I dropped my bag over the top of the stairs, hearing it land at the bottom of the stairs with a loud, heavy thud. “Fucking hell Sergio!” I heard my brother Rico snarl angrily from downstairs. “You trying to give me a fucking heart attack? I nearly spilled coffee all over me, you stupid fuck!” I found myself chuckling, as I made my way down the stairs. A perfect reaction from my brother! Yeah, it would have been a whole heap easier to carry my bag, but it was so much more fun to scare the crap out of my brother, though in truth I was hoping my Mum or sister would have been passing. Their reactions were classic... Rico was standing in the entranceway of the house, glaring at me, a mug of coffee in hand. He looked so much like Dad right now, it was funny. Same dark stare, and same frown. “Lighten up.” I shook my head at him. “Did you make me a coffee? Or was that the one you spilled?” I asked with a grin, knowing it would wind him up even more. I loved to annoy my brother.
I find myself looking at Finn, his eyes are so intense, and he is closer than ever right now. My heart feels like it is beating like a drum right now. And time feels like it has paused between us. He is so handsome, one of the sweetest guys I know... Finn and I have always been close, but this… this is a line we never crossed. But that look I could see within his eyes was telling me he was seriously considering more... And, as much as I worship him, I don’t know if it is the right thing…I found myself awkwardly clearing my throat and lowering my gaze to break the intensity of the way Finn was looking at me. Maybe coming here hadn’t been the right thing to do after all…“Oh, you backing out on me doll?” he teased, and I found myself avoiding his gaze even further. There was nothing awkward in the way he had spoken to me. It had been lighthearted and playful, but still, I didn't feel right. My insides were churning nervously, not to mention the butterflies that had taken up residence
I watched from the sofa with a sinking heart as Cleo’s silhouette darted from my home. My chest tightened in pain. Disappointment. I am such a fool. I had clearly misread the situation. Allowed my own heart to become carried away with itself… or was it my head? She had been so close… her scent filled my senses…and those beautiful eyes mesmerized me like they so often did… I had wanted her so desperately. I had thought she wanted me too.Was I so wrong to want to kiss her? Was it a crime? The way she looked at me had made me feel like it was. She looked in shock. Hurt. And that made me feel nothing but guilt. I had clung to a hope she felt the same way about me as I did for her. We were close. Closer than ever in recent years. We flirted like a couple who wanted one another. I don’t think it was a wrong assumption to make. But, I also know that Cleo clung desperately to the traditions expected of her, and as the daughter of an Alpha, I suppose nothing less would be expected of her.I w
Taking out some frustrations on the training field was always fun, and these guys within the warrior training facility were tougher than most, meaning we could be as brutal as we liked, and nobody wanted to admit defeat or show weakness. Always very handy when you have some stresses to unleash.And today, when I had finally got to the training field, after being harassed by far too many phone calls, I had more than taken my frustrations out. The only issue was, it now meant two guys were in the first aid room, potentially on the way to the pack hospital. I am hoping their wolves should easily heal whatever damage I did. It wasn’t my fault that they lost concentration for those few seconds…“Lan, what the hell was going on out there today?” Joey asked, as he approached me. I could always rely on my cousin to be demanding answers. He would know in an instant something was off with me, so I knew there would be little point denying it.“Just a little stressed.” I turned away from him, mo
I was heading home after training when I saw my sister Cleo rushing away from the packhouse. Instantly I was curious why she would be there, especially looking as distressed as she was. I made an alteration to my path to walk over to her, and she was so lost in her own thoughts she hadn’t even noticed me approaching.“Alright Kiddo?” I asked, and her head jerked upward from staring aimlessly at the ground as she walked. I couldn’t tell if she had been crying or not, but she didn’t look her usual cheerful self.“Kiddo?” she scowled. “I am a couple of years younger than you, Kai.”“Still look up to me though, don’t ya?” I teased, hooking my arm around her shoulders to display our height difference before I ruffled her hair because I knew she hated it.She looked up at me and scowled even more. “Jackass.”“You okay though?” I asked, hoping she might actually get over being grumpy and tell me what was wrong.“Uh-huh.”Wonderful. My sister was not willing to open up to me. If anything, sh
I regretted mentioning the situation with Finn the moment I saw Kai’s face change. He was about to go into full on big brother mode. I hate when he did this. Kaleb did the same, despite the fact he was younger than me. Both so protective over me. When I didn’t need protecting, or at least not from Finn.I understood everything Finn was suggesting to me. And I guess in another life, I wouldn't have faltered in accepting everything he offered. He was a perfect gentleman. A perfect guy in my eyes. He had been around in my life for as long as I can remember and he treated me so sweetly. Like I was a princess or a precious gem, that he treasured. Always making me feel special. All the little smiles he gave me made my heart flutter, and had done for as long as I can remember.But, things weren’t as straight forward as that for us. As werewolves we were blessed with fated mates, and I know that so many in our pack would frown upon it if Finn were to take me as a chosen mate. And, if I were
I had seemed to ease the tension with Cleo a little as we walked home together. I had promised not to speak to Finn about the whole chosen mates situation, but that wasn’t to say I wouldn’t find time to address the issue with my Dad. It bothered me. I knew that Finn had differing views on so many of the traditional werewolf customs that we still followed as a pack, and I didn’t want him causing issues. He was one of my closest friends, not to mention his parents were my parents’ close friends too.But, all thoughts of talking to my Dad about that were gone the moment we stepped into our house, and the sound of my Mum sobbing filtered through. I looked back at Cleo, and I saw the instant look of horror upon her face. She had hoped things would have improved since she had dashed out earlier, but if anything I would say they had got worse…‘K, we should go.’ Cleo mindlinked. ‘They are clearly dealing with stuff. I don't think we should be here.’I looked at my sister in disgust. She was
I felt the wave of pain spreading through my body as my mind tried to register my Mum’s words. My Grandpa Trent was gone? I had only seen him last week… he had come to visit me while I was at training in the Warrior Facility. Yes, I had thought he looked a little frail, but he had told me he had injured himself when training, and would be back to normal soon enough; and me being me, had believed him. Plus, I assumed age was playing a part.He should never have had to continue his Beta role for as long as he did. But, Uncle Grayson losing his son had meant the two friends had come to a mutual agreement that they would stay in their Alpha and Beta roles until Landon, Uncle Grayson’s grandson, and heir to the Alpha title was ready to take over the pack. Admittedly, I think they had thought it might have happened before now, as he had approached 25.My ears rang with the sound of sobbing. Those of my Mum, who was now enveloped in my the arms of my Dad; and those of my sister who was bein
Our house was sheer chaos, so I could only imagine what the rest of pack must be. Today was the day that the last week had been leading up to. Mum had been involved in the organization of the Alpha Ceremony, with it being for her brother’s eldest son. These sort of events were very much a family effort. And family was hugely important within our pack. Grandma had been involved too, and I swear them, along with Aunt Lilah were like crazy women when trying to plan. It was, without a doubt better to avoid them, I could understand why Kai had said he was dodging them at every opportunity. I think if I were him I would have allowed them free reign to arrange it all, and then simply turn up on the day, that way you would save yourself so many headaches and so much stress...“Luca!” Mum shrieked from the bottom of the staircase. I rolled my eyes. “You best not still be in the bathroom.”“No, that would be Rocky, Mami.” I said with a s
I sat on the bed for a moment, staring at the closed door of the ensuite where Camilla had just run to. My heart racing, from the closeness we had been sharing only moments ago, and aching from the fact it felt like she was rejecting me in that need to flee. My wolf, Elda whimpered heavily within my mind. He had not been dealing well with this back and forth with Camilla of late.I had allowed myself to get closer than I perhaps should. There was something about her that had caught my attention the moment I greeted her at our pack gates. Something I don’t even know that I can describe. She was sweet. Vulnerable. But she chatted to me like she was simply happy to be here. Happy for the now. And that appealed to me. She treated me so kindly. Warmly. And that pulled me in. She was different to the other she-wolves I had met.The amount of times she had wandered up to the guard room with a fresh coffee for me, had warmed my heart. Or the sweet smile
I stretched upon my bed, trying hard to wake myself up, and was shocked to hear my wolf purring within my mind. That was not like her in the slightest. Only as I stretched my arm across the bed did I notice the space next to me felt oddly warm… that was not the way my bed normally felt...I sat up quickly, only to see I was still wearing the clothes in which I had been dressed in last night, other than the fact the shirt had been discarded, leaving the tank top as my only coverage on top. I heard movement in the ensuite, making my whole body freeze once more, and I realized with shock that I was not alone. Jorge had to still be here.The events of last night flooded back to me. He came in as I had suggested, and we sat talking for hours. About anything and everything. His family… his past… my family… my past… I don’t think there was a thing that man did not know about me now. And likely, there was little I did
Bella and Camilla walked into the suite, but the moment Camilla stepped into the lounge where Kai and I were sitting, I could tell from the expression upon her face she was not feeling comfortable. She did not know I was going to be here. Her eyes were darting to her friend, as they glazed over telling me she was attempting to mindlink, but it was as if Bella was choosing not to respond, which admittedly irritated me.Kai had spent most of the time since I had returned from home having had my shower giving me just cause and reason as to why pursuing something with Camilla would be a good idea. Why it would be good for us both. He was adamant she was interested in me, yet this here, looked like she was terrified to be here with me. That did not scream interested to me.‘Have you set that poor girl up?’ I demanded of Kai, and he glanced at his mate, before looking at me with a shrug. He seemed as clueless as me of the developing situation in
Bella and I had finished our shift at the art store, and were driving back into pack. The sun had not stopped shining today. It certainly made the day an enjoyable one. The store had been relatively busy, with enough customers to keep us occupied, and the two of us had created a few new items on the potters wheel. This was so far from the workdays I had endured in my previous role, and most certainly a workday I could become accustomed to. I was loving my life like this...But, I had to admit, today I was a little tired. My mind had been more than a little over-run with thoughts, not only the last few days, but today too. It made for a very tired brain, and a very tired Camilla. It meant I felt like I was ready to crash. So, after the days work, as enjoyable as it may have been, I was most certainly ready to return to my room and put my feet up for the evening. Maybe even a soak in the bath was called for, and a few chapters of my new book I had picked up at the new bookstore
Training was tough today. Dad and Uncle Manny seemed to have increased the level a little for us. Working us that bit harder. Not that I minded. I wanted to be the best I could in my role as warrior and in doing that I needed to be pushed. I knew my Dad and my Uncle were incredibly well respected within pack and beyond for the roles they held, and that was what I wanted to achieve as I moved through my career too; so following their training programme would be considered an honour.“You did well out there, son.” Dad slapped his hand upon my shoulder as we all walked back to the gym block. Training had been outside this morning. We had chosen to make the most of the glorious sunshine blessed upon us, thought, admittedly it had become less of a blessing as we exercised. Pushing ourselves to our limits, feeling like we were melting under the hot rays of the sun. I smiled across at my Dad, appreciating the compliment before looking toward my cousins, Dario and Xavier
Who knew arranging an Alpha ceremony was so much hardwork? Or was it only hard work when it involved my Mum and Dad? I was beginning to think so. Every little detail seemed to be assessed, and then reassessed. I was starting to understand why Bella had said she was finding it all a little too overwhelming for her.“You want the day to be perfect.” Mum said insistently from across the office, and I looked to Dad for help, but he simply nodded in agreement.“These are going to be the Alphas you are working alongside. You want to make a good impresson. An Alpha ceremony that is poorly planned and organised simply shows how badly organized and incapable you are.” Dad said and I dropped my head to the desk. I was sick of hearing that now. We were literally discussing food, weren’t we?!So long as there was beer and there was food to feed them when the hunger kicked in I was sure they would all be more than satisfied. “Right.”
I slipped through the arch into the coffee store, and noticed the almost unreadable expression upon Camilla’s face, while Lola had turned and given her a smile. I had clearly missed something. I knew Camilla better than anyone. She had become one of my closest friends in pack, and I never saw her as anything but a friend despite her role. I hated the way others could treat her, so I love this new life she had been gifted here with me. But this expression upon her face was reminicsent of our time in pack together, which bothered me.I have always felt we shared a connections, and I had always been able to tell how she was feeling but right now she seemed guarded. It was hard to tell what she was feeling. I edged over to the counter, where the coffee was waiting that Lola had linked me to come and collect. I could not imagine for a second that Lola was the type of person to intentionally upset someone. But the tension sitting between the two was awkward,
We were a a couple of days past returning from the Alpha celebrations of River Ash Pack, and I am a little ashamed to say, I have been avoiding everyone other than Bella. Hiding out in my room, and sneaking to work. That has been my sole purpose the last few days. Gutless? Perhaps. But, inexplicably in these moments which seem to be stuck on replay my head and my heart seem to be in turmoil, and I am not quite sure how to handle it. Jorge's mindlinks are rudely ignored, and his messages go unanswered.I can only imagine how he must be feeling. But my mind is a whirpool of confusion, and my soul feels like a sludge pit of emotion. The thing is, my mind had been buzzing with the thought of Jorge since his kiss. It isn't that I did not want it. Nor that I did not enjoy it. Because I did. But the fact I did seems to be making my thoughts harder to process. My mind battling with guilt for the man I feared I was replacing… my mate… not that he had be