Ch. 1 Sassy Wolf

Zoe’s POV 

(Almost 18)

“Zoe, let’s go!” Julia called, banging on my bedroom door. 

I groaned, heaving myself off my bed and padding over to the door to let my best friend in. I wasn’t excited at all to join the pack for dinner in the dining hall. It would mean sitting at the Alpha’s table with my least favorite person, something I avoided at all costs. But after Julia had wheedled me incessantly, I’d promised her I’d go with her.

“What are you doing? You’re not even dressed!” She scolded, eyeing my sweatpants disdainfully..

“It’s just dinner, Julia. There’s no one I want to impress.” Not anymore anyway, I thought to myself.

“Dillon told me the Alphas are bringing a girl to dinner tonight.” She informed me, piquing my interest.” They’ve never done that before. What if she is our new Luna? We should look our best just in case.” 

“Why didn’t you lead with that?” I chided, springing into action. “No wonder you’re so dressed up! Do you think she’s their mate?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think they’ve told anyone because Dillon didn’t seem to know. Either that or he’s keeping secrets from me.” She contemplated, tapping her chin with her finger.

“Yeah, that sounds like something he would do.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Julia asked me, sounding annoyed by my little quip.

“Nothing. Just that he’s your older brother. Aren’t they all the same? Zayne never tells me anything.” I covered quickly.

“Oh. Well Dillon usually tells me everything.” She responded thoughtfully and I just let the subject drop.

Julia and Dillon had a special bond just like Zayne and I did. She thought her brother walked on water so I learned a long time ago to keep my opinions to myself where Dillon was concerned. She knew he was a player. No one was that oblivious not to notice that. But she just chose to overlook it.

Watching me with her arms crossed, Julia tapped her foot impatiently while I flitted around my room, pulling out a dress and shoes, touching up my makeup and brushing my stick-straight hair into submission.

“Damn girl! I wish I cleaned up as nice as you.” Julia whistled at me, looking me up and down as I smoothed the skirt of my maroon colored halter dress. 

“Whatever. You always look effortlessly beautiful.” I complimented her, slipping on a pair of black ballet flats so as not to look too overdressed. “Let’s go!”

Julia locked arms with me and we chatted quietly as we made our way to the dining room. Zayne and Dillon were already sitting at our table and both their heads snapped up on our arrival. 

“Hey, bro!” I greeted Zayne, studiously ignoring Dillon. 

I could even swear I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes when I refused to acknowledge him, but I didn’t dwell on it. I was sure I’d imagined it anyway. Why would he care if I said hello? He certainly had plenty of women clamoring for his attention. He didn’t need mine. 

“Is there a reason I didn’t warrant a greeting?” Dillon’s words dug into my head as I took my seat next to Julia. “It’s rude to ignore people, Zoe.”

“So sorry, Daddy. I’ll try to remember my manners next time.” I linked back sarcastically. 

A low growl rumbled in Dillon’s chest and my eyes sought him reflexively. He was staring back at me with something that looked like heat in his eyes. Then slowly, a smirk spread across his face. I wasn’t sure what he had to smirk about but I forced myself to look away, refusing to think more about it. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one who noticed his outburst. I held my breath as my brother pressed him for information. All I needed was him scolding me like a child too.

“What’s wrong man. Did something happen?” Zayne asked, concern coloring his features.

“Yeah, what’s your problem wolfboy?” Julia goaded him, playful affection twinkling in her eyes.

“Just a minor annoyance. Nothing to worry about.” Dillon lied smoothly, managing to take a jab at me at the same time. 

I ignored his quip. But it occurred to me that Dillon had plenty of practice lying. He must have thought of every excuse in the book to keep all those women from finding out about each other. 

“Such a sassy little wolf.” Dillon chuckled in my head, startling me out of my thoughts. “But so innocent. That’s a dangerous combination, Zoe. You’re lucky it was me you said that to and not someone else. They might have taken it as an invitation.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about but I can assure you I don’t find anything about this conversation with you particularly lucky!” I snarked back then cut the link.  

I could feel his eyes on me from time to time as I continued talking with his sister. I didn’t have to look back at him to know he was still wearing that annoying smirk on his face, making me want to smack it off. Ugh! Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?

Dillon seemed to watch me a lot lately and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking as he stared at me. I hated that nearly two years later, I was still so in tune to his energy and his scent, knowing immediately when he walked into a room. And I hated that I gravitated towards him even though I didn’t want to. I did my best to ignore him, but I never failed to notice when he had his eyes on me, my skin scorching under his gaze.

Suddenly, the buzz of voices quieted and everyone’s heads turned toward the doorway. I immediately felt my skin cool as Dillon’s eyes were drawn away and I couldn’t have been more thankful. I finally felt like I could breathe.

My jaw dropped as the Alphas approached our table with one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen on their arm. She was gorgeous but her shy smile told me she didn’t know it, or at least was humble enough not to flaunt it. I already had a feeling I was going to like her.

“Wow! You are one hot mama, little Kat!” Dillon drawled flirtatiously, not even flinching when the Alphas growled at him. 

I rolled my eyes, not caring who might have seen me do it. Seriously! Was his bevy of adoring fans not enough? Did he really have to move in on his best friends’ woman too? All of a sudden I’d lost my appetite, too disgusted to eat. 

Thank Goddess I’d learned who Dillon really was before I wasted any more precious time pining for him. If he wasn’t actively fucking a woman, he was flirting with one. It was like a flaw in his DNA. He was genetically incapable of having a meaningful relationship.

Once Dillon finished with his shameless display and the rest of the introductions were made, everyone tucked into their dinner. But the conversation never stopped, everyone anxious to know about the girl who might possibly become the next Glass Lake Luna. I almost felt sorry for Kat as she fielded one question after another from our tight-knit group. It had to be intimidating but she handled it like a pro.

At one point, Kat started telling us about being a midwife and other details about her medical career. I listened enthralled, as she told us about her job and all the things she loved about it. As she talked, my fascination began to grow. 

I was finishing high school soon and I knew I wanted to go away to college afterwards. I needed to get out of Glass Lake for a while and find out who I was and what I wanted out of life. But I had no idea what that might look like for me. 

At one time, the only future I’d seen for myself was a future with Dillon. Now that I no longer had that, I felt like I had nothing. But she was stirring a passion in me for something I’d never considered before. Something new and exciting! 

Maybe I could do something important with my life. Something more meaningful than wasting it on a man who didn’t deserve me. Then maybe I could find a pack that needed my skills. Somewhere I could make a difference. The farther away from Dillon, the better.

I hoped Kat was planning on sticking around for a while. I wanted to talk to her one on one and pick her brain a little more. But I could already feel a plan solidifying in my mind. Even as I looked around the table at my brother and our friends, the only family I had, I knew it would be difficult to leave them behind. But I also knew without a doubt that it was something I had to do.