Chapter One Xeraphina

XERAPHINA 

Soft beams of golden sunlight filter through the slats of the blinds, casting a warm glow that nudges me awake from my peaceful sleep. I reach up, my fingertips brushing against the cool, smooth surface of the blinds as I close them, ensuring not to disturb the tranquility of my still-sleeping brothers. With a contented sigh, I stretch my body, feeling the gentle pull of my muscles awakening after a restful night. The aroma of morning dew and animal manure seeps in through the cracked window. Suppressing a yawn, I clutch my cell phone and silence the alarm, grateful that I woke up before its intrusive melody could pierce the peace of the morning. I place the phone back on the bed and rise from the embrace of my small, yet cozy, cot.

Determined not to disturb anyone, I tread lightly towards the spacious bathroom within our luxurious, massive motorhome. Closing the door with a quiet click, I navigate my way to the toilet, taking care of my needs, before heading over to the elegant double sink.

Cringing at the massive bird’s nest of wavy long brown waves that’s supposed to be my hair, I turn the tap on and wash my hands, then dive into brushing my teeth.

“Dang it,” I whisper as I clutch my brush. “Why the heck did I forget to braid my hair last night before going to sleep?” I ask myself as I dive into brushing the kinks out of my thick locks. After I have the knots brushed out, I pull the thick strands into a high ponytail. “Makeup will have to wait,” I whisper to myself, scrunching up my nose. “Cassius will kill me if I’m late for training.”

Once done scrutinizing myself, I tiptoe out of the bathroom, leaving the door open, because I’ve already made enough noise. Then tiptoe through the space, trying not to wake my brothers. Waking them early on a Saturday when it’s their only day to sleep in would be a death wish. Their damn heightened wolf’s hearing is going to be the death of me one of these days. I’m convinced of it.

The floor creaks under my weight, making me wince as I walk past my brothers, still sleeping peacefully. ‘Well crap.’ I think to myself as I try taking another step, and the floor creaks once again. ‘Shit.’

They all shoot up in their beds, glaring at me. “Sorry,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “Cassius is giving me roping lessons this morning.” Groaning, they all lay back down, flinging their covers over their heads as they go back to sleep.

My brothers can all be assholes sometimes. Especially with them sleeping in on Saturday mornings; but I love them anyway. I’m thankful Cassius could talk them into letting me join them on the weekends so I can compete in rodeo calf-roping tournaments.

I’ve reached a point where I couldn’t care less about allowing them to sleep undisturbed. I let the noise reverberate through the air as I rummage around, searching for my phone and air pods. After locating them, I stride over to the door, its hinges creaking as I swing it open, then slam it shut behind me as I descend the steps.

There are five of us siblings; I’m the youngest and the only girl. On top of that, our father holds the position of Alpha in the largest and strongest pack in the United States. As a result, guys shy away from me all the time. Thankfully, I’ll be turning eighteen in two weeks, which means I’ll be able to connect with my wolf and find my mate. It has been quite a struggle to watch all my friends have boyfriends, while I often find myself being the third wheel or the only one without a significant other in our group. The experience has been challenging. It doesn’t help that many of my so-called friends have turned eighteen already, found their mates, and have had their marriage and mating ceremonies. I’m the last holdout. Man, I can’t wait to turn eighteen, so I can gain my wolf and find my mate. I’m so tired of being lonely.

Glancing next door, I see no signs of Cassius. Then, start hearing loud moaning and banging noises coming from inside. Not wanting to see the chick once she emerges from his place, I shake my head with annoyance, plop down in a seat and put my air pods in. Then turn on some music and watch the sun rise. I couldn’t keep myself from chuckling as ‘Old Town Road’ sung by LIL Nas and Billy Ray Cyrus started blasting away.

Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road

I’m gonna ride till I can’t no more

I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road

I’m gonna ride till I can’t no more

I got the horses in the back

Horse tack is attached

Hat is matte black

Got the boots that’s black to match

Ridin on a horse, Ha

You can whip your Porsche

I been in the valley

You ain’t been up off that porch, Now

Can’t nobody tell me nothin

You can’t tell me nothin

Can’t nobody tell me nothin

You can’t tell me nothin

Ridin in a tractor

Leanin on my bladder

Cheated on my baby

You can go and ask her

My life is a movie

Bull riding and boobies

Cowboy hat from Gucci

Wranglers on my booty

Can’t nobody tell me nothin

You can’t tell me nothin

Can’t nobody tell me nothin

You can’t tell me nothin

Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road

I’m gonna ride till I can’t no more

I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road

I’m gonna ride til I can’t no more

Hat down, cross town liven like a rockstar

Spent a lot of money on my brand new guitar

Baby’s got a habit of diamond rings and Fendi sports bras

Ridin Down rodeo in my Maserati sports car

Got no stress. I’ve been through all that.

I’m like a Marlboro man so I kick on back

Wish I could roll on back to that old town road

I wanna ride till I can’t no more

This song perfectly complements Cassius in massive proportions. Picture this: several miles from our pack, nestled in the majestic mountains, lies our sprawling ranch and a magnificent lodge. The air is crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and the distant sounds of laughter from humans enjoying their year-round vacations. From Monday to Friday, we all tirelessly manage the ranch and lodge. But when the weekend arrives, we immerse ourselves in exhilarating rodeos, leaving the care of the ranch and lodge to ranch hands and omegas.

However, amidst this idyllic setting, Cassius, despite being married to his high school sweetheart and chosen mate, succumbs to temptation every weekend. His infidelity stains the purity of their union, just as she spends his hard-earned winnings and betrays him in return. It baffles me why they ever tied the knot in the first place. Couldn’t they have waited for their fated mates? And why does Cassius insist on engaging in this messy affair right before my eyes, knowing full well that he’s training me early in the mornings?

Week after week, the cycle repeats, and I can no longer stand his despicable behavior. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy towards all these women at the beginning. But now it just sickens me.

As the sun rises, its warm rays paint the sky with a vibrant rainbow of colors, peeking through the scattered clouds. The air carries a peculiar mix of scents - a mix of animal dung, freshly brewed coffee, and the tantalizing aroma of breakfast foods. The enticing smells make my stomach growl in anticipation. Usually, Cassius accompanies me on our morning stroll, offering me a steaming cup of coffee and a delicious donut. But today, I know that won’t happen, as he is busy gallivanting with another woman. His sexual escapades are going to impede on my roping lessons. I suppose pleasures of the flesh outweigh the importance of teaching me how to perfect my calf-roping skills. It’s a bittersweet feeling, being forgotten.

Cassius, my oldest brother Xachariah’s best friend, will become the pack’s beta in a few years when he reaches the age of twenty-seven. He and my brother have been inseparable since birth, and as an only child, he has always treated me like a little sister.

Since I was eleven, I’ve harbored an all-consuming crush on Cassius. As time passed, that infatuation transformed into a deep-seated adoration and aching desire. However, my heart shattered into a million fragments two years ago when he tied the knot with his wife Charity. Their desperate search for their destined partners yielding no results after five long years after turning eighteen.

Prior to that, I clung to the hope that he would be my fated mate. But now, as I bear witness to countless women leaving his motorhome and his marital status, I would rather succumb to death than have him as my mate. It leaves me pondering how long he’s been unfaithful, given that I’ve only been accompanying them for a mere five months. A part of me feels concerned, while another part feels indifferent. Initially, jealousy consumed me, but now it sickens and infuriates me.

I must have dozed off, because next thing I know, I’m being jolted awake by a hand shoving my shoulder. Squinting my eyes, I glance up and see Cassius standing over me with mugs in his hands, balancing a box of donuts between his arms.

Damn, he’s incredibly sexy this morning. His dark, curly hair hides beneath his black cowboy hat, and the sun’s rays reflect on his bright green eyes, causing my heart to skip a beat. I yearn to run my fingers through his shadowy beard stubble, feeling the rough texture against my skin. Clearly, he didn’t have time to shave this morning. His form-fitting black t-shirt emphasizes his muscular physique, leaving little to the imagination, while his snug pants highlight his toned legs and plump muscular butt. I scrunch up my face, silently scolding myself inwardly for entertaining such thoughts. ‘Get your shit together, Xeraphina!’

Taking my air pods out of my ears, I glare up at him, still momentarily being dazed by how freaking hot he looks this morning. “Took you long enough. It’s probably too late now. There’s going to be too many people out on their horses. What’s the point of having a wife at home if you’re going to screw around?”

He rolls his eyes and hands me my mug. “It’s seven in the morning on the dot. I’m precisely on time. I have no clue what you are talking about.”

Seriously! Does he think I’m blind and stupid or what? I shake my head, glaring at him as I take the mug of steaming hot coffee from him. Its steam rising from the hole in the cup's lid. “I might be seventeen and not have a wolf. But I’ve watched p**n and know what screwing sounds like. It’s obvious you and Charity haven’t marked each other, or you would both be dead. Cheating on one’s mate is a death sentence. It’s worse than going through rejection.” Taking a sip from my coffee, I punch the button for the song I’m listening to restart. “Here, listen to this song. It suits you and Charity’s situation perfectly,” I say, rising and placing my air pods in his ears.

I grin as his face morphs into annoyance, then to anger. He takes the air pods out of his ears and throws them to the ground. “For your information, not that it’s any of your business, anyway. No, we have not marked each other. We’ve not even mated. We’re holding out for our fated mates, in the event we run into them someday.”

That’s the stupidest freaking thing I have ever heard. He really must think I’m young and stupid, if he thinks I’m going to believe that he’s still a virgin. Especially after the countless women I’ve either seen or heard coming from his place on the weekends.

Snorting, I pluck my air pods from the ground and stuff them in my pocket. “That’s a load of horseshit,” I say, as I walk around him and start making my way towards the stables. “If my mate turns out to be anything like you, I’ll gladly go through excruciating pain and reject them. I’d rather die that way than die by getting cheated on by my mate.”