by Angela Horn
“Looking for something particular?” Finn asked, even though he didn’t eat cereal and wouldn’t know where the brand she was looking for was at.
“There are so many.”
“America’s great that way.”
The blonde smiled at him and Finn felt his skin flush. She was too beautiful and she was staring at him like no one else existed. It was a cool trick since most hot women acted like every guy was replaceable. This one made Finn feel what he suspected Declan always felt – extremely important.
“I don’t know which one to get.”
“I can’t really help you with that. What kind of cereal do you usually eat?”
The blonde considered this question then shrugged. “I had English muffins, but I ate them all. I asked the lady in the front where the breakfast stuff was and she said this aisle. I guess I have to get cereal now.”
Finn smiled, thinking she was kidding. When he realized she wasn’t, a sudden and very intense urge to protect her rushed over him.
“You can eat whatever you want.”
“Yes, but they don’t have English muffins and I don’t know what else to eat for breakfast.”
“They must have English muffins,” Finn said, studying her cart and finding two apples, a bottle of water, and a bag of chips. “It’s a grocery store. We just have to find where they stashed them.”
The blonde smiled and he again wanted to fix things for her. It was a bizarre emotion to have with a human female. Finn found an employee who directed them to the correct aisle. When the blonde saw the English muffins, her lovely face lit up.
“I’m Finn,” he said as she began filling her cart with English muffin packages.
“I’m Gigi.”
“You don’t have to buy them all now.”
Gigi stopped and frowned. “But what if they don’t have them later?”
“They’ll always have them. It’s a grocery store. It’s their job to have the same stuff, so you can keep coming back and buying what you like.”
“Oh,” Gigi said, returning four packages to the shelves, but keeping six in her cart.
“I’d put those in the refrigerator to keep them from going bad,” Finn said instantly worried she would think he was being condescending.
“But then they’ll be cold.”
“You put them in the toaster to make them warm.”
“But they’re not toast.”
Finn suddenly realized there was something wrong with Gigi. He thought maybe she was a recent foreign transplant overwhelmed with the choices in America. She had a hint of an accent, but now he realized maybe she was a bit slow.
“Don’t worry about that,” Finn said, taking another container from her cart and setting it back on the shelf. “A toaster works for a few things and these muffins are one of them.”
Smiling, Gigi nodded. “I’ve never been shopping before. I’m not sure what to buy.”
“Don’t you have someone to help you?”
“Ella couldn’t come because she had to go to a birthday party and I didn’t want to ask Sara because she’s just starting to like me.”
“Ella? The redheaded Were from The Moon Rises?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know Ella?”
“I work at The Moon Rises and she showed me how to use my ATM. She also helped me get Michael to look for Katia.”
Stepping back, Finn wondered if maybe Gigi wasn’t as dumb as she seemed. If she worked at the club, she couldn’t be a total nitwit, only because it was too dangerous a place for Silas to let a dumb hot chick roam.
“I remember Katia,” he said. “She’s missing?”
“No one cares, but now Michael is going to find out the truth.”
Finn nodded. “That explains why he was so cranky last night.”
“He seemed cranky when I talked to him too.”
Finn grinned. “Yeah, well, a lot of that is for show. He’s actually very lazy, so he plays like he’s cranky to keep people from asking too much from him. You got him to agree to help though and now he’s obsessed. Good work.”
“Thank you.”
No, not nearly as dumb he thought. Finn wondered if his brother had seen Gigi yet. If Declan saw her, he would want her. Declan liked quiet girls, but he didn’t date waitresses at the club. Finn didn’t have that stupid rule though.
“Do you have plans for dinner?” Finn asked then remembered he was going to Declan’s party at the club. Yeah, competing with his brother never went well. “Not tonight, but are you free another evening?”
Gigi stared at him with her rich brown eyes and he felt needy under her gaze. He suddenly wasn’t a grown male, but a teenage boy who really wanted the pretty girl to like him.
“I don’t work Monday night. Silas says it’s a dud night.”
“Monday night would be perfect,” Finn said, quickly realizing he hadn’t actually asked her out yet, so she hadn’t actually agreed to anything. “Would you like to have dinner with me on Monday?”
Gigi smiled instantly and he felt good and bad at the same moment. Good at how he could make her smile and bad at how she possessed so much power over him.
Once she agreed, Finn got her phone number and address. She lived four blocks from him and two blocks from Anton. This last tidbit wasn’t good news, even if Anton also had a rule about not dating waitresses at the club. Still Anton was an Alpha and he was a good looking guy who women felt safe around. As if Finn didn’t have enough to worry about with Declan as competition, now he had to worry about Anton too.
Finn remained with Gigi while they checked out. Then he grudgingly said goodbye, watching her walk down the street with her two grocery bags, one filled with just English muffins. If he didn’t have his brother’s lunch to get to, Finn would have followed Gigi home like a lost puppy looking for attention.
Instead he slipped into his truck and drove towards his mother’s house. Ainsley still lived in the house she shared with Seamus back when Finn and Declan were boys. Their father died the way many Weres in the Circle did in some territorial dispute. Seamus was a solider - not far up on the food chain - and his death made no difference one way or another to the pack. Ainsley never forgot how little her husband mattered and she refused to let her sons grow up to be soldiers when they could be leaders instead.
A decade earlier, during a wild time as packs changed hands from one short lived Alpha to another, Declan and his best friend Anton seized control of two packs and became opponents in the pack wars. An unsteady peace now existed. Yet Weres in each pack viewed Roger’s slice of the Circle up for grabs and pressure was mounting for someone to take it.
The constant fighting and political posturing kept Finn from joining the pack like his brother. Instead he owned an auto shop- located in Declan’s territory and hoped to live a quiet life, separate from his family’s power struggles. This decision angered Ainsley, but most days Declan seemed happy to have his little brother out of the crossfire.
Declan was sitting on the porch of the small Craftsman-style house which lay near the outer perimeter of the Circle and on the cusp of the suburbs. While Ainsley allowed Declan spend lavishly on her home, updating it as a way to pamper the mother who raised them on her own for so many years, she refused to move into a nicer house in a better neighborhood. This was the house she shared with Seamus and this was the house she planned to die in. No arguing the matter or any other matter since Ainsley was a bulldog who never lost an argument. In fact she was still arguing with Seamus over one thing or another.
“Happy birthday,” Finn said, strolling to the porch.
Declan grinned and stood up, his massive build shadowing Finn. Whereas Declan was thick with muscles and menace like their father had been, Finn’s build was leaner like Ainsley’s.
“Get a haircut, hippy,” Declan said, taking the card his brother handed him. “Oh, sweet, I’ll put it next to my bed.”
Laughing, Finn glanced into the house. “Am I late?”
“Not parti
cularly.”
“I brought wine.”
“Why do you even try?” Declan teased and opened the door for Finn.
The aroma of their mother’s Irish stew filled the house and Finn couldn’t help smiling. He might fear his mother, but he loved her cooking. Declan also loved good cooking and especially stew. Gigi had mentioned while waiting in line how she was a chef and Finn hoped this wasn’t common knowledge.
“My boy,” Ainsley said, tugging Finn down for a kiss. “You need a haircut.”
“I know.”
Declan grinned and checked on the stew.
“Keep your mitts off the food until it’s done, Dec.”
Rolling his eyes, Declan backed away from the food. “Finn brought wine.”
“Oh?” Ainsley said, taking the bottle and giving the wine her patented stink eye. “Did you bring your brother something for his birthday?”
“He got me a pretty card.”
Finn laughed. “He knows where his gift is when he’s ready to get off his ass and pick it up.”
Ainsley set the bottle of wine on the counter then pushed Declan away from the stew he was again lingering near.
“A good gift would be joining his pack.”
Glancing at Finn, Declan kissed their mother’s forehead.
“He said no. Begging won’t help.”
“I’m not begging. I’m nagging, Dec,” Ainsley said, turning her gray eyes to her youngest son. “You know a war is coming. Anton is playing with witches. Roger is off finding reinforcements. You should help your brother.”
“Help him how? I don’t know how to fight.”
Ainsley shook her head. “You two fought every day of your lives. I’m sure you learned some moves from Dec while he was kicking your ass.”
Finn laughed. “I don’t want to go to war. I help the pack by making good money and giving them a sizable chunk.”
“What do you need money for anyway?” Ainsley said as she eyed Declan who was again hovering near the pot of stew. “You have no wife. Not even a girlfriend. When you marry and have a child, your brother will take less of your profits. Until then, you should give him even more. It might make you hurry along and find a suitable mate.”
“Suitable? You mean someone you like.”
“A mother knows, Finn.”
“Why can’t Declan get married and give you grandchildren?”
“He is the Alpha, stupid boy. Alphas shouldn’t marry and they should never have children. You will give me grandchildren who will grow up to run the pack when Declan gets old.”
“Yah for me,” Declan said quietly.
Sitting in a chair, Finn sighed. “When I meet someone suitable, I will marry her and give you grandchildren and Declan heirs to the throne.”
“You should marry Ella.”
Declan snorted. “She’d eat him alive.”
“Good. Finn needs a strong wife to push him harder. He’s too lazy.”
“I’m sitting right here.”
“You’re always sitting right there, but you never listen to me.”
“I can’t date Ella. She feels like a member of the family. It’d be like marrying my sister.”
Ainsley rolled her eyes and tossed back her thick blonde hair. “Who will she marry?”
“Who are you trying to marry off, her or me?”
Declan grinned. “Anton likes her. We could convince her to seduce him and I could steal his territory while he’s away on his honeymoon.”
Finn laughed as Ainsley grinned knowingly. “Anton is weak. He wants to marry and have children. You would be wise to let him have Ella.”
“Sure, I’ll just gift wrap Ella and drop her off at Anton’s place.”
“You laugh all you want, but he has witches aligned with him. Witches bring plagues to their enemies. You would do best to have a plan to deal with them. Roger being gone means he knows the war is coming. You should know it too.”
Finn eyed Declan who sighed in the quiet way he did whenever the stress was building inside him. Being Alpha had its perks, but there were definite downsides - such as giving up having a family and becoming enemies with his best friend.
Or just having to spend his birthday listening to his beloved mother comment on a war that could lead to the deaths of those who looked to him for leadership and that best friend he could no longer trust.
Chapter Eight
Sara was actually the nicest person Gigi had met so far with the exception of maybe Finn. Sara taught her to drive which turned out Gigi actually knew how to do. She then showed her how to buy a cell phone and how to shop for clothes. The two women walked through the mall, carrying a bag of new clothes for Gigi and a phone she wasn’t sure what do to with, but was happy to have. Everyone had a cell phone apparently.
They were soon ordering lunch which was good practice for when Gigi went to dinner the next day with Finn. After sitting down at a table in the food court, she smiled at Sara who smiled back.
“I met someone at the grocery store,” Gigi said.
Sara’s smile faded. “A guy?”
“His name is Finn and he helped me find English muffins. We’re having dinner tomorrow.”
“Tall, blond, gray eyed Finn? Declan’s brother, Finn?”
“Oh, I don’t know whose brother he is, but yes that’s what he looks like. He’s very handsome and he was nice to me. I like him,” she said, sensing Sara wasn’t happy.
“You like everyone, Gigi.”
“No. I don’t like the witches who were mean to me and I’m not sure I like Dahlia. Simon said she’s territorial.”
“Simon lies.”
“About what?”
“About everything. He’s a Vamp. Lying means nothing to him. He kills humans after all.”
Gigi felt a stab of fear to realize she had enjoyed Simon’s company. “He’s a killer?”
“He claims he’s never killed anyone and swears everyone he bites gives him the green light. He tends to say what he thinks you want to hear though. Maybe the people he’s changed are always willing, but maybe he lies to them to make them willing? Dahlia doesn’t seem very happy being a Vamp.”
“Don’t trust Simon then, but what about Finn?”
“I don’t really know him. He doesn’t come to the club much, but he’s Declan’s little brother. Declan wants you and I’m surprised he would let his brother date you. Maybe he doesn’t know yet.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Declan is an Alpha. They take what they want. They get first dibs on stuff and females are included under stuff. Weres are sexist pigs. I think they have more testosterone than human males which makes them more aggressive. They show off a lot for each other and women are tools they use to mess with each other.”
“I’m still confused. Is Finn bad?”
“I don’t know, but he’s a Were.”
“Anton is a Were.”
“So? Has he made a move on you?”
“A move?”
“Flirted or asked you out? I thought he and Declan didn’t date the waitresses at the club. Has Anton made a move?”
“No.”
“Then why mention him?” Sara asked with a slight smile.
Gigi sighed, feeling embarrassed like she did when she fell on the witch floor. “He’s very handsome.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Declan’s handsome too. They’re all handsome. It’s very confusing.”
“Declan and Anton shouldn’t make a move because of their policy. Neither of them can have mates either, but I don’t know why you’d want to be a mate for a Were anyway. Your kids wouldn’t be human and you’d be married to someone who’d probably have a few chicks on the side. Alphas don’t live long either. Weres are supposed to live a really long time, but in the Circle most Weres never make it past sixty. Most die in their twenties and thirties because of the constant turf wars.”
Gigi felt like Sara was speaking in another language, but she understood enough to grasp how Anton and Declan we
re off limits. Maybe Finn too.
“Should I not go on my date then?”
“I don’t know. He might be nice, but I worry about you. You’re like an infant and these guys don’t see that. Or maybe they look at you and see a sexy chick they can take advantage of. I just don’t know, but I don’t want you to hide away, I guess.”
Sara said nothing and her big blue eyes were almost angry as she sighed.
“I think it should be fine. The Alphas dig you and you work for Silas. I don’t think Finn would take advantage of you. Just be careful though and never forget what he is. He looks like you and me, but he’s a beast. He’s an animal inside, but it’s easy to forget when you look at his handsome face.”
“I don’t want to go now,” Gigi said, feeling a weird emotion in her stomach.
“Look I’ve dated Weres. Not on purpose, but you can’t really know unless they tell you what they are. Like Finn, did he tell you he was a Were?”
Gigi shook her head.
“Of course not. He could smell you were human, so he kept his origin a secret, figuring in bed all the parts are the same.”
“What parts?”
Sara sighed. “I’m not giving you the sex talk today. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I feel like you should at least have the emotional capability of a sixteen year old before you have sex. Just go on your date and say goodnight to him at your door. Don’t invite him in and it should be fine.”
“Okay,” Gigi said, feeling heavy in her chest. “I thought I knew who to like, but now I’m really confused. I feel stupid for trusting them all.”
“Don’t feel bad. I fell for shit when I first moved here too. Like with Simon. He’s gorgeous and charming and I bought into all the lies. I wasn’t innocent like you are when I came here. I was just charmed by the males. They’re good looking and powerful and it’s normal to want them especially when they focus a lot of attention on you. You shouldn’t feel stupid for liking how they like you. Just be careful.”
Nodding, Gigi ate her food. Sara watched her then tapped her hand.
“Don’t be sad.”
“It’s hard not knowing anything.”
“You know stuff. Just not as much as you should. You seem to remember the stuff you learn though. You just need to learn fast, so you can catch up to the rest of us.”