Chapter 9

Eva Gibson’s pov

Olivia came into my room as I put on my socks, giving me a foul glare.

“Why did you say that!” She hissed and I gave her an exasperated glance.

“Stop playing coy with me, Sis; I know that Austin is in love with you, and you both are mates,” I replied, and her brow creased.

“I love Austin as a friend, Eva. We have been friends since preschool, but I don't have romantic feelings for him,” she said in her defense.

Side-eyeing her, I exhaled deeply and said, “Well, his pupils dilated when he looks at you.”

Confused by that, she scoffed, “ What does that even mean?”

After explaining that he looked at her like Dad had our Mom, she shook her head, “You're imagining things, Sis. I don't love him like that.”

“Duh, I said HE Looked at YOU that way!” I asserted. Shaking her head at me and saying, “You're so wrong and you're behaving oddly!”

Olivia then turned and stormed out of my bedroom making me start to second guess what I had witnessed the past days.

Debating whether or not to help Austin get with my sister I remembered him saying that he was cursed to have no fated mate and didn't want to ruin their friendship.

“Such bullshit, I am just stating the facts,” I murmured and headed out after my oblivious sister and her obvious mate.

Seeing them both standing together I sighed and said, “Sorry for my inappropriate comment.”

Surprised, my sister grinned at me and nodded as she opened her arms to hug me.

“I'm going to miss you, Sis. Be nice to Austin,” she whispered into my ear. Laughing miserably, I nodded, then questioned her where she was going to stay.

Lowering her eyes, she told me that she wasn't certain, but that work told her that she would be compensated if she got a motel room.

“Do you need money? I can give you some cash,” Austin asserted and Olivia gave him a doleful smile and told him that she could use some.

He promptly pulled out his wallet and handed her three still damp one hundred dollar bills.

“If you need more, call me and I can get your room on my card,” he added.

I couldn't believe his generosity and eyed Olivia in disbelief as she stuffed the bills into her purse without a simple thanks.

“And I'm the supposedly bad-mannered one,” I said softly.

Giving me a frown she thanked Austin and said, “We better get on our way. I don't want to miss my ride from Mister McDermott.”

“Do you have your cell phone?” Austin asked her and she nodded while patting her purse.

Leaving our home Olivia handed me the house keys and my dad's old flip phone before we got in Austin’s SUV.

“The charger for that dinosaur phone is in my bedroom near the nightstand; keep it on you in case you need to contact Austin or, well, I won't be able to help,” she said softly, and I told her that I would be fine with her man. Hissing, she said softly, “No Eva, my wolf has told me he isn't my mate.”

“Maybe your wolf Sasha is wrong,” I asserted and she explained that it doesn't work that way.

“Remember when mom sat us down and told us how we know that we have found our true mates?” She questioned me and Austin started honking his horn impatiently.

“We need to go,” Olivia sighed and I gave her a sympathetic smile as I opened the back passenger door.

Seeing the backseat dry with only the slight scent of mustiness I eyed Austin questionably.

Meeting my eyes he grinned and explained that he had gotten up early to wipe down the seats and exterior when he went home to change his clothes.

“I'm an early riser,” he added and I snickered, “I bet.”

Shaking his head, Austin started to back out onto the road and we were once again headed to Lost Falls.

As we drove past the pack members' homes, I spotted Curtis standing in the front yard of his former parent's house and pinched my lips, wondering why he had returned. He had gone with his parents to the Gray River pack soon after our incident.

“Was that Curtis?” Austin asked from the front.

“Unfortunately,” I huffed in disgust.

“I will contact Alpha and see what is going on and let you know,” he asserted and I muttered not to bother.

“I will just stab him if he gives me any trouble,” I stated firmly and Olivia groaned.

“If you do that, you will end up in the pack jail, Sis, and can forget about becoming a pack guard,” she said softly.

In my mind, I just wanted to stab him like he had me since I still had the knife wound in my side where he threatened me before forcing himself on me.

Becoming a guard seemed like a perfect goal if I could only shift, I exhaled deeply in annoyance.

Gazing at the scenery we passed I thought about my mom and her words of insight regarding our wolf mates.

Staring at the back of Austin's head, the first thing she said was his scent would be appealing, and your inner wolf would be aroused.

Pinching my lips together in frustration, I realized that none of those things were of any use to me since I hadn't shifted or even heard my wolf’s inner voice. Also, I certainly wouldn't be attracted to a womanizing ass wipe.

Frustrated, I let out a low angry snort and crossed my arms.

“I'm just a puppy,” I surmised. I noticed Austin's eyes on me and gave him a sarcastic look back, making him smile.

He was handsome, though, devilishly so, but in love with my sister, I thought and shuddered as I moved away from his view.

Once we reached the clothing store, I noticed a tall, blonde curly-haired man in a flannel and blue jeans perked up as we parked.

“Looks like Landon McDermont is already here for you, Olivia,” Austin stated, and my eyes narrowed at my sister looking at the stranger with her mouth hanging open.

“That's, um, the man I'm going with,” she muttered aghast, causing me to glance between her and Austin.

“Let me introduce you two; I've known him for a few years now,” Austin said nonchalantly, and my sister just nodded like she was in a trance.

“Snap out of it,” I snapped when Austin got out of his vehicle and she glanced at me and said, “He's gorgeous.”

Snickering, I commented, “If you like men that look like Greek statues, then I suppose that he is. I prefer the wilderness type.”

“Like Austin?” She said softly and I glared at her.

“No, Sis, but you were right. Austin seems nice enough but still is a man whore, which is off-putting,” I mumbled as I opened my door and told her to come along.

Pulling me back she glanced at me and said, “I think you should presume him.”

Widening my eyes at her I gasped, “He LOVES you and thinks I'm a child!”