by Sara Snow
"So, you're the redhead I've been hearing about."
I looked over my shoulder to find a man with similar red hair to mine grinning down at me. His hair was curly and covering his ears and forehead. He wasn’t as bulky as the other men I’d seen around. However, he was smiling at me, and that was a pleasant surprise.
“That’s me,” I replied, and he walked closer to sit next to me on the log I had claimed for my seat.
He stuck his hand out to me. “The name’s Randoll. I'm the beta for this pack." I shook his hand while looking at him skeptically and he chuckled. "Don't worry, I don't bite. It's nice you're getting out of the house."
“Is it?” I asked as I turned my attention back to Xavier, who was now fighting with someone else, a girl with a blonde bob.
“It is.” Randoll replied. “Would you rather people make up their own stories of you or you show them who you really are? So far, you’re just the human at the alpha’s house. Well, now we know you’re not just a human.” He made a sound and I glanced over at him to see his freckle-covered nose scrunched up. “Then again, that has only caused more whispers about you.”
This guy was a talker, but that was good. He looked like he’d be happy to tell me anything.
“Is that so? Like what?”
He shrugged. "That you're a witch. That you were created by a witch. Just a lot of witch rumors, honestly."
“I met a witch, Willow. She seemed nice, but I’m starting to get the idea werewolves and witches aren’t friends.”
He drummed his hands against his thighs and nodded. “Have you heard about the Salem witch trials? Werewolves helped humans with that massacre. Of course, that was years ago. But hatred and grudges like that are passed down through generations, you know.”
"I see." I watched Xavier step away from the group to check on the other wolves who were exercising and I smiled as he showed one guy the right way to do push-ups. Everyone’s eyes were glued to him and I could understand why. He was obviously skilled and his movements were fluid.
“So, is it true you’re mated to Axel as well? I wasn’t there yesterday to see the fight, but news travels fast around here. These morons don’t know what it means to capture something as epic as that on video.”
I looked over at him and found him already staring at me intently. "Yes," I said as I narrowed my eyes, and to my surprise he started grinning. "Why are you laughing?"
“That’s insane. That’s never happened before! Not even to a wolf, and now two wolves have a human mate. The same mate! So, tell me, what was your reaction when you found out about us, that werewolves are real?”
“I was freaked out, yes, but I was also curious to know more, you know? There is a world around humans that we can’t see, even though it’s right before our eyes.”
"So, you didn't get the urge to hunt us with silver knives or anything like that?”
I couldn’t help smiling at his face-splitting grin. What was with this guy?
“No, of course not. Why would I do that? You’re not monsters to be hunted.” His grin flattened for a moment and I looked down at my hands. “You’re people, just like me. You all belong on this earth, just like me. Why discriminate against you all just because you’re stronger and faster. That’s just jealousy.”
“Something humans have in abundance.”
I laughed. I liked this guy. He was like the male version of Natalie, although he seemed a little more animated. “Yeah, I know.”
I looked up and found a few wolves looking our way, but Xavier’s back was turned as he spoke to another wolf. I had forgotten that they could all hear me clearly, and surely now they could hear by my heartbeat that I was panicking because of their sudden attention.
Randoll placed his hand over mine and my head whipped his way. “You’re not what I expected, Ruby.” I smiled at him gratefully.
In the distance, a loud growl could be heard. Randoll rolled his eyes and didn’t even look. I started looking around frantically only to find Xavier staring daggers at Randoll. His shoulders were moving up and down with his heavy breathing and a few wolves stepped away from him.
What’s his problem?
“So,” I drawled as I tore my eyes away from Xavier. “This Council I keep hearing about, what’s up with that?”
"Hmm. Humans have a government and wolves have a Council. There are three Council members, so the world is split into three. One governs all of Asia and so on. You get the gist."
I removed the flower that was behind my ear and let it fall to the ground. “Yeah, so fat old men who think they’re the shit.”
Randoll almost rolled off the log as he busted out laughing. The collar of his shirt shifted to the side and I squinted my eyes at a faint scar there. Are those teeth marks?
“I really like you, Ruby.”
We both looked toward the wolves who were training as a loud crash echoed through the forest. Thick silence followed Xavier dropping two dumbbells and my eyes widened at seeing they were broken. The wolves around him all looked between him, Randoll, and me.
Seriously, what’s his deal?
“That’s my cue,” Randoll mumbled beside me, and he got up the moment Xavier started heading our way.
“Wait, where are you going?” I yelled to him, but he only waved goodbye over his shoulder.
“I like my life ma’am. I’ll see you around, he’s all yours.”
When I looked around Xavier was already standing in front of me, his eyes narrowed and his bare chest rising and falling rapidly. He was upset, I could tell, but I wasn’t sure why. Was he mad that I was talking to Randoll? I scoffed inwardly. He couldn’t be.
Sure, he's my mate, but we aren’t together. My eyes slid to the side with that thought and it suddenly hit me that actually we were. We might not have verbally committed to each other, but if I'm his mate we're in a relationship, right?
What about Axel?
He threw his shirt over his shoulder, but before he could sit beside me I reached up and grabbed his wrist. He looked at my hand around his wrist as if it was burning his flesh, his eyes growing dark, and I quickly released him.
“Um, can we talk?” I peeped behind him at the wolves who had all gone back to training, “In private?”
He held his hand out to me, and without hesitation I slid my hand into his. "Come."
He pulled me up and I regretfully let go of him. He looked down at me for a moment, his breathing much slower, but I couldn’t meet his eyes. I couldn’t handle his naked chest, slicked with sweat, being in my face. The corner of his mouth twitched as if he knew what I was thinking and then he turned away.
Weirdo.
We walked into the trees, but I kept silent by his side until we came upon a rocky cliff. I stopped walking when we got close to the edge, but he walked a few more steps before realizing I had stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’d rather not get too close to the edge.”
He returned to my side. “I thought you feared nothing,” he said as he laid his shirt on the ground and pointed at it. “Sit.”
I sat down and crossed my legs lotus style and he sat down beside me, long legs stretched out as he leaned back on his hands.
“What made you think that?
He dropped his head back and closed his eyes. “You slapped a werewolf. I’d think only a person without fear would do that.”
I jabbed a finger into his side, and he yelped and covered the spot with a hand. “Be quiet.” He smiled and his eyes cracked open. “So, are you okay?” I asked.
He closed his eyes once more. “I am.”
"Yeah, I don't think the dumbbells you just killed would agree." He didn't say anything or even move, and I turned my body to face him. "Come on Xavier, you're my mate." His eyes cracked open. "You can't be okay with knowing that I also apparently belong to someone else."
He sat up then and I was struck once more by his beauty. He reached out and tugged on the bun in my hair and watched as my hair tumbled down a
nd over my shoulders. My body grew tense, my heartbeat hammering in my ears, as he inhaled deeply, and I knew he was inhaling my scent.
“You’re mine Ruby, no one else’s. Remember that.”
Now if any other guy had said that to me, I would have punched him in the face. That sounded too much like I was an object to be owned. And while I felt the urge to tell Xavier he was dead wrong about that, I also liked the sound of it.
“I don’t care that you’re human. The goddess made you my mate and she doesn’t make mistakes. I trust my goddess, but I do have to wonder what the hell she’s thinking making you Axel’s mate as well.” He finger combed his damp hair backward.
“So, there is someone I can blame for this mess then? What goddess are you talking about?”
He smiled as he looked up at the sky, his eyes following the darkening clouds. “You’ll learn about her soon enough. I used to come here every day at sunset and stay until the moon came up. The moon from this spot always looks like it’s in reach.” He grew serious and his jaws clenched tightly. “I won't let anything happen to you, Ruby. I hope you know that. That's why I've been thinking about taking you to an old Enchanted. She’s like Natalie, although way more powerful."
I liked the sound of that. “When can we go?”
“Soon, and hopefully she’ll be able to tell us how a human is mated to two wolves. I’ll need to let her know we’re coming because if the Council finds out about you they’ll try to kill you. I have a bad feeling Ruby, especially about Axel, and my feelings are never wrong.”
“Natalie told me his pack hates humans.”
He said nothing, but he didn’t have to. I could see it on his face. I pulled my knees up to my chest and watched as the grass and flowers around us swayed in the light wind. “Yeah. I’m sorry about all of this,” I said.
He cupped my cheek and turned my head toward him. I stopped breathing as his thumb began to move over my cheek. A feeling of belonging blossomed inside me and my eyes fluttered closed as I relaxed into his touch. His thumb glided over my lips and my eyes opened to see him leaning forward, his voice so husky the hairs on my arms stood on end. “Don’t be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
He kissed me gently, his lips barely touching mine, but the electricity that surged through my body could power a small city. He had kissed me chastely, but I could feel his emotions in that simple touch.
“I want to see you in your wolf form.” I whispered against his lips, and he pulled away but kept his hand on my cheek. “I want to see the real you.”
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead as thunder rumbled in the distance. “You will, but not today. It’s going to start raining soon.” He stood up and held his hand out to me. “We need to head back.”
“So are you going to carry me on your back or what?”
◆◆◆
My fingers glided along the railing of the staircase as I made my way downstairs. Amid the chaos that is my life, I've found a reason to smile.
I wasn’t entirely sure what was between Xavier and me, but after the day I had with him I was eager to find out. I was petrified of Axel and the Council and the future in general, but in the here and now I had a reason to be happy.
For the first time in a long time I wasn't being swept away by sadness or thoughts of dying, but from the memory of Xavier's lips on mine. Where my appetite had been off for a while, it had decided to return at 1 a.m.
I finished my sandwich, did the dishes, and was having a glass of water when a girl walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the island. I recognized her as the girl who had accompanied Xavier the day at the diner.
Why is she wearing a full face of makeup at 1 a.m.?
“You’re not his mate.”
I inhaled and placed my glass into the sink. I knew sooner or later someone would no longer hide behind their stares and whispers and speak up. “Oh really?”
“Yes, really. You’re a weak human, that’s all you are. You’re not special and you’re not Xavier’s mate. You will never be luna.”
I smiled and I rested my elbows on the island. “What’s your name again? Anna, right? Tell me something Anna. What did you think was going to happen? You do realize if I’m not Xavier’s mate it still won’t be you? Right?”
I walked away and she hopped off the stool to block my way out of the kitchen. Her eyes changed to black as she took a step closer to me, mere inches between us.
“I don’t trust you, bitch.” She growled. “I’ll be right here when Xavier rejects you.”
Who did this bitch think she was talking to? I might be human, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of scaring me. She might be a werewolf, but I’ve met her kind before.
“It’s funny how you’re not getting it through your thick skull that no matter what you will never be luna. I’m not going to fight you for something that I don’t even want. Unlike you, I hold no delusions. If I don’t become luna, it’s not the end of my world. But whether I do or not, it’ll be the end of yours. I might not know what being a luna really means, but I can tell you're not it. You're being a bitch about a title and a man who will never be yours, honey. Have some self-respect.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder and stepped to the side so we were shoulder to shoulder. “Put your fangs away before you hurt yourself.”
I walked away and didn’t spare a glance backward as I made my way to my room, my bare feet absorbing the cold from the tile. Girls like her exist in all species, I was certain of it. I refrained from stomping my way up the stairs, pissed that she had ruined my good vibes. When I got to the landing of the second floor and glanced out the window, I spotted a man outside.
I looked more carefully and my eyes widened as he removed his shirt and I realized it was Xavier. I arched a brow as he bent his head from side to side and then rolled his shoulders.
“What the hell are you doing?”
I looked down at my bare feet and then back through the window as he vanished into the dark forest.
“Damn it.”
I ran back downstairs and headed outside, the cold air instantly nipping at my exposed legs. I didn’t have the time to run to the third floor to get shoes or I’d lose sight of him completely.
The damp cold grass felt nasty between my toes, but I kept walking slowly through the trees, my eyes squinting, nothing but the moon’s light keeping me from tripping and falling onto my face.
This was a bad idea. Xavier can navigate the darkness and he's more likely to be the predator out here than the prey. I was the prey.
What sounded like a large branch breaking startled me and a twig grabbed at my arm as I spun around. I hissed and held my hand up to see a small scratch when I heard another branch break.
Xavier is out here, so if anything jumps out of the bushes at me, I'll scream and he'll save me.
I sank my teeth into my lip as I went in the direction of the snapping branches and soon I could hear groaning. My heartbeat sped up, wondering if it was Xavier and he could be hurt or wounded. I started walking faster, swatting at the bushes and branches that seemed to be reaching out to me, when suddenly something stumbled into my path.
I jumped back, a scream on my lips, but I swallowed it as I realized it was Xavier. Or at least I thought it was. The werewolf before me was bigger than the ones I had seen, eight feet tall maybe. I stepped back and the creature's head tilted to the side.
I froze, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Seeing those werewolves through a window at a distance was nothing compared to what I was seeing now. The creature tilted its head to the other side and my breath hitched.
“Xavier?” He made a sound like a snort and my need to piss myself vanished. “Gods, you scared me!”
He took a step closer and this time I didn’t step back. He made another sound and raised his head to sniff the air before looking down at me once more.
"I saw you from inside the house. I just wanted to see what you were up to."
He suddenly
fell onto all fours and I jumped, a small yelp leaving my lips. He walked forward until I could feel his hot breath on me. Even on all fours he still towered over me. I took my time admiring him. His fur was light brown with white running from under his chin to his chest.
His tail began to swish behind him and I moved to the side, my eyes darting from his obsidian ones to his tail. I circled him until I reached his other side and I held my breath as I reached a hand out.
His tail smacked my thigh and he snorted through his nose as he quickly moved away.
Is he playing with me right now?
“Be nice or you won’t get to kiss me ever again,” I said. He growled and I pointed a finger at him. “Don’t growl at me.”
He shook his head and began sniffing as he came closer once more. I lifted my hand and he pressed his forehead to it. I closed my eyes as he pushed forward, like a dog begging to be petted, and I shoved my hand into his fur. It was soft and smooth. My body stiffened as he pressed his snout to my chest and inhaled.
"Hey!" I said as sternly as I could muster, but I didn't mind. If anything, I liked it.
I was standing under the half-moon with a werewolf, with my mate, and any onlooker would yell at me to run for my life. But I’ve never felt safer, barefoot in the woods and all.
He circled me and laid on the ground, his eyes on me almost expectantly. I barely hesitated before sitting beside him and nestling myself into his side. His body was radiating so much heat I soon began to feel drowsy. I must have fallen asleep for a minute because I was jolted awake to find Xavier shifting back into human form.
First his shoulder snapped, and then his neck. I blinked rapidly, my eyes wide, until he was fully human again. He smiled and combed my hair back from my face. I was trying hard not to look at his naked torso.
I started to blush and his smile widened into a devilish one.
“Stay here with me for a while. I’ll be right back. My clothes are in those bushes.” He leaned forward and rubbed his nose against my shoulder and I swear my body started to melt. “I’ll keep you warm.”