Insider (Outsider Series)

by Micalea Smeltzer

  His grin was contagious and I found myself smiling back. “My bag is still in your car.”

  “Well, let’s get it,” he smiled. “It would be a shame for you to cart all that home.”

  “Most definitely,” I played along.

  His Jeep was parked outside of the garage. He unlocked it and it chirped happily. I opened the door and grabbed my bag.

  Caeden took my hands and pressed his face against my hair. “I love you,” he said, just outside the door.

  I stopped and looked up into his cerulean eyes. “I love you too, more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone.”

  He grinned and opened the door. We were about halfway up the twisted staircase when his mom saw us.

  “Is Sophie staying the night?” she asked, noticing my bag. She stood at the bottom of the stairs with some papers in her hand.

  Caeden blushed and stammered. Composing himself he said, “Sophie’s going to leave some of her things here and I’m going to keep some things at her house.”

  “Oh,” Amy nodded and her eyes glittered, “I see.” She smiled and presumably went back to her office.

  “That was awkward,” I said.

  “I think it was worse for me than you,” he rubbed his face.

  I laughed. “I think you may be right. Your face is the reddest I’ve ever seen it.” At my words it got even redder. I giggled.

  “Stop laughing at me,” he pushed open the door to his bedroom.

  The warm blue gray color instantly calmed me. I sat down on his bed and placed my bag beside me. I fingered the soft quilt that was varying shades of blue and gray.

  Caeden proceeded to open the various drawers of his dresser. “This one should work,” he muttered to himself as he dumped the contents of the top drawer, out on the floor. Once the drawer was empty he turned to me, “All yours.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Thanks but you didn’t need to make such a huge mess,” I nodded to the basketball shorts and socks littering the white shag carpet.

  He sighed and looked at the mess on the floor with his hands on his hips. “Oh well,” he said. He grabbed a few articles of clothing and started towards his bathroom. “I’m going to shower. Make yourself at home.”

  I nodded and proceeded to unzip my bag. A strong scent of wood and stain wafted from his dresser and nearly overwhelmed me. Not everything was a perk of being a shifter.

  Holding my breath I folded my clothes and neatly organized them in the top drawer. My stuff didn’t take up much room so I picked up his socks and shorts and placed them beside my clothes. I was surprised by the amount of satisfaction I felt at seeing our stuff side by side. A smile spread across my face. I was so lucky to have Caeden. Most people never had a love like ours and here I had found it in high school. I looked towards the closed bathroom door and blushed. I could say with conviction that my future husband was behind that door.

  Blushing I plopped on his bed. I hadn’t even graduated high school; so I should definitely not be thinking about calling Caeden my husband or feel such pleasure from the thought.

  I am so screwed, I thought, and threw my arm over my eyes.

  * * *

  I must have dozed off because the sound of Caeden opening the bathroom door startled me.

  He wore a pair of navy gym shorts and a plain white shirt. He rubbed his shaggy hair with a towel, sending water droplets cascading through the room.

  “Were you sleeping?” he asked when he noticed me rubbing my eyes.

  I stifled a yawn. “I must have dozed off.”

  He plopped on the bed beside me. “If you want to take a nap, go ahead.”

  He wrapped his warm arms around me and snuggled close.

  “I shouldn’t,” I shook my head. I eyed the guitars scattered around his room. “I really wish you’d play for me again.”

  He blushed. “Are you sure?”

  “I love it when you play.”

  “I’m not that good,” he said bashfully.

  I poked his arm. “That mister is a big fat lie.”

  “What do you want me to play?” he asked as he reached over and picked up a red guitar.

  “Anything you want to play.” I folded my hands and tucked them under my cheek.

  He grabbed up a guitar pick from his nightstand and began to strum. I quickly recognized the song as Meet Me on the Equinox by Death Cab for Cutie. He began to sing the lyrics softly under his breath. I soaked in the words and music, felt the vibrations under my skin, and smiled up at him. “I wish you’d sing and play for me more often. You’re so talented.”

  “I don’t know about that,” he finished the song and leaned the guitar against the wall.

  “Really?” I quirked a brow. “When you played at Griff’s those girls were ready to throw themselves at you.”

  He laughed. “Okay, maybe I’m not that bad.”

  “Ya think?” I smiled.

  “Take a nap,” he whispered into my hair. His breath tickled my skin and I shivered. “You’ll have to be up early in the morning for your duty. Get some extra sleep while you have the chance.”

  “Don’t leave me,” I gripped his shirt in my hand, wrinkling the fabric. “Stay and take a nap too.”

  “I’m certainly not going to deny that request,” he pulled me even closer. My leg entwined with his and my head rested on his chest. My hand fingered the bumps and ridges of his exquisite body through the thin cotton of his shirt. “Sophie,” he said and his voice was husky, “if you keep that up I’ll never go to sleep.”

  I giggled and stopped tracing his chest. I took a deep breath and pine, wood, cinnamon, and citrus filled my lungs. It was such a unique scent, so purely masculine, and completely Caeden.

  “Sleep, my little she-wolf,” he murmured as he rubbed my neck.

  “Don’t call me that,” I mumbled as I fell asleep in the arms of my beloved.

  eight.

  I parked my Honda Pilot in the Williams’ driveway. It was still dark out, the sun not having risen, and I was scheduled for my first turn on guard duty. I was thankful that Caeden had insisted on my taking a nap yesterday. I didn’t feel nearly as sleepy as I normally would. I locked my car and went in search of Bryce.

  I didn’t find him outside, and I couldn’t smell him, so I headed for the front door.

  I was just about to knock on the door when it swung open. Bryce stuck his head out and grinned. “Want some breakfast? Mom made omelets,” he held up a plate.

  “Don’t we need to-” I pointed to the woods, “you know go?”

  Bryce grinned. “They can wait a few more minutes. Besides, I’m not doing guard duty on an empty stomach. I’m not eating a squirrel for breakfast, blech-” he made a face as he led me to kitchen. “I did that once and I can assure you, it will never, ever, happen again.”

  “Ew,” I crinkled my nose.

  Bryce handed me a plate and I sat down beside him at the kitchen island. “Where’s your mom?” I asked looking around.

  “I think she went back to bed,” he shrugged.

  “I’ll have to thank her for breakfast later then,” I said.

  Bryce swallowed a big bite of egg and said, “She’s used to feeding all of us. This-” he motioned to our two plates, “is a piece of cake compared to what she normally has to cook up.”

  I shrugged. “I’d still like to thank her, this certainly wasn’t necessary.”

  “Pish posh,” Bryce faked a nasally British accent, making me giggle. “It was completely necessary. Too bad she forgot the tea and crumpets.” He took a swig of his orange juice and purposefully stuck out his pinkie. I laughed a bit harder.

  “I don’t think British people actually sound like that,” I mocked him around my laughter.

  “Oh puh-lease girlfriend,” he said, switching to snarky popular girl. He continued with his funny voices while we finished eating. I ended up laughing so hard that I had tears running down my face. I stood to clean the dishes when he grabbed my wrist. “Leave those for the
scullery maid, dear, we can’t have you pruning your sweet little fingers,” he switched back to British.

  “Bryce,” I said, “I can’t leave these for your mom.”

  “Oh fine,” he said in his normal voice. “I’ll help.”

  Amy walked in just as we finished cleaning the dishes. She yawned and poured her customary black coffee.

  “Did you get Bryce to wash dishes?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” I said. “I didn’t want them to be left for you.”

  “I don’t think I can remember him ever doing dishes,” she smiled at her youngest son.

  “And thank you for breakfast Amy,” I said.

  “I didn’t make breakfast,” her brow furrowed.

  I turned to Bryce, “But-”

  He blushed and looked away sheepishly.

  A smile spread across Amy’s face. “Bryce Elliot did you make breakfast for yourself and Sophie?”

  “Maybe,” he said softly and with more volume, “You’ll never get me to tell!” He edged out of the kitchen towards the front door.

  “I guess that’s my cue to leave,” I said to Amy.

  I followed Bryce into the woods before we headed separate ways to shift.

  I shook my shaggy coat before stretching out my senses. I located Bryce a short way from where I was and took off in his direction.

  When I found him my laughter came out in a sharp bark.

  Bryce was running around chasing a yellow butterfly and trying to catch it with his teeth.

  Bryce! I scolded. Is this what you guys do when you’re on duty?

  He stopped and looked at me. His blue eyes appeared almost navy. When I’m with Logan we typically give each other manicures and pedicures.

  I should have brought my nail polish. I joked.

  Actually, he said, still chasing the butterfly, everyone’s pretty boring. Logan sulks, Caeden bosses me around, and Bentley just moons over Chris. You should be fun.

  Don’t you do patrols in your human form too? I asked.

  Yeah, he growled at the butterfly when it landed on his nose. He shook his head and sneezed, sending the butterfly back into the air. Caeden doesn’t really like to do that but it gives Christian and Charlotte a bit of practice.

  He began to head north so I followed him.

  How come Caeden never let me do that? I’m surprised he’s letting me do this now.

  Caeden’s just overprotective. He’s always been that way but he’s been worse since dad died. He thinks it’s his job to protect and save everybody. It’s not that he thinks you’re incapable; he just doesn’t want to see you hurt and after what happened with Travis- He gave the equivalent of a shrug. We better hurry. We’re already late so I’m sure we’ll hear hell from Caeden.

  He took off at a sprint and I ran after him. I had to hold back so that I didn’t pass him. He skidded to a stop, kicking up leaves.

  It’s about time, snapped Caeden as he stalked towards us.

  Bryce rolled his eyes. Told ya he’d be a grumpy pants.

  I’ll show you a grumpy pants, Caeden growled menacingly. His teeth flashed in the rising sun.

  We’re here now, Bryce said. Go home and take a nap.

  I will, he rumbled.

  Bentley’s dark form joined Caeden’s.

  Caeden turned his attention to me and he instantly changed. He sauntered over and began to nuzzle my neck. I love you, be safe, and don’t let Bryce do anything stupid. From the tone of his words I knew the others couldn’t hear him.

  I love you too. Take a nap. You look tired.

  I’ll try. Bentley’s dad and Charlotte’s mom will relieve you. It’s hard to get the older wolves to do duty. They have other responsibilities. But until Chris and Charlotte shift it’s too tight for us to take turns. We’ll be exhausted.

  You already look exhausted.

  It’s necessary, he said. Travis is unpredictable.

  I know. Go home.

  His pink tongue shot out and liked the side of my face. Later babe! He called as he ran away.

  Bentley looked between me and Bryce. Be careful, he said before running after Caeden.

  So, Bryce said. What did Mr. Perfect say to you?

  If I had been in my human form a blush would’ve stained my cheeks. I decided to give Bryce the edited version. He said to be careful and that Jeremy and Savannah would be relieving us. Bryce snorted. He also said to make sure that you don’t do anything stupid.

  Moi? Do something stupid? Never! His laughter filled my head.

  Alright, Bryce how do we do this?

  We walk around… And smell things.

  That’s it?

  Pretty much. If you come across anything suspicious just call for me. If it’s really bad howl and the others will come.

  Okay, I said.

  I’ll head this way. He nodded to the left. And you go that way. He nodded to the right. You can run if you want, just remember to smell. We’ll come across each other eventually and then we’ll widen the circle.

  Before I could ask anything else he was running. I shook my head and took off in the other direction.

  I inhaled the scents of nature, looking for anything that screamed wrong. I didn’t pick up anything suspicious and I quickly met up with Bryce and we stretched the circle. I easily began to notice the path they had created.

  Hours went by and nothing odd came up. I was relieved by that fact but bored. Very, very, bored and my legs were getting tired.

  Jeremy, Bentley’s dad, and Savannah, Charlotte’s mom, showed up in the afternoon. I was exhausted. Bryce and I said our hellos and our goodbyes to them before taking off.

  I found my clothes and switched to my human form. My muscles were aching. I was desperate for a nap and very hot, very long, bath. I wasn’t sure which I wanted first.

  I pulled my clothes on and headed towards the house and to my car. Caeden was leaning against it and when he saw me emerge from the woods he enveloped me in a hug.

  “Ow,” I said and pulled away.

  “That bad?” he asked.

  “I hurt everywhere,” I yawned. “I used muscles I never knew existed before. I’m going to go home and take a nap.” I pointed to the car.

  He kissed the top of my head, deciding it was a safe zone, and said, “Stay here. You can sleep in my bed. You have clothes here. Remember?”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to invade in your personal space,” I said, struggling to keep my eyes open.

  “Of course I don’t mind; you could never invade my personal space.” A thought seemed to strike him and a worried expression clouded his face. “Do I invade your space?”

  “No, no, of course not,” I said. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  He let out a sigh of relief. “Okey dokey then, my bed it is,” his mouth grazed my ear and I shivered from the contact.

  He took my hand in his and led me into the house and up to his bedroom.

  “Can I have a bath first?” I asked.

  “Sure,” he said. He opened his bathroom door and then seemed to recall that he only had a shower. “Mom won’t mind if you use her bathtub. The thing is the size of a small swimming pool.”

  “Let me grab something to change into,” I ruffled through what was now my drawer. I grabbed a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top that would be comfortable to sleep in. “I’m ready,” I said.

  “Mom’s room is this way,” he said and led me to a side of the upstairs I’d never seen before. “Mom wanted our rooms away from hers because of my music and Bryce’s games. Apparently we’re too loud,” he rolled his blue eyes as if them being too loud was an impossibility.

  He opened a door and ushered me inside.

  The walls were painted a pale but warm brown. The furniture was a rich dark wood with mostly antique pieces, only a few contemporary items. The bed covers were a golden honey color and so fluffy that it tempted me to take a dive for the bed.

  Caeden opened the bathroom door and ushered me inside. Like the bedroom, the bathroom
, was brown and gold.

  Caeden started a tub of hot water and he hadn’t been exaggerating. It was huge! There was a cluster of different bubble baths. Caeden picked one up, unscrewed the cap, and sniffed.

  “Ugh! Oh! Ew!” he said and thrust the bubbles away from him. The soapy residue lingered on the edge of his nose and I giggled. He picked up another and hesitantly sniffed it. “Oh, that’s better,” he added a cap full of bubbles to the steaming water. The scent of vanilla permeated the air.