Wolf under an oak tree.

After inspecting the engine and the water and oil level, I still couldn't pinpoint where the issue was, so after one last check, I stepped back and dusted my hands.

Why do you have to break down right now? Argg!

“Do you need any help?” Walter asked, standing beside me, and I nodded my head.

“Can I get a ride with you?” I asked him, and he eagerly nodded his head before leading the way to Jace’s car, and I noticed that he was in a serious conversation on the phone, so I think he didn't notice my presence.

“Why don't you sit in the front because you will have to lead the way,” Walter proposed, and the thought of sitting close to Jace made a weird tingling sensation occur in my heart, and my mind was playing a few dirty thoughts, which I quickly pushed to the back of my mind. And for a second, I thought of backing out from his idea and just sitting in the back, but in the end, I decided against it because what if Jace takes it the wrong way, and for some strange reason, I don't want to hurt his feelings.

“Okay,” I replied, and I opened the passenger door and got in while Walter got into the back.

“So...um, ready to go?” Jace asked us after clearing his throat a few times, and I nodded my head and gave him the directions to the first house, which is situated on the outskirts of this town.

“I don't like this house.” was the first thing that Jace grumbled the moment we got down from the car, and I looked at him in confusion before looking at the house to see what is wrong with it.

Hmm, the house looks perfectly fine to me.

It was a two-floored Victorian-style house with a modern touch, made with brick and wood. And the best thing that I loved about this house is that it is away from civilization and is surrounded by the gift of mother nature.

“Why don't you like the house?” I asked Jace, and I saw that even Walter had the same expression as Jace.

“It's far away from civilization,” Walter answered.

“But I love the peace, and that is the very reason I had this as an option.” I defended.

“I think we should go check out the other houses because I guess this will not work out for me either if I am going to remodel this,” Jace said, and when I was about to argue with him, he gently wrapped his hand around my right arm and pulled me towards the car. The moment his skin made contact with mine, millions of tiny sparks rushed through my body, and I felt my heart do a summersault, as eerie as it sounds, I felt this same feeling when I touched Sparkle too.

And I think he felt it too because he quickly removed his hand from me. “I am sorry, I should not have touched you that way.” Jace apologized, but I can see that he wasn't sorry at all.

“No, that's alright. I guess, let's go see the next house.” I said in a daze, and he nodded his head and quickly went back to his car, leaving me standing there in a trance.

Why did that touch feel so similar to Sparkle’s? And why was Jace so nervous when he is around me?

“Iris, are you coming?” Walter brought me back from my thoughts, and I nodded my head before following him to our next destination.

We went to see five more houses after the first one, and each time Jace and Walter had something to complain about it, and it was starting to get on my nerves right now. “Okay this is the last house on my list and if this doesn't work, then I am not going to look for another house again,” I said with an irritated tone.

“Oh, I guess I love this one,” Walter said when we reached our final destination. “Yeah, I think you will love the view from here,” Jace said with a smug smile on his face, which didn't sit well with me.

“How do you know that I will love this place?” I asked, and Walter immediately took my hand and dragged me towards the backyard, and that is when I thought to myself that I am definitely buying this place. Right there, a few meters away from the house, was a small private waterfall surrounded by lush green trees.

“Wow, this is truly amazing,” I said in awe.

“And, it is perfect since it is right next to the alpha’s house,” Walter said under his breath.

“What did you say?” I asked him, and when he figured out that I might have heard his thoughts, he shook his head.

“I didn't say anything. I think you are hungry, Iris. That is the reason you keep hearing voices.” Walter said, but before I could protest, he rushed towards the waterfall, leaving me with Jace.

“So, shall we go inside and see?” Jace asked me, and I nodded my head. This house must have been abandoned a long time back since the front porch was already decaying and dead plants were surrounding the entire property.

After a few tries with the door, I was able to open the door, and the moment I saw the inside, I started having second thoughts about purchasing this place. No offense, but this might have been a beautiful stone house back in the nineties, but right now, this place is barely holding up.

“I think I am not buying this place.”

“Why? Don't you like the place?” Jace asked, and he sounded sad?

“No, I do love this place, but if I buy this I guess it is a huge investment.” I walked towards the kitchen area. “Look at this place, it looks like this building will fall apart any day now, and even if I buy it, don't you think I might have to spend a fortune just to bring this place back to life?

“Moreover, I don't have that much money to spend either.” the last sentence came out in a whisper, and I bet he didn't hear it.

“Bringing this place back to life wouldn't cost a fortune, Iris, trust me. I know some of the best builders in town who would do this for a reasonable cost.” Jace consoled me, and now I am having two minds about whether to buy this place or not.

Well, The least that can go wrong is if the builders state a higher price, right? And if they did state a higher price, then I guess I will just get back to building my dream house in a few years.

“I guess I will buy it then.” the moment the words left my mouth, I think more than me, Jace was the happiest person on earth.