CHAPTER 7 What He Is?

　　Abigail's POV

　　Swallowing hard, I couldn't pull my gaze away from the dark, almost black eyes that bore into me. I had been here a day and had already managed to upset an Alpha wolf. As the meeting continued, I lowered my eyes, keeping them fixed on the floor, not daring to look back up at those eyes I felt glaring into me. I wanted to use my God given gifts to push into his mind but decided now wasn't the time to aggravate the situation.

　　Now and then, Damien whispered in my ear, but I ignored it nervously, not wanting to be humiliated further. Not even daring to remind Damien that his arm was back around me, instead, I found myself nuzzling into his side for support. Considering how long we had known each other, I found it scary how drawn to him I felt, to the sense of familiarity and safety he offered.

　　When the meeting ended, I was the first one out the doors, pulling my case behind me, trying desperately to ignore the squeal of the wheel. I headed to the bench where I had arranged to meet Jim straight outside the doors on my right by the green and yellow flower shop. I could hear Damien calling for me to slow down, but I kept moving as quickly as my feet would go, heading down to avoid the glares of the town folk as they left and headed back to continue their day. No doubt with tales of the newcomer who had rudely interrupted the town meeting disrespectfully! This was not how I wanted my first few days in town to go!

　　Alice made her way over to me and patted my hand lovingly. "You are going to be trouble, aren't you, missy!" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, to be your age again. Love often, live every day is your last, and revel in your mistakes… And trust me, I made many mistakes, but love was never one of them." She whispered, sadness creeping into her voice. "Now don't forget, any issues with Jim, you come back to me, ok! I have Damien talking to Jim now, letting him know he will treat you right Or he will have me to deal with!"

　　Rolling my eyes, I opened my mouth to interrupt her, wanting to tell her I could look after myself, my eyes glancing around nervously to find Damien and get him to leave things well enough alone! But she silenced me with her finger.

　　"I know, you're a big girl, you can look after yourself, I do not doubt that young lady... but I have a feeling you could also find trouble in an empty room. So let Damien put an old woman's mind to rest to ensure you are taken care of, huh!" She added with a mother's challenge placed on her lips. Relenting, I nodded, returning my attention to her with a warm, friendly squeeze of her hand.

　　"Fine, just this once, but I can look after myself, Alice." I grinned playfully; our conversation was interrupted by a tired voice saying my name.

　　"Ms Nakia?" Looking beside me, I met Jim's eyes and smiled warmly. He was an older man, around 65-70. His receding hair slicked back did nothing to compliment his round head and sunken grey eyes.

　　"Someone likes to make an entrance, huh?" He laughed, handing me an envelope. "Your keys are in there; Damien here has offered to walk you around. The building manager is expecting you. Let him know of any questions or issues, and he will sort it for you." He winked with a chuckle walking off. I watched him disappear, thinking Damien was wrong. He didn't seem sleazy at all.

　　I considered protesting at being chaperoned by Damien; I didn't need a babysitter, and I wasn't sure what to make of him yet! Or the crush I obviously had on him! Before I could shoot the idea down, he cut me off in that cheeky voice I had become accustomed to over the last few days.

　　"Red, you'd still be on the bench if I hadn't found you yesterday. Can we skip the part where you say you don't need my help? How about you play the role of the damsel, if for no other reason than to boost my ego, hmm."

　　"You two are as stubborn as each other!" Alice's laugh broke the awkward staring contest between us. She mused with a shake of her head, her fine grey hair bouncing gently. Rolling my eyes, I tensed, feeling eyes locked on to mine; those dark wolf eyes of the wolf from the meeting stood staring at me; he had more to say!

　　"Thank you Alice, but can we go, Damien? I don't want to stick around to be yelled at again by..." I nodded behind Damien to where the male stood, resentment plastered on his face while he clearly analysed us both. Sucking in a breath, watching him take a step closer, clearly wanting to talk to Damien and I, Alice gave my bum a tap and nudged us to move.

　　"I will apologise for you; off you go!" Damien took the case from me, jumping unexpectedly when our hands touched, causing that electric sensation to rush through me. Why did we keep doing that? Draping his arms around my shoulders for the millionth time today, he walked us straight past the brooding male the whole time; I tried to ignore that my body was insanely sensitive with electricity from his touch.

　　"Don't worry, Red; I won't let that puppy bite you." He laughed, knowing full well he was within earshot.

　　"Puppy?" I asked in a low hush; did he know what he was? How? Turning my head over my shoulders, I looked up at the dark-eyed stranger, but he had turned his back to me; although I could see the tension in his shoulders, Alice had him in deep conversations about the town repairs. Smiling at Alice, I returned my attention to Damien and nudged him with my hip.

　　"Do you know what he is?" I asked curiously.

　　"A huge douche with a superiority complex! Yeah, I have known that has-been since we were kids. Red; he will never change." Deciding I must have misinterpreted things, I changed the subject with a roll of my eyes at his blatant hostility towards the other male. Maybe there was more to this than I realised.

　　"Are you this friendly with everyone who comes to town?" I asked, genuinely interested.

　　"Only the smelly ones." He grinned down at me; shaking my head, I followed him, praying I had not made an enemy today.