Chapter 19

Myles is a lot busier than I realised, and a whole week goes by with us unable to meet up. I hate it, but I know that he can’t help it. We barely have time to call, and in the end a few texts a day is the most Myles can reply to. He tries to explain what he’s so tied up with, but it’s all inter-pack politics stuff that I don’t understand. I know his pack isn’t in danger though, so that’s relieving. When we’re finally able to set up a date, I’m barely able to sit still all day as I wait for him to arrive. There’s an afternoon market currently in the town next to ours, so although it will take us a little while to get there, it should be really lovely. They have lights set up and everything; Myles found out about it and sent me lots of pictures from the one last year. It looks really gorgeous and perfectly romantic for our first time seeing each other since all that shit with my parents. 

When my doorbell rings, I practically spring out of my seat, pulling it open eagerly and resisting the urge to immediately jump into my mate’s arms at the sight of him. Myles grins, reaching for my hand slowly. 

“Ready to go?” He asks, linking his fingers with mine. Nodding, I quickly lock my door and follow my mate out to his car. The drive is around half an hour and Myles catches me up on everything he has been dealing with this past week - it sounds beyond hectic, and involved a lot of going to visit this other pack. 

“They tried to convince me to stay with them today too, in case something changed, but I told them in no uncertain terms that I had a date with my mate today and that I was not going to miss it,” he turns to smile at me, his eyes full of affection. Squeezing his hand where it rests on my leg, I stare out the window at the lights of the other cars rushing towards us on the other side of the road. There’s something so calming about driving when it starts to get dark…I really like it. Not that I myself ever drive, but. I like when Myles drives me places. If that makes me a passenger princess then so be it.

Arriving in the other town, Myles parks up quickly and we both hop out. My mate quickly takes my hand as I loop my arm through his, leaning into his shoulder as the wind buffets us a little. I pull my jacket closer around myself and Myles rests his hand over mine where it is clutching his sleeve, pouring his warm into me.

“Wow, it’s gorgeous,” I breathe out the moment the lights come into view, twinkling in shades of white and purples and blues, strung overhead and climbing down street lamps. It looks ethereally beautiful and I instantly whip out my phone to try and capture some of the beauty. It doesn’t really work though, so I instead focus on enjoying the sights with Myles. He leads me over to a variety of stalls he thinks will pique my interest, and he manages to guess correctly when I see the pretty gemstone jewellery. Piercings don’t tend to work well for most wolves, particularly if they have fast healing abilities, since if you’re too slow at changing a piercing it would quickly heal up - otherwise, I would’ve gotten my ears pierced long ago. I love pretty things, I just don’t actually have any.

“How about this one?” Myles suggests, holding up the lilac-coloured gemstone necklace. “It looks lovely with your eyes,” he smiles, that fond affection back in his eyes.

“Ah the amethyst. That one is great for anxiety,” the lady on the stall tells us, her own smile friendly and warm. Feeling a little awkward, I accept the gift from Myles and he helps me put it on. It rests quite high up on my collarbones and is made up of lots of smooth little amethyst chunks, hiding the chain or wire inside from view. 

“Beautiful,” Myles murmurs, taking a step back to look at me. Chewing on my lips, I break eye contact and look down at the floor. Myles retakes my hand, thanking the stall owner and leading us away. We visit a few other stalls before deciding to get something to eat. Deciding on a stall selling delicious-smelling Greek food, we’re busy deciding what to order when Myles’ phone rings. He reluctantly pulls it out of his pocket, his face falling when he sees the caller ID.

“Take it, it seems important,” I urge him despite the sinking feeling in my gut. 

I was right to feel concerned about the call - Myles is needed back at the pack house urgently. Not even his own pack house but that one his pack is aiding.

“You should go,” I say quietly once my mate finishes relaying the call to me. He nods sadly, pulling me into a tight hug. 

“I don’t want to. I really, really don’t want to,” he murmurs into my hair. Squeezing him, I let go and pull back. 

“It’s closer to here, right? Go now and I’ll get a bus home. It’s ok,” I reassure him, feeling bold as I lean up to press a kiss to his cheek. “It’s really ok. Text me before you to go bed?”

Myles emphatically shakes his head, taking my hand in his. “There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you to find your own way home. I’m not, so don’t try to argue with me,” he says firmly as I try to interject. 

“I’m fine getting public transport, really. You don’t have to worry,” I offer gently, squeezing his hand. Myles just shakes his head again, squeezing his eyes shut.

“I can’t let you do that,” he whispers, opening his eyes again. “It’s dark and I worry that something will happen to you and I- I can’t. I’m taking you home and the moment I’m next free I’ll be knocking on your door again, alright?”

I instantly pull him back into another hug, holding on tightly. I don’t want Myles to go. It’s only around six thirty now, and we met up at five to drive here. We had an hour walking around the market and my mate is already being taken away from my side. At least I’ll have the half an hour drive back with him.

I can’t fall asleep. I’m still feeling lonely after saying goodbye to Myles - I wanted so much more time with him than this. I had a really lovely time at the market and it’d already been so long since Myles and I were able to spend any quality time together…but there’s nothing either of us can do about this. Myles has a lot of responsibilities and I know that. I just never want to be apart from him, as sappy as that sounds. I love him so much that I don’t know what to do with myself sometimes.

I miss him.