Chapter 14: A Beautiful Life Together

“So, I just pull back and then let go?” Ashleigh asked as she pulled back on the bowstring just slightly and let go, watching as the arrow fell to the ground anticlimactically.

Granger chuckled.

“First, you have to adjust your stance,” he said as he came to stand behind her wrapping his arms around her body, so each hand rested on one side of her waist. Next, he pulled with his left and pushed with his right, just slightly, to align her waist.

She giggled softly as he moved her.

“Next, straighten your back,” he whispered against her ear.

He drew his fingertips from her waist lightly up her spine, sending exhilarating shudders through her.

“Then pull back your shoulders,” he whispered, his mouth pressed lightly to her ear, his hot breath drawing a soft whimper from her.

His hands moved down her neck and traced her collarbone back out to her shoulders. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the touch of his hands on her.

Without meaning to, she had relaxed against his body. His hands moved down her arms and wrapped at her waist. His mouth moved to give her light kisses along the neck.

“You keep saying you need help,” he murmured between kisses, “but I’m starting to think you’re faking it, to get this kind of special attention.”

“Maybe.” She laughed and turned her eyes to him until they met.

Granger smiled at her. Brushing his lips against her throat once more before turning her around in his arms. He kissed her lips softly, Ashleigh deepened their kiss. Hugging his neck and pulling him down to her. They continued their passionate embrace for a long time before they finally pulled away.

“How can you be the best warrior of Winter despite a complete lack of archery skill?” he laughed.

“You know what they say, don’t blame the student, blame the…” she trailed off, pointing both of her index fingers at him with wide eyes and a big smile.

“Right, right, yea, blame me. But, I mean, it doesn’t matter that I am the best shot in the Pack…right?” Granger sighed dramatically.

“So, humble he is.” Ashleigh laughed, reaching up and holding his chin in her hands.

“Are you mocking me?” Granger asked, feigning shock.

“Me? Never!” Ashleigh replied with the same level of ‘shock’.

“You little…get over here!” Granger shouted as he jumped at her playfully.

Ashleigh jumped away. Granger chased after her. She hid behind a tree, laughing, jumping away as he got close. They went round and round, giggling just out of reach of each other. Until he finally caught hold of her and spun her around in his arms. They both smiled brightly, looking into each other’s eyes as though they were the only two people in the world.

For the past two weeks, ever since her birthday party, Granger had taken her out to practice the bow every day. Sometimes they worked hard at it, other times they laughed, and still other times, they kissed.

He had taken more interest in her. He came to training sessions with the pups, asked about the battle tactics she created for her father, he even spent more time with her mother and Axel. Sometimes he would come out and see her on patrol, so she wouldn’t feel lonely.

Ashleigh hadn’t felt so close to Granger in a long time. It was refreshing and wonderful. As she looked into his eyes, she felt their bond, a warmth in her soul. Something that smoothed away the worry and fear of the rest of life.

“I’m hungry,” she said, smiling up at him.

“Your wish is my command,” he replied, kissing her nose quickly before letting her go to pick up the bow and arrows and put them back in their case.

They sat down to the picnic they had already laid out for themselves. They chatted about this and that. Laughing about the horrified look on Axel’s face when Bell announced that she had relocated all his secret stashes of candies and treats. Then they relaxed, simply enjoying each other’s company in the afternoon sunshine.

It was a beautiful day. The sky was clear, the winds were light. Ashleigh looked down at Granger, who had closed his eyes and laid down on her lap when they had finished eating.

“Hey,” she whispered.

He opened his eyes and gave her a lazy half-smile.

“Where do you want to go?” she asked.

“I’m good right here.” He smiled as he rolled his head around as though he were getting comfortable against a pillow.

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Ashleigh laughed and slapped his arm lightly.

“No, dork, I mean after the wedding. So where do you want to go for our honeymoon?” she smiled brightly at him, trying to guess what his answer might be.

“Honeymoon?” Granger questioned, looking up at her, “What are you talking about?”

“Our honeymoon,” Ashleigh laughed, “ya know that trip we take for some ‘private time’ after we are actually married?”

Pictures she had seen on television or online flooded her mind as she spoke, images of distant lands.

“We could try someplace sunny, or maybe just warm. It would be strange to go somewhere cold, obviously. Maybe an island? We could try Bali? Or Hawaii?”

“Uh… I mean, we are definitely getting that private time.” Granger laughed. “But a honeymoon? Are you serious?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she laughed uncomfortably.

“You know we aren’t really going to do that, right?” he replied.

“What do you mean?” she said.

Granger sat up and turned his body to face her. He still smiled at her as though he thought she was really joking.

“It’s just, we don’t do that.”

“What do you mean?’ Ashleigh asked again, no longer smiling.

“Come on, Ash,” he said, taking her hands in his, “you know how strict the rules are on human interaction.”

“Who said anything about human interaction?”

“Babe, come on. Bali? Hawaii? Crawling with humans,” Granger replied with a raised eyebrow.

Ashleigh looked away.

“There are other places we can go,” she said quietly. “Lots of places.”

“Yea, and they will have humans all over them too.” He sighed.

“We could just ask my dad; I am sure he—”

“It’s not happening, Ash. So let it go,” he interrupted, a trace of irritation in his voice.

Ashleigh knew she should do what he said and let it go. But she just couldn’t help herself.

“So, the rest of our lives, we’re just never going to go anywhere outside the Pack territories?” she asked, not hiding her disappointment.

“Our life is here. Why would we need to go anywhere else?” Granger reached a hand to the side of her face and petted her gently.

“Don’t you want to see what else is out there? Aren’t you curious?” Ashleigh asked, hoping he would understand, that he would agree.

“Baby, we are going to have a beautiful life together. So let's focus on that,” Granger replied.

He smiled at her, that sweet loving smile that always melted her heart. But she couldn’t help feeling like something was missing from it.

“We should hurry. It’s getting late. The girls are probably already waiting for you,” he reminded, standing up from his place on the blanket and reaching a hand to help her up.

On the surface, she returned his smile. Then, she took his hand and popped up beside him. They laughed, and he pulled her close, holding her in his arms.

“I love you, Ashleigh,” he whispered into her hair. She melted into him, letting go of her doubts.

“I love you too, Granger.”

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