, well, goodnight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Cooper stops me with a hand on my elbow as I turn to leave. “Landry, mate, will you sleep in my bed tonight?” He holds up his hands before I can say anything. “Just to sleep.”
I bite back a grin at the hopeful look in his eyes, and I know I can’t reject him. Not that I would. I want to be close to Cooper. I want to sleep next to him. Well, I want to do more than sleep, but I don’t tell him that.
“Okay.”
He grins, tugging on my hand as he leads me into his room.
“Wait! I need to get my pajamas.”
“Oh, right.”
I laugh as I turn and head into the guest room.
I get ready for bed, putting on my pajamas and brushing my teeth.
Then I walk down the hall and slip into his room.
Cooper is standing next to his bed, and he scans my body as I enter.
My nipples tighten into stiff points against the thin cotton of my tank top.
“Which side?” I ask.
“What?”
“Which side of the bed is mine?”
“Whichever you want.”
I nod, moving to the left-hand side, and we both climb in at the same time. It feels a little awkward until Cooper curses and reaches for me. He grabs my hips and drags me against him.
I grin as I fall asleep in his arms, knowing it won’t be the last time this happens.