A week passed and Bryn noticed Jeremy was avoiding her when possible and the other Alphas had appeared at Stonehaven to try their best to unseat Jeremy.
Bryn walked into the kitchen and found Jeremy, without Ruth for once, and she decided to make an attempt with him, "Jeremy, how are you? Is there anything I can do to help you with these other Alphas?" she asked, making conversation to help him feel at ease.
Jeremy shook his head, "Stay out of sight as I've instructed. They cannot know there is another female, not now."
Bryn nodded, "I can do that," she segued into another avenue of talk, "I know I came on too strong with you before, but I'd like to try again and take things slow. Would it be possible for us to go on a walk on the grounds this evening? No talk of sex, just a chance to get to know each other better," she proposed, her voice timid, afraid of the damage she'd already caused.
Jeremy didn't respond, allowing Bryn to continue and make her case for their chance at being a couple. "Elena and Clay are together and, from what I've seen, you plan to leave the pack to one of them someday when you step down. They won't end their relationship to keep the Alpha single. And, Nick has been sleeping with Paige while Logan has gotten a woman pregnant, though I haven't met him. I just don't understand why you are the only one who has to refrain from intimacy," she revealed, her voice completely vulnerable as she laid out what she'd learned. "I know we've only known each other for a few weeks but I feel so connected to you," she confessed causing him to finally stop what he was doing and look into her eyes.
"I feel it too which is why I've chosen to distance myself from you," he replied, "I don't know if I can be an Alpha and someone's lover and that is why I've chosen to pull back from contact with you. However, a walk does not sound like any trouble and I would like a chance to know you better, would you like to leave in an hour?"
She nodded and smiled, "I will be back downstairs soon," she disappeared and went back to her room in case any of the other Alpha's showed up while also hoping she had packed something of her clothes worthy of a real date with Jeremy Danvers.
Bryn searched through her bag and found a pair of dark skinny jeans, a lacy cream tank and a pair of low heeled ankle boots. "This will do the trick," she said aloud as she changed and grabbed a form fitting caramel jacket to complete her look, proud she'd packed at least a few cute items.
As the time neared, Bryn walked back down the stairs to the kitchen where she found Jeremy talking to Ruth causing her to feel slightly jealous as she looked on.
Bryn cleared her throat to announce her presence and Jeremy looked up, reacting to her without noticing, "Bryn, you're right on time," he looked back at Ruth, "We'll continue this discussion later, alright?"
Ruth nodded, "Of course, but don't be long. I am quite sure the end of the witches and finding Savannah are slightly more important then your date," she added, in a snippy tone.
Jeremy gave her a simple nod in reply as she left and he opened the door for Bryn so they could begin their walk. "I'm sorry about Ruth," he began, "She believes the end of their kind could have an effect on us as well, and she wants us to figure out how to defeat Alastor. I believe if the end may be as near as she believes, then we should do the things we love," he explained as they began to walk toward the East along the grounds of Stonehaven.
Bryn nodded, "I understand. Did you have any luck with your Alpha problem? It seems like the least difficult issue you're currently facing," she questioned.
Jeremy let out a subtle smile as he replied, "We have a plan that should take care of them, it turns out there is more going on behind the scenes," he changed the subject, "How are you acclimating to life here?"
"I like it a lot more then I expected I would," she began, "I can't lie and say I don't miss my life and my friends. I was just about to graduate which was one of my biggest goals, but at the same time, this all feels so much more fulfilling."
"That's good to hear, though I am sorry we pulled you away from the life you wanted to lead," he answered, sympathetically, "We are so happy to have you here and as you can see, we need you. Perhaps when this is all done and we have a bit of peace, you can finish your semester. I would never wish to take away your dream for graduation," he stated, optimistically, smiling as he saw her lips curl into the first real grin he'd seen on her face since the night they'd met.
"I have to ask you something, and I'm worried it's going to make you angry," she began, changing the mood between them as she looked into his eyes, "I've noticed you and Ruth spend a lot of time together, and I can't help but wonder if your reservations with me are because of something between the two of you," she laid out her theory for the first time outloud, though she had been thinking it since her first few days at Stonehaven.
Jeremy was taken aback by her question, surprised she'd thought he was interested in Ruth the same way he was with her. He took a breath and replied, "My hesitation has nothing to do with Ruth. She is a lovely woman but the time I spend with her is to help her cause, not for romantic purposes. I haven't felt the attraction to a woman many times since becoming Alpha and you are the only one I've allowed myself to seriously consider. Does any of what I've said make any sense? Don't waste time worrying over my time with Ruth because my mind is caught up with thoughts of you," her confessed, part of him wishing he hadn't been so forthcoming.
Bryn felt slightly embarrassed by her admission, but also calm and pleased, "I can't say your words don't make me happy," she began, "I'm a small town girl who happens to be a werewolf and for most of my years, I never felt any serious connection to any man I've been with. You have brought feelings out in me that I don't even understand, but I do know that they mean for me to be near you, which is great since this is where I need to be," she explained. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on his elbow, as they walked, "I would very much like you to give us a chance, even if it's small things like this. I don't need to have sex with you to enjoy your company," she proposed, her eyes showing how deeply she felt about him, which he already knew.
Jeremy took a deep breath and walked with her in silence for a while before he could find the words to respond. "Bryn, I agree to your terms but I want to amend them slightly," he began, "This conversation along with the feelings I have had since I first laid eyes on you, lead me to know that I want to be with you, fully. Spending my days wondering if I should or shouldn't is no way to handle this, and if these last few weeks with my pack have taught me anything, you can't waste time," he revealed as he removed his arm from her touch and grasped her hand, wrapping her fingers into his, causing her to smile, her cheeks reddening as the moonlight caught her face.