Sweet Caroline

Eventually, it was time for Andrew to take Caroline home. So, she said her goodnights to his parents, and he walked her to his truck. Once they were back at Caroline’s house, Andrew walked her to the door.

“I wish I didn’t have to let you go,” Andrew softly said as she turned to face him.

As they wrapped their arms around each other, Caroline stated, “Mm, me too. However, the next dinner will be you meeting my dad.”

Andrew kissed her cheek and said, “Sounds good. Then I guess the third dinner should be your dad meeting my parents.”

Caroline laughed and teased, “Okay. I guess that means I’ll need to meet your Alpha and see just how good a boy you really are.”

“Hey, now! My parents vouched for me,” Andrew said as he poked his lip out in a pout.

“Yes, but they’re your parents, so it’s their duty to say good things about you,” Caroline continued to tease.

Andrew huffed. “Fine, but that’s it because, after that, I want you all to myself.”

“Okay, sounds good,” Caroline said just before a loud yawn escaped. “Sorry, I think I need to get some sleep now, or I won’t be able to get up in the morning.”

“Good night, baby doll,” Andrew whispered before he gave her a loving kiss.

“Good night, Andrew,” Caroline said before she turned and walked inside. She then locked the door and headed for bed.

Andrew made it back home and went inside with a big smile on his face. He’d met his mate, and now she’d met his parents. Well, technically, she’d already met them, but still, the point is that so far, things are going well.

“From that smile on your face, I think things went well tonight with you and Caroline,” Mom said as Andrew walked into the kitchen.

Dad was at the table with a cup of coffee as his mom cleaned the counter.

Andrew grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sat down next to his dad. “Yeah, it did. She took me being a shifter well and even met my wolf. When I dropped her off, she mentioned wanting to meet the Alpha too. Well, after, I meet her dad, that is.”

“I’m glad she’s giving you a chance,” Dad said with a slight nod. “Oh, and by the way, your mom told me Reva came by.”

The smile slid from Andrew’s face, and a frown replaced it. “Yeah, Reva is going to be a problem, Dad. She’s always had this idea that I somehow belong to her, and I will deal with that soon. However, what I can’t tolerate is the fact she likes to terrorize Caroline for no reason.”

“Mm, I know some of the other girls have gone to the Alpha with complaints about her flirting with their mates,” Dad mentioned.

“I could deal with that if it were just a bit of flirting,” Andrew said. “I think Caroline could too if I explained it, but it’s more than that, Dad. Reva tries to be possessive over me, and she’s bullied Caroline for a long time now. Reva is really hateful to Caroline, and I don’t like it.”

“You must tell the Alpha if she doesn’t stop,” Dad warned Andrew as he stood up.

“I’ve already mentioned it to him,” Andrew admitted. “But he said that right now she hasn’t done enough to warrant more than a talking to, which Darryl said he’d done.”

“Alright. Well, I’m going to bed now, but son, give Reva a couple of days, and if she continues, you need to talk to the Alpha again,” Dad suggested before walking out.

“Alright, Dad, good night,” Andrew said. “I’m gonna go to bed too, so night, Mom.”

“Good night, son.” Mom said, kissing his cheek.

Walking out of the kitchen, Andrew headed to his room. Once there, he changed into a pair of shorts before falling into his bed. Snuggling up under his covers, arms around his pillow, he thought back over the evening.

Caroline has accepted me and my wolf, which makes me so happy.

His wolf whined inside and causing his eyes to pop back open. Suddenly, his arms felt empty despite the pillow he held, and his bed was cold.

I want my mate. I want to feel her warmth and smell her sweet womanly scent. His wolf whined his agreement and pushed for Andrew to go to Caroline.

Sitting up, Andrew sighed because he knew he shouldn’t even be thinking about going to Caroline’s. But he wanted to so badly, and his wolf wasn’t helping.

So, finally, after arguing internally with his wolf, he gave in and stood. Quietly, he left his room, hoping his mom and dad were already sound asleep.

“Son, where are you headed so late at night?” Dad asked from where he sat, reading by lamplight in the living room.

Andrew slowly turned to face him as he stuttered, “Oh, um, well… I thought you were in bed.”

“I was,” Dad agreed. “However, I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d get up and read for a while.”

“Oh,” Andrew muttered, looking anywhere but at him.

Dad sighed heavily.

Andrew glanced over and saw his dad lay his book aside.

“Son, her father is human. He isn’t going to take it well if he finds a teenage boy in his daughter’s bed,” Dad said, sounding concerned.

“I know, Dad, but I just—” Andrew whispered as he shuffled from foot to foot.

“I know how the bond pull works; I do. I just don’t want her father to be upset to the point he won’t let you see her at all because neither you nor your wolf will take that well.”

“No, we wouldn’t.”

“Having said that, be careful and don’t get caught,” Dad commanded. “Now, get out of here before your mom realizes you aren’t in your bed.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Andrew said with a grin before he left.

Andrew didn’t bother to shift into his wolf since Caroline didn’t live that far, and he could run fast. So, no more than ten minutes later, he arrived at her house and snuck around the back. He quickly found her window and found it unlocked. So, he slowly opened it and slipped inside.

He walked over to her bed and stood looking down at her. Very carefully, he sat down on the edge of her bed and ran his fingertips through her hair.

Caroline softly sighed and turned her head toward him. As her eyes fluttered open, she inquired, “Andrew?”

“Hi, doll. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“Are you going to stay with me?” Caroline asked in a voice slurred by sleep.

“Can I?” Andrew asked, feeling hopeful.

Caroline didn’t say anything, just moved over and pulled the cover back.

Andrew slipped into the bed with her and pulled her close.

Caroline wrapped her arm around him and snuggled into his chest.

Andrew buried his nose in her hair and breathed deeply of her strawberry shampoo. His wolf let out a whine of contentment as Andrew allowed his eyes to drift shut. Then he fell fast asleep in the arms of his mate.