It took me a few days before I even started thinking about texting Tobias.

Lies.

I tried not to think about him.

More lies.

It had been exactly three days since my meeting with Annie, and she was surprisingly giving me space. Perhaps she realized that she had overshot her matchmaking and was now leaving the decision to me. Although I only knew her for a short time, I didn't believe it. She must have been planning something else or had her sights set on her brother this time. Maybe she was telling him all the details she managed to find out about me on our date and explaining to him how to use them against me. Or rather for me.

Women were really something else. I knew Tobias was my mate, and he probably had a clue, but she used her sixth feminine sense and decided we were a good match from the few minutes she saw us interact.

With a sigh, I stared again at the dark screen of my half-broken phone. The fact that I often carried it in my wolf's mouth when I needed it with me made it look the way it did. In the 21st century, we've figured out how to shift so that our clothes don't rip to shreds, but everything else from wallets to phones gets destroyed the second we forget we have them with us and turn into a wolf. And that's why my old Samsung had my teeth prints on it.

I unlocked my phone and started looking for Tobias's contact. I didn't know how Annie had saved his number, and honestly, I was expecting anything. I had several hearts next to her name, although she saved her number when we didn't know anything about each other. I admit that I was quite amused when I first saw it.

I found Tobias's contact at the very end of the list under the letter Y. Y as your future husband Tobias. A blush flooded my face, and I mentally cursed Annie. It seemed like she had the plan to get us together from the beginning, and I have no idea why I was surprised at all.

I considered renaming it for a while, but the sight of those words warmed my heart. I knew the likelihood of them coming true was slim, but a wolf can dream. Just thinking about him brought a smile to my face, and at this point, I didn't need any more convincing to text him.

Colby: Hey

Your future husband Tobias: New phone, who dis?

Colby: Tall and handsome

I bit my lip, waiting for an answer as if it were salvation. Flirting with him wasn't a good idea, but I couldn't help myself.

Your future husband Tobias: Define handsome

I thought for a while about whether it was a good idea to send the answer that came to my mind first, but in the end, I decided that I had nothing to lose by doing so. Since he couldn't see my face, it was easy to text him things I wouldn't have dared to say face to face.

Colby: Baby daddy material

Your future husband Tobias: I'm saving your number like that

Colby: Are you even sure you know who I am?

Your future husband Tobias: Nah, but someone's gotta pay child support

Before I could reply, Tobias sent another message.

Your future husband Tobias: Of course, I know who you are, Cole

Your future husband Tobias: I plan to have babies only with you

 Again, I was glad he couldn't see me as I was sure my face was on fire. Tobias also obviously had more courage when he could hide behind the display screen since I couldn't imagine him saying it all out loud.

Colby: Good, cause your sister’s already planning our wedding

Your future husband Tobias: That sounds like her

Your future husband Tobias: How did she save my number?

Colby: Secret

Your future husband Tobias: You're no fun

Colby: Just don't want you to blush again

I saw the three dots on the screen appear and disappear again as Tobias probably typed and erased the message over and over, looking for the right words. I could just picture him with that little shy smile and the crimson cheeks that contrasted with his eyes that were as bright as his smile.

Your future husband Tobias: I can make you blush harder

Colby: Can you now?

Your future husband Tobias: You just have to say yes to the date

Colby: Are you asking me out?

Your future husband Tobias: I am

This time I was the one who paused. I knew it wasn't a good idea, but both my wolf, and I howled with happiness inside. If I agreed, it would only bring us closer. And the closer he got, the harder it was to keep my secrets. My whole body craved his touch, and one glance from him was enough, and I was a blushing mess. I already had trouble controlling myself around him, and it would only get worse after the date. Plus, if we were to go any further, I had to tell Mason about him. He was still a threat to our pack and I wasn't going to put my family at risk.

Tobias obviously noticed my hesitation as he decided to save the day with more messages.

Your future husband Tobias: It doesn't have to be serious, I just want to know you better

Your future husband Tobias: But if you don't want to, I understand

Colby: Even though it will be cheating on your sister, I'll go on a date with you

It was in black and white.

I couldn't take it back.

I just signed a contract with the devil, but hell has never looked so inviting. 

And those hickory eyes were calling me to them like a beacon to doom.