Jason's POV

　　I didn't appreciate being used as a lackey by my Father; we had omegas to do things like go into town to get supplies. They loved ensuring our pack was well catered for and enjoyed tasks like shopping. I knew, however, that my father was angry at me for my outburst at the town meeting, and if I planned to get back in his good books, I had to suck it up and do this job. Standing at the bar now, waiting for the bartender to come over, I couldn't help but thank the moon goddess for how things had turned out. 

　　Archer had been grumbling since we saw Damien outside that dump yesterday; you'd think knowing where she was would bring a blanket of peace to him, but it seemed to agitate him further - replaying and analysing everything that had happened. He remained adamant that ripping the arms off the self-righteous prick she was with was the right thing to do! And given his disrespect last night, I was inclined to agree with him!

　　Turning my back to the bar, I leaned against it and watched them discuss what they would have for lunch. Abigail was indeed something. She caught me off guard, and I admit I was just as intrigued about her as my wolf. The fact she had sensed my wolf told me she was not some predictable mundane, but it was the fact she tried to provoke Archer that I found interesting. Not many wolves dared to taunt Archer, yet here this petite little creature not only engaged with him but mocked him. Archer was silent for the first time since seeing her in the town hall, but I could feel him watching every move she made. 

　　"What's wrong, buddy? She has too much sass for you?" I teased, seeing his ears perk at her sweet laughter. I watched as she brushed the child's hair from her face and pushed it behind her ear. They were talking about fish in a bathtub! Dismissing it as one of the child's innocent games.

　　"The child isn't hers. They smell different." My wolf mumbled, half interested in what I had to say but keen enough to answer the thoughts that swam around my head before I realised I had them.

　　"I know, but she cares for the child. I can sense the protectiveness in her. She would fight us to protect her." I added, unable to hide my admiration for her fierce loyalty to the child.

　　"Not just the child, all humans," Archer confessed. "But she is not human; she smells… strange. But a good strange."

　　"I like it," I added, acknowledging his input. "I trust her. I don't know why, but I do." Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turned to see a young brunette staring at me all doe-eyed, her arousal offending my nostrils instantly. 

　　"Ugh, every time," Archer grumbled as she batted her lashes and pushed her chest up further in her little crop top and shorts, her face laced with desire.

　　"What can I get ya, handsome?"

　　"Bleach to use on my eyes and nostrils," Archer spat, retreating to the back of my mind.

　　"Menu's," I snapped with a wave of my hand; girls like that disgusted me, so desperate! Turning around, she bent over suggestively to get the menus from under the counter and passed them to me with a wink. She was one wrong decision away from an STI.

　　"Anything else, sugar?" She purred, I could feel Abigail's eyes on me, and my wolf howled in my head at the thought of her thinking I was flirting with the barmaid.

　　"Disinfectant." I barked, taking the menus and walking back to our table; I could swear I saw a glimmer of amusement in Abigail's eyes as she stared between the barmaid and me.

　　"Having fun?" She teased; sitting back in the booth, I could see the playful smile that danced at the corner of her beautiful lips and nodded to her, unfazed by her directness. For someone who looked so innocent and pure, she had a feisty side that intrigued me. 

　　"I am now. Did I hear something about fish in a bathtub?" I asked, handing a colouring sheet and crayons I had picked up at the bar over to Lizzy and a menu to Abigail, who smiled slightly at me.

　　"YES," Lizzy beamed as she started to tell me about the fish she had won at the fair and how her Mother would not let her keep them. She would have to flush them down the toilet, so they went back to the sea, but Abigail had promised to look after them for her. The child's face was emotionless as she spoke matter-of-factly, but Abigail's face seemed to go through a million emotions while listening to her story, from anger to sadness. Still, it settled on happiness as we sat and listened to Lizzy explain that she had named the fish Nemo and Abigail.

　　"You said there were three fish; what's the other one's name?" I asked casually, watching them both thank the waitress for the jug of water and glasses that arrived at the table.

　　"Grumpy, after Abigail's boyfriend." Lizzy declared, feeling proud of herself for knowing something I didn't. Abigail, who had just lifted her glass to her mouth, choked on her water, shaking her head, going a beautiful shade of crimson, the same colour as her hair. My wolf pacing in my mind, snapping his teeth angrily made it hard to focus. I had never seen him like this and needed him to calm down before he scared them and everyone else half to death.

　　"Lizzy, Damien is not my boyfriend; he is… someone I have just met! A friend, Like Jason!" Handing Abigail a napkin, I sat back in my seat and watched her face; I could see she was embarrassed but also telling the truth. Archer, however, was still pacing back and forth, restless to get out and show his distaste.

　　"Oh! So, you invite all your friends into your house to have a bath with you?" Lizzy asked, turning to face Abigail; she was clearly confused about the situation and had questions that she showed no fear of asking. Abigail's cheeks, however, were darkening by the second. 

　　"That's not what happened." She started, but Lizzy cut her off; Archer was settling in my mind, but he was curious about the dynamics of her friendship with Damien.

　　"You said you and Damien played with the fishing in that bath, and Damien didn't like the feel of them between his toes." She asked, looking between us both. Abigail looked at me, horrified and undoubtedly looking for support in changing the subject, but I was enjoying her looking so vulnerable too much for it to end yet.

　　"I mean Abigail, how would he not like the feel of the fish round his feet if he wasn't in the bath." I teased with a confused shrug to Lizzy, who was on a roll.

　　"But you said you liked the feeling, that it reminded you of being at home when you were little and playing in the lake. So, you must have been in the bath together. Why would you take a bath with someone who is not your boyfriend?" Lizzy paused for a minute to ponder something before she continued, 

　　"Is he your brother?" Lizzy asked curiously, a deep laugh roared from my chest, seeing Abigail drop her head into her hands and mumble under her breath. "That would make more sense if you were bathing together, I think. I used to bathe with my brother before he died." For a second, sadness seemed to cross Lizzy's face, but it was quickly replaced with hope. 

　　"Maybe I can bathe with you and Damien? Do you want to get in the bath with us and my fishes, Mr?"