The Shifter's Gift Read online

  Within moments he replied, my pleasure. I’m home too. Sleep well, Ava. <3

  Chapter Eight

  Mason grinned down at Ava’s texts from inside his SUV. He started to worry about her after not hearing anything; especially with the slightly awkward way they’d parted ways. Why hadn’t she let him walk her to her car? It didn’t make sense, and his beast wasn’t pleased when she rejecting his offer. But getting her sweet response made up for it.

  He walked inside his family’s mansion, his stomach filled with expensive wine and delicious food. It had been a long time since a woman had made him feel so good. The date with Ava was everything he could’ve hoped for and much more. The intimacy of their time in the Jacuzzi was hopefully a preview of things to come. He couldn’t wait to see more of her, and he hoped she felt the same way.

  The dark hallways of the mansion were a relief. Everyone was likely asleep by now. He could slip into his bedroom without having to field questions on how things went with his date. Last thing he needed was Liam—or worse, his dad—to be awake and curious.

  He walked through the hall, seeing the light on in his father’s study. That was unusual. Why was his dad awake at this hour? He stalked closer, not wanting to be caught snooping.

  Bradley’s voice was soft. “You know, Jim, I’m really starting to lose hope in Mason’s chances of becoming the next alpha for this pack. I’ve tried encouraging him to find a mate, but he doesn’t seem to want to listen. He’s working with some sort of dating agency, probably to appease me…but I’m not sure what to think anymore. Maybe Mason’s playboy ways have overridden his ability to live up to his destiny.”

  Anger and pain made Mason’s blood boil. He took another step toward the door. Bradley was being completely unfair. Mason was trying as hard as he could, and the fact that he was talking behind Mason’s back was even worse. He heard his uncle’s voice in the room.

  “You know how boys are. To be fair, you’ve certainly been after him about it for a while, but maybe he’ll come around? Bradley, you know how hard he has been working.” Jim was one of his father’s five brothers, and the one most like an oversized teddy bear. “But I don’t mean to overstep. You know your kids better than I do. His brother Liam could be a good fit for alpha. He’s had a girlfriend for a while, and has got a good head on his shoulders.”

  “I know Mason might come around, but when? Mary has been on me recently. She wants to retire so we can start living the life we’ve always talked about. The pack has my heart, but we’ve both dealt with so much. It’s nice to think about spending winters in Florida on a beach rather than in an office.” Bradley sounded tired.

  “Whew, that’s tough, Bradley,” Uncle Jim said with a sigh. “A momma bear can hard to deal with when they have their mind made up. It sounds like she certainly does. Have you talked with Mason about that? Rick is looking for someone to mate with his granddaughter. If you needed to find him someone, you could always—”

  “No, no. I don’t want to do that to my boys. I’d rather they found love on their own. It worked out for Mary and I, but I know there are many others who end up miserable and divorced. I’m just disappointed my boy hasn’t accepted the gift I’ve given him. He has a chance to find love and he’s squandering it.” His father’s chair squeaked as if he changed positions.

  Mason clenched his jaw. For a moment, he thought about walking in there and confronting the two of them to explain that he was doing everything he could to live up to his father’s expectations, but that wouldn’t solve anything. It would only make him look weak and defensive. Bears shouldn’t be either of those things, especially in front of their alpha and his second in command. Besides, after the date he’d been on tonight, he didn’t want to pick a fight with his family. He’d wanted to come back here, think about the amazing chemistry he’d felt with Ava, and plan their next outing together.

  “If Mason doesn’t find someone soon, I’m thinking of letting Liam take his spot as the CEO of the family business. Liam’s a good man. While he’s been under Mason’s tutelage, he’s learned how to lead. I don’t think I could keep Mason involved in the business at that level if he wasn’t able to do what was required of him. It would hurt to interact with him during board meetings and see how wrong I went in raising him.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Mason’s done some really great work. You know how much he loves what he does. Isn’t that something you should be proud of? He’s still your son.” Uncle Jim let out a breath that was long and loud. “I suppose you’ve already thought of that, and I suppose you know what feels best for you. He has known what is required of him since he was a young man.”

  Bradley let out a soft growl. “You know I don’t take any of this lightly, but if there aren’t any consequences for his actions, how can he ever learn?”

  Mason couldn’t listen to any more of this conversation. He walked away, not about to stick around to be belittled even further. He balled his hands into fists, feeling his bear writhe in anger. He stalked through the massive house to his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

  This wasn’t what he’d expected to deal with after his wonderful evening. He grabbed one of the accent pillows from the bed and contemplated ripping it in half, thinking about how good it’d feel to watch the insides of the pillow burst in an explosion of feathers. Then again, he’d have to clean up the mess and face his mother’s disappointment when she eventually found out.

  He tossed the pillow onto one of the chairs near the fireplace, and then headed for his bed. The cold shower he’d taken at the yacht had temporarily helped to dull his desire for Ava and gotten him cleaned up again. He took off his jacket and stripped down to his boxers before stretching out on the bed.

  His father’s words wounded him. He placed his hands over his face and closed his eyes. Time was running out. If he couldn’t make things work with Ava, he’d lose everything he cared about. He let his hands fall away from his face and stared at the ceiling.

  Not even the champagne and the wine he drank could dull the pain in his chest. Then again, bear shifters weren’t usually as susceptible to alcohol as humans were. He wished anything could ease his pain and help him sleep. He hadn’t lied to Ava when he said he had meetings tomorrow.

  He tried to rest, but ended up tossing and turning most of the night as his father’s disapproval kept plaguing his thoughts.

  Chapter Nine

  The morning after her date, Ava felt lighter, with a positive feeling about the day to come. She sat with her computer in her lap, checking her email, and applying for jobs without any of her usual discouragement. Today, she felt like she could take on the world.

  The rumbling engine of the postal truck drew her attention toward the window. She chewed on her lower lip. He quickly drove off toward the next house. She looked over at her cell phone, hoping it would ring and give her another boost of happiness. She wished there was something that she could use to ward off whatever was awaiting her at the mailbox.

  When the phone remained silent, she set aside her laptop, put on her shoes, and headed outside. She may as well get this over with. She would see what the damage was, and then she could take a few deep breaths and try to relax again.

  When she reached the mailbox, she glanced over to her neighbors’ house. The elderly couple was sitting on their porch drinking their afternoon tea in their rocking chairs. The lady waved to her while the man gave her an exaggerated nod of his head. But she could still feel their watchful eyes on her. If she let on to any sign of anxiety, they would have plenty to gossip about at whatever get-togethers they had with their friends and the other neighbors in their subdivision.

  She opened the mailbox and saw the large red PAST DUE stamps on the envelopes. They appeared bigger and angrier than before, but that was probably just her imagination. She held the letters face down, trying not to let what she saw get to her.

  Ava held back tears, and headed up the path toward her door again. She didn’t let the nei
ghbors see how distraught she was, which felt like a win. She didn’t even bother looking at the new bills. It wasn’t as if she had the money to pay them. They would be paid whenever she finally got a job and earned a paycheck. She lay on the couch and stared up at the ceiling.

  The tears finally slid down her cheeks, but it wasn’t as if her nosy neighbors could see her cry in the privacy of her own home. She’d get through this. For a moment, she thought of giving the Prince Dating agency a call back, but would she look too desperate? Her thoughts raced. More than ever she needed a lucky break, but would that happen for her?

  The phone rang, and her heart leapt into her throat. She wiped away her tears, feeling a rush of happiness and excitement. Maybe everything would be okay.

  “Hello?” she said cheerily.

  “Is this Ava Daniels?” a man spoke on the other end of the line.

  There hadn’t been any men at the Prince Dating Agency’s office. At least none that weren’t likely there for meeting a man or woman of their own. It could also be a hiring manager for any of the hundreds of job applications Ava filled out over the last few months. It could very well be someone else asking to interview her. Something about the man’s voice worried her, though.

  “Hi, yes, this is Ava. May I ask who is calling?” The cheerfulness of her voice broke a little as she spoke.

  “This is Bill over at Rex’s Coastal Auto Loans. I’m calling in regards to the money you owe on your car. Do you realize how past due you are?” he asked. He sounded bored at first, but his tone took on an accusatory note toward the end.

  Tears welled in her eyes again, and negativity punched her in the gut yet again. God. She’d been hoping not to have to deal with these people. They took guilt trips and accusations to a whole other level. She had a hard time forming a reply in between the lump in her throat and her head spinning, making her feel faint.

  “Ma’am? I can’t help you if you don’t talk with me. You owe a significant amount. If you want to keep your car, you’re going to have to pay up,” he snapped.

  “I’m sorry, sir. I do know how much I owe. Things haven’t been good recently. I was laid off, and I’ve had a hard time finding a new job. As soon as I am settled, I’ll get things straight with my loan. I need my car though. I won’t be able to go on interviews, or get to work, or—”

  “Stop sniveling. You’re not going to get my sympathy. I hear sob stories all day. ‘Please, sir, don’t take my car. I need it.’ Blah, blah, blah...you know what the company I work for needs? To get paid what they are owed. You know what will happen if that’s not done? We’re going to take the car. Now, if you want to tell me how much you can pay today, I’ll hear the number and contemplate what I can do.” The apathy and disdain in his tone shook her to the core. She couldn’t believe the way he was speaking to her.

  Ava looked at her phone, not knowing what to say. If she told him the truth, that she couldn’t pay anything today, he likely wouldn’t listen to her. He’d probably just decide to degrade her further. She knew it was probably a bad idea to hang up on him, but it was the only thing she could think to do. She set her phone aside. Her cheeks were wet with tears.

  Things hadn’t been easy for Ava for a while, but this level of helplessness was something she had never experienced before. She was always able to manage bill payments that were necessary to her survival, but this...if she didn’t have a car, she wouldn’t be able to work. The man on the other end of the line clearly didn’t care about that. No car, no repayment. Not that it was his fault. It was just how things were.

  She started to pick up her phone to call Henrietta, but she jerked her hand away from the phone. No, if they were going to call, they’d call on their own time. Calling might send the wrong message, and it had likely already ruined a previous job opportunity. The company seemed interested, but Ava ended up coming across as too high maintenance and impatient. They stopped calling and asking her about jobs shortly after that. It was as if she was cursed. She shook that thought away. The last thing she needed was to delve that into self-sabotage.

  She heard a buzz and picked up her cell phone hesitantly. To her surprise, she saw a message from Mason.

  Hope you’re having a good day. I can’t stop thinking about you. Want to go to dinner?

  She leaned her head against the back of the couch. How could she say yes when her world was turning upside down? Ava and Mason were opposites. He was amazing, wealthy, and knew what he liked. She, on the other hand, was at her wit’s end and close to having her car repossessed. Still, she did really enjoy his company. Maybe being with him would help improve her day. She could use something good right about now.

  She answered his text after a few minutes. It’s been okay. Hope your day is going well too. I’d love to go out to dinner. Where should we meet?

  Had a hard time sleeping, but it’s been fine. I can pick you up at 7? Text me your address.

  Ava widened her eyes and shook her head. There was no way she was letting him see her neighborhood, and her trash heap of a car. He would discover the real her. She knew that starting a relationship with secrets like this was dangerous. But, she reasoned, if he knew she wasn’t one of the Prince Dating Agency’s high-end clients, he’d probably want nothing to do with her. She still wasn’t sure how they were matched up to begin with, but she didn’t mind. Maybe it was the universe handing her a cosmically wonderful gift. Perhaps she’d ask Henrietta when the woman eventually called her back.

  Aww. :( Sorry to hear you didn’t sleep well. 7 is good. I’d rather meet at the restaurant if that’s okay?

  She chewed her lip, hoping he took her response well. Things felt a little awkward between the two of them last night when she’d told him she would walk to her car herself, but that had quickly been swept aside. Hopefully he wasn’t a possessive type of person who needed to be in control of their partner.

  There was a pause between messages, then he finally responded, and she was relieved to see that he took her text well.

  Sure, no problem. I’ll send over the details for the restaurant. Look forward to seeing you again. :)

  Great. Can’t wait to see you again too! <3

  Ava swiped at her cheeks and looked at the clock on her cell phone. It was a few hours until seven, but she needed to do something about how she looked. Or better yet, she needed an attitude adjustment. The last thing she needed was to spill her guts about her problems to Mason. No one wanted a sob story on a second date.

  She rubbed her temples, trying desperately to get rid of her building headache. Maybe soaking in a hot bath and using a facial mask would help. If she pampered herself a little, maybe she’d make it through dinner without bursting into tears.

  The eviction notice hung on her bathroom mirror. She pulled it off, doing her best not to wad it up into a ball and toss it into the trash. She moved it to her kitchen table, walked back into the bathroom, and took a deep, calming breath. Out of sight, out of mind. The old adage wasn’t the best one to follow, but at least she’d have a few moments without the reminder of yet another bill that loomed on the horizon.

  She looked at herself in the mirror and took a few more deep breaths. She just needed to hang in there. One day, all of this anxiety and worry would be a distant memory.

  Chapter Ten

  The restaurant Mason had chosen tonight was a little more casual than the last one.. He stood near the door and glanced down at his watch. The time was 6:55 PM. He started to worry she wasn’t going to show up. Maybe she wasn’t as into him as he thought, and changed her mind about coming at the last minute.

  He heard the rough rumble of an engine and looked toward the parking lot to see an older car make its way toward one of the parking spots toward the back. He recognized the woman in the drivers seat. It was Ava.

  He was surprised. She was a beautiful, classy woman. He imagined she’d drive a BMW, or at least something that wasn’t such an old clunker. It made sense that she didn’t want him to walk her to her car or have him p
ick her up. She was probably embarrassed, especially after he’d taken her to a fancy restaurant and his family’s yacht. He shook his head, chuckling under his breath. She probably thought he was a pretentious jerk. He looked away. He wanted to give her space to park and walk up to him comfortably, on her own terms.

  Mason finally looked at her again when she was halfway through the parking lot. He waved and smiled at her, taking in the way she looked in her colorful sundress.

  “I’m glad you got in touch. It brightened my day to hear from you and, of course, to see you again,” she said enthusiastically. But he noticed her face was a little red and puffy, like she had been crying.

  He wanted to ask what was going on. Her scent wasn’t as it’d been before. His bear could feel sadness coming off of her in waves. There was no way to bring that up without making things awkward. He just wanted to make her smile, and take the pain away from her.

  “I’m happy I did too.” He held out his arm to her. “Shall we get a table inside? I’m starving, and it smells amazing, even out here.”

  Ava placed her hand on his arm and grinned at him. Her eyes were still troubled, but he liked feeling her hand on him. “Of course. It does smell good. I’ve never been here before, so you’ll have to give me the rundown on what to go with. Your suggestion last night was spot-on.”

  Her words warmed his heart. She cared about his opinion. It meant something to him, especially since it seemed like others who close to him were ignoring his opinions as of late.

  He looked down at her and placed his hand over hers. “I appreciate that. I promise not to lead your palate astray.”

  Ava’s smile became more genuine. Now it actually reached her eyes. There was the girl he’d met last night. He loved seeing her happy, which made him reminded him of how he came to be with her in the first place. He felt guilty about demanding that the dating agency not hire Ava so he could have her to himself. After seeing the kind of car she drove, it was likely that getting the job meant something to her.