Chapter Six

ANNALISE

“Dad would never permit you to step out in that,” Jarek uttered, withdrawing, like he fears me.

“Mom selected this one. I am confident she’ll lend me a hand with dad. Would you mind getting the rest of my bags from the car? I need to begin a load of laundry so I can wear this dress tonight and change before I’m late for training.”

“Yes. I can manage that for you,” Jarek says, and runs out the door.

It would be helpful if he would explain this supposed dream to me, so I could understand what I am up against. His behavior changed once he saw my eyes. Something has him disturbed. Shaking my head, I toss the garment in my hands in the dress pile and gather them up.

I come across Jarek on the stairs as I go to the laundry room, and he’s drenched in perspiration again like he was this morning when he forced his way into my room.

“Jarek,” I remark, turning to speak with him.

He doesn’t glance at me. “Yes.”

“We need to talk. I need you to tell me about your dream. So I can help you. The dream you had has scared you shitless.”

Jarek’s shoulders tense, and he nods in agreement and continues walking up the stairs.

***

“Take a load off, Jarek. You’re making me get whiplash with your pacing,” I command, gesturing to the spot beside me on the bed. Jarek flops down beside me and runs a hand through his hair.

Jarek accounts his dream.

“You stole my panties so you could jack off to them,” I growl, stand and punch him.

“In my dream. I have no power over my dreams, damn it,” Jarek growls while cradling his face between his hands. “I can’t omit details. Sit down and listen to me.”

“Would you do something like that?” Interlacing my fingers under my chest, I groan and flop down next to Jarek, and he scowls at me.

He tells me about Xillon and Zane kicking my ass and him saving the day. Trex did the saving, I’m sure. I don’t see Jarek ever being the one to do so.

When Jarek got to the part where I was dead, tears collected and began pouring down his face. That’s when I realized the poor fucker actually cares for me.

“It was a dream, Jarek. Look, I’m right here. Besides, Trex would let nothing like that happen,” I whisper, flinging an arm over his shoulders and caressing his biceps with my fingertips.

“A fire built up inside of you, so much so that the heat singed my lips when I went to put air in your lungs.”

Jarek tells me about the rest of his dream, and I can now understand why he’s so messed up. I am frightened as well. I’ve attempted every method to access my wolf, but have been unsuccessful. I have been trying to manifest her through hypnosis and deep meditation. It would make sense that I’m a hybrid of some sort. If you consider that, my eyes flit between three colors: blue, gold, and silver.

“Maybe we should talk to Mom and dad about this, along with the Elders. I’m scared, Jarek.”

“No shit. Now you understand.”

“Yes.”

Jarek’s eyes glaze over. He’s most undoubtedly receiving a mind link from dad. He and I are running behind for training.

“We need to go. Dad’s pissed that we are late,” Jarek groans while standing and darts out the door.

I quickly change into my training gear, pull my hair into a tight bun and fly down the stairs.

“You both have finally graced us with your presence,” dad growls when Jarek and I step foot on the training grounds.

“No training for you two today. You both are to run laps until training is over,” dad commands and turns his back to us.

“Yes, Alpha,” Jarek and I said in unison as we ran to the track that encircles the drills area.

“Take it slow, Annalise. We’ll be at this for a while,” Jarek insists as he grabs my hand to slow my pace to match his strides.

I must accustom myself to this sudden caring side of Jarek. He usually wouldn’t give a shit and would let me run myself to the ground. Since my wolf hasn’t emerged, I work harder than the others so I could gain acceptance in the pack.

Somehow, even without wolf strength, I am stronger than most shifters in the pack. I spend any spare moment I have lifting weights and sparring with dad. Dad has also taught me how to use a bow, and other weapons, to safeguard myself by other means since I can’t shift into my wolf like the others.

Why I have let Jarek, Xillon, and Zane bully me all my life is beyond me. Maybe the tides have changed. If not, I am through with letting them trample all over me. I’m going to protect myself against them from this point on.

***

I groan at the pounding on my door as I pull the dress over my head. Jarek and I ran for two hours. Every muscle in my body aches, but I am determined to go on my date with Dante. I don’t have time for interruptions.

“Come in,” I yell once I’m covered.

Jarek walks in, scowls at my dress, and shuts the door behind him.

“Dad says he will meet with the Elders in the morning. After all I told you, I would assume you would have some motivation to wear something else.”

Jarek groans and runs a hand through his hair.

“You aren’t in favor of me going on this date with Dante, are you?”

“I don’t want any dude laying a hand on you.”

“I’ve noticed since you have beat the crap out of any guy who has ever spoken to me,” I say, rolling my eyes, walking over, and sitting in front of the mirror so I could put on some makeup.

“Thank you for telling me about the meeting, Jarek, but I need you to leave. Dante will be here any minute, and I’m far from ready.”

Jarek growls, turns, opens the door, and slams it behind him. Is that jealousy I sense coming from Jarek, or what? It’s almost as if he wants me for himself. He dreamed about stealing my panties and jacking off to them, for crying out loud. He could have omitted that part.

When Trex takes over, I often get wet between the knees. I love Trex, and he turns me on to the point I need to bring myself to orgasm. A twisted part of me has been crushing on Jarek, Xillon, and Zane over the last couple of years. My stupid hormones don’t seem to care that they have tormented me all my life.

With limited time, I quickly put on some eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. I pinked my cheeks by pinching them and slide on some tinted lip gloss. I left my brunette locks hanging loose down my back.

A knock sounds on my door, and mom walks in with a huge grin. I stand and spin around slowly so she can see how amazing I look.

“You look gorgeous, Annalise. Come along. Dante is here and down there with Jarek and your dad,” my mother informs me and throws an arm over my shoulders and pushes me towards the door.

“Go change. You aren’t leaving this house wearing that,” dad growls when I descend the stairs with mom.

“She will do no such thing, Max. I picked this dress out for her. She’s beautiful in it,” mom smiles, takes my hand, and drags me over to Dante, whose eyes gleam with pride to have me by his side tonight.

“I hope my husband and son haven’t frightened you away,” mom says as she places my hand in Dante’s, and dad and Jarek growl. “Stop it, you two. Move along,” mom shouts and pushes them out of the room.

“You look sensational, Annalise,” Dante praises me, placing a hand on my lower back and directing me toward the exit.

“Thank you, Dante. You look mighty handsome tonight yourself,” I said, grinning as we walked outside.

My eyes pop out of my head when I see the orange and black Mercedes Benz in the driveway.

“That’s your ride?” I question, nibbling my bottom lip in excitement.

“Uh… yes, it is. My dad provided me with a vehicle once we got settled in. I had to leave everything behind in Scotland.”

“What is it that your parents did in Scotland? To be more specific, what do they do now? You know that car is almost a hundred grand, right?” I fumble for the right words as we make our way to the most stunning wheels I have ever seen in person.

“Don’t get upset with me saying this, but I can’t tell you. I can tell you, however, that my dad was told that we needed to come here for my mate. It’s crazy because I won’t know who she is until I turn nineteen. I shouldn’t be involved with anyone, but I’m captivated by you, Annalise.”

Dante clutches my arm to hold me upright when my steps falter.

“Your family is of alpha blood?”

“Yes, but that is all I can share with you for now,” Dante states as he pushes a button on his key fob and the doors rise. “If you are my mate, I can disclose more later,” he says as he aids me inside and hastens to the driver’s side.

Dante is seventeen and a grade above me in school. Who is running their pack while they are here for two years? Should I be dating him? I would hate to fall in love with him and get my heart broken when his mate is someone else. This sucks to no end because I like Dante.