Chapter 55 - A Turning Point

“Why haven’t we done this before?” Ashleigh laughed, opening her mouth as Granger fed her a slice of kiwi fruit.

Granger laughed, hearing her make a joyful sound as she ate the fruit.

“Where did you get this anyway?” she asked, reaching for a napkin to wipe away the excess juice from her lips.

“Let me,” Granger said, stopping her hand before it reached her lips.

He reached his hand behind her neck and pulled her towards him as he leaned forward, kissing her lips softly.

“Delicious,” he whispered as he pulled away and licked his lips.

Ashleigh gave an embarrassed chuckle as she still brought the napkin to her mouth, biting it to calm herself.

She looked around at the picnic he had laid out for them. There were meats and cheeses, fruits of such a large variety she couldn’t identify most of them. It was way too much food for just the two of them, but it made the moonlight picnic that much more luxurious.

“Seriously, where did this come from? I have never seen some of these fruits,” she asked, picking up a small square of white with black seeds. She took a bite. It was good, almost like a pear.

Granger laughed.

“That’s a dragon fruit,” he smiled proudly, “and as to where I got it, well, I made some friends in Spring. They were more than happy to send over some of their spoils.”

“My, oh my, aren’t you the resourceful one.” Ashleigh smiled, taking another piece of the dragon fruit.

“Anything for you,” Granger said softly, giving her a tender smile.

She blushed and turned away. The breeze picked up, sending a cold chill through her. She pulled at the blanket gathered around her waist, trying to bring it up to her shoulders for warmth.

Granger scooted close to her and wrapped his arms around her. The action blocked her from pulling the blanket up, but it did keep her warm.

She looked up at him, an unspoken question.

“What?” he smiled. “I’m cold too.”

She laughed and leaned into him affectionately. Then, they returned to chatting and eating their fruit. Once they had their fill, Granger suggested they go for a walk.

Ashleigh felt as though the night sky with its millions of tiny lights and the glow of the Goddess looking down on them was a sign of a turning point in their recent struggles. She felt more at ease with Granger, and her heart, than she had in what seemed like an eternity.

She looked up at him with a loving smile. He glanced down at her and returned it. Sealing it with a warm kiss.

***

Moonlight picnics, walks, even an afternoon hike into the mountains. It had only been ten days since their return to Winter, and Granger was pulling out all the stops to spend quality time with Ashleigh.

She couldn’t remember when they had ever had so much fun together.

“This week has been amazing.” Ashleigh smiled as he held her in his arms.

They had just returned from their hike, six hours in the mountains. The sun was setting now. She was exhausted and looking forward to a long hot bath.

“For me too, Baby,” Granger replied, leaning down to peck her lips, once, twice, three times.

She giggled, pulling away slightly. Granger gave chase, capturing her lips once more. The soft, quick pecks turned into a long, tender kiss. They pulled away, each needing to catch their breath.

“As nice as this is,” she said with a pleased smile, “I need to get into a bath asap.”

Granger leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers and pulling her body towards him. Instinctively she put her hands against his chest to stop the movement.

“I wish I could join you,” he growled.

Ashleigh chuckled awkwardly, pushing him gently away. His gaze remained on her. She couldn’t help but notice; his eyes seemed a little different. A little wild, maybe.

“I think maybe we each need a cold shower, separately,” she smiled, trying to make a joke of the situation.

He looked away for a moment and then back again. Finally, he smiled, the look in his eyes returning to the affectionate warmth Ashleigh recognized.

“I think you might be right,” he laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Not tomorrow,” she replied, “tomorrow I am checking in with the representatives on attack formations and throwing weapons. Then, in the evening, I have plans with my father.”

He had turned to leave, but Ashleigh’s words stopped him in his tracks. He turned back to her with a confused expression.

“What for?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” Ashleigh replied.

“I mean, why are you checking on the representatives? I thought you didn’t have a role anymore,” he said.

“Well,” Ashleigh started, “I mean, I do still have a role. Whenever Caleb returns, I still have to train him. That hasn’t changed. As far as tomorrow, I don’t technically have a role in their training, but I can still help out. After all, Galen taught me a lot while I was in Summer, even though it wasn’t technically his role either.”

Granger did not respond. He looked away from her. She got the distinct impression he was angry.

“Why? Is there a reason I can’t do that?” she asked.

“Of course not,” Granger replied, “I just didn’t know, that’s all.”

“Ok…”

They were quiet. An awkwardness hung in the air between them.

“Sorry.” Grange sighed finally.

“For what?” Ashleigh asked.

“I’m trying, I promise,” he began, “but it’s not easy. I’m going to get jealous, nervous, scared even.”

Ashleigh reached her hand out to him; he took it, and she squeezed it.

“It’s ok,” she smiled, “as long as you’re telling me and not just getting mad or blaming me.”

“I don’t want to lose you, Ash. I promise I will work hard to prove that to you and make sure you always know what you mean to me.”

“I know, Granger, I do,” she said. “So, can you tell me what it was that upset you about me working with the representatives?”

He squeezed her hand and pulled her with him as he moved towards the stairs leading up to her back porch. He sat down, and she sat beside him.

“It’s not that exactly. I mean, it is, but it’s that beta,”

“Galen?” she asked.

“Yea.”

“You’re jealous of Galen?” Ashleigh asked, finding it hard to believe. “You know him and Bell have some kind of thing going on, right? I mean, obviously, I have no interest, but neither does he.”

“It’s not that,” Granger replied. “He just rubs me the wrong way. I understand loyalty to the alpha. I would do anything for Alpha Wyatt or Axel… So, I guess maybe it’s just… I worry what he would do for Alpha Caleb.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. She truly meant it; she couldn’t figure out what exactly Granger was implying.

“I don’t know either. I just feel like Galen might be up to something,” he said. “Listen, I don’t want to repeat it, so don’t ask. But he said some pretty aggressive things to me at the campsite. I just haven’t felt comfortable around him since.”

“Are you saying Galen threatened you?” Ashleigh asked, shocked by the idea.

“Kind of, yea. He did,” Granger answered.

“Really?” she asked, “that’s not like him at all.”

“How well can you know the guy, Ash? You met him a couple of times over a couple of months. How do you know what he’s really like?”

‘He has a point,’ she thought to herself, ‘it just seems so strange. I can’t imagine Galen threatening someone without good reason.’

“Maybe I’m just overthinking it,” Granger smiled, “forget I said anything.”

He reached out and touched her cheek. She smiled for him, and he quickly pecked her lips once more before pulling away. He waved goodbye and left.

Ashleigh watched him leave until he was out of view entirely. As she entered the house, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was right.. She had found it strange that Galen stayed behind when Summer was attacked. Was it possible he had a hidden agenda?