by Belle Kayce
“Isn’t Vanessa’s brother Paxon’s beta? What’s his name? Sargon or something?” Bo asks. “I think he’s more clearheaded right now.”
“We know Paxon will want blood.” Cole stops pacing and rubs a hand over his chin. “Should we tell him to just exact revenge on Steven alone instead of causing a war?”
“Trent will definitely do something,” I add. My former shifty alpha will surely do something stupid. “Which may cause war.”
“And if Paxon kills Steven . . . ” Bo trails off. “Where does that leave his pack? You saw his ugly smug beta. He’ll do something too.”
I groan out loud. This is so complicated. Seeing Paxon will be hard, and for him to see reason will be harder.
“The real question,” Meg speaks for the first time, and she looks like she thought a lot about it, “is if Steven will accept the challenge. The laws of the alphas state clearly that if someone kills your mate, you can have a trial and put the perpetrator in your prison, but the alphas in the last council meet agreed to death also. Steven will have to accept it, and Trent will have to accept his cousin’s death if it happens.”
“That law also says that it has to be a fair fight,” Lance includes. “If Trent tries anything, then Steven is breaking the law.”
“As if Steven even gave a crap about any law when he killed Vanessa.” Bo snorts.
“Trent will definitely be there if it happens,” Cole says, “which means we’ll have to be there when it happens too.”
I do not want to be in this. Is it too much to ask that I want to live the commoner-wolf life?
“What about the rogues?” Bo changes the subject.
We will just be going in circles with this Paxon situation.
“Lance doesn’t hate rogues like other alphas obsess about it,” Meg says. “Who knows what the rogues are planning. Lance have never done anything to them. They usually focus on their own interests.”
“You think there’s something more than just a war coming?” Cole asks, stopping and looking at Meg.
We all become silent. After a while, we decide to take a break because it’s getting really late.
“Ava, may I speak with you?” Lance asks, his piercing blue eyes meeting my gaze.
How Lance says my name should be illegal. It’s so hot. How can him saying my name be so hot? How can someone’s voice be hot? That doesn’t even make sense, but his deep baritone makes me want him to read a phone book out loud. Please, just let me melt on the floor.
“Uh . . .” I clear my throat, trying to get these thoughts out of my head. “Sure.”
Lance walks outside to the balcony, his is on the third floor like mine. I follow him outside. This is where I saw the vampire. Or think I saw one. No, I definitely saw one. I don’t want to add to his stress. I mean, no one died that night the vampire was supposedly there, right?
“I want you to decide when you want to be initiated into the pack,” he tells me, looking over the training grounds.
I swallow, realizing how much I hate commitments. This little limbo I am in is great. As an alpha’s mate, there are so many expectations of me. What if I don’t want any of it? What if I can’t do any of it?
“I don’t want to pressure you. You have to make your own choices. I am only saying this to you because when other alphas visit or any of my pack members say something, you do not have to listen to any of them about joining the pack,” Lance continues. He takes a deep breath, his electric blue eyes boring into mine. “What I’m saying is you have a choice.”
I shake my head, sidestepping him. The cold night air hits me in the face. I’m getting so overwhelmed. I just need to talk to someone that knows me. Everyone is great here, save Grace, but I want to just talk to Julia or my sister. No one has been answering my messages. I can’t even get through to Julia.
“Thanks,” I finally say. He is being so patient with me. There is still so much I don’t know about him. I want to ask him things, but he seems like he’s distant from me, like he doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.
Maybe I’m just too insecure about where I stand with him.
“Do you want me to?” I ask, turning around, searching for something in his usual stoic face.
His eyebrows knit. “Want you to . . .?”
“Join,” I finish. This is such a stupid question.
Lance looks at me with confusion on his face.
“Do you want me to join your pack?”
“Of course, I want you to join,” he replied matter-of-factly. “If you have any questions on initiation, don’t hesitate to ask me.”
“Will I have to fight someone?” I ask automatically. I’ll get my butt kicked. Let’s all be real here. Maybe I can try to do something, but in my old pack, they don’t let the female wolves train with the male wolves. Instead, we just have to do stuff like cardio.
Lance shakes his head. “No.”
***
I’m in Hope’s room with Bo, and we’re trying to get Hope to crawl towards him.
“Jingle your keys,” I instruct.
Bo takes out his keys as he hums the tune of Jingle Bells.
“I don’t know.” Bo picks up Hope and cuddles her. “Nothing makes him tick. I’ve never seen him angry. Lance and Cole are some of the most intense beings I’ve met in my life. It’s just how they are and why they work together so well. Their tempers are almost nonexistent.”
Hope is doing some baby talk, and Bo is saying something that sounds like “Agu ba”. We try to rock her to sleep after feeding her some nasty, slimy baby food, and she falls asleep soundly.
Bo and I walk out of her room like we’re burglars.
Bo turns to me. “Let me show you your pack.”
He leads me outside the huge driveway, and we go downhill. There’s a road that goes left, and I see a clear view of a creek that has a bridge over it. There are so many houses and some buildings that look like dorms—all resident areas for werewolves. I don’t even know how many acres of land this is. Like a hundred?
“The houses are where the families live, and these,” Bo gestures at the dorms on the opposite side, “are where wolves who find their mate or just want to get out, live. It’s actually legit. Wanna go into one?”
“Sure.” I smile but my heart aches a little for the college experience I will never get.
I didn’t get into Harvard or anything, but I got into the local community college and want to study there at least. They have a four-year program that will give me my Bachelor’s. It’s so funny how college is such a sore subject for my parents, who didn’t want me to go, and now there is no absolutely no choice for me anymore. Some werewolves allow their children to go. I mean, why not? Education is so important. I have always hated the idea of being dependent on my husband or mate. Even though, realistically, a mate will never leave his destined other, I want to bring something to the table.
Being a future luna worsens everything.
A few frat-boy-looking wolves are hanging in front of one of the dorm buildings. “Yo, Beta Bo! Wanna grab some drinks later tonight?”
“I’m good,” Bo says, opening the door. The frat-boy wolves—how is that even a thing—eye me wearily.
“Who’s this?” a new guy steps in front of me. He is about an inch taller than my 5’6 frame, with brown eyes and blond hair and a beard. He’s wearing a Vineyard shirt and khaki shorts with sandals, topping it off with a baseball cap.
Can I say “go away”?
“I’m Ava,” I say to the guy.
“Your luna,” Bo adds.
The frat-boy wolves’ eyes widen, and they back away.
“Bro, we didn’t know Alpha Lance found someone. That’s cool, bro,” the same one that stepped in front of me says to Bo, then he bows at me.
“Don’t need to bow,” I say awkwardly.
“It’s all cool, Luna. If you want anything, we’re the bros for you,” he says and bows again. “Nice seeing you.”
They scamper off somewhere, and Bo rol
ls his eyes.
“That was . . . ” Bo gives me a look and I laugh.
“I mean, to each their own. As long as they’re not douches.”
Bo gives me another look.
“Shoot. They are?”
“They’re the types who don’t want a mate, so they can just have fun.” Bo shrugs, opening the door.
We go in and the first thing I see is the lobby. There are really nice grey leather couches scattered around the huge room, with a flat screen TV on the wall. There’s a pool table and a ping-pong table at the corners.
“What the heck? How come Lance has to be boring and we don’t get a ping-pong table?” I exclaim, walking to the table, and getting one of the paddles. I suck like no other at ping-pong, but it is so much fun.
“We need to start making a petition because that’s what I’ve been saying!” Bo raises his hand to give me a high five, and I slap it in agreement.
“We totally should. We’ll name the petition something like, ‘Make The Pack House Great Again’,” I declare.
“Maybe the slogan for that ain’t the best,” Bo wrinkles his nose, “because the pack house was never great to begin with.”
We start cackling and I see a few other wolves enter the lobby. They either sit on the couches and read a book or eat lunch.
“Let’s go into one of their rooms,” Bo says. “Meg lives here, so we can go to her room.”
We walk in a room that’s not too big or too small, just perfect for one person. Meg’s room is literal goals. Her bed is to the side, with a tapestry of the ocean next to it, and she has tons of pictures hanging on the other three sides. She also has bookshelves that are filled with different types of books.
Meg walks out of what I’m guessing is the bathroom. “Oh, look what the cat dragged in,” Meg greets us. “What brings you in this part of town?”
“Just showing Ava around,” Bo says and I don’t mind the nickname.
“This is such a cool room. I really want to decorate mine this nicely,” I say.
Meg’s face brightens. “I can totally help you,” Meg says, “especially since you don’t even have a budget limit.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not spending a ridiculous amount of money on Lance’s credit card.”
“But you can.” Bo gives me a sly grin.
“You totally can, and you can get away with it,” Meg adds. “This is going to be so much fun!”
“How is Lance so rich anyways?” I ask, curious. “Like what does he do?” Why are all alphas unfairly rich?
“He sells crack,” Bo deadpans.
Meg rolls her eyes. “He’s really good at investing in land. People buy it from him. He basically like owns the city. Plus, he owns a really big known restaurant. Where do you think Cook spends the rest of his time?”
My eyes go wide. “A restaurant?! That’s only in my dreams! Except I want to own a bakery, plus be like a businesswoman or something. Let’s go!”
“Why would we go when we literally have the restaurant here?” Meg asks.
“But I want to see how it is!” I counter. “Oh my gosh. That’s so exciting.”
“It’s not that great,” Bo chuckles, “especially since Cook makes any pup who misbehaves wash the dishes, and that just kills it for me.”
Meg rolls her eyes. “Just because Bo is always slacking.”
“I do the bare minimum.”
We all laugh but I know we’re all still thinking about what we talked about earlier this morning.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I hate taking pills.
I don’t know how people can be addicted to taking pills because it takes all of my will power to swallow one down. It’s just the weirdest feeling ever.
I’m sitting on a stool, staring at the iron pill I need to take while Cook is cooking.
I don’t want to take it. Maybe I can just—
“You know, I have orders from the doc and Alpha Lance to make sure you eat your spinach and take your iron pill.” Cook gives me a look when he sees I have the solid iron pill on a napkin in front of me.
“Oh,” I make a face, “right. That.”
“How have your headaches been?” Cook asks, taking out a tray from the oven.
I think those are breadsticks. I lick my lips, and Cook hands me one. It’s still really hot, but I don’t care and take a big bite of the buttery, garlicky goodness.
“Mmmmm,” I moan.
Cook gives a gruff laugh as he takes a chocolate chip cookie from the cookie jar.
“I have a proposition for you,” I say after I finish up the delicious breadstick.
“What is it, girly?” Cook asks, turning towards me with his apron that says “World’s Best Cook“ and his neon pink oven mitts.
He looks hilarious.
“I need to eat healthier,” I say. “The cookie jar is the best invention ever, but can you cut it?”
Cook frowns at me. “So how about I make oatmeal raisin cookies?”
“I’d rather die than eat that.”
Cook sighs dramatically. “You’re such a picky eater. You don’t like spinach, oatmeal raisin—”
“Um, no one likes oatmeal raisin cookies. People buy it probably because they think it is chocolate chip.”
“Fine but I can make healthy desserts,” Cook suggests. “You can have a cheat day.”
I nod, liking this idea.
“Meredith, you’re not even fat. I keep telling Grace she doesn’t need to starve herself, and I hate when people do. We need to eat. Eat so you can have the proper nutrition and energy. Plus, we’re werewolves so we need more energy than the average human.”
“I guess you’re right,” I say, patting my stomach. “I need to lose a little though.”
That four-pack isn’t going to make itself.
“Well, I’m sure your mate thinks otherwise.” Cook gives me a knowing smile.
I narrow my eyes. “So, if I was the size of an elephant, I’d still be as desirable?”
Not that there would be anything wrong with that. I mean chubby people are still people.
“I think even if you never showed your face, you would be desirable to your mate,” Cook says.
“Hmph, doubtful, but I’ll take your word for it.”
I start to get out of my stool, but Cook clears his throat really loudly.
“Your pill.”
“Do I have to?” I sound like a whiny pup.
Cook places a large glass of water in front of me.
“Yes, you have to,” Cook answers.
I take the glass of water in one hand and take the small pill in the other. I close my eyes and quickly place the chalky-like substance in my mouth. I swallow the pill as I drink a substantial amount of water.
“Luna, you are so dramatic.” Cook laughs heartily.
“That was the worst.”
“Maybe if you eat the proper amount of spinach, you wouldn’t have to.”
“I’m sure there are other food that have iron in them, not just spinach,” I say.
“I made sure to include a lot of seafood and beans in your lunches and dinners.” Cook nods. “Now that you are done wasting my time, you can go train with the rest of the pack.”
“How long can they train? I’m not fit for this life,” I say.
“Hurry along now. I have a feast to prepare.” Cook ushers me out of the kitchen, and I walk out in the back where the training grounds are.
This is what I am avoiding. Earlier this morning, Lance asked me if I took the iron pill. When I said no, he told me to go back in the house and do it.
I think I spent like forty minutes in there, chatting with Cook, wasting time.
“Ah, there she is!” Bo hollers, all sweaty as he’s in front of a dummy-punching-bag-looking thing. “I thought you were just going to ditch.”
“I wish,” I say. Then I frown. “I should have.”
“You told me you wanted to learn how to defend yourself. Tell me you have improved,” Bo says.
�
�Okay, I did improve, Sensei Bo, but not as much as kicking someone’s butt for good,” I say.
“Yeah, right now you can’t do anyone damage.” Bo chuckles and I shoot him a glare. “Sorry, Luna, just saying the truth.”
We hear laughter and I turn in that direction. Grace, Lance, and Cole are all there. Grace is the one who laughed. I mean, come on, I know Lance and Cole are not funny in the least. They don’t even smile.
Then again, with Cole? Why would he smile? His life sucks, but here he is, working with Lance and doing his best.
“Are you even going to start doing something?” Bo teases.
I smack him in the arm and start stretching.
***
After an intense amount of training, and lots of sweating, I take an hour-long shower, then proceed to feed Hope.
She is such a cute baby. Sure, she cries a lot, but her cuteness kind of makes up for it. Her favorite thing to do is pull Bo’s hair. Her least favorite thing to do is to eat anything with vegetables. She likes to suck on bananas though.
Healthwise, Raquel has been helping out with Hope a lot.
Hope always loves to see me and loves to hit Bo. That’s my girl.
I watch her as she crawls around and plays with this saxophone thing that makes some decent noise.
“Who even picks out her toys?” I ask Bo in complete disapproval. I see Cole look a little uncomfortable. “I know I told you to take me baby shopping!”
“I just got whatever the lady told me to get,” Cole confesses.
“They all make noise,” Bo notes, “but Hope likes it, don’t you, Hope?”
Hope hits Bo with her saxophone stick, giggling as she does so. Bo fakes his pain, which makes her giggle even more. I try to hide a laugh, but it comes out as a snort.
Suddenly, Bo and Cole stiffen.
“What is it?” I ask, picking up Hope and putting her in the crib.
Bo’s voice becomes really serious. “Alpha Derek and his mate, Melissa, are outside right now and they brought . . . like an army.”
“What?!” I exclaim.
“I told Raquel to come here—” Bo gets cut off when Raquel enters the room.
Cole goes out of the room, with Bo right in front of him.