3-London, 1982

Evie’s POV

Stacey- Oh, I smell the river, today.

Me- Me too. Check out Cain, he might throw up.

Stacey- I wish we had a video camera; he might actually throw up.

Me- Can you talk to Zeke?

Stacey- Of course, he is my brother.

Me- Ask him what Cain is thinking.

Stacey- He is thinking how much he hates London.

“Okay, bro?” I ask, Cain out loud.

“Zeke told me you asked about me,” Cain narrows his eyes at me.

“I think the two of you could use some time apart,” Mom pulls me to car, away from Dad and Cain.

Cain- Ever get the feeling Mom is, like, hiding something?

Me- YES.

Cain- I wonder what?

Me- I’m not asking.

Cain- Me neither,

Stacey- I’ll ask Sara.

Me- No, let it go. No reason to ruin an already boring family trip.

Stacey- Okay

Cain- Zeke wants to ask Sara.

Me- Stacey too, I told her no. There is a good chance Sara tells mom.

Cain- Good point.

“Stop minklinking,” Mom tells me. “What is going on between you and Cain?”

I laugh, “Mom, we are brother and sister. We are close, but not inappropriately so. Why are you so worried?”

“Because you two are 25 and 24 and still unmated. It’s troubling,” Mom looks at me. “Is Cain your mate?”

“EEWWWE, Mom! Cain is my brother. My brother can’t be my mate,” I look at her, grossed out.

Stacey- Zeke is absolutely my brother, not my mate.

“Stacey confirms Zeke is her brother,” I tell mom.

“Really? Stacey is sure?” Mom looks shocked.

“Yeah, Mom, why?” I ask.

“Nothing, no reason.” Mom smiles and looks out the window, almost smiling.

Me- Yeah, mom has something to hide. She is surprised and happy Stacey recognizes Zeke as her brother.

Cain- What does a happy mom look like?

Me- Funny boy. She is turned away from me, but I think I see a smile on her face.

Cain- Mom smiling, well that is interesting.

Me- I know right.

Stacey- Sara is reaching out to me. Do you want me to talk to her.

Me- Go ahead Stacey, she is your mother, right?

Silence

Me- Stacey?? You there?

Cain- Hey, where did you go? I hit a wall.

Me- Stacey disappeared on me. She said Sara wanted to reach out and when I pointed out that Sara is her mother she disappeared.

“Who are you mindlinking?” Mom asks me.

“Sorry, Stacey and I were talking,” I give her a half smile and put up a wall to Cain. I’ll deal with him later.

We arrive at the hotel and all I smell are werewolves. London is packed with wolves of all ranks, from packs all over the world. As Alphas, we are staying at the hotel hosting the ball. The rest of the delegation from Night Claw arrives by commercial jet in one hour and will be bused to a hotel within walking distance.

“You block me?” Cain looks upset.

“Mom was being Mom,” I roll my eyes.

“She is such a pain,” Cain grumbles and grabs my bag for me.

“Evie, we got you and Cain your own suites. We are really hoping tonight is the night,” Dad smiles and hands us keys.

“I’ll bring your bag to you room and then go to mine,” Cain offered.

I open my door and Cain carries my suitcase and dress bag to the bed.

“Thanks, bro,” I smile.

“No problem. May I escort the most beautiful she-wolf ever born to the ball this evening?” Cain teases me.

“Oh, how can I resist the most powerful future Alpha in America?” I tease back.

Those titles showed up in articles about tonight’s ball. Cain and I are the hot tickets. Me, because I’m pretty, apparently, and Cain, because Night Claw is a powerful pack.

“T-minus 8 hours. Get some rest,” Cain winks and disappears out the door.

I can’t sleep, I did that on the plane. I need to get out, my energy is through the roof. It has to be nerves.

I leave the hotel and walk the streets of London. I’m about to go into Harold’s when I hear my name.

“EVIE,” I turn to see Alpha Tyler waving me down.

I smile and wave back.

“Hey, there. Good to see another old timer. Still unmated?” I ask him.

“Last chance for both of us. After this, we are considered old maids,” Tyler smiles. “We could choose each other. You would make one hell of a Luna.”

I laugh. Tyler is sweet, but I’m not ready to give up.

“Wanna walk with me?" I ask.

“Sure, where are we going?” He asks.

“Where were you headed?”

“I was about to head back to the hotel, but we have time,” he smiles and takes my hand.

Tyler is 30 this year. Tall, muscular, light brown hair, and soft blue eyes. Maybe if he is still unmated when I am ready to give up, I will choose him.

“Remember Rome, two years ago?” Tyler asks, as we walk.

“Yeah,” he is going to bring up the kiss. I got a little emotional two years ago about not finding my mate and I may have crossed the line and kissed Tyler. Thankfully, he was a perfect gentleman, and a kiss was as far as it went.

“Well, if you get all emotional this year, I just want to warn you, I might not be as gentlemanly. I am about ready to give up waiting on my mate.”

“Really? Wow, really?” I ask.

“Yeah, I’m thirty and I’m worried my right bicep is going to be bigger than my left,” Tyler warns me.

“Well then, I will be sure to keep my wits about me,” I smile.

“Or not, if you want to take the leap with me,” Tyler looks at his watch. “We should head back.”

I nod and we cross the street to head back to the hotel.

“You really are just going to give up on waiting?” I ask.

“I’m 30 years old. At this point, I have waited long enough,” Tyler pulls me close. “You would be worth giving it up.”

I smile. After the article, my father got a lot of offers about me being mated to a widower, or another Alpha. Tyler was not one of them.

I place my hands on his chest and feel his heartbeat.

“You were a really great kisser,” I smile up at him. “But I forget why I liked it so much.”

“May I remind you?” He asks and I nod.

His soft lips touch mine and my arms go around his neck. He slides his arms around my waist and pulls me close. I open my mouth slightly and he slides his tongue in and tickles mine. Making me giggle. I feel him smile and then, return to deepen our kiss. I’m lightheaded and my knees are weak. That was amazing. I pull away and hold on to him to steady myself.

“Now I remember. Tell you what. Neither of us finds our mate tonight, come back to my room. I think you are worth the leap as well,” I smile.

Tyler smiles and holds me close for another mind-blowing kiss.

He makes me feel so good, I almost can’t believe it.

He walks me to my door and makes a mental note of the room number.

I go in and shower, careful to shave and clean everything. One way or another, I am losing my virginity tonight.

I put on an unscented lotion. Werewolves have an incredible sense of smell. Perfumes and lotions give us headaches.

I put on the special under wear for my dress and look at myself in the mirror. When Tyler takes this dress off of me tonight, he is going to like what he sees. I do my hair next. I curl my blonde hair and then use hairspray to make it big and bold. I use simple make up, because I am naturally pretty, I don’t need make up. I slip into my red silk and do up the strappy heels. I do one last check in the mirror and open my door before Cain can knock.

“Holy, shit,” Cain says. “You are hot, and it is not okay.”

I laugh, as he looks me over. “What is it?”

“I am just thinking, I am supposed to be looking for my mate, but instead I’m going to be keeping males away from you,” Cain looks uncomfortable.

“It will be okay,” I tease.

Me- Hey, Stacey, you there yet?

Stacey- Sorry, my girl. I went to sleep.

Me- So, I’m going to have sex with Alpha Tyler tonight.

Stacey- No, you are not. You are waiting for our mate!

Me- Stacey I am 25. Enough already. Besides, Alpha Tyler is nice.

Stacey- No, he is a snake in the grass. Trust me on this. We are not sleeping with Tyler tonight. Do I make myself clear?

Me- We shall see.