It was a few days later that Sweede caught up to me again while I was in the market shopping for supplies for stew.
"Sasha," he greeted guggling a green apple.
He had a lopsided boyish grin on his face. I tried to push down my annoyance. I had been trying to avoid him the last few days.
"Sweede," I said curtly.
I kept looking for the herbs I was here to buy.
"Would you like to grab lunch with me?" he asked. "After you're done of course."
I sighed blowing my bangs out of my face. If I went to lunch with him maybe I would finally have some peace from him. The only reason I would even entertain the idea was to help Twill.
"Lunch sounds wonderful," I said looking up and smiling up at him.
I quickly got the rest of what I needed for the stew that night minus the rabbit meat, but I could go hunt for it once I had cleaned and cut all the vegetables up. My brother loved rabbit stew and with all his responsibilities lately, it was the least I could do.
"Here, let me carry those for you," he said taking the two small burlap sacks I had filled at the market from my arms before I could protest. "Lead the way."
He was being less of a brute today, I would give him that. I walked beside him and I watched several girls ogle him as we walked by and some men scurry out of his way. I peeked up at him looking over him from head to toe. He wasn't bad looking. Handsome actually, but I could tell he was one to have eyes for any pretty thing. If that was the case, did he really find me pretty? I felt my cheeks redden.
I could tell he was on guard as we walked back towards my shack so I drank him in while he was distracted as to no fuel his ego anymore.
"Let me take them in," I said stopping a few steps away from the door. "My brother's asleep and I don't wish to wake him up. Your pa has been working him to the bone."
He handed them to me gently with no objection.
"Your brother volunteers," he quipped. "He's trying to do right by you."
That sounded like Twill. "Can you have your father pull him back a little? I miss my brother."
"I can try, pretty," he said soothingly. "I'll wait here."
I tried not to flush at his compliment as I quietly slipped into our dark shack and sat the supplies on the makeshift table. Twill was asleep snoring on his back. I gave him a peck on the cheek and slipped out again unnoticed.
Sweede stood waiting for me and a smile crossed his face as I neared. He offered me his arm and I begrudgingly obliged. I didn't want to give him the wrong idea. I was shocked at how strong his arm was under his loose green shirt sleeve.
"So where are you taking me for lunch?" I asked.
"To the Lonely Dove. Your usual tavern right?"
I looked up at him surprised. "Aye."
*****
The food was good and he actually wasn't bad company, but he was a terrible flirt with me. I knew men like him back with my pack. They said what woman wanted to hear to get what they wanted and when they were bored, they'd dismiss you without a seconds hesitation. Granted, I knew he wasn't my mate so if I didn't take him seriously, was there any harm in it? He was easy on the eyes. Being with him could bring some level of protection to Twill as well. Perhaps I would allow it.
"Do you know how to fight?" he asked suddenly towards the end of our meal.
I shook my head. "I was a hunter and tracker in my pack. Not a warrior. Why?"
He stroked his goatee for a moment. "Would you like to learn? The Lower City can be dangerous and with your brother being part of us now-"
I couldn't help the excitement that coursed through me. "Aye!"
Sweede smiled.
"I can begin teaching you in my spare time if you would like- that is if you don't mind me calling on you."
I tried to hide my flush. He was actually going to teach me and was asking for permission to do so? Perhaps he wasn't the feral werewolf I had gotten the impression he was at our first meeting a few days ago.
"I would… I would like that, but for now, I need to head out and hunt."
He gave me an odd glance.
"With what your brother's making you should be able to afford meat at the market."
"I like keeping some of my skills from the pack," I retorted.
"I understand."
He stood. "I should probably get back to my father before he gets upset I'm missing alpha training. Tomorrow then?"
My heart hammered. Alpha training? What was wrong with me? Was it because I was a Luna that I was naturally attracted to alpha males?
He looked at me with confusion crossing his face. "Sasha?"
"A…aye. Sorry," I said forcing a smile. "Tomorrow."
I watched him leave before leaving myself. What was I getting myself into? Another alpha? My whole heart ached from Nicholas after years apart. Sweede's smile reminded me of him in some ways. With a shake of my head, I pushed Nick out of my head and started back towards my home so I could grab my bow and go clear my thoughts with some hunting.