Elena followed behind me, weapon in hand, as we made our way through the compound. People everywhere stopped to stare at us as we invaded their sanctuary.
"You know," I started, but Elena wrapped her hand around my forearm to silence me."I'm sure he does know. Let's just keep our opinions to ourselves and not anger these people, okay?" Her voice was as strong and as sturdy as the blade in her hand, but I knew from the way she was squeezing the blood out of my arm, that she was scared.It was understandable. We either just walked into a cult or an actual werewolf pack. Either way, things were not looking to go in our favor."I am also sure that I already know, but please, enlighten me. What were you going to say, Olivia?" The man chimed in, amusement laced in his words. I cringed when he said my name, and his smile grew wider."It's just Liv. Olivia is saved for doctors, therapists, and for when my family is mad at me. None of which apply in this situation." I stumbled over a loose rock on the pathway, praying no one noticed, but it seemed the strange man as well as my chortling sister did. "Anyway, if you are what I think you are, then you following us in would make you some sort of patrol. So, I'm sure you know that two humans sneaking in means that you really need to step up your game."Two girls walked by, giggling between themselves when they scanned the man leading us further into their housing development. He was toned and in shape, but I did not find him attractive. Maybe the doctors were right about me. Maybe I have lost my mind."Don't worry about that. As soon as you were within fifty feet of our territory, I let him know that you were coming. I was under strict orders to allow you entry and to bring you right in." He turned the corner, leaving me a step behind as my breath caught in my throat. Elena's hand had never left my arm, and I was grateful for her touch as it grounded me from going bonkers."So, you admit it! You are werewolves!" The excitement was unavoidable. All this time, I had been right!Fuck you, world!The man did not respond, but Elena settled up next to me as she slid her knife back into her pocket. When she noticed me watching her, she shrugged with indifference. "What? If that's true, we both know that little knife won't do anything to them. It's not even silver."I wanted to scoff at her, but I was soaring so high that nothing could bring me down. "Then why on Earth would you bring it on a trip to find werewolves?"She shrugged. "I didn't think we would actually find them. Considering the fact that the giant over here is bringing us to the guy that calls the shots, it just feels right not to approach him with a weapon out.""The Alpha.""The Alpha."The giant and I said at the same time. We made eye contact, and my giddiness returned. That was officially the first time that he had verbally confirmed what they were.We fell silent as the tall man approach the doorway to a large house in the middle of all the cabins. It was a rustic-looking single-story camping lodge. There was a pillar of smoke coming from the chimney, and several windows cut into the wooden exterior. He knocked firmly once.Butterflies filled my stomach, but they weren't from nerves or anxiety. I felt excited and giddy. Over the next few seconds, they only increased in strength until my head started to spin. When footsteps could be heard on the other side of the door, I stopped breathing.The Alpha was only a few feet away. He stood just behind one single piece of wood. He was the man who would have the answers to all my questions, and he would know who it was that I was looking for.I wasn't crazy."Breathe, little one. I can't have you passing out before you get to meet him. He would have my head." The giant was right. If I went down now, this would all be for not, and Elena would probably try her hand with that tiny blade in her pocket.I took in a deep gasp of air. As the door opened, I was grateful that I did so. The man behind the door put the giant who walked us here to shame. He was magnificent. His body was tense, and I watched the muscles of his chest as he took in several slow deep breaths as if savoring the smooth evening air.There was not an ounce of body fat on him from what I could see. The light brown khaki shorts he wore did nothing to hide his sculpted thighs. Nor did the cotton black t-shirt hide his rigid chest and abdominal muscles. I was surprised his arms could even fit through the sleeves with how large they were.Compared to him, I felt like a dwarf. I was an average height and weight, but standing in front of the Hulk, I felt tiny."Boss, I see you dressed up. Looking very sharp. Here are the ladies that you requested. Also, Seb was pissing behind Mona's house again. You can expect her complaint in the morning." The corner of the Alpha's lips turned up in amusement as he heard the news."Thank you, Parker. I'll take it from here." His deep voice sent a wave of heat straight through to my core. His hazel eyes turned to meet mine, and my stomach dropped to my toes.I was certain that I had never seen such beautiful eyes before, but something about him seemed so familiar. It was as if I knew him from somewhere. If I didn't, then I absolutely wanted to get to know him.Parker turned and walked off, but not without chuckling at my bewildered expression."Olivia, Elena, it is a pleasure to meet you both. Please, come in." He took a step back and gestured to the seating area off to the side of the front entryway."The pleasure is all mine." The tone of my voice did nothing to hide my attraction for the man, and I mentally slapped my palm against my face."Real smooth," Elena whispered as she wiggled by me to make her way to the couch."Do I know you?" I asked him, unable to take my eyes away from the man's face. His dark brown hair and shorty-trimmed beard gave him a dark look that had my toes curling."I believe we have crossed paths but did not get a chance to get to know one another. Let's amend that. Shall we?" He stretched out his hand in my direction, palm up. Not wanting to be rude to the supernatural being that was kind enough to not slaughter me the moment I stepped into his territory, I set my hand in his.Sparks traveled up my arm, leaving a trail of fire along my skin. It was unusual but not uncomfortable. If anything it made me want to throw any reservations aside and rub myself all over him like a cat.He guided me into the house, pulling me to the left where Elena had sat on an overstuffed grey couch. A large warmly lit chandelier hung from the center of the vaulted ceilings, but the majority of the light in the room had come from the fireplace. It probably hadn't been the best idea to come in the late afternoon, but it was the only time we could get away from our parents.He stretched out his empty hand as he gestured for me to sit down on the sofa across from Elena. I did not like to be separated from her in the stranger's house, but something in me wanted to please him.So, I sat, my hand still lifted in his as he remained standing. He stared down at me with a look of wonder before sitting next to me. The heat that radiated from his body had me subconsciously shifting closer to him. I glanced over the glass coffee table to Elena, who was staring with her eyebrows creased together. The look of bewilderment had me reconsidering putting distance between myself and the Alpha, or at least taking my hand from his, but when he pressed his thigh against mine, those thoughts faded."I feel like I'm missing something," Elena stated as she gestured between myself and the Alpha. To be honest, I did too. I didn't understand why I felt such a pull to the man next to me. "You guys seem very friendly." The man chuckled, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. "You can say that we are old friends. I'm Alpha Gabriel Miller." I turned to meet his hazel eyes, watching as they darkened. His pupil swirled as if they were trying to draw me into him. A flash of black fur appeared in my mind, and I squinted my eyes at him. His hair was dark, but it wasn't the same shade as the wolf that came to mind. Then again, his hair color may have lightened with time. "Can you still hear me?" The sound of his voice resonated through my head, startling me. I jumped from the couch, ripping my hand from his. "It was you!" My arm crossed my chest to hold the other elbow as my hand covered my mouth, fingers tapping against my top lip. I began to pace, much to the two witnesses' amuseme
I had read enough about werewolf lore and myths that I understood how the aspect of mates worked. It was just surprising to hear that I had one. Humans don't get to just know who their soulmate is. They normally have to date dozens of people, and then pray that the one they marry is the right one. Not only was I sane, but I had a soulmate. The thought made me want to giggle like a schoolgirl, but the seriousness of the situation caught me off guard. "No, we are not going to kill you, Elena. You are in a similar situation as your sister. When you are ready, there is someone out front who wants to meet you." Gabriel gently guided me back to the couch, and I took my previous seat. Elena sat across from me, staring as if she were in shock. "Olivia, I know you have questions. I promise I will answer all of them. Would you stay tonight?" Gabriel looked intense as if he had to harden his expression to keep his true feelings from me. I had to wonder if he was as nervous as I was. My head
Dinner was a quiet affair. I was more nervous than anything to be alone with Gabriel that night and ended up picking at my food like a child. I caught him sending me worried glances throughout most of the meal. As soon as he finished eating, he slid his chair closer and placed his hand on my thigh. The heat radiating from his palm made me press my thighs together as a jolt of excitement ran through me."Are you alright?" His voice managed to deepen as he leaned in to whisper in my ear. I had no doubt that at least Athena could still hear us across the table if she wanted to. By the love-struck look on her face, as she watched my sister nervously jabber on, I knew she wasn't listening to us."Yes, I guess I'm just a bit shocked is all." Lying to him tasted like poison was being poured on my tongue. I wasn't shocked at all. I had known his kind existed for the past decade. Every night, I had dreamed of the man before me. We had a connection, and I had been aware of it fo
We stood side by side as we brushed our teeth. Gabriel had given me a spare toothbrush that he said he had purchased a long time ago. He said he wanted to be prepared for when I was finally able to meet him again. It was a sweet gesture, but the knowing smirk he kept sending me was frustrating. "What?" I asked, my hand with my toothbrush dropped from my mouth as I spat out a mouthful of foam from the toothpaste. "Nothing." He glanced at me in the mirror again, his eyes darkening as he looked me up and down. I did the same to him, smirking back when I noticed he was still hard. "It doesn't seem like nothing." Gabriel let out a deep chuckle before spitting his toothpaste out and rinsing his mouth. He leaned his hip against the counter when he finished, staring at me as I continued to brush. I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously. He leaned in, his lips barely touching my ear as he spoke. "I can still smell your desire for me. It is so sweet."
Waking up wrapped in Gabriel's arms was magnificent.Waking up to him flipping me off of his chest to be underneath him while he growled furiously toward the doorway, was terrifying. His eyes were black, and his canines were extended. He held himself over me with ease as if to shield me from the intruder. I pressed myself into the mattress to stay as small as possible."Oh, calm down, you big baby." A male voice chimed from the doorway. "I heard our Luna had finally made her way to us, and I wanted to be one of the first to meet her."I didn't dare move, as Gabriel still held himself protectively over me. If it weren't for the third party in the bedroom, I would have been a very happy woman having him on top of me like that. I bit back my smile as I felt him press down against me as he relaxed his stance. He glanced at me quickly before turning back to glare at the man. I watched fascinated as his teeth and eyes went back to normal."Get out," Gabriel gro
Breakfast was a somber event, not for a lack of trying on Kate and Jack's end to lighten the mood. They were very friendly and sarcastic, always cracking jokes and telling stories to make us laugh. It was hard to be positive knowing that we had to go back home, even if it was just for a short while. Gabriel drove us back to our car on the edge of town. Much to my surprise, there was a well-hidden dirt road that led right to their community we could have taken instead of trekking through the forest. After exchanging phone numbers, a heartfelt goodbye, and several kisses, he pulled himself away and returned to his car, Athena reluctantly following after him. They waited until we were pulling away before he turned his car around and left. I didn't want him to see me looking over my shoulder like a lovesick puppy, but I did watch through the side mirror as he got further away until I could no longer see him. Our ride was short and silent as we made our wa
My toes brushed my carpet as I swung my feet back and forth. My desk chair creaked in protest from my constant movement, but I ignored it and continued to stare across the room at the open window. My pajama shorts and tank top left little to the imagination, and I had picked them out just for that reason. Unfortunately, I was beginning to regret that decision as it got colder as the night went on. Gabriel had not messaged me since I had returned home, and I had assumed he was busy. I knew my mind was my enemy, but the longer I waited, the more I began to second guess whether he was real in the first place. I had read our messages over two dozen times. I needed to ensure that they existed, and so did Gabriel. Alpha Gabriel. A werewolf. Oh, God. I dropped my head into my hands and let out a sigh of frustration. Crazy. I am absolutely crazy! After all this time, I finally lost it. The orange bottle sat atop my dresser, laughing at me as if it knew just how insane I was. It was one
Elena ran around my room, trying to clean up the mess that I had made while I clutched the phone to my ear. I could hear her ruffling around in my closet as I listened to the steady breathing coming in through the device in my hand. He was real, and he was on his way. All of the loudness in my mind steadily began to quiet. "Liv?" He asked, and I let out a deep breath at the sound of my name coming from his lips. "You're real," I whispered. My back pressed against the side of my bed as I pulled my head from between my knees. The light thud of something hitting the floor sounded out from behind me, and I turned my head to see what Elena was moving. She didn't need to clean up my mess. It was bad enough she had to deal with my deranged mind. Instead, I watched as Gabriel stood up from his crouched position. Despite the chilled night air, he was barefoot in a pair of basketball shorts with no shirt. I could only assume that he had run here