Sorry for the shorter chapter today. It's been a busy day, hoping for a double update tomorrow :)
QuirinaMy afternoon was surprisingly peaceful. I had lunch with Bryce, I rested and read a book, and now it’s time for dinner. Dinner is much more lively than normal. It’s my grandparents, my parents, Charlie and Harper, Phillip and Isadora, Magnolia and Hendrix, Annabelle, Franklin, surprisingly Hazel, Josephine, Cameron, Declan, Felicity, me, Bryce, Hiro, Peyton, and Tony.The table is noisy and full of chatter, but everything is lighthearted and I’m grateful that Bryce and Peyton’s parents didn’t want to join us. Bryce sits beside me and leans a little closer and asks in a low voice, “Is it always this crazy?”I chuckle, “Pretty much. The only people out of place is my grandparents, you, Hiro, Peyton, and Tony. And Hazel, she’s always a hit or miss on whether or not she joins for dinner.”He smiles as his eyes flicker to Hazel who is sitting next to her mom. He says, “She seems a lot happier than the first time I met her.”I nod my head in agreement, he’s right, honestly, she seem
QuirinaIt’s like my body knew that my parents were gone.At four in the morning I was wide awake. And although I was comfortable with Bryce’s arm around me, I found myself unable to remain in bed.I got up and left him alone in my room. I walked down the hall toward Felicity’s room and I listened outside her door, but there is no noise in there so I know she’s okay. My stomach churns and I’m not sure why. Is my gut telling me that something is going to happen?Is it the new responsibility?I don’t know, but I feel unnerved.I walk around the pack house and slowly make my way down the stairs and to the kitchen. The lights are turned off, no one will be in here for awhile. I sigh as I turn the lights on and start on a pot of coffee. I know there’s no chance I’ll fall asleep again so I might as well fully wake up and maybe do some work.As the coffee brews I hear footsteps down the stairs. I lean against the counter and glance up, surprised to see Hiro walk into the room. His eyebrows r
QuirinaI stare at the stranger in front of me. A thousand emotions racing through me because the last thing I want to do is turn away someone that is truly in need. But… I don’t know this woman, I don’t know how many people are hiding behind her.And my parents just left. Doesn’t this all seem just too coincidental?I ask, “Where did you come from?”Her eyebrows furrow deeply as she frowns, obviously annoyed that I even asked instead of just welcoming her into my home. A small child runs out and then clings to her side, the child is caked with mud and sweat and the woman pleads, “Could you please let us in?”My eyes flicker down to the child and up to the woods behind her and I ask, “How many are accompanying you?”A flash of anger goes through her eyes and I take a step back, back into my border, back where if she tried to attack me that she would be crossing our lines. Her eyes flicker to my feet as she took in my movements. She shakes her head, “We’ve heard good things about this
Annabelle Once we’re far enough away from Bryce and his family I turn to see Franklin and he says, “I’ve learned it’s best not to interact with Bryce’s parents.” He led me to the kitchen and offers me a water bottle. He says, “They’re rather intense, don’t you think?” I nod in agreement and take a sip of the drink before asking, “Why do you think they want him to reject Quirina?” “It has to do with the whole ability thing. They must’ve thought you didn’t have one considering they were telling Bryce how great you were.” My nose scrunches up in distaste, I can’t believe they were doing that. It’s ridiculous, how can you keep true mates from one another? That shouldn’t be a thing. Franklin changes topics, ‘How are you enjoying your first day acting as Beta?” I shrug, “It’s been easy. How about you, Gamma?” He chuckles and shakes his head, it causes his light brown curly hair to bounce. He says, “It’s been fine, I’ve been used to the duties. I’ve been tagging along with my dad a lo
BryceTruthfully, I don’t care if my dad tries to take my pack back. I’m with Quirina and it’s up to her where we will be. I just need to know my pack is taken care of and my friends can come with me if that’s what they desire.But… my sister has made a name for herself. Although our world is evolving and Female Alphas are becoming more popular, it is still a big deal for her to have her own pack. She deserves to keep it if that’s what she wants. I haven’t had enough time to talk to her lately about what she wants, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with Quirina. Although, thinking about it, I’m sure she’s been equally as occupied with Tony. But I have no idea what her plans are with the Third Lake Pack and the Oasis Pack. It doesn’t matter though, our father is trying to be a tyrant and I have to do my best to help any way I can to prevent him and my brothers from taking total control.I look to Peyton, she looks deflated and she says, “I’m going to go talk to Tony… we can talk later… okay?
BryceWhat did she do?I don’t know if she made things better or worse.All I know is that my parents sought me out and my dad looked at me and said, “We are heading home. I expect that you will be back at your pack within 24 hours. With or without your mate. However, if you don’t show up, consider your pack gone, and if your mate isn’t with you, then you must reject her.”I frown deeply and my mom gives me a smile and says, “It was lovely seeing you, hon.”They walked away, I assume to go find my sister, and I rush to find Quirina. She’s still in her parents office, she’s rubbing her temples as if she has a migraine and I assume it has to do with my family.I slowly walk in and ask, “Is everything alright?”Her head snaps up, her eyes wide in surprise. I take a seat across from her and ask, “How’d it go with my parents?”Surprisingly, the questions brings a small smile to her face and she says, “Actually, I think it went rather well. We’ve come to an understanding.”I nod my head and
AnnabelleFranklin and I sit in the office as Quirina sits in front of us. She smiles and asks, “So, how is your first day going as a Beta and Gamma?”I give her a small smile, trying to hide my nervousness because honestly, this meeting was so… impromptu. I feel like I did something wrong and that she’s angry with me over it. So, I force a happy face and say, “So far so good! How have you been doing, Alpha?”Quirina gives small smile back to me. She’s hard to read right now, so it’s hard to tell she’s happy with her position or upset over something. Franklin adds on, “It’s been overall an uneventful day. Although, Bryce’s parents are…” Franklin trails off and Quirina raises an eyebrow. He stumbles over his words for a moment and Quirina says, “They’re a piece of work, I’m well aware.”His shoulders relax when he hears that she’s not angry at him for saying something. Instead she leans back and cocks her head as she says, “You know, you both can speak your mind with me. Even if it con
QuirinaI woke up early, it’s not like I had much of a choice. Bryce, Hiro, Peyton, Tony, and I are all flying to the Lake Packs. This is one of those times I’m grateful for how well my parents have done because we have a private plane and it wasn’t a hassle for me to arrange things to do this.As we all get settled on the plane I notice that both Bryce and Peyton seem accustomed to waking up early and are happily talking with one another meanwhile Tony seems annoyed that we’re awake right now. Hiro is quiet, I don’t think it has anything to do with the time of day, but that he’s lost in his own thoughts. I’m not much of an early bird either, at this time I prefer just to observe rather than be an active participant in conversations.Once we’re up in the air, Tony has had enough time to fully wake up and he’s the one to try to drag me into conversation. He asks, “Have you ever visited this way, Rina? Maybe with your parents or something?”Both Peyton and Bryce look at me, curiosity shi