Twice Bitten (New Moon Series Book 1)

by Belle Harper

  We passed a few classrooms along the way. It was like looking into an all-boys school. There were a lot of heads turning as we passed. Jett moved to my side to block me from the onlookers and smiled at me then sniffed a few times. I chuckled and smacked him in the chest.

  “Stop it, you dork.” He laughed and I heard Saint laugh behind us. I turned and pointed at him, which shut him up quickly.

  When we got to the testing center, it was like a hospital. But no patients.

  “Alexis, this is where we test blood samples of many different shifters. We have been trying to find a cure for our reproduction complications and other ailments shifters may have. This here is our staff of twelve scientists. They will be able to take your blood sample and hopefully, we will be able to find out what you are very soon.

  “I don’t want to upset you—in case you were hoping for this outcome—but you are not a shifter. I have never smelled a scent like yours in my sixty years. But don’t worry, we will soon find out what is in your blood. Are there any abilities you have?”

  He led me over to a female scientist and I took a seat. She smiled gently as she rolled up my sleeve. “Have you given blood before?” I shook my head no.

  “It just feels like a little prick. It will be over fairly shortly.”

  She prepared my skin as I started to think of an ability I could have.

  “Like super hearing? Or super strength… flying?”

  Jett snorted, Alaric glared at him, warning him to shut up. But when I caught Jett’s eyes, a smile dazzled his face. Hey, this was awkward. I had too many people staring at me, it made me nervous and… “Ouch. Prick my ass,” I blurted out. I watched as my blood filled a tube.

  “Sorry, won’t take long.” The lady tried to reassure me.

  “Yes, any of those. An ability that is not human.”

  I shrugged. I didn’t know what made me different to humans until I suddenly wasn’t one. When the nurse finished, she took a band-aid out. I looked down and the hole she had made was already healing.

  “No need, it will be fine in a moment.”

  “So, you heal faster than humans? How fast do you heal?” I was stunned, all faces were on me again. A man in a white coat held a clipboard. Oh… well, I never really thought about it.

  “I guess so? I don’t get sick either?” I have never had a cold in my life.

  I saw the man furiously write down what I said.

  “This is very interesting. Well, this will take us a day or two, but if you can think of anything we should know, please let Alaric know. It might help us in finding what you are. You are all welcome to stay and have lunch; I hear today’s menu is roast beef,” Ralph said.

  I shook my head and looked over to Jett.

  “No, thank you. I was promised burgers.” Alaric shot me a look which told me that was not the right thing to say. But I was not his puppet, and I wasn’t having roast beef.

  But Ralph just chuckled. “Well, if you were promised burgers, then that means more roast beef for me. Thank you so much for stopping by, it was lovely meeting you, Alexis. I will be in touch soon.” Ralph shook my hand again.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Lexi

  Three cheeseburgers, large fries, a super large chocolate milkshake, and a warm apple pie to top it all off. I had a belly ache, but it was worth it when we got back to the house.

  “Well, Miss Piggy, I had a great day with you. I hope you did, too. I am off to see Mekhi now… and no dirty thoughts.” Jett pointed at me with a huge grin as I started to walk toward the house.

  I just laughed; this was such a fun day. When I got inside, I heard my name… and it didn’t sound great.

  “Um, yes?” I turned to see Alaric. He wasn’t upset like I thought. I think it was just the way he spoke, his voice comes out like a growl and a little dominating. But if you look at the guy, he radiated top-dog vibes… wolf vibes. I smiled at the thought and he smiled back.

  “Could you please meet me in my office in ten minutes? I have something I need to speak to you about.” I nodded. That sounded fair enough, right?

  I ran upstairs to get into some comfy clothes. I was cramping bad again, and my belly needed room to stretch. The only pants I could find were my sleep pants. I didn’t want to wear them in front of Alaric. Maybe I could borrow some of Raff’s sweats.

  I snuck out of my room and looked down the long hallway. The stairs were to my right and to the left was another room and then the end of the hall. There was a door there, which I was pretty sure was a linen closet.

  “Fuck.” Which one was his again? All the doors were white, the walls were white. And yesterday he went to his room without me while I looked for Lyell, so I didn’t see which was his. There were pictures on the walls. I knew mine was the one with the boats. I was four doors down from the stairs that led to the kitchen area. This house lacked so much color it was so… blah. Now, I knew they didn’t put Raff in the room beside me. I think Lyell was next to me. Or wait, was he across from me, and Raff was next to him on my left?

  I cracked open the door and the room looked the same as mine. It was kind of weird. I hadn’t been into any of the other rooms until now. This one was bare, like someone could have just moved in. I looked in the closet and bathroom and there was nothing in there. Shit.

  I closed the door and made my way down to my room, it was the only door that was open and the only way I could find it without counting.

  Fuck it, maybe he was three doors down from me and across the hall? I opened a door and this room was lived in—this was one of the Lovell brothers.

  “Hello?” I called out into the room. When no one answered, I looked around the hallway to make sure no one was coming. I was running out of time to get to Alaric. Maybe this was Jett’s room. He was nice to me, and I was sure he wouldn’t mind if I borrowed some sweats. I walked into the huge closet, which was full of clothes.

  Huh, maybe this wasn’t Jett’s. As I turned to walk out, I saw a stack of books on the floor next to an Amazon box. I crouched down—it was filled with Jane Austen books. Holy hell. This was Lyell’s room? I was really bad with the room set up. He didn’t just have these, he had been buying me books? I would have to tell him not to do that, that was… Oh my gosh, was that a hardcopy of Pride and Prejudice? I ran my finger along the top. It looked so old with the gold and black detail. Shit, I hope this was for him and not me.

  I didn’t have time. I just looked over and saw a gray pair of sweats laying in the corner. I grabbed them, they looked clean enough, and I ran out, closing the door behind me and raced back to my room. I took care of lady business, took some Advil, and ran to meet Alaric.

  “Alaric?” I called out when I got to the hallway. I knew the movie room was to my left, but there were lots of doors on my right and I think that was where he goes.

  “Second door on your right,” he boomed out. I opened the door, his office was huge with a beautiful window overlooking the green grass.

  “Come in, Alexis, take a seat. I would like to talk to you about a few things that I have been thinking about the past week.”

  This didn’t sound good at all.

  I tried to give him my confident face, but I was sure he could smell that I was anything but. I took a seat and noticed that his desk was tidy—nothing like Galen’s desk at school.

  “Today was a good start to find out what you are, but I have been thinking about your future here. My son, or possibly sons, have taken a keen interested in being your mate, Alexis.”

  Holy shit, this wasn’t the way I thought this was going.

  Before I could say anything, he continued, “I understand your birthday is coming up soon, yes? May? Spring break is just a week away. So not long now until you age out of the system. But the same goes here as it did with Jack and Grayson. You will be able to stay here as long as you wish. I hope you choose to stay; Ranger has really taken to you. And from today, I can tell you like Jett—”

  “Hold on a second.” I put my hand u
p. “I like Jett as a friend. He has been good to me and hasn’t tried to claim me. Or attack Raff. Unlike some others…” I didn’t name anyone since he already would have known.

  “Yes, you are right. But Ranger… he wears his heart on his sleeve. He has been acting like a young wolf in love. I don’t think he is expressing himself correctly in front of you. As you have taken Rafferty as yours, I believe he is trying hard to show you he would make a good mate also and doesn’t want to miss his chance.” I glared at him. Where was this going? Did he want me to break up with Raff? No way.

  “I like young Rafferty, he is strong. He thought to protect you, he did things wrong in the beginning, but anyone can see he did everything for you and he asked for your forgiveness. He will make a great pack member for Kiba when he turns eighteen.

  “What I have brought you in here to discuss is that I have looked over your files, not all. I did not pry into places I didn’t need to. But even from what my sons and Galen have told me, of how strong and resilient you are, I would be proud to call you Kiba on your eighteenth birthday. If you wish, I would like for you to join the pack.”

  I didn’t know what to say. Ralph said I wasn’t a shifter, but Alaric wants me to join his pack anyway?

  “I see that you have been studying hard to make it to college. I will pay for your online college and you may live here. I will continue to provide for you.”

  There was a but, wasn’t there? There was always a but.

  “But? Like, what’s the catch?”

  He shook his head and a slow smirk appeared. “Ah, see, you are a smart girl. There is no catch, Rafferty will be here, and I know you wouldn’t want to be apart. I just wish for you to be a little more… understanding of Ranger’s actions. The boy is doing everything he can to show you how much you mean to him. He requested Rafferty to move in here for you. And he has tried hard forge a friendship with him. Because that is something a mate would want from her men—unity and support.

  “I know this is a lot to take in, and that you still might not wish to take Ranger as a mate. That does not change my offer. It still stands. Does that sound like an offer you would consider?”

  I was still running the words Alaric said to me over in my head. Ranger asked for Rafferty to move in. He asked him to move in. Why? And Alaric will pay for my college? If I play nice with Ranger. Rafferty will be part of their pack? Free housing, food… and a college education.

  I stood as Alaric rose from his chair. I put my hand up, I wasn’t too sure. I didn’t like this… trusting the Lovell family. This was a huge step. One I had to think about. “Can I think about this?”

  Alaric nodded and I left his office, closing the door behind me. I ran straight to the movie room. I needed popcorn and a sad love story.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Ranger

  Jett had texted our group chat a few times today, telling us what he and Lex had been up to. He even sent a photo of her smiling as she ate a huge burger. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of my brother because, fuck, he was making her laugh, he was doing all the things I wanted to do with her.

  And well, I know he found her attractive. What if she picked him? What if she never wanted those things with me? My wolf was struggling. Jett was my brother and I loved him. He would be good to Lex—I knew he would, I had seen him with Clare.

  But now it was my time, she was mine. I had told them over and over. And if he—

  “Seriously, I cannot deal with this today. You are up and down. I know why, and don’t. I saw the photo, too. They are just friends. Okay?” Mav grumbled next to me.

  I had taken a detour home to get her some things for her period. I had found Lex’s only friend Ada at the end of the day and asked what girls like when they were having their periods. Her eyes widened in shock at first, and I wasn’t sure if I said the wrong thing. Like girls talk about it, right? She stuttered at first, then asked me why I was getting her things like that.

  “Because she is living with us now, and she got it this morning. I wanted to make her feel better.” That seemed like a surprise to her and I could tell in her voice she didn’t know.

  “Chocolate, um… ice cream is good too, sugar for the win.” She giggled. “Hot water bottle, a back massage. Um… flowers?” She wasn’t sure on the flowers; I wasn’t either, but fuck it, I was going the whole hog.

  “We will see, Mav. After I give her this, maybe she will want to be more than friends with me.” He growled at me as he slipped out of the car and into the house. I had my hands full. I went with the biggest bunch of flowers I could find. I held onto the bags and walked into the house. I could hear Father in his office working and Mav was already upstairs.

  I was happy to have beat Raff home or he would have been with her like he always seemed to be. She was never alone. But he was catching a lift with Galen again.

  I could hear a movie playing and smelled popcorn drift up the hallway. As I made my way down, I could smell her. She was sad? My wolf was unsettled by this feeling coming from her; he wanted to crawl up and wrap himself around her.

  I opened the door and saw she was sprawled out on the same spot from last night. Her head whipped back and her mouth form a “O” as I walked down with the huge bouquet. Now I kind of felt stupid with these flowers.

  As I got closer, I could see she had been crying. Shit.

  “Lex, oh my God, are you okay? What’s the matter?” When I reached her, I put everything down and looked her over. Was it the testing? Did they do something to her? My wolf was getting agitated, which wasn’t good. I really needed to control him better, I just never cared before. But I didn’t want to scare her by shifting here.

  She gave me a watery smile and pointed to the screen. Is that… Paul Rudd?

  “Is it the movie? Is that why you are sad?” She laughed and wiped tears away. I didn’t know what to say. The movie made her cry? Was that what girls did?

  “She was blind… clueless. She was in love with him, her stepbrother. And…” she sniffed, “they kissed on the stairs, and now they are all together and the teachers are getting married.”

  She was talking to me, like really talking to me. And now I didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t pushing me away or snapping at me or trying to punch me in the face. I needed to speak up before I lost this chance.

  “I got you some things. I hope you don’t mind… I got flowers and chocolate.” I put the flowers next to her, and gave her the bag, filled with fifty dollars-worth of chocolate. Her eyes went wide at the flowers and then she peered into the bag. I heard her sniff again and she wiped her eyes as she pulled one out.

  “Holy shit, Ranger, that’s a lot of chocolate. Thank you.”

  I shrugged like it was nothing, but the way she said my name and the grin on her face made me smile and my wolf was happy again. I did good. I think I did the right thing. Mav helped me pick out most of the chocolate, but I told him I wasn’t giving him credit for my idea.

  “I also got chocolate ice cream, a hot water bottle. And um… the lady behind the counter asked if this was for a woman with monthly pains. I told her yes and she gave me chamomile tea, which she said can help with cramps. I can make you tea, or I can warm up the water bottle…”

  She crinkled her nose at me. Those big amber eyes were surrounded by a lot of black. I think her crying had made her makeup smudge a little.

  “Or some tissues?” She laughed at that and nodded.

  “Ah…” She looked to the door but didn’t say anything. I knew in that moment she was looking for Raff. “Yes, please, to all… and maybe a spoon for the ice cream.”

  I jumped up and saluted her. “Your wish is my command.” I ran out of the room, Mav was waiting in the hallway and I stopped.

  “She likes it all. She is happy.” I jumped up in the air.

  When I returned, I was upset to see Mav was sitting in the room, talking to Lex. I shot him a glare and jerked my head for him to leave. What the fuck was he doing in here? I was trying
to spend some time alone, he knew I was. But Mav just raised his brows. Yeah, I fucking hear them too, and I can smell him coming. It wasn’t long before Raff and Galen walked in.

  “Hey.” Lex waved to them and patted to a spot besides her. Raff went straight to her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him on the cheek. He didn’t bring her anything and she did that. I could feel the jealousy rise up and I tried to calm my wolf down. I was getting better at holding him back today.

  Galen placed his hand on my shoulder—he must have sensed me getting worked up. They were together and I knew this, I just… I wished that was me, too. I had the tea in one hand and the hot water bottle and spoons in the other.

  Galen looked down. “Is that chamomile tea? I forgot about that one. Anti-inflammatory,” he stated. I moved down and gave her the tea and the hot water bottle, which she instantly moaned when she pulled the blanket away and placed it against her belly.

  I looked over to Raff, his nostrils flared just as mine did. I looked down to what she was wearing. He looked at me and then we both turned to Mav. Did he give her those after he marked them? What the fuck? Does Maverick want her still? He hasn’t shown that much interest since he told me in the car the other day and now this?

  “Maverick,” I growled out. Lex jumped slightly at my words and sucked in a gasp. I didn’t mean to scare her.

  “Sorry, it’s just…” I pointed to the sweats—it was his scent and it was strong. Her eyes went wide as her hand covered her mouth. Her gaze darted to Raff and she shook her head.

  “I am so sorry. I didn’t think about the scent thing when I put them on. I forgot.”

  Raff just shook his head and pushed her hair behind her ear. “It is okay, I don’t mind.” She nodded. Like that was it. He wasn’t mad, he was okay?

  “Did Mav give them to you?” Was she wearing them all day? If she was, Jett would have said something. Wouldn’t he?