A snorting sound rang from the wolf, but swiftly turned into human laughter. “Serves you right, little sister.” He lent me a hand up and I immediately went to work on brushing the snow off my legs and backside. “You did refer to my wolf as Lassie.”
“Yeah, well.” I pulled my hood back over my head. The bitter air felt colder now that I was coated in snow. “You shouldn’t do that head tilting thing. It makes you seem more dog-ish.”
“Dog-ish?” He quirked his brow at the term.
“You know what I mean.” I looked at him for a second. He eyes shone with happiness from our jesting. There was no sign of his earlier frustration. “Are we okay?”
“We’re fine, C.” He stepped to my side and threw his arm around my shoulders. “Your relationship with my brother is just that. Your relationship. It isn’t my business. Although, I am glad to see that you two seem to have worked some issues out.”
I said nothing until we made it to the side of the running Silverado. “I am sorry. I haven’t been acting very friendly – to anyone.”
“No you haven’t.” I pushed him playfully and he laughed. “It isn’t necessary for you to apologize to me, but I forgive you.”
“Thanks.” Then I remembered something he said before. “Did you call me ‘little sister?’”
“Yep.”
“I’m not little, Dane.” I scoffed at him as I opened the truck door.
“You’re pretty small.” He smiled that signature Dane smile that could make any girl melt before he turned from me. “I like the nickname. Get used to it.”
I shook my head at him and watched as he shifted midair and ran for the trees. I had felt good before, but I found that my feelings improved even more knowing that Dane and I were in a good place. I still had to talk to the others, but somehow I knew that those conversations would be easy now.
10
CHLOE
It’s been a week since my emotional break down. I have successfully sealed all of my doubts and worries into a locked box in the back of my subconscious. They are not gone – though I wished like hell they could be – but I’ve felt more like myself. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it felt good to let go of some of my angst. I have been more present in my own life and that of my friends as well. Before, I was just going through the motions of day to day life. Now I found myself looking forward to tomorrow.
My wolf still plays his guardian role every night. Instead of feeling frustrated at his constant presence, now I felt comforted. A sense of ease flowed through me whenever my shoulder would tingle at his closeness. We hadn’t spent anymore alone time together since the car ride a week ago but I was okay with that. Deep down I was still nervous but I was trying to put it behind us.
I didn’t shut him out anymore. He never pushed. He let me set the pace of our bond. But I could always feel him. All I ever had to do was open up my senses and he would flood my mind. It was an intense sensation, how he gave emotion so freely. There was no question with Falcon Tonalee. No grey area or half-assed allowance of feeling. He hid nothing – a completely open book – and I hoped that I could become the same for him. I wasn’t there yet but I hoped I would gain that level of confidence soon. He deserved nothing less than all of me and I wanted to give it without restriction. I wanted to give all that I was and all that I would be.
When I had first found out about being a Potential – what it could mean for my future – it seemed romantic. The idea of a true soulmate made my fourteen-year-old heart swoon. Of course, that was before Cyrus made his intentions known. We had been surrounded by shifters for a little over four years by then but they had kept their distance for the most part. They weren’t violent with us and let us go about our daily tasks but there was no question that we weren’t allowed to leave. We had no interaction with anyone else, no technology, no anything that could connect us with the outside world. Although we were definitely prisoners to them, it could have been worse. It did get worse. Things changed quickly after we learned of our heritage.
Mom told us everything she knew when Aribelle turned fifteen. The gene was passed down through my father’s family tree and unfortunately my mother didn’t have much knowledge. She knew the basics but we all had questions. Questions that could have possibly been answered had my father or uncle still been alive. That hadn’t been the case for a long time though.
We didn’t have any proof but both Ari and I know it was Cyrus and James that took our family away from us. He took my daddy away from me when I was ten years old. He never got to see me become a teenager. Never got to scare the daylight out of my first date or teach me how to drive. He won’t be there when I graduate high school. He won’t ever meet Falcon or the rest of the pack. According to my mother, he was fascinated with the shifter community and would have really enjoyed meeting the guys. It was the first thing she talked about when Ari and I dragged her out to see the wolves run. I knew it hurt to talk about him but I was always happy when she did. He was the best and I never want to forget a moment of the time I did have with him.
Loud music broke out into the silence of the living room. I had been lost in my own thoughts for a while now and had to give myself a mental shake. The sound was my phone. It rang from its place on the coffee table in front of me. Leaning forward, I retrieved my phone and saw my mom’s picture filling the screen. I quickly swiped the green icon to accept the call.
“I was just thinking about you. How was the drive?” My mom had some sort of work meeting out of town this weekend and had to drive to Scranton. It was about a three-hour drive into Pennsylvania and a quick look at the clock above the doorway told me that she should already be there.
“Ugh…I just got into my room.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “That drive was too long. Thankfully the accommodations are fairly good. This bed is like heaven right now.”
I couldn’t help but giggle. The tone she used was so divaesque. “Oh, I couldn’t imagine the hardship you are currently facing. What with the complimentary hotel room and food vouchers…what a pain in the ass this business venture is turning out to be.”
“Don’t you dare make fun of me, Chloe Janelle.” Her words were laced with as much fake attitude as she could throw into them but I could still hear the smile in her voice. “I can be dramatic if I want to.”
“It’s your party…”
“Hush your mouth, young lady!” By now she was laughing right along with me. She didn’t do it enough. What with the constant stress caused by Aribelle and my situation? I couldn’t remember the last time we had broken out into a giggle-fest together and that was a shame. Carla Weever needed some more lightheartedness in her life and now that I wasn’t moping around like a fool I would see to it that she relaxed more. The need was solidified even more when she quickly reverted back to ‘worried mom’ mode. “You’re sure that you girls will be okay alone this weekend? I don’t like leaving you.”
“Yeah mom, we will be fine. Mazie is staying all weekend and you know that the boys will stay close.” Ari and I had to physically push her into the car earlier. She was so reluctant to leave. “Connell and Falcon keep a constant eye on us and everything around us. We are safer than we have ever been. You don’t have to fret over it, I promise.”
“I know you’re right.” The line became silent for a few moments before I hear her clearing her throat. “We haven’t talked about this – and I feel like a bad mother for not bringing it up before I left – but you and Aribelle are being safe, right?”
It took me a second to understand what it was she was trying to ask me. She felt bad about not asking if we were being safe? It started to slowly sink in and I felt my face flush scarlet. “Oh my god, Mom!”
“I know,” she hollered back at me. At least she sounded as grossed out as I felt. “I don’t want to bring this stuff up either but it’s kind of my job.”
Ari chose that moment to enter the living room. She must have heard my outburst because she raised a questioning eyebrow at my red face. I couldn�
��t hold back my groan of embarrassment. My mother did not just ask me about sex. Over the phone, no less. Someone please remove my eardrums…la la la.
“Mom,” I kept eye contact with Ari. It’s only fitting that she shared in my discomfort. “Ari and I are being as safe as humanly possible when it comes to the subject. Neither one of us is ready for that step.”
Aribelle’s jaw dropped open when she finally realized what my conversation was about. She was shaking her head in disbelief while my mother sighed happily. “Oh, thank goodness!”
“Can we not talk about this ever again, please? I promise you have no need to worry.” I was so ready to end this phone call my fingers were itching to hit the ‘end’ button.
“Yes,” She said in a rush. “Yes…definitely yes.”
“I think I’m going to let you go Mom, Mazie will be here soon.”
“Alright, honey.” She sounded just as relieved to end the call. “You girls have fun. I love you and tell Aribelle the same.”
“Love you, too.” I ended the call, dropped the phone back on the coffee table, and collapsed back into the couch. I am so glad that’s over.
“Did Aunt Carla truly just hit you with ‘The Talk?’” She was as creeped out as I was.
“Kind of.”
“Yikes.”
“Yep,” I gave myself a little shake – to try and erase the lingering heebie-jeebies that I had over talking about sex with my mother – before standing from my seat. “What are we doing tonight?”
“Oh, I figured we could do all the cliché sleepover activities we have never been able to indulge ourselves in. Manicures, pedicures, facials, junk food. And maybe – if you are up for it after that particular phone call – we will talk about boys.” She smiled wide as I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know, girly stuff.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. She was right after all. We hadn’t ever been able to do these things before and I found that I was truly excited for tonight. It felt amazing to look forward to things again. It had been a long while since I allowed myself to have some fun.
11
CHLOE
I had been volunteered for popcorn duty while Mazie finished her paint job on Ari’s toenails. I glanced down to admire my shimmery blue toes as I made my way into the kitchen. We had already checked facials off the agenda and next up on Aribelle’s little list of sleepover activities was to watch some corny teen movie from the nineties. We had all seen it before and I had a feeling it would be nothing more than background noise while she grilled me for details about a certain wolf.
Falcon had checked in with me a little while ago. He and Connell had headed out to patrol the surrounding area. The man was a machine. He would guard the house every night – making sure that we were truly safe – and worked at the shop during the day. I had no idea when he ever found time to sleep. I worried about him not getting the rest he needed but he never appeared to be tired or rundown. I, on the other hand, could look like death after ten hours of sleep. So unfair.
“Fhéachann tú i gcónaí álainn, mo mhuinín. You always look beautiful.” The gravelly sound of his voice penetrated my mind and caused me to shiver. Every time he used the bond to communicate it felt as if my body melted into a puddle. My brain would take a hike and I was rendered speechless. He knew his effect on me too. That’s why he almost always spoke into my mind, even when we were physically around each other.
“Out of my head, wolf.” I admonished him once I regained some sense. Something that was hard to keep hold of when he chuckled at my words. “Aren’t you supposed to be sniffing something?”
His laugh quickly transformed into a playful growl that I couldn’t help but smile at. I would have never believed that Falcon could sound playful. He had always seemed so severe but that was only one layer to him. I was beginning to learn that there were many.
“I thought I would let you know that you are about to have company crashing your girls’ night.” Of course they are. Why wouldn’t they be? Oh, maybe because we specifically told them that their presence would not be allowed.
Almost immediately, my shoulder started to tingle and I groaned. “Thanks for the heads up.”
He pulled from my mind but not before I felt his amusement. I grabbed the popcorn that I had made and headed into the living room. Aribelle met my gaze. She was doing her best to hide her smirk. I know she could feel them like I did but I had the feeling that she was aware of their pending arrival long before now. I narrowed my eyes in her direction just as a knock sounded from the front door. Mazie’s head whipped in that direction but my stare never faltered. Ari just smiled widely in return. The little brat did know.
“Please tell me that we didn’t miss the pillow fight.” Conner’s voice was muffled by the closed door but I easily heard its impish tone. Shaking my head at his nonsense, I made my way to the front door. Opening it revealed the three gorgeous boys. Their size filled the front porch. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a good view.
“I’m sorry, Slick. You just missed it.” I crossed my arms and gave him my best sympathetic look.
“Damn it!” He turned to Dane and Colt – who both rolled their eyes – and threw his hands into the air. “I told you guys that we should have been here sooner. Didn’t I tell you? I knew we would miss the good stuff!”
“Yeah, you told us.” Dane shook his head at Conner – who started laughing at his own shenanigans - before smiling my way. “How’s my little sister?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the new nickname he had taken up calling me this week. I was glad that we were back on good terms again. I had missed him when I had retreated into myself there for a while. He had quickly become my best friend and I had strained that relationship.
“I’m doing fine.” I tilted my head and raised a brow at the three wolves before me. “What are you guys doing here? You all know that this party is of the ‘no boys allowed’ variety.”
“Awe, come on Chloe.” Conner’s mischievous grin caught my attention. He was definitely a menace to hearts everywhere. I don’t know how Mazie can handle all of his attention without crumbling. “We brought goodies.”
He held up a bag full of salty snacks. I also spied some chocolatey goodness in the bag as well. Damn them for using chocolate as a weapon! I turned my attention from the boys toward the living room doorway. Both Aribelle and Mazie stood with their arms crossed. They looked toward me expectantly. I didn’t know whether that meant I should allow the guys entry or send them packing. Out of sight from the intruders, I mouthed that they brought chocolate. Aribelle’s shoulders started to shake with silent laughter.
I knew she wouldn’t mind if they stayed but I wasn’t so sure about Mazie. She had been pretty absent lately and even I had noticed the distance she was trying to keep from a certain shaggy haired Adonis. Her arms dropped to her sides and her head fell back in defeat. She waved for me to let them in before turning back toward the couch. A smile spread wide across my face as I met Ari’s amused glance. No one could resist the power of a candy bar.
Ari laughed out loud when she entered the living room. The sound of her getting smacked on the shoulder echoed into the entryway, followed by Mazie’s small voice telling her to “shut up.” I spun toward the three wolves. All of whom were attempting their best to look innocent. Talk about literally getting the puppy dog eyes.
“Fine, come on in.” I halted them with a raised hand. “But only for an hour and you will be on your best behavior.”
The last part was aimed solely at Conner. He tried to give me another angelic look that he would never be able to truly pull off. The boy was no angel. He was trouble with a capital T.
We had put the boys to work. Having them bring down two mattresses to place on the floor in the living room. Ari thought it would be much more comfortable than curling up on the thin carpeting and I had to agree. They followed our directions as us girls sat on the couch devouring our chocolatey treats. What was meant to be an easy task quickly escalated into an
impromptu wrestling match between Dane and Conner. They had the rest of us laughing at their antics. Throwing out fake insults and tossing each other around. Even Mazie, who had seemed to tense at their arrival, had been smiling.
I kicked them out shortly after that. I had collapsed onto the couch – my designated sleep space for the evening – as Aribelle fumbled with the television and dvd player. My attention was trained on our dark haired friend. Mazie had slumped onto one of the beds as soon as the wolves were out the door. It was as if she deflated with the click of the lock. She sat unmoving and stared off into space, seemingly lost in thought.
“How you holding up, Maze?” She startled at the sound of her name being called and focused her eyes in my direction. They shone with sadness and tiredness.
“I’m miserable,” her sigh was long and drawn out before she rubbed a hand down her face. “His unreasonable amount of cuteness isn’t helping either.”
“Why are you still denying the poor wolf?” Anyone could see the connection between Conner and Mazie. You would have to be blind. That wolf was like a dog with a bone. Ha ha…see what I did there?
“That boy is smitten with you and according to Connell, he has been whiney as hell since you stopped talking to him.” Aribelle had forgone the movie and sat on her own bed. Both of us regarded our sad friend.
She ran her fingers through her long brown hair and pulled it up into a messy ponytail. Once that was done, she started to pull at imaginary threads on her long sleeved sleep tee. She was stalling. About what? I was unsure. I was about to ask when she finally started to speak.
“The more time I spend with him the harder I fall.” She paused and scrunched her face up in thought. As if she were trying the find the right words. “Conner O’Reilly is everything I could ever see myself wanting. More really. Even my parents love him after only meeting him a couple of times.”
Intended (The Potential Series Book 2) Page 6