1 - The End Zone

~Cadence’s Point of View~

“If you’re serious about getting ahead in life, you’ll do this Cade,” my boss said, staring at me like I was his steak dinner.

I gave him my best scowl, if I had a dime for everytime I heard that bullshit line. Just his way of bending me to his will, getting me to do what no one else wants to. He’s wanted me under his aging and saggy body for the three years I’ve worked for him. He doesn’t treat any other female at work like his side chick. But I’m NOT his damn side chick. He must have missed that email. It's a wonder I haven't killed him yet.

“Take your interview and shove it up your ass where it belongs! That’s the only action you’re getting. I’m not doing it,” I said, throwing the file at him.

I could care less about football, it was barbaric and after college no one would care about it. The professional league was strictly humans only. If shifters were allowed to compete heads would be flying through the air and you’d have grannies puking up $10 hot dogs in the stands.

“Cade take your sweet little tail over to the frat house and interview them! They are future Alphas and every female’s wet dream! The papers would fly off the stands. Can't believe we haven't interviewed them already,” Alec said, raising his eyebrow.

It was widely known, the infamous Keller brothers did not give interviews.

“You kiss your mate with that mouth? Douchebag,” I said, pushing his foot off the desk.

He had me and he knew it. I needed his recommendation. Good she-wolves are obedient and go home to tend to the family males after school if they don’t find their mate. I wasn’t like that at all. I wanted to work outside the home, I wanted my own money. I wanted a career. The largest shifter newspaper, “The Howler,” was losing their junior editor next year to retirement, and I wanted that job almost enough to sleep with this sorry asshole. Almost.

If I could just get my paw in the door, be an intern for a bit and learn the ropes I’d kill at it. No one was a match for my writing savvy, no one could get the scoop they way I could. I always found a way to make them talk, to get the dirt.               

But interviewing football players?? Why not send me out to watch paint dry? Here’s a headline! 

“Top reporter dies of boredom, people think it's an art installation and take photos.”

“Look sugar, you do this for me and I’ll let you write the damn letter. You can say whatever the hell you want, and I’ll sign it. We got a deal or what,” he said, holding out his hand.

It was sweaty, and smelled like day old pizza and cigarettes. I fucking hated his nasty office. I was certain he’d slept on the futon here last night because his mate threw him out. He was fucking the nanny and everyone knew it.

Yeah, I know everyone’s dirty laundry. I’m the best damn investigative journalist this school has ever seen. Knowledge is power, and I crave it like air.

I grabbed a tissue and put it over my hand, then shook his. When I was about to pull away he snatched it, pulling me into his lap. I half caught myself, pressing my hand into his chest.

“I have a list of questions I want answered, you got it? Anything else you get is good too. Don’t … let me down Cadence,” he said, breathing in my face.

“Brush your damn teeth, you pig,” I said, getting my bearings and trying to get up.

My lap brushed his crotch and needless to say, he was excited to see me. I wished I could turn around and stomp him, crush his balls the way he deserved. But the idea of any part of my body having to touch him again in any way was enough to make me run to women for the rest of my life.

KNOCK KNOCK

“Alec I have those advertisements for your approval--” a voice said.

Gertrude, his secretary, sauntered in, catching me half in his lap. JUST GREAT!

“I’ll have you know this is most certainly NOT what it seems. If he was on fire I wouldn’t piss on him. Get a damn air freshener in here too,” I said, snatching the file from his hand.

*Oh gross, icky! Can we leave,* my wolf moaned.

*Working on that old girl,* I snarled.

“Love you too,” Alec shouted from behind me as I made my way into the hall. 

I took a moment and inhaled the fresh air, but now I smelled like him and had to shower. I felt so icky. I quickly went home and threw my dress in the trash. I wasn’t rich by any means and I did like that dress a lot. But I just couldn’t bear it. It had to go. It was Alec level contaminated!

Later that evening when the night life was in full swing and I knew I’d be able to find them, I got myself ready. I pulled my hair up halfway, leaving some wavy long blonde curls to fall down my back. I was glad it was a warm night. I threw on a dress that my very conservative mother would describe as “a jezebel in a band-aid” and grabbed the highest heels I owned. 

My mother was still under the ridiculous belief that all good she-wolves waited for their mate. That only good girls would be given a mate and if you whored around the goddess would pass you by. Whatever.

And that ladies and gentlemen is why for my first sexual experience, I had a threesome. I wasn’t totally sure which way I wanted to go so I thought, why not have both and see? Long story short, I still wasn’t totally convinced either one was any better. Females can be insane, possessive and jealous. Males are no different. 

It’s been four years since my first shift and no mate. Most shift around 17 but some males go sooner. Maybe I am forgotten and meant to be alone. Who says I care? I don’t need a mate to have amazing sex. Females seem to love a strong partner, they want to dominate and be dominated. But males? They just want a submissive little girl who does as she’s told. And one who cooks, of course. 

No … fucking thanks!

I flipped open the file and gazed at the names, but there was only one picture. They were brothers, how different could they possibly look? I shoved the file in my bag with a notepad and some pens and pushed it around to rest on my back.

I cut across campus, feeling a bit nostalgic that it was all almost over. One more week, then a week of finals. I’d spent three years calling this place home and really enjoying it. I’d made some good friends, and even enjoyed some of the professors. In more ways than one.

I found the beautiful green house that stood out like a sore thumb because it was where the wealthiest of the wealthy males lived. Their parents sent their personal maids and who knows who else to keep it up. Must be nice!

Making my way in, I grabbed a beer from the keg and made eyes at the guys guarding it. They charged everyone else $20 a cup but not me. Their eyes stayed on my tits the entire time. 

Ohhhh yeah, I still got it. Like this sorry freshman stood a chance with this fine piece of tail.

“Have you seen Weston around,” I asked, as the male’s smile quickly dropped.

I didn’t need to give a last name, everyone knew Weston, or wanted to know him. I'd heard rumors of the Keller brothers but never had the pleasure. It was actually amazing I’d dodged them all this time but I knew they were arrogant assholes by reputation and I hated jocks. 

The male pushed off the side of the couch he was resting on and grabbed my hips. 

“I’m right here, you don’t need anyone else,” he said, trying to kiss me.

“Desperation doesn’t look good on anyone,” I said, giving my best bitch face.

I grabbed his hand and twisted it up, ready to snap his wrist. One of my only long term relationships had been a cop, and he taught me a lot of self-defense moves.

“He’s probably out back,” he squealed, as I let go.

“The pleasure was all yours,” I said, throwing back the beer and handing him the cup.

It must have rained the previous night because my heels kept sinking in the grass as I moved. Just great. And this, is why I don’t do stupid little frat parties with nothing but jersey chasing hoes in sight. 

“Reporter falls in sinkhole, party rages on.”

I frantically scanned the place and found a guy that looked like a pompous, sure of himself asshole. He was surrounded by minions and frat mattresses that were way too pathetically hanging off him. Their sole job is to fluff his ego, that much is clear. A future Alpha all right. 

Once he turned to fully face me, I knew it was him. He might look buff and tough, but how would he fair in a true fight when it really counted? He was nothing but a pretty boy with big arms and broad shoulders. In a real fight, he might break a nail.

I waited for a minute or two, for some of his crowd to move away. Damn … he was good looking. I’d never tell him that though. He surely had enough ego for five lifetimes. There was something to his eyes though, something to the way he carried himself. I could see the allure. When his crowd didn’t budge I got impatient and strolled over to him anyhow.

“Hey Weston,” I said, as if we were old friends.

Confidence. It's what I strive to always have, no matter what. It throws males off most times but ohh, does it turn women on.

“Whoa, whoa you can’t just come up to Weston and talk to him,” a male said, putting his arm in between us.

Our eyes locked and I drew in an unbelievable musculine scent, it was like a campfire, like burning wood. It turned me on more than I’d ever felt and my wolf surfaced. My body immediately knew this male, even if my mind hadn’t caught up. 

Couldn’t fathom it.

Son of a bitch!!

I inhaled deeply and the scent was the most erotic thing I could have ever imagined, I was instantly wet and certain my arousal was in the air. Damn wolf betrayed me!

*Mate! Mate! Ohh! It’s finally happened!! We’re going to get marked,* my wolf Fanny shouted, beside herself.

I didn’t break his stare for a second. I couldn’t give him the satisfaction. Mate or not, I wasn’t about to let him know he owned me. He wasn’t reacting and I wouldn’t be the first. 

HOLD YOUR SHIT TOGETHER CADE!

“Why are you staring at him like that? You trying to get child support or something? You looking at him like he owes you money,” his friend said.

I finally broke the gaze and eyed his pal, “do I look pregnant, asshole?”

“Do you wanna be,” Weston asked, drawing my attention back to him.

*YES YES WE DO,* my wolf moaned.

His voice was cool, and calm. But serious. I kept my face still even though it took every ounce of my will.

Shit, at this moment I didn't know what I wanted. But I spent three years busting my ass for this school newspaper in the hopes that it would lead somewhere real. I wasn’t about to lose all that hard work. Even if my entire body was suddenly on fire. Even if my wolf was about to push herself forward and bare her neck to this male.

“Unfortunately for you, no I don’t. But I do need to speak to you, privately,” I said, keeping my composure. I … am a professional!

I probably had some nerve turning him down, THE Alpha Keller’s son. Turning him down but still asking for a favor, yeah that would go over well.

“You can speak to me,” a voice said, practically demanding my attention. I froze on the spot.

*Ohh! Ohhh! Ohhhhh, I can’t believe it. I’m gonna pass out,* my wolf moaned.

I turned half way to see another male, identical. My jaw fell, unsure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. Hold it together Cadence, you never let males get to you like this!

These weren’t just ANY males! My eyes raked over his perfect body, tall, broad shoulders. Shaggy dirty blonde hair that fell around his face a bit, crisp blue eyes.

“Allow me to introduce myself, Lenox Keller. I see you’ve already met my brother,” he said, shining his perfect white smile.

“Yes I, need to fuck you both alone. Uhm! See you … both alone,” I said, closing my eyes and absolutely hating myself.

"I'm pretty sure you had it right the first time, mate," Lenox said, stepping close to me, only inches from my face.