BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
Christin Lovell
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Copyright © 2012 by Christin M Lovell
Cover Images:
© sushkonastya - Fotolia.com
© Benny Weber - Fotolia.com
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This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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BOLD & BEAUTIFUL
Chapter 1
JONAS
Packs rarely moved, yet here I was, about to start my senior year of high school in a brand new town. A small town; very unlike the metropolitan city we moved from. My father was the alpha; I was in line for the leadership role in a few years so he relied on me to set a positive example for the pack young. It wasn’t easy to slap a smile on my face and pretend everything was alright when I’d been forced to abandon all I’d known. My father’s response to that was, “Jonas, the pack is your home. Wherever the pack is, that is where your home will be.”
“Hey, man.” Brody, my best friend and future pack beta, slapped my shoulder. Funny enough, he was nearly twice my size, a wall of solid, bulky muscle. By appearances alone, most would assume he was the future alpha. “You wanna get out of here and see what kinda fun this town has to offer?”
I rolled my eyes, gazing at the houses lining the dead end street near the edge of town. The pack had purchased every home on the short road, every house the developer had planned to build in the small suburban neighborhood, to keep outsiders away. Homes on both sides of the street backed to the forest, were surrounded by trees and brush, and offered the perfect reprieve when we wanted to shift and run.
Leesburough had approximately seven hundred seventy six residents, including the eighty-six making up our pack. Downtown consisted of a strip of shops, boutiques and two restaurants. There was absolutely nothing that drew me to this tiny dot on the map, but Dad thought there was investment potential in the community. He had visions of growth and expansion within the manufacturing town.
That’s one of the beauties of being the alpha: you make all the decisions. It was one of the things I was looking forward to.
“I doubt they have anything worthwhile.” I lifted another box out of the back of the truck and headed back inside. I heard Brody right behind me.
“Won’t know till we check,” he quickly said. He was persistent.
“Go take a look around, Jonas,” my dad said. He set down the box he’d been carrying and stood to face me. “You know what the pack young are looking for in entertainment. I’d like you to scout the area and relay what you find.”
I placed the box I had on the floor and turned to find Brody doing the same. When he finally met my gaze, a big grin was on his face. He was always happy when he got his way.
I sighed. “Looks like we’re going out.” I turned back to my dad. “I’ll be back later.”
“Take the Jeep.” He tossed me the keys. I caught them in the air, closing my fist tightly around them. “I’m not sure what the terrain is throughout the entire town just yet, but there are some mountains bordering the east side. Drive careful and don’t alert the police to our presence the same day we arrive.” He gave me a warning glare.
“Will do, boss man.” Brody grabbed my upper arm and angled me towards the front door. “Let’s go, Jonas, before he changes his mind.”
Chapter 2
AURA
I shoved my books and memo pad into my book bag and slung it over my shoulders. I grabbed my keys off the kitchen counter and headed out the door. After double-checking to make sure the door was locked, I made a beeline for the stairs. At the bottom I made a right and focused on my destination: the local coffee shop.
Unlike most cities in America, our town didn’t have a public library; the three schools had a students’ catalog of books, but they were limited at best and often not available. Anne Marie ran the local bookstore, but her prices weren’t exactly in my budget. So I relied on the internet.
There was a book swapping website that I frequented. Basically, you pay for shipping and exchange your book with someone else. Once you finish it, find someone else who wants to read the book you now have and swap with them for something new. You never read the same book twice and essentially only have to purchase one book to participate. It was my savior. Without it, I’d have been mentally deprived.
By the time I reached the shop, two miles from my apartment complex, I knew my cheeks were red and I probably smelled like I hadn’t showered right before I left. That was the glory of summer: heat, hotness and humidity. In one word: hell. I lived for the cooler days of fall and winter.
I tugged on my capri leggings, wishing they would somehow come unglued from my skin. At least my oversized, long tee would cover any evidence. The belt around my upper waist defined my overstuffed, sweaty curves.
I opened the door to the quaint coffee house, blessing the air conditioning that hit me as soon as I stepped inside and ignoring the shiver my body gave in reaction.
“Hey, Aura.” Mrs. Martha greeted me with a wave. She was a sweet woman in her late fifties, and the owner of the shop. She was also the lone woman in town who would choose coffee over tea any day, even in the dead of summer.
“Hi, Mrs. Martha.” I dropped my bag on an empty table and walked to the counter.
“It’s a hot one today,” she commented, wiping down the counter as she made her way to the register where I stood.
“It’s miserable outside. If I could skip summer all together I would.” I scrunched my nose, trying to keep from fanning myself in an effort to cool down quicker.
“Want a cup of ice water?” She had pieces of her peppered hair, cut in a stylish bob, swept back into several clips.
“Yes, please.”
She grabbed a clear, plastic cup, filled it with ice and pressed the water button on the soda fountain. After covering it with a lid, she set it down in front of me.
I smiled, meeting her gaze. “Thanks.”
She nodded her head, but something had shifted. She gazed at me as if she was remembering the time she first met me when I was eight. Her eyes twinkled with a long ago glow.
I’d never forget the day I met Mrs. Martha. My mother had dropped me off at the coffee shop, in a hurry, to sit and wait while she went on a date at the steakhouse restaurant a few doors down. Mom had never given the female race much time and never managed to maintain a friendship with any males. She, unfortunately, was the use them and lose them type, even when it came to my dad, whom I’d never met.
That evening, she didn’t bother buying me anything; she merely left me sitting at a table with a coloring book and a small box of crayons. She said she would be back as she scurried out the door, like she couldn’t get away fast enough.
When Mrs. Martha came out and found me sitting alone, she made me a cup of hot chocolate. Between customers, she sat with me. She engaged with me. She somehow opened me up that night, got me talking about things I’d never spoken of. She made me feel safe, feel special and important for the first time in my life. It’s said that people won’t remember what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. I’d never forget.
My mother never thanked Mrs. Martha. She whisked into the coffee shop and told me to hurry up and grab my things. Mrs. M winked at me on my way out, assuring me that she wouldn’t judge me based off my mom. And she never did. She was always warm and welcoming each time my mother dropped me off to wait while she went out on a date. With each visit, my relationship with Mrs. Martha grew stronger to the point where I started dropping by without my mother, like I was now.
S
he shook her head, pulling out of her reverie. “What else would you like, sweetie?”
“A small vanilla iced coffee with 1 packet of Equal, please.” I smiled.
“Coming right up.” She immediately got to work on my order.
I studied the cozy hang out. Worn wooden tables with chairs nestled closely dotted the limited space between the counter and door and ran along the entire right sidewall. There wasn’t much in the way of décor. The walls were painted a rich mocha that took away from the lack of design though. Walking in, I always felt Martha’s warmth filling the space. She could have had white walls, dirty floors and broken dinettes, yet her radiance would still make you want to stay. She didn’t judge, welcoming everyone.
“Here you go.” I turned back to find both drinks in front of me on the counter with a straw on top of both cups.
“Thanks. How much do I owe you?”
“It’s on the house today.”
“But-“ She narrowed her eyes at me. I immediately shut my mouth, feeling heat creep into my cheeks again. “Thanks, Mrs. Martha. Let me know if you need help with anything.”
“What book are you reading now?” She picked up the rag, prepared to keep busy while we spoke.
“I’m back on a classic kick. Right now I’m re-reading Little Women.”
Her grey eyes glittered, the wrinkles on her face becoming more defined as she smiled. “That’s a personal favorite of mine. Enjoy it, sweetie. I’ll be in the back if anyone comes in.”
“Okay.”
I poked my straws through the slots in the lids. I downed the entire cup of water before I even turned around, not realizing how thirsty I’d been. I discarded the water cup and settled into my seat with my iced coffee.
I rummaged through my backpack for my book. Once my book was in hand, I set my bag on the floor beside me and sat on the chair, prepared to lose myself in the lives of the March sisters.
Chapter 3
JONAS
“Why did we have to come south? It’s hot as hell outside,” I groaned as Brody and I walked along the main street of town. Clothing shops, female boutiques, a hardware store, a feed store, a teahouse and a busy diner were nearly on top of each other, crowding the strip of businesses.
“Beats me, but I could use a drink right about now.” We both looked at the diner. “I’d rather do the tea house than endure all those odors in there.” He scrunched his nose.
“True.” I glanced further down the street. “There’s a coffee shop. They’re bound to have other stuff.”
“I hope so.”
Through the window, I saw there were only three tables occupied. “Jackpot.”
Brody opened the door and every hair on my body stood on end. I closed my eyes, inhaling deep as the aroma met my soul. My wolf roared to attention, like someone had rattled his cage. He clawed at my chest, begging to break free. My gums immediately ached, the instinctual need to claim rising within me.
I opened my eyes, on high alert.
Brody cocked a brow, still holding the door open. “You alright, man?”
I swallowed hard, for the first time in my life, struggling to fight the change. We were taught to embrace the change, to embrace both parts of ourselves early on. Not in public though. And not when I was on the verge of losing control.
I clenched my fists to keep from shaking. I cracked my neck to try to relieve a bit of the tension constraining my body. This was crap. My dad definitely didn’t warn me about the physical impact of scenting your mate.
Her scent had me walking into the coffee shop, even though I knew I ought to leave rather than stay. I heard the door close behind me as I smelled the air again, focusing on deciphering which female was mine. I glanced at the middle-aged woman at a table in front of the window. I closed my eyes, praying nature wouldn’t be that cruel. I sniffed towards her and was instantly repulsed.
I turned to the only other female visible in the coffee house. My heart thundered in my chest at the sight of her. She was gorgeous.
Blonde locks were haphazardly pulled into a tight knot on the top of her head. Her light skin had a hint of red, proof that she’d walked in the sun recently without sunscreen. Her face was lowered towards a book that she seemed lost in, giving me time to peruse her unnoticed.
Despite the oversized white tee she wore, her abundant curves were visible. Her thick thighs were squished together; her ankles were crossed and her feet were resting on the chair across from her. She wore worn, gold ballet flats that completed her comfortable, yet casually stylish, appearance.
My pulse thumped erratically as I stared openly at her.
Suddenly, she lifted her head a bit as she turned the page of her book. Her brilliantly clear blue eyes startled my overwhelmed heart. Her plump lips were a soft pink that highlighted their pucker.
Damn. I’d never been so attracted to a girl before. Especially a plus size girl. There was no denying it though.
“Yo, Jonas.” Brody elbowed me.
The girl’s head abruptly jerked up towards the voice. She stared at us for a moment, and I caught myself getting lost in her again, before she turned away and looked at the counter. When she saw no one was there, she laid her book down on its stomach on the table and stood.
“I’ll get someone to help you,” she said.
Crap. Even her voice was alluring.
I watched the way her body swayed as she walked towards the back of the shop, disappearing behind the counter and through a doorway.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Brody asked in a rushed whisper.
“That’s my mate.”
When he didn’t respond right away, I glanced sideways at him. He looked stricken, shocked.
“Well, damn.” He shook his head in dismay.
Chapter 4
AURA
I watched as Mrs. Martha disappeared towards the front of the store to help the guys. I’d never seen them before. The bigger one stood at least 6’4” with hair shaved close to his scalp. His eyes were large brown bowls of chocolate that were the only thing that didn’t have me running. His physical bulk was intimidating. The set of his jaw would have any man in town moving out of his way. But when you looked into his eyes, you saw he wasn’t as ferocious as he appeared.
It wasn’t him that I was attracted to though. I was embarrassed to admit that my body responded to the smaller of the two the moment I laid eyes on him. I’d never felt anything like it. I felt like I’d been smacked with an energy bolt. I had an inane urge to wrap myself around him, hugging him close. That made him dangerous, very dangerous.
I refused to be like my mother. She jumped from man to man. She sucked them dry and then moved on. You would think we’d be better off considering she was the classic definition of a woman after money rather than love. Of course, if she worked rather than relying on the men to pay everything, it might have made a difference.
In a small town, job opportunities were rare, especially for an inexperienced high school student. I made what little money I had doing odd jobs like cleaning for the elderly and helping Martha out from time to time when she needed me.
I heard the blender going, meaning they were still there. I prayed they didn’t hang around.
I sat at Mrs. Martha’s desk, thinking about the male I’d caught watching me. I couldn’t decide whether he was repulsed by me or merely curious.
His figure was that of a classic jock. He stood six feet with a slightly amped up, lean, athletic build. Basically, perfection that would never go for my imperfection. Even his dark brown hair was perfectly styled into a faux hawk, trimmed close and clean along the sides and tapered into the longer length above. He wore a thin, soft blue shirt that revealed some sort of tribal tattoo on his upper bicep and shoulder, flowing onto his chest. His jean shorts hung effortlessly off his hips. Bright white tennis shoes finished his ensemble and rounded out my misery.
He was the epitome of a handsome popular jock, complete with a surfer’s tan and American Eagle accessories. R
egardless of whether I was drawn to him, he would never go for me. I was the fat outcast in this town. It didn’t matter that I’d been diagnosed with a thyroid issue as a child or that I had an autoimmune disease that perpetuated my body’s struggle. No one cared about the reasons why I was overweight; they only cared that I didn’t fit their idea of beauty and therefore must be punished for it. One would think that it’d be different in a small town, but I actually thought it worse. In a larger city, there would be more people in my group, or, at the least, a couple of people open to friends from all sub-groups.
I sighed, waiting a few minutes for them to hopefully leave. I didn’t want to embarrass myself. With my luck, I’d probably get lost in his soft lips with their perfect pout and he’d catch me staring. Or his friend would. I couldn’t decide which would be more humiliating.
I poked my head out of the back room, but couldn’t see anything past the line of kitchen gadgets on the counter. I took a deep breath, hoping luck was on my side today, and walked out to the seating area.
I froze, immediately spotting the pair at the table beside mine as I rounded the bar top. I inwardly groaned when they both looked directly at me. Thanks a lot, Lady Luck.
Chapter 5
JONAS
She was clearly uncomfortable. I wondered if she felt the pull as strongly as I did. I frowned, trying to recall any alphas that had been mated to a human. There was only one that I knew of.
Jim had to take things much slower. He said it was more intense for him than for Emily. He had to go at her pace, let her build up to his level. Almost a decade later, he still thought he cared about her more than she did him, but they’d at least found a comfortable median to meet both of their needs.
“Damn, bro. This is gonna be tricky. She’s definitely feeling something, but I don’t know if it’s good for you or not.” Brody took a casual sip of his blended coffee beverage.
I watched as she swallowed hard. Her hands fisted the hem of her shirt. It was almost like she was trying to build the courage to walk back to her table.
She took a deep breath, causing her chest to be pushed out, amplifying my physical craving for her. I bit the inside of my cheeks hard, drawing blood, to distract myself. I felt the sting of my teeth slicing my flesh; I tasted my sweet blood coating my tongue.
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