Kade’s POV- My first game was in the books, and it was an amazing experience. The guys weren’t kidding about the adrenaline jolt when you first hit the field. And the crowd cheering for us all so loud that we could barely hear each other? Amazing. It was such a high, from the minute we ran out on the field together to the end when we met up midfield with the opposing team. I was even able to get 2 sacks to start my college football career without ever playing in the 4th quarter. But when the game was over and the adrenaline was worn down, I started to hurt for Cataleya again. It didn’t help that I would get subtle hits of her scent any time I was near Dean. Now that I didn’t have anything else to focus on she was all I could think about. I needed to calm my mind so I jumped in the shower to wash the game grime off and got dressed to head back home. It just shows how much of a pack we really are that all of us were done and ready to go around the same time.As soon as the door opened
Dean’s POV- The game was amazing and it was turning out to be a great day, until it all turned to shit. I was figuring on celebrating with my family and maybe hitting up a party later with Damien, but no that didn’t happen. When Alec called me out I had an idea of what it would be about. Of course he had to wait until I was happy before he came up to me. My dad didn’t want to start anything out in public so he decided it would be better if he just removed himself from the situation. Wish that I could have. I still don’t trust the wolves, and as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I was holding a grudge about how Dad reacted when Alec almost shifted at the complex. He still thinks it’s all my fault. “What do you need?” I asked him once we got far enough away from nosy ears. “I wanted to know if you guys have gotten any further in the investigation. We haven’t had any activity in our area so we’re mostly still on research duty.” I didn’t want to outright lie to him, but I also knew th
Dean’s POV continued- I was seething, still trying to figure out what the hell just happened. After a few minutes of deep breathing I was able to calm down enough to look over at my sister. I think the shock has worn off of the both of us at this point, and I could finally see through the mask she has been trying to wear over the last few weeks. There were bags under her eyes that shouldn’t be there at her age, and she looked tired and sad. Did she look like that this whole time and I was just too self obsessed to see it? I never wanted to see that sadness in her eyes.“Leya, you know I love you, but how could you keep something like this from me? How long have you been hiding it?” I should have known that the quiet from her was just the calm before the storm, as she rounded on me and I swerved the car a bit not ready for her reaction.“Are you kidding me?! You make this huge scene in front of almost everybody we both know and you wonder why I didn’t tell you? This is the exact reaso
Cataleya’s POV- After we got home, all I could do was go through the motions and try my best to hide all the feelings that were swirling around inside my head and my heart. Of course Aria picked up on it and we had a silent “conversation” when I gave her a look letting her know I would tell her later. She left shortly after the game was over today so she didn’t see or hear any of what went down. I would need my girl in my corner for this. I went through an entire gauntlet of emotions.I texted Aria and let her know that I would talk to her first thing in the morning but that right now I was just going to go to sleep. She responded saying not to make any other plans for tomorrow because she was going to have me all day long. I really think I need that so I agreed. I laid down in my bed just rethinking about everything that happened. I woke up excited to see Dean and Damien play again, but also nervous about seeing Kade and wondering whether or not he would try and talk to me. Guess I
Cataleya’s POV continued- My nerves were a mess as soon as I stepped on campus. Dean didn’t have practice today, but I wanted to drive myself. It would allow for a clean getaway at least if something didn’t go right. I got to campus somewhat early so I could grab some coffee before I made it to the classroom. Once I got close I could see Kade already there, standing outside the door. When I got closer I could see his body stiffen for a second before he relaxed and looked up to lock eyes with me. I smiled at the warmth I saw in his eyes.“Good morning,” I said when I got close enough. “Good morning, Beautiful.”“Were you waiting for me?”“Well when you said you would talk to me at school today, you never really said when, so I got here as early as I could just in case,” he said with a sheepish little grin. I chuckled a bit at him and his smile grew. It instantly melted away the tension I had from the morning. “So about kissing you on Saturday,” he started, “I wanted to say that I’m
Kade’s POV- Waking up this morning I was already nervous as hell. I had no idea what Cataleya was thinking as far as everything that happened this weekend. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait long to find out. I got to campus with plenty of time to spare before our algebra class started so I could wait by the door and see her as soon as I could. When she told me about why she was hesitant with the mate bond, my wolf and I both felt a great sense of relief. For a while I was convincing myself that she was staying away because she didn’t like us or that we had done something that just pushed her too far over the edge. Now that I know it really had nothing to do with me other than the fact that I’m a wolf and her dad won’t like it, I feel a thousand times lighter and can’t help the small smile I get as she talks. She told me her reservations and I know that we can work through them together. When she mentioned Dean I had to calm my anger for a second. I still wanted to kill him for taking
Kade’s POV continued- I watch her silently take in the surroundings as I lay out everything for the picnic. The wildflowers are still showing even though it’s so hot at this time of year, but nowhere near as nice as it is in the spring. Hopefully she will let me take her here again at that time so she can get the full impact of this place. It truly is a magical spot. Her next question almost has me thinking she might already be able to read my thoughts and emotions.“So what makes this place your favorite, other than the obvious?”“Well actually there are multiple reasons. Of course as you can see it is a gorgeous site, made even more gorgeous with you here to brighten up everything,” I saw as she blushes. “This is also where my mom met my dad and found out they were mates. It was shortly after my mom turned 18. My dad was on patrol and she was excited to let her wolf run. Her family had recently switched packs after not fully agreeing with the morals of the Alpha of her previous pac
Kade’s POV continued- “I need you to get in the car and wait here,” I tell her before I take my shirt off and go to grab some shorts out of the back of my car. I look up at her face and she looks pissed. “Excuse me? What the fuck do you mean wait here? I’m not some little helpless damsel in distress. I can handle myself and I’m not backing down, plus you might need me.”“I know you’re a badass, but usually you have your bike and a bunch of weapons and gadgets to help. You don’t have anything other than me right now.”She looks at me with a smirk and reaches to her belt buckle. I’m not sure what she’s doing, but then she pulls a silver switchblade out of it. Guess she does have a weapon after all. “One more thing for you to learn about me, I’m never without a weapon,” she says as she flips it through her fingers. Not gonna lie, I’m both a little scared and definitely turned on seeing her like that. Unfortunately now is not the time to explore those thoughts. We have more pressing ma
Kade’s POV- It was actually pretty nice having an afternoon lunch with my mate, my Alpha, and my mate’s brother. At first I thought it would be a disaster. In some ways it was, seeing as how there was a fight with a bunch of drunk frat guys. Overall though I think that helped us all bond a little bit more. Anything to help this alliance work better I will take. I know Leya told me that Dean was on our side, but I will take any chance I can get to win her brother over. I think protecting her during the fight helped with that, even though she didn’t really need it. Letting some of my anger out helped to calm my wolf after seeing those guys trying to touch what’s mine. I didn’t want her to think that I wouldn’t let her defend herself so I tried to hold back as much as possible. I think she understood what I needed though and let me do what I had to do. Now that she and I are good, my actions on the football field are a lot better. More so than before I met her. I can control my wolf du
Alec’s POV- I thought all hell was going to break loose when Kade came out and saw that someone was trying to hurt Leya. Thankfully that guy has more control than most wolves twice his age. It also helped that she was already in the middle of taking care of it before he could react. I had never really thought about Kade’s level of control before, but now that I do think about it the only time I’ve ever seen him out of control was when he first met his mate. The fact that he didn’t even let a growl slip when his mate’s safety was involved has me making a mental note to talk to him about that one day. Hell it even took everything in me not to react to the way these guys were behaving and one, I’m an Alpha, and two, it wasn’t even about my mate. These guys just couldn’t see past the booze induced haze they were living on and paid the price. It was laughable really what these guys considered fighting. The pups in our pack who haven’t even shifted yet know how to fight better than these
Dean’s POV continued- I almost feel bad for these guys for a moment. They clearly have no idea what’s really about to happen. Then I remember how they’ve been talking to my sister and all those thoughts go away. It’s glaringly obvious when one of the guys on the other side of Asshole number 1 tries to throw a wild punch at me. I side step just in time kicking his leg out to trip the guy, who falls closer to Alec while still trying to connect his fist with something. Alec manages to grab the guy's arm as he comes flying through the air and uses it to shift the guy's momentum and slam him to the ground, then puts his foot on the back of the guy's neck. Up to this point it seemed like Alec was doing all he could to keep his own wolf at bay, but the Alpha in him wouldn’t let a fight to protect his friend's mate go by without jumping in to have some of his own fun. He shakes his head at the guy before putting in his two cents. “Those weak, cowardly, shady ass throws aren’t gonna help
Dean’s POV continued- I turn back to Alec and he’s looking at me like I’m gonna blow up like a bomb. Or rather, like I did when I saw Kade with my sister for the first time after the game. I may have overreacted a bit that day, so sue me. Luckily I’ve had my time to adjust now though, and I’ve talked with each of them separately to know how they feel about each other. “Calm your tits Blackwood. I’m not gonna do anything as long as Kade doesn’t screw up and do something to hurt her.” Alec releases the breath he’s been holding since he noticed them walking up. Leya says something to Kade and he walks in while she waves at us and sits at a table close by. “Don’t worry about us. We don’t want to interrupt the little alpha pow wow you both have going on here.”“Alpha what?” Alec asks bewildered. “Don’t listen to her, she’s just mad she wasn’t invited,” I tell him as I shake my head. He just looks back and forth between us like we’re crazy as we don’t really interact with each other an
Dean’s POV continued- Two weeks laterIt’s been a little while since this whole alliance started but so far it’s going smooth. Slow, but smooth. We haven’t had any fights break out amongst each other and everyone was being cooperative, which is nice. Even the rogue we tried to question. However, information has been coming in at a glacial pace. Alec was able to talk to a witch they are familiar with who found an antidote that could work to counteract the spell she thinks was used. The major downside though is that it takes time to make. It should be ready early Saturday morning, so we planned to get together after the game to try it out. Luckily it was an afternoon game so we would still have time and not have to wait until Sunday. This also gives us another day for any follow ups we might need depending on what information we are able to get before having to go back to classes. Our alliance has also had an unintended positive outcome. Football practices have been going better than
Dean’s POV- The first meeting yesterday was mostly a success. It started a little rough, but by the end I think we really had a good flow going and no one seemed to care what species the other was. I even saw my dad relax a little while we were all going through the intel, but not much and it didn’t last. Progress though, am I right?I got through my classes pretty easily but my mind kept running through the scenarios and questions we would have for the rogue in a few days. Hopefully Alec’s contact could come through for us by then. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I was too far into my mind thinking about all this that I let my guard down and wasn’t ready when Kade came up to me right before I went into the athletic building. He jump-scared the shit out of me. “Jeez man what the fuck?!” I said as I grabbed my chest to somehow magically slow my heart rate down. I wanted to smack the little shit when I could see him trying to stop the shit-eating grin that was trying to take up
Kade’s POV- I knew that my mate was smart. I knew that she was a badass hunter. I didn’t, however, know that she would be this involved in everything going on. I knew that she took down a rogue, I mean I watched it happen, but I didn’t know that basically everything they have came from her. From what happened in the meeting it seemed like she is the only reason why we have any information at all. I should have known though. When she first told me that her family would know it was her that leaked information if I knew what they found out, I thought she was just being dramatic. That didn’t really seem like her style but I wasn’t thinking straight. I also now kind of understood why she was nervous about her dad knowing about us after I saw him and how he was reacting during the meeting. He was tense the entire time, even more so when there was some growling. For an older man he sure was quick in grabbing a weapon. It seemed like he was waiting for the shoe to drop the entire time and
Alec’s POV continued- There were only a few people that left, but on the bright side, Dean and Cataleya’s dad was one of them. Once the door closed I could visibly see Kade let out a breath. I wasn’t the only one either as I saw my dad raise his eyebrow at Kade. I don’t think anyone has told him about Kade and Cataleya, but he’s always been a good Alpha and he knows how to look at the little things with his pack.A few of us on both sides got up just to switch seats so that we would be closer and make it easier to collaborate. Cataleya pulled out another laptop that was automatically linked to the other smartboard in the room. She pulled up a blank document and labeled it ‘interrogation notes’. “So I figure we should start out making a list of what we want to know, then sort out the wording on the different yes or no questions we can ask that would lead to those answers. Also, feel free to share any information you have on the topics we have questions for. The more background inform
Alec’s POV- When Dean said that someone with our pack was involved, every single wolf there let out a low growl that reverberated through the room. To his credit, Dean didn’t miss a beat and threw his hand out to stop most of the hunters, including his dad, who had started to get in defensive positions. “Everyone relax. If I believed anyone in this room could be involved then none of them would be here,” Dean said. The hunters slowly sit back and relax a little before Dean continues. “While the non verbal system is good for getting past the spell, it can also bring more questions than answers and doesn’t specify exactly who or how the pack might be involved. This is why I wanted to only bring those I trust into the meeting.” Oh he’s good. Play up the egos of those involved to try and gloss over not bringing us in sooner. I can’t help but smirk a little as it’s probably the same thing I would have done. I glance over to my dad and see that the little snarl at the corner of his mout