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1023 Words
Elizabeth's heart raced as they got closer to the settlement and part of her wanted to turn back and run into the forest again.
She didn't know how to handle a conversation with another Alpha, and she felt awkward about the fact Selene would be determining her future when she hadn't exactly been kind to Selene when they met.
She transformed back at the edge of the forest, and avoided looking at Sawyer even though he was staring at her as she redressed.
She felt her cheeks burning and she bit her cheek to try to distract herself.
"Coming out like this was supposed to help me keep a clear head. I don't need you staring at me like that and making it impossible to focus."
"I can't help it," Sawyer shrugged.
"Don't you have any shame? Are you planning on taking me here where people can see?"
"No, but if you keep talking like that I'll find it nearly impossible to behave."
Elizabeth blushed, and finished getting dressed without looking at Sawyer before they walked back home together.
"Are you sure you're ready for this conversation? My sister hasn't exactly been acting sensibly since Saga was born; we can say she misinterpreted what I told her."
"I don't think I'll ever be ready to ask permission from other people to start a family, but it's how we have to do this, so...yes. I'm ready. I don't have a clue how I'll feel if they say no, though. Have you considered that?"
"I don't think it will be an issue."
Elizabeth sighed, and rested her hand on his shoulder.
It made him feel like she pitied him, and he avoided looking her in the eyes.
"But it might be, and I need to know you won't take it too badly if they say we can't do this."
"They aren't going to send us away, Elizabeth."
"I know; I'm sure they will let us stay here, even if they are reluctant for us to actually join the pack. I'm asking if you're prepared to be told no, because..."
"...because I've very rarely been told that before, and this isn't exactly a subject I have been rational about," Sawyer's eyes were distant for a moment, and then he nodded. "I'll be okay, but... it will hurt me if they say no."
"As long as you understand that it might happen?"
"I'm not an i***t, Elizabeth. I know it's a possibility. T would have chosen to wait a little longer to ask about this, but I don't see the point in waiting when it's what we both want now that my sister has spoken to Selene."
Elizabeth sighed, and clasped his hand as they walked back to the house they were living in.
They arrived to find Selene was sitting on the porch, and Sawyer was concerned that she was sitting there alone because Klara wasn't in the house, either.
"Sorry about keeping you waiting, we had some personal business to discuss," Sawyer smiled warmly and Elizabeth hid behind her hair a little to disguise the fact she was blushing.
"Personal business?" Selene raised her eyebrow at Sawyer as she stood up. "That's a new one."
He met her gaze and laughed, despite the fact Elizabeth was mortified.
"We didn't...we weren't... we were just talking."
"It's none of my business, anyway; not unless there's something you want to talk to me about?"
Selene's comment was light hearted, but Elizabeth was embarrassed and Sawyer didn't want to make her to change her mind about talking.
"How about we go inside first?" he smiled as he nodded towards the door, and Selene hesitated for a moment and then nodded, following after him. f
She sat down on the couch in the living room, and Elizabeth went to get drinks because she was still embarrassed and she had expected Sawyer to follow after her.
He didn't, and she nearly disappeared upstairs to their bedroom so she didn't have to have the conversation.
He smiled warmly at her when she took the drinks through, and it was enough for her to calm down and join them.
"Is everything OK?" Elizabeth stared down at the drink she was clasping as she sat close beside Sawyer and he put his arm around her.
"I'm not here with bad news, if that's what you're asking."
"No," Elizabeth shook her head, "I was just wondering, I guess."
"Francesca said you two wanted to talk, but everyone else is sorting out things for the new baby, so I'm afraid you're stuck with me. Is everything OK?"
"Everything is fine," Sawyer smiled, "we were just gone for a long time; a lot of things have changed since we left, and... Elizabeth is my mate, and we spent long enough roaming around to realize we need a place we feel comfortable coming home to. We would like you to consider accepting us as part of your pack, officially...if it's okay with everybody."
"You're serious," Selene looked at them both, obviously surprised. "You didn't have to ask that - I don't even need to check whether it's OK to tell you that you are both welcome here, but if you want to officially affiliate yourselves with this pack I have no doubt that you will both be accepted."
"And if it wasn't just us? Would you consider that?" Sawyer leaned a little closer to Selene, and Elizabeth's heart raced as she waited to hear the response.
"You mean Klara wants us to join officially, too? I can't vouch for her the way I can for you, but we can..."
"...not Klara."
"Francesca is already considered kin because of Jonas and Saga was born into the pack..."
Sawyer swallowed nervously and Selene stopped talking when she realized he wasn't referring to his sister or her daughter.
"We want to know if we can settle down here . . .if you would be OK with us having a child of our own one day."
"Oh," her eyes widened and she blinked several times before she muttered a response. "I don't think that's a question I can answer on my own."
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