As you say

Chapter 10

Ashton followed me shyly as I make my way to the kitchen, nervous about greeting my parents. He worried just about much as I did.

"Mum? Dad?" I call out to them. They were not in the house; the kitchen is the last place they could've possibly been. I turn back to Ashton, his eyebrows raised quiestioningly.

"I thought they would be here, as it is Saturday evening. Anyway, would you like some ice tea?" I paced the kitchen.

"Yeah, thanks," he answered.

"That is so awesome. I love how you have actual manners. It puts you so far apart from most boys," I smile at him. I didn't have to look all the way up, since he is only half a head taller than I am, but he doesn't seem to slouch.

"No, it's just... manners," he blushes. Like blush squared. I've never seen a redder tomato before. Except for myself.

"C'mon," I lead him to the living room after giving him his drink. I collapse on the couch, sitting on the normal four-person coach. But the couch must have feelings, that's how gently Ashton sat down.

"So tell me something?" I ask him, sipping ice tea.

"Basics?" he asked, and I confirmed with a short nod. "Okay, well, I grew up in Canada, but I was born in America-hence no accent. My favourite sport is running, and I used to be a Lone Morph. My previous pack kicked me out because Anastacia, our Beta, killed my Alpha-previous Alpha-and she did not appreciate my points and values."

"Damn, I'm sorry Ashton. How long ago was that, if I can ask? I don't want to intrude or anything..."

"Nah, it's okay. It was eight months ago, but the past lives behind us, so let's leave it, yeah?"

"Sure. So what's your favourite colour? And TV series?" I ask him.

"Uhm... most probably... Arsenic and Bones,"he smiled. I all but burst his eardrum.

"Bones?! I love that show!" I fangirl next to him on the couch. He just laughs at me. A big laugh. Like I was silly.

"What?" I start patting my hair.

"Nothing, except that's complety how I would've reacted if the conversation was turned. Well, that and you know what colour Arsenic actually is," he smiles at me.

So we were both silly. Sweet.

"And your favourite colour?" he asks me.

"Teal blue. It is such I calm colour. Best colour in the world," I sigh happily.

"I am sorry, but I gotta take you up on that. I can assure you Arsenic is the best colour in the world!'he argues back at me.

As I was about to argue back and correct his horrendous mistake, we heard the kitchen door slide. I smile and dash into the kitchen, Ashton short on my heels, earlier shyness forgotten.

"Mum, Dad, which colour is better: teal, or Arsenic?"I ask innocently.

"Teal," Mum answers at the same time dad says "Arsenic."

Ashton and I glance at each other and he shrugs.

"Will let you win, but only this time, okay?" he teases me.

"Oh, no need to try and be gentlemanly! I already won!" I argue.

"You are so delusional!" he laughs at me. I just sigh and turn back to my parents.

"So who is this?" Mum asks me, giving Ashton an inquiring look.

"Hello Mrs. Amberton, Mr. Amberton, I am Ashton," he says, shaking their hands.

"Oh, yes, the new cub. Well, how is the Pack treating you so far?" Mum picks up a conversation starter.

"Actually, all I've met is Alpha, Zaili and you two. Initiation is tomorrow," Ashton shrugs.

"I see," Dad nodds. He must know what is going on. Alpha confides in him a lot. So he also knows that the "three-feet-away-at-all-times" talk would not help at all here. "Well, I like you, boy, you have a firm grip, it tells much about a person."

Mum just smiled at me as she walked by; she wanted me to find love on my own.

Ashton smiles at me. I smile back.

"I guess I have to go," Ashton smiles. I could tell my parents' liking to him made his evening.

"Yeah," I answer and step closer to shake his hand again, but he surprises me and pulls me into a hug, all but lifting me up from the floor.

"Thank you for being kind," he whispers in my ear. I give him an extra squeeze before letting go, stepping back.

"Will you be safe if you run back?" I asks worriedly, mentally facepalming myself for forgetting we came here by foot.

"I'll be fine," he answers, giving me his full smile. He ran of into the food.

I trugde up the steps and bury myself in my bed, thinking.

Alpha wanted to mate me off, and as much as I hated following orders blindly, I know I am nothing compared to him. Alpha owns us all.

But I wish Ashton would hurry up and feel like more than a friend real soon, because I just want to be done with these for Blake. He is a human, I am a Morph. It would never work in anyway. I pick up my newest book, tuck myself in, and start reading. The evening was young, but I had no more energy for this night.