Ava's Mate by Hazel Gower Read Free Book Online Page B

back to the cottage. Parking in front of the house, Logan didn’t move or acknowledge her. She undid her seatbelt and opened the door only to be stopped by his hand grabbing hers. She waited, dreading what might come out of his mouth. So she was shocked when he said.
    “When I said I’m in, I also meant with you.” He let go of her hand and raked his fingers through his hair. “I know what I am supposedly to you, Ava. I don’t know if I believe in all that mate stuff. All I know is for days now you’re all I’ve been able to think about.”
    Ava stared at him, not sure what to say. On the one hand, she wanted him to give them a go so she could prove the mating thing was right. But on the other hand, she didn’t want him to be with her only because he felt he had to, like she was an itch he needed to scratch to get out of his system.
    Getting out of the car, she walked to the front door, opening it and walking into the house. Ava heard his footsteps behind her. She went and sat in her lounge room, waiting for him, and tried to decide what she should do. Last night had been amazing, and she had to admit she wouldn’t mind waking up to him every morning. The problem was, she didn’t feel right with the way he’d said he would be with her, like she was an afterthought. Her wolf growled at her. We want our mate. Together we will make him want to stay and never want, or think, of another.
    She fought with herself as she sat there on the lounge, staring at the wall, hoping he would say more. He stopped at the entry to the lounge room and didn’t say anything. She snarled. “That’s it? That’s how you’re going to start a relationship with me?” She got up and stalked over to him. “You are happy to start it by saying you’re in with everything, like I should know what you mean, and just follow like the dog you think I am.”
    Ava couldn’t believe what she was saying. She wanted to mate him and she should be grateful he was willing, but after the last couple of weeks and last night, she didn’t want to just settle. Ava knew she was stronger than she thought.
    Logan turned red and his fists clenched at his sides. “I thought that that was what you wanted. I thought I was that stupid mate thing. That’s why I couldn’t get it up with all the women I have been trying to be with this week—”
    Okay, that was it. She’d never hit a guy before without it being training, but tonight she couldn’t help herself. Ava slapped Logan across his face, cutting off whatever he was going to say. “How dare you. Get out!”
    Ava held her wolf back as it paced in her mind, ready to claim him so no other woman could ever have him again and he wouldn’t think to try. But the human part of her knew she couldn’t let him get away with trying to sleep with a whole heap of women just so he wouldn’t have to mate with her. It felt like he was giving up…it didn’t work with the other women so he was just settling for her. Ava was better than that.
    “Get out of my house, Logan, or so help me God you will not like the consequences.”
    Logan tried to grab her but she moved out of his reach, angry beyond belief. “Why does it have to be about you, Logan? I have dreamed of being mated since I was little. And let me tell you, you are not what I wanted or expected.” She ran her fingers through her hair and stared at him. “Do you think I’m happy that my mate is a weak human? Because I’m not.” Ava paced away from him. “I think that’s the reason why I haven’t mated you, and I’ve been able to fight my wolf.” She glared at him. “I deserve better, and from now on I’m going to get it. So if you want a relationship with me, you need to work on your communication skills. Asking me on a date would be nice, but what I would settle for right now is you thinking of someone other than yourself. Maybe even try being nice to me.” She wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek. “Would you allow someone to treat