by Belle Kayce
I open my eyes and study him.
“I mean it just sucks,” I tell him. “Like what if I wanted to give you a gift? Basically, you’re buying yourself a gift if I use your credit card. It defeats the purpose of like everything. What’s the point?”
Lance’s eyes crinkle. “You want to buy me a gift?”
I avert my eyes and stare at the wall next to me. Truth is, I like to gift people. The problem is I don’t have my own money.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe I’d like that very much,” Lance says.
“I hope you don’t have some kind of foot fetish,” I say randomly. I remember watching this guy on TLC. He had some crazy fetishes.
“That is creepy.”
“Agreed. If you do, I don’t think we will work out.” I try to search his face. “What about you? What do you find creepy?”
“Foot fetishes for one.”
I laugh.
“I hate when someone watches me eat.”
I agree. “Tell me about it. Just let me eat like a hog in peace puh-lease.” Lance gives me an intense stare, and I bite my lip, trying not to smile, “What? Sorry you’re stuck with me as your luna.”
“You don’t even try, and that’s the biggest thing. You’re just you and that’s more than enough for me.”
I don’t take compliments well. I try to compliment him back. “Well, you’re really nice.” I clear my throat. “Like seriously the kindest soul I think I will ever meet. You have so much patience for someone like me. You’re so understanding, a freakin’ genius, and more importantly, super humble. All of it, I am not,” I add, “And you’re caring. I don’t know why you are to me. You just have to put up with me for however long we have.”
“I like that,” Lance murmurs, still massaging my feet.
Being luna is weird. What do I do? What do I don’t do?
I look at Lance, then look away, then look back at Lance.
His eyes meet mine. “What is it now? I never know where your beautiful mind goes.”
Trying to ignore the flutters in my stomach I ask, “What do I do as luna?”
“If you want to run the pack . . .” Lance offers, “I’m all for it.”
I don’t even know how to do that. “Yeah, I’ll probably bring the pack to ruins.”
“You can do whatever you want as a luna. The alphas I know usually don’t let their lunas take charge of anything, but we all know lunas are the more level-headed ones.”
“You’re probably the more level-headed one here.”
We both stare at each other, and I just burst out laughing. I see Lance’s lips twitch, then transform into a magically alluring one-sided smile that features his adorable dimple.
One point for me.
***
The next morning, there is a gift bag on my table. Inside is a memory foam work shoes. I smile widely as I put the black shoes on. Immediately, I can feel the difference and how wonderful my feet feel.
I have been totally missing out.
Cole drops me off at work, and Beth makes me take out all the old books that we weren’t selling anymore, so we can donate it to the local library later on. These shoes are seriously the best thing since sliced bread. It’s super comfortable and easy on my feet, like walking on a cloud.
Bo and Julia are the ones to pick me up after work. Feeling like I want another massage on my legs from Lance because he really can massage, my mind wanders to how I’ll get him to do it.
We all get out of the car, with Bo and Julia chattering behind me. I then look at the expensive-looking red Mustang in the driveway, and the people coming out of it.
I have always known it would it won’t long until I have to face him, but . . .
He’s here. My brother, Sargon, is here. He looks so much like Vanessa, his twin. Of course, he looks like her. I also see the familiar cocky smirk of Grayson. What’s he doing here?
Grayson suddenly stiffens considerably. Sargon looks at Grayson and then he freezes too.
I glance at Bo to ask him if he knew they were coming this soon, but Bo’s eyes are wide as saucers. Julia also looks tense. Suddenly, it’s as if the entire air between us is filled with electricity.
“Mate.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
“Mate.”
It comes out simultaneously from four different people.
I hear it from Bo, whose focus is on my brother. The word also comes out from Grayson, who is strolling towards Julia like he’s on a mission.
Bo is standing stock still. Sargon gives Bo a look I can’t decipher. He turns away suddenly, leaving his mate, Bo, alone without a word.
I want to say something to Bo. I want to say sorry that my brother is horrible. However, Bo uncharacteristically bolts out of my sight too. He shifts into the woods, and I hear a sad heartbreaking howl. I want to run after him, but I can’t let the alpha coming straight for Julia just get to her. I am concerned because of their personalities.
Grayson’s eyes darken with each step he takes towards Julia. Knowing Julia and how she is with alphas, this isn’t going to be pretty. Unlike me, Julia is well-versed with all the different alphas, Grayson and his reputation included. Out of everyone, it has to be him?
Julia being Julia, she crosses her arms and turns her head to the other side. I know she feels the mating bond because she’s clutching her arms tightly and her jaw is set. This woman has already made up her mind.
Grayson stops right in front of her. Almost in complete wonderment, he says, “You’re my mate.”
Unfortunately for him, Julia doesn’t give him the time of day and just walks past him, going inside the house. I can feel the anger rolling off of Grayson in waves, but it’s mainly hurt. He feels dejected, like she just rejected him even though she hadn’t said the words exactly. She did the same exact thing Sargon did.
I see Grayson try to run after her, but I step in front of him and raise my hand up. “If you do that, you’ll never get what you want.”
Grayson grits his teeth. “She’s my mate, Ava.”
“I know,” I tell him, trying to be as calm as possible, but I’m getting another headache all of a sudden. “And she’s my best friend. Don’t push her. I’ll talk to her.”
He perks up at this and nods at me in relief.
“Please,” he breathes out.
I nod at him and head for my best friend.
“Julia, wait up!” I call after her and go inside the house. Julia does wait for me but gives me an incredulous look.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” she exclaims as waves her hands. “Out of everyone! Him?”
I’m pretty sure Grayson is somewhere eavesdropping, but I don’t tell her to tone it down. Hopefully, it’ll knock down his ego a few hundred notches.
“Are you not even going to give it a chance?” I ask her seriously.
“What do you think?” she snaps at me. Julia stalks off into her room.
I remember Grayson saying in Paxon’s office that he was traveling, and my guess is he was looking for his mate. I need to ask him before I tell Julia what I thought. If that is the case, then major brownie points for Grayson for actually searching for his mate because that means something. He cares.
“Julia.” I walk into her room. “Think about it really carefully before you make a decision.”
“Like rejecting him?” She scoffs. “I think I already know what I’m going to do.”
“Just because he has a well-known reputation, who knows?” Even I have to inwardly cringe at that. Julia looks at me disbelievingly. “Get to know him at least,” I insist. I don’t owe Grayson anything, but I want Julia to find her happiness. So far, it looks like Grayson cares. That’s a lot.
Julia’s face is set in stone, meaning she’s going to be stubborn about her decision. Grayson needs all the luck he can get on this one.
“Promise me you’ll try to get to know him,” I tell her. “You never know about Grayson. At least he didn’t try to kidnap you or mark you on the s
pot or go crazy when you just brushed him off. Promise me you’ll try.”
“I guess.” Julia snorts. “But he’s an Alpha, so I have absolutely zero expectations from him. I’ll try to be nice.”
It takes all of me not to take a huge deep sigh. Julia’s nice will be Grayson’s hell.
Feeling frustrated, I make my way back to the kitchen and accidentally meet up with Sargon, who pauses when he sees me.
I want to say something to him, and I open my mouth, but his jaw ticks.
“I can’t . . .” He starts to say something, but he turns around abruptly and walks out the room.
For a second, I feel totally deflated. Then anger sets in.
“Hey, wait!” I holler and follow him.
He turns around, looking like he’s battling with himself. He just totally rejected his mating bond with Bo, and I don’t know what his problem is with me. I don’t even care if he doesn’t talk to me. It’s Bo I care about the most.
Sargon runs a hand through his hair. “Look, you mean well. I’m sure, but you—”
“Bo is the best mate anyone could ever have, and if you’re rejecting these feelings, it’s your loss. You will never have someone as amazing as him in your entire life,” I say to him. I exhale as I make my way straight to Lance’s office.
***
Lance is in his office. He’s sitting on top of his desk with his arms crossed. To my surprise, Grayson is speaking to him alone. I’m thankful that Grayson is taking my advice and isn’t trying to actively pursue Julia. Yet.
I walk right in when I hear Grayson say to Lance, “If it’s okay, my beta might also come here.”
“It’s alright,” Lance tells him. “You don’t have to feel threatened here.”
“Don’t worry. I never do.” Grayson shrugs. He looks up at me. “She’s rejecting me, isn’t she?”
Not yet. “No,” I answer, “but I have a question for you. I remember when we were in Paxon’s house and you said that you were traveling to look for something. Were you looking for your mate?”
I see Grayson swallow, looking like he’s about to lie but then he lets out a deep breath. “Pathetic, I know.”
“It’s not,” I say, sitting on the stool across from him. “It’s admirable how much a mate means to you.”
“After looking through the entire continent and then some, I just thought it wouldn’t happen. I don’t get her deal because she doesn’t even know me—”
I cough. “Grayson, I think everyone knows you. You’re kinda infamous.”
Grayson shoots me an unamused look. “Even if all the things are true, I want to get to know her. My mate. I thought it would never come true for someone like me, but no one can keep me away from her.” He looks serious about this, which is good, but he’s also issuing a threat to anyone that gets in his way.
“If she doesn’t want anything to do with you, it’ll be hard for you to be with her,” I tell him.
Grayson growls in annoyance.
He surprises me when he asks, “Tell me what to do. Do I keep telling her how much she already means to me? I can do that. Do I woo her with flowers and luxury? I can do that too.”
“Actually, flowers would be nice,” I think out loud, making Lance stare at me with interest.
“Flowers?” Lance asks.
“You know, a bouquet of roses. I actually wouldn’t mind it for wooing, but it’s not me. This is Julia, so no, that won’t do.”
“Then what?” Grayson asks.
“Just be genuine. Show your true self. I know there is a reason why you and Julia are mates. I see it.”
Grayson gives a laugh. “You can see it? That’s comforting.”
“Don’t worry. I will loudly be cheering from the sidelines,” I inform him.
“What if being genuine scares her more than those rumors?” Grayson asks before Cole comes in the room, informing us about the visitor’s sleeping arrangements.
“Send Grayson to the dungeons,” I joke.
“Noted.” Cole nods.
“Hey,” Grayson snaps. “Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. I asked Paxon to look over my pack in the meantime.”
“How is . . . he doing?” Lance asks.
I wish Paxon came, instead of his beta. Then again, if Sargon never came, would Bo ever have found his mate? Does it even matter now that Sargon is acting like a total jerk?
“Paxon just wants to get the meeting over with before he kills Trent and Steven and plays judge, jury, and executioner.”
“What about Sargon?” Cole asks. “It can’t be easy for him to be doing pack responsibilities either.”
Grayson shrugs carelessly. “Sargon said something about healing and facing the killers of his sister. To be honest with you both, I’m making sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. I feel like he’s planning to do something.”
“Like what?” I frown.
“Maybe Sargon wants to play judge, jury, and executioner all by himself,” Grayson answers ominously. “Let’s just say that it makes me feel better to know I wouldn’t be the cause of another commotion in the next alpha meeting.”
“Yes, because throwing a knife at one of the elderly alphas isn’t controversial at all,” Cole says without humor.
“You have to admit, it was pretty funny seeing that look on Finn’s face.” Grayson smirks, raising an eyebrow at Lance, who is now very quiet.
“Hopefully, you can keep your silverware on the table this time,” Lance tells Grayson.
“Nah, if I ever have a chance to throw something at Finn’s face, I’ll do it again.” Grayson yawns. “Anyways, all this alpha-meeting talk is making me sleepy. It’s not for another few days, so I don’t have to worry about getting bored to death yet.”
“Cole, can show Grayson to his room?” Lance says.
“Thanks for letting me stay here.” Grayson gets up, waves at me, then yawns again. “Night, you guys.”
Cole leads Grayson out of the office.
“I still don’t know where Bo is,” I tell Lance as I walk over to him.
Lance lets out a sigh. “No, I think I know exactly where he is.”
***
True to his word, Lance does know exactly where to go. He’s guiding me as our hands are intertwined, and I realize just how big his hands were. I’m not a PDA type of person, but this is nice, and Lance is doing it without a second thoughts. It just feels natural.
We enter a clearing, and that’s when I stop, forcing Lance to turn to me.
“I—“
“What!” I scream out loud as find Bo sitting down and wading his feet . . .
By a pool.
A pool.
“When did we get a pool?!” I almost scream in glee, ready to jump in it. I take a step forward, but it’s cold. Lance takes a hold of me lightly before I do anything rash.
“Surprise,” Bo hollers.
I place a hand on my heart, ready to burst into tears. “Lance, you shouldn’t have.” I think about it for a second. “Okay, no you definitely should. It’s so beautiful.”
The pool is large. There’s a little boulder in the middle, where water is cascading down like a waterfall.
We make our way to Bo. I sit on one side and Lance sits on the other. We’re both quiet, giving Bo time to think.
“It’s just that . . . I always thought when I’d find my mate, it’d be some hot, romantic first encounter, ya know?”
“It never is.” I snort.
“I mean, no offense, but your brother has problems,” Bo says.
“No offense taken at all because he does.”
“But he’s really hot.”
I groan. “Bo.”
Bo raises his arms, and I can tell he’s a little more than buzzed given the amount of beer bottles that are in the vicinity. I didn’t think werewolves got drunk, but given how many drinks Bo’s had, well it’s safe to say he’s getting there.
“We are only focused on the fact that he’s a total, huge jerk face.”
“Yup,” Bo hic
cups.
“Anyone is lucky to have you as a mate, Bo,” Lance says and Bo starts to sniffle. He puts his arm around me, then his other on Lance. He pulls us towards him.
“Thanks, you guys. You both are my OTP, and I’m so glad things worked out for you,” Bo says. He kicks the water. “I’m a catch, right? He’s not better than me in any way. Maybe hotter but we’re both betas.”
“Let’s go home, Bo,” Lance says quietly.
“He’ll be there, right?” Bo asks. “I don’t want to be there.”
Fact is, we don’t know where Sargon is.
“You won’t see him.” Hopefully.
Bo grumbles. “I better not or else I’ll probably make out—”
Lance gets up, hauling Bo up with him. Lance helps him to his feet.
“It’s a nice pool, isn’t it?” Bo asks me lazily as he gazes at the water.
I look at Lance. Our eyes meet and his gaze softens.
“Pretty cool pool,” I agree.
Bo throws up in it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“I thought I’d find you here,” a voice says from behind me. I get so scared that someone is actually there and that I’d actually slip and fall into the pool, which I’ve been staring at for a few solid minutes.
“Ahh!” I scream dramatically even though it’s just four feet deep. Getting soaked at six in the morning is totally not the way I thought how my day was going to go. Or maybe this is exactly how my day will go.
I’m met with amused blue eyes. His dimple pops out, and I don’t even care that I’m soaked right now. Lance has his hand held out, “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. You should be more aware of your surroundings, you know.”
I take his hand and try to pull him in the pool with me, but this wolf is like stone. Lance raises an eyebrow at me, probably already predicting what I just tried to do with him.
“Why are you up so early?” I ask him, letting him help me up from the pool for real this time. The worst thing about falling into the pool is that I have socks on, and there is no worse feeling than wet socks. They squeak as we both head back to the pack house.
