《White Wolf鈥檚 Curse》


 Chapter 1

    CASSANDRA


    It was just supposed to be a vacation. We were supposed to be there for a couple of weeks and then go back home, the home that we have lived in our whole lives. Only our parents lied to us. Myst year of high school and I have to move to a new school. Sure I met a couple of people over the summer but it was only two weeks, like six weeks ago. Most probably forgot about me. Plus it was like hey hi, how are you? Nothing that screamed, let¡¯s hang out. Because I wasn¡¯t sticking around.


    So, here is how it was broken to me. I came back from hanging out with my friends at the skate park and my parents both had grave looks on their faces. ¡°We are having a family meeting.¡± My father in his stern voice told me. He is one of those gruff people, growling a lot. If it wasn¡¯t for mom I would think he had no positive emotions at all.


    I guess I was thest to arrive because my two brothers and my sister were already in the living room. I sat next to my sister, because that is how it usually goes, boys on one side and girls on the other. We all looked up at our parents like we knew the atom bomb just went off and we were all doomed. This is the end for us all.


    Mom rubbed her arms while hugging herself. That¡¯s not a good sign. ¡°Well, it¡¯s best just to dive in. You guys know the restaurant hasn¡¯t been doing so welltely.¡± We all nodded. Business had slowed down. Which is why we were all surprised that they took off two weeks in the middle of the summer to take us to the middle of nowhere to visit an uncle we didn¡¯t even know we had. On a ranch that we have never been to before. ¡°Well, it¡¯s going under. We can¡¯t afford to keep it running. We have decided that we are going to move and try again.¡± She looks on the verge of tears. What the hell could have been so bad? Didn¡¯t they see iting, make changes?


    I am not sure but I think I just had a stroke. We are moving. My brothers and my sister didn¡¯t look much better. They were younger than me but not by much. Still we have lived here our whole lives. ¡°Wait, where are we moving too?¡± I held up my hand to stop all progress of this conversation.


    My dad took over. ¡°We are moving in with your uncle.¡±


    We all started, dumbstruck. ¡°You have got to be kidding me.¡± We all said at once. We were city people and now he wants us to move away. Basically the ranch is in the middle of nowhere. On the outskirts of a small no name town. Ok, it has a name but to the rest of the world it isn¡¯t.


    ¡°I am not kidding.¡± My father continued. ¡°That ranch is there for the family. My brother has just been running it. He is getting married soon and wants to start his own home. He¡¯ll be around for a while to help us get settled in. So it is the perfect ce to move. The mortgage is already paid off so we wouldn¡¯t have that expense. We found a partner for the restaurant and we can run the ranch for more revenue.¡±


    My brother Cb grunted. ¡°Yeah, because we totally know how to do that. Do you not know who we are?¡± He is the second oldest a year after me.


    My mom weeped a little. ¡°We know this is going to be hard, but we have talked about it and this is what is best for the family. There are things you don¡¯t understand, we are doing what we know is right.¡±


    Dad pulled his arm around mom. ¡°We didn¡¯t want to do this. If there was another way we would have found it, unfortunately there isn¡¯t. The restaurant has already been closed down. All that is left is to pack everything up.¡±


    The twins, the younger two of us, looked at each other. They do this, silent conversations. Finally my brother talked. ¡°Dad, no offense, but you guys could have told us sooner. This sucks. We might have even tried to make friends or something out there. But you didn¡¯t tell us what¡¯s up. Now we have to start a new school in the country being the uppity city kids. I don¡¯t know if you know how high school works but it isn¡¯t all cupcakes and rainbows.¡±


    My sister finished for him. ¡°Really it blows, kids are mean and cruel. Here they understand Bret and me, they aren¡¯t going to understand us there.¡± She looked about ready to break down. It was always an issue for them. They have some anxiety. So they hold hands a lot. People thought it was some incest thing. Finally after I threatened to kick some asses people backed off.


    I put my arm around Brittney. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll be there. No one is going to say shit about you.¡±


    My dad red at me. ¡°Watch your mouth youngdy.¡±


    I red right back. ¡°Really, after your bomb you want me to watch mynguage? You must be out of your mind. We all have a lot to deal with right now. It isn¡¯t just about you. This affects the whole family and you should have told us. Do you know what this does to them, or have you been so busy that you don¡¯t even care?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I could see my dad¡¯s temper rising, his face was turning redder as I spoke. ¡°How dare you speak to me like that, Cassandra Ray. I am your father and deserve some respect.¡± My mom puts her hand on his arm to try to calm him down. I noticed that she does this a lot when he is pissed.


    ¡°Then earn it.¡± I stood and all of my siblings followed after me.


    I am not usually a bitch, I understand that it was hard to run a restaurant in the city and keep it afloat with four kids. But they were never around. I don¡¯t even know if they know of the twin¡¯s condition. Even now as they all follow me to my room they are holding hands. It¡¯s how they cope with stress. People don¡¯t understand, I hate it. Not them for doing it, I am past that. I hate that they feel so much that they can¡¯t cope without each other. Cb scoops up his cat, little demon, on the way to the bedroom. That¡¯s his security nket. A cranky old ck and white cat that I want to throw out the window.


    When we enter my room Cb shuts the door behind us. ¡°What are we going to do? We don¡¯t know shit about living in the country. We learned a little from Uncle Jared this summer, but not enough. Mom and dad are going to be busy. You know that that means the ranch will fall on us.¡±


    ¡°Fuck the ranch.¡± I mutter. Cb looks at me like ¡°cut the crap¡±. He knows I would never do that. I care too much about taking care of shit. ¡°We are just going to have to learn.¡± I sigh, leaning back on my bed.


    Brittney and Bret are sitting together on the floor. ¡°I wonder how the sses are going to be.¡± Bret says. He is the most spoken of the two of them. Usually Brittney looks to him for answers.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Probably small. So less people to start shit. That¡¯s a plus.¡± I smiled at them.


    Brittney looks at the ground. ¡°Yeah, less friends to have too.¡±


    I scoff yfully. ¡°Who needs friends? We have each other.¡± I smile at Brittney who lights up a little more.


    ¡°Does that mean you aren¡¯t going to leave after you graduate?¡± She looks at me hopefully.


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave you guys in the middle of nowhere now can I?¡± I give her aforting smile. She leaps off the ground and leaps on me on the bed. I really can¡¯t. It just isn¡¯t in me to leave these guys like that.


    ¡°Thank you Cassy.¡±


    I groan. ¡°You know I hate being touched. And don¡¯t call me Cassy.¡±


    My brothers have to join in and then they all start tickling me. ¡°Cassy.¡± They all chant. Iugh.


    ¡°Alright. I give.¡± I cried after a few minutes.


    They all sit back and we are now all on my bed. Cb sighs. ¡°I guess we are going to need to pack.¡±


    We are all somber again. Because as much as we want to pretend that this isn¡¯t a crap move, it is.


    We had one month to move. We had to pack up our whole lives in one month.


    By the way, the cat was not happy. It did not like being in a cage all the way to the new home in the middle of the country. Dad and his brilliant ideas, suggested we leave it behind with a new family. Let¡¯s ignore the fact that the cat is really old. But this was Cb¡¯s cat. This was how he coped. Another thing our parents didn¡¯t know. So I went to bat and pulled for the cat toe with us. Even though to be honest I hate the damn thing. It¡¯s always jumping out at me and wing my feet. I call it little demon. It¡¯s name is really Shadow, but I don¡¯t care, it is a little demon


    Now we are at this ranch in the middle of nowhere with crap inte. Shotty cell reception. So good luck talking with some of our old friends. School is supposed to start tomorrow and we don¡¯t know anyone. Anyone that we would have met would not remember us because it was in passing and to them we were just on vacation. Hey that¡¯s what we thought too folks. Our parents should have told us that we were moving here. We could have made some connections before school started. This feels like hell.

 Chapter 2

    TREYTON


    I hate living in the middle of nowhere. I was born here and I still hate it. We spent the summer with my cousins in New York and I can¡¯t say I loved it, but at least it was more interesting than here. Nothing cool ever happens here. It¡¯s a ghost town most of the time. I am the most popr guy here and I don¡¯t do shit. So that is saying a lot for the entertainment in this town. Ok, I y a lot of sports but really does that mean anything.


    So I was surprised when I was sitting in the first period, senior English and a new student was introduced. She looks different from every other girl here. She has her long dark hair in a braid down her back. She is wearing worn jeans and a band shirt that I don¡¯t recognize. Her ears have far more piercings than anyone around here. There is even one in her nose. I may be wrong but I think that is even a tattoo on her wrist.


    Normally this wouldn¡¯t be a big deal since it is the first day of school but since no one ever moves here, it is. Some of the chicks in ss start to hackle her in low voices, but she just rolls her eyes. I missed what her name was but she has got my attention now. Her seat is about three behind me, but that doesn¡¯t mean that I can¡¯t find a way to talk to her at some point. I keep looking behind me trying to catch a peek at what she is doing and I can¡¯t be sure but I think she looked at me a couple of times.


    The girl on my right leans in and whispers. ¡°Baby, what are you doing? Mr. Kent is going to catch you king off.¡±


    I rolled my eyes this time. ¡°Don¡¯t call me baby. We broke up like six months ago, Kelly.¡±


    She sits back in her seat with a little huff. Our school is just big enough to have sports and she is the head cheerleader, not because she is all that great but because no one contests her. She just bullies everyone. I y just about all the sports, it¡¯s something to do. So, to Kelly that means that we are meant to be together. Yeah, she is boring as fuck. I dated her for like two months and I wanted to rip my hair out.


    When the bell rings I wanted to hang back and see if I could talk to this girl but she hightailed it out of ss like her ass was on fire. I hurried after her, but found her meeting up with some guy that I have never seen before in the hall. She linked her arm through his. He smiled at her. She didn¡¯t smile but he did. I kind of followed them for a bit and found that we were all going to the same ce, Advanced Biology. I took my seat but kept my attention on her. Her and the guy hung at the front of the ss waiting for the teacher.


    Dr. Martin is a great teacher, I am d he took over this ss, he at least makes it seem interesting. But he is alwayste for the start of ss. I am pretty sure it is because he is making out with Ms. Carson. I¡¯ve seen them on dates, they try to keep it lowkey, but they are definitely an item.


    So a few girls are gushing over this guy. He looks well enough. At least as good as me. About as tall as me with light brown hair. He is fit and thin so he has that going for him. Still don¡¯t see what the big deal is. He doesn¡¯t look all that great. Maybe you have to be a girl to understand. I certainly don¡¯t get it.


    Dr. Martines in with his tie a little lopsided, his dark hair a little messier than it was this morning and rushes up to the front desk. ¡°Alright guys, settle down. It looks like we got a couple of new students.¡± He points at the two standing up front. The girl that I haven¡¯t taken my eyes off of since I took a seat. I have no idea how she is so captivating but she is. ¡°Cb and Cassandra.¡±


    ¡°Cass.¡± The girl interrupts.


    Dr. Martin smiles and nods. ¡°Cass. Alright do you guys want to do a little introduction or we can skip it.¡±


    Cass speaks for both of them. ¡°We will just skip it.¡± She scrunches up her nose a little as if the very idea is repulsive.


    He just nods. ¡°Alright, Cass, take a seat next to Trey there. Trey raise your hand.¡± I am more than happy to oblige. Raising my hand. ¡°And Cb, take a seat next to Willow. Willow, raise your hand.¡± She does, but is a bit hesitant. She is what we call a nerd. She just likes her books. She doesn¡¯t care about much else. Her long red hair is usually down to hide her face. She¡¯s cute enough but too shy for me.


    I watch as shees closer to me. She lets go of the guy and steps next to the stool beside me. She drops her bag and sits, not looking at me. She keeps watching the guy though. Like a mother hen. I say that because it looks like concern on her face, not jealousy. I look around and a bunch of girls are checking out the new guy. Willow looks like if she turns any redder she could enter the county fair.


    I turn back to the girl next to me. ¡°Hey, my name is Trey.¡± I put out my hand to shake.


    She looks at it for a second before taking it, barely, then shaking it slightly. ¡°Cass.¡± That¡¯s it. She is back to watching the guy.


    ¡°So, where are you from?¡± I am trying to make conversation here.


    She doesn¡¯t look at me, she just keeps watching the guy. ¡°San Diego.¡±


    I wave my hand in her face, trying to get her attention. I never had to work this hard to get a girl¡¯s attention before. ¡°Is that your boyfriend or something?¡±


    She looks at me like I am nuts. ¡°No, he is not.¡±


    I lean a little closer. ¡°Then why do you keep staring at him?¡±


    She groans. ¡°He is my little brother.¡±


    I don¡¯t know why it happens but a big grin appears on my face. ¡°Brother.¡±


    She nods. ¡°Yep, brother.¡±


    I am still a little confused. ¡°But why are you staring at him?¡±


    She lets out a sigh, like she is irritated with my questions. ¡°We have only ever gone to one school our whole lives. He is nervous being in a new school. I am just worried that he is going to get picked on or something. We had enough of that at our old school.¡±


    ¡°I doubt Willow would pick on him. She is more scared of her own shadow. She is probably more scared of your brother right now.¡± I look over and he looks like he is trying to talk to her. She is just nodding and shaking her head, not actually saying anything. ¡°Willow is one of those shy girls. She wouldn¡¯t hurt your brother.¡±


    She nods. ¡°Yeah, well what about that blond bimbo leaning close to him.¡±


    I see Crissy, one of Kelly¡¯s friends, leaning closer. ¡°Her, you may want to watch out for. She will probablytch on to your brother like a life raft. She¡¯s a cheerleader and a regr pain in the ass.¡±


    ¡°What do you meantch on?¡±


    ¡°She is going to want to make your brother her new boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°My brother is only a junior.¡± She sits up straighter.


    ¡°So? Is he not allowed to date or something?¡±


    ¡°No, not that. She is just older than him.¡± She shakes her head.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think Crissy cares.¡± I shrug.


    Crissy leans over talking to him and I see him look over at his sister. She shakes her head and the brother shuts down the girl and turns away from Crissy. Wow, I have siblings but they never listen to me like that. It¡¯s like Cass is his Yoda. The brother goes back to talking to Willow. Well, maybe he can get her out of her shell, doubt it but hey to each their own.


    I try to get Cass¡¯s attention again. ¡°So, when did you move here?¡±


    ¡°Last week.¡± She looks away from her brother and towards the board. Dr. Martin is getting the papers together that he wants to hand out.


    ¡°How do you like it?¡±


    She shrugs. ¡°It¡¯s fine I guess. New, that¡¯s all.¡±


    I chuckle a little. ¡°You can be honest, it is boring.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, A little, but it¡¯s cool. We just don¡¯t know anyone.¡±


    ¡°Is it just you and your brother?¡±


    She finally looks at me. Clear irritation is etched on her face. ¡°Why do you want to know so much? Are you the weingmittee?¡±


    I grin. ¡°Maybe for you, I am.¡±


    Sheughs, a light little thing and rolls her eyes. ¡°So let me guess. You are the male Crissy.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°No, I just find you interesting.¡±


    She shakes her head. ¡°Look, I am not one forpetitions. I prefer to keep to myself. I have enough on my te protecting my brothers and sister. I don¡¯t need more shit on my te.¡±


    I am confused again. ¡°Who do you need to protect your brothers and sister from?¡±


    She looks back at me and her eyes look cold. ¡°All of you.¡±

 Chapter 3

    CASSANDRA


    This isn¡¯t so bad. I already have the reputation as a bitch. I am good with that. I don¡¯t really see the twins until lunch. We all take a table together to kind of touch base. I sit next to Cb and Bret and Brittney sit next to each other. Only they aren¡¯t holding hands, which I find odd. ¡°How is your day going?¡± I ask all of them at the table.


    Brittney smiles. ¡°I think I am going to like it here. Everyone seems so nice. I was only nervous for like the first ss, then I was fine. I have all my sses with Bret so that makes it easier too. I was asked to go to the cheerleading tryouts after school. Can I go Cassy? Please?¡± She uses the puppy dog eyes on me. This is what she does when she is begging.


    I groan. ¡°If you must.¡± But I smile too, because this is better than I thought. No one seems to be freaking out. There are no mental breakdowns in the future. I don¡¯t have to worry about anyone crying all night long.


    Bret smiles too. ¡°Then I can stay for football tryouts?¡±


    ¡°Me too?¡± Cb grins.


    ¡°Oh, God you are all converting. You will all be hillbilly jocks in no time.¡± We all startughing. That is until someone sits next to me. It¡¯s that guy in most of my sses that has been trying to conversate all day. He is sitting sideways on the bench with his legs kind of around me. That is how close he is. I do not like people in my bubble so I move a little closer to Cb.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Hey, Cass, want to introduce me to your fam?¡±


    I look at him like he is insane. ¡°Why?¡±


    Brittney scolds me a little. ¡°Cassy, don¡¯t be so rude. We are going to make friends  here. Maybe you should too.¡±


    I groan again. ¡°This is Trey, he is a senior, he¡¯s in a lot of my sses. This is Cb, he¡¯s a junior and the twins, Bret and Brittney, are sophomores.¡± I point to each person in turn.


    The guy smiles. ¡°So I hear that you guys might try out for football today?¡± My brothers both smile and nod. ¡°Cool, we could use new bodies. I¡¯m captain of the team. I can tell you that we could use you.¡± He leans in like he has a secret. ¡°Honestly tryouts are just a formality. Everyone makes it, we hardly have the numbers. But the better you y the more time on the field you will get.¡±


    My brothers don¡¯t seem to care. It sounds good to them. Brittney lights up. ¡°Is cheerleading like that too?¡±


    Trey loses his smile. ¡°It¡¯s a little harder. Kelly is head cheerleader and she is a bit of a bitch. But the coach she¡¯s pretty cool. You convince her and you are in.¡±


    Brittney sits a little higher. She did four years of dance and six years of gymnastics, we both did. She has got this. There is no way that coach is going to turn her away.


    Trey looks at me. ¡°So, what about you? Are you trying out for anything?¡±


    ¡°I am not really a joiner.¡± I look away, but he leans into my space and whispers in my ear.


    ¡°Too bad I would have liked to see you jumping around the field.¡± I am pretty sure my cheeks can not get any redder. Guys do not talk to me like this. At least they never have before. Like I told him before, I keep to myself.


    Thankfully we are saved when some blond bimbo, not the one from Biology, a different onees up behind Trey. ¡°Hey baby, I think you sat at the wrong table.¡±


    Trey turns and looks at her. ¡°No, Kelly, I am at the table I want to be at. Didn¡¯t I tell you to stop calling me that?¡±


    She looks at him shocked. ¡°Baby, let¡¯s talk about this in private.¡±


    ¡°Uh, no. I am talking with my new friends here. You can go to the other table.¡± He waves her off.


    Now the chick turns her attention to me. ¡°You better watch your back bitch.¡± She has this ugly sneer on her face.


    For the first time ever I see Cb stand up for me. ¡°What did you just call my sister?¡±


    She res. ¡°I called her a bitch. And you are just a dick standing up for her. She is trying to take my man.¡±


    I stand up to block Cb. ¡°Don¡¯t Cb. She is just a two bit hussy and doesn¡¯t like people better than her around, so she has to put them down. Besides, you don¡¯t hit girls. That doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t.¡± I turn and punch her in the gut.


    She bows over holding her stomach. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare ever talk crap to my family again. You got that hussy?¡± I pushed her away. I see a couple of teachersing our way, but that¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t care, I was defending myself from her bullying.


    Dr. Martin stands next to us. ¡°What is going on here?¡±


    I open my mouth to say something but Trey is the one to answer. ¡°Kelly came over here to bully the new kids. She called them vulgar names. Cass defended her family.¡±


    I am not sure this would fly, but Dr. Martin nods and takes Kelly¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s see what your dad has to say about this.¡± A few people cheer even as Kelly is pulled out of here.


    I am stunned. Not only me but my brothers and sister too. ¡°What just happened?¡± I sit before I fall over.


    Trey smiles. ¡°Things are a little different here. We don¡¯t tolerate people putting down others. It¡¯s like family honor and shit. So defending your family was a totally eptable course of action, it happens all the time. Family is a big deal here. Kelly was in the wrong ording to our rules. She bullies a lot of people, but not many people stand up to her.¡±


    A few other people joined our table now. What the hell is going on? Did we cross over into the twilight zone? Since when is it ok to hit someone else at school? Then it makes me instantly a famous person. I am not sure this is a good thing. I see thising back to bite me in the ass.

 Chapter 4

    Sure enough I see it happen. The chick I punched is at the cheerleading tryouts. She is holding a clipboard and ordering everyone around. She keeps ring at Brittney, like it is her fault. She is trying to find something wrong with her moves, but she isn¡¯t finding shit so she is getting irritated.


    Brittney is wless in all her moves and has no reason to be rejected. I just don¡¯t know if I want her on the team with a person like that. The coach looks on with her own clipboard. She looks pleased. Not that the other girls are bad, but Brittney blows them out of the water.


    When the girls take a break, Brittneyes over to me. ¡°How do you think I am doing?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re perfect. They would be an idiot to not put you on the team.¡± I beam at her.


    She bites her bottom lip and scrunches up her face a little. ¡°Really are you sure? I think I was a little wobbly on my back handspring. Can you show me it again?¡±


    I sigh. ¡°Brittney, it was perfect.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± She gives me those puppy dog eyes.


    ¡°Fine.¡± I moan. I pull my wallet out of my pocket and throw it by my bag. Standing I walk to the level area of the grass. Brittney follows me. I look around to make sure I have enough space. ¡°Alright, now watch because I am only going to do this once.¡±


    I do the move that she asked and when Ind back on my feet I turn to look at her. ¡°Got it.¡±


    She scrunches up her face. ¡°Well, what about a round off? Show me that one.¡±


    I don¡¯t know what her game is but I do it. She keeps calling out flips or spins and making me do them. After about ten minutes. I turned back to her. ¡°I am done. I know you know all these. What are you doing?¡±


    She smirks and folds her arms over her chest. ¡°Oh, nothing.¡± I swear she would make the best actress on the.


    Only now do I realize that we are not alone. I mean I knew that there were other people on the field but I thought they were all too busy to be watching us. The cheer coaches up to me. ¡°Please tell me that you want to join the team.¡±


    I put my hands up in surrender. ¡°Oh, no not me. Her, not me.¡± I point at Brittney.


    She waves it off. ¡°Oh, she made the team. You, I am asking you. Please.¡± Well that doesn¡¯t work with anyone but Brittney.


    ¡°Yeah, no can do. I am not the cheerleader type.¡±


    The coach looks at me like I am ruining her life. ¡°We could really use you on the team. We have been behind in the regionals for a while now, someone like you and your sister could really pull us out of the heap.¡±


    I moved away from her. ¡°Sorry, I am not a cheerleader.¡±


    Brittney huffs at me when I walk past her. She better not have tried to do that on purpose. What am I saying? Of course she tried to do that on purpose. That¡¯s why she asked me for those moves. She knows them all as well as I do. She was trying to get me on the team with her. Just like she did with dance and gymnastics. Damn her. I love her but she is a punk sometimes. She knows Bret and Cb won¡¯t join and she wants one of us with her. I know it is her anxiety but this is where I draw the line.


    She follows after me. ¡°Please Cassy. You are really good.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I am not a cheerleader.¡± I grab my wallet and throw it back in my back pocket. I plop my ass right back on the grass. ¡°I am here to support you and nothing else.¡±


    The coach is right behind her. ¡°If you change your mind please let me know. We could really use you.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°Not happening.¡±


    She sighs and calls the girls back to formation.


    I watch the rest of the tryouts with irritation. How dare she do that? She is going to get a stern talking to when we get home.


    When the coach calls for everyone to head to the lockers and showers I see that the football coach did the same. Good, we can all be done at once. Kelly stops next to me. ¡°Good thing you aren¡¯t trying to join my team. I don¡¯t need scared little girls on my field.¡±


    I want to punch her again. I really do. But then the thought urs to me. She may have gotten in trouble but not much, she is still here after all. I¡¯ll just bite my tongue. ¡°Sounds like someone is worried I would take their ce.¡± I smirk at her.


    She res daggers at me. ¡°In your dreams.¡±


    ¡°No mine.¡± I look over and see that it was Trey that answered. Hees closer to me. ¡°Damn that was good. You are holding back.¡± He even sits next to me and nudges my arms. ¡°Come on, join the team. It could be fun.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t do fun.¡±


    ¡°It will make my dreamse true.¡± He nudges me again.


    ¡°If Brittney couldn¡¯t get me to join, you sure the hell aren¡¯t.¡±


    Kelly looks down at us. ¡°Baby,e on, you can not be serious.¡±


    He looks away from me and up at her. ¡°Are you still here? I seriously didn¡¯t realize. What are you doing here?¡±


    She whines. ¡°Baby, don¡¯t talk like that. I¡¯ll let you drive me home.¡± She smiles down at him.


    He shakes his head. ¡°We don¡¯t even live in the same direction, why would I do that? Get a ride home with daddy.¡±


    Apparently daddy works here. Which exins why she didn¡¯t get into too much trouble. I am not one to fight unless I have to, so I am just going to steer clear of this girl.


    Trey turns his attention back to me. ¡°Do you need a ride home?¡± He gives me a pleasant smile. Ok, so he is attractive, I¡¯ll give him that. He has his country charm. But I don¡¯t need this crap.


    ¡°I have a car thanks.¡± I try to be polite but I pull away from him and stand taking my bag. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you guys to it.¡± I smile, even though I know Kelly could care less if I existed. Trey looks like I just kicked his dog.


    He stands before I can leave. He takes my arm. ¡°Hey, we can talk for a few while you wait for your fam.¡± He pulls me a little closer.


    I pull my arm out of his grasp. ¡°I don¡¯t really like to be touched, and if I did, I don¡¯t know you well enough for you to be touching me.¡± He is still in my bubble though. How did this happen?


    He leans in a little further. ¡°Maybe I want to get to know you.¡±


    I pull back. ¡°I think you are barking up the wrong tree. I told you that I have too much on my te for this.¡±


    He shrugs but takes a step closer to me. ¡°You have to enjoy yourself sometime.¡± He takes my hand and flips it so that my wrist is facing him. ¡°Always, what¡¯s that for?¡±


    His fingers are tracing over the word. ¡°It is a reminder to always remember what¡¯s important.¡±


    Trey looks away from my wrist and looks in my eyes. ¡°And what is that?¡±


    I pull my hand back. ¡°My family.¡±


    Brittneyes bounding out and wraps her arms around me. ¡°Cassy, you need to join the team with me. It will be so much fun. If you don¡¯t then who will watch out for me at the meets?¡±


    I guess I didn¡¯t realize that Kelly was still there. ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t worry about that. It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll be used very much anyway.¡±


    I looked at her like the bitch she is. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡±


    She rolled her eyes at me. ¡°It means I am the team captain, I pick the routines. I pick the girls in the routines.¡±


    ¡°So you are going to bench my sister to get back at me?¡±


    She smirks with her arms crossed. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to use her raw talent. I only want people who are skilled.¡±


    ¡°Bull shit.¡± I am about to regret this, but fuck it. ¡°Hey, coach.¡± I holler down to the field at the woman there. She turns and looks at me.


    ¡°Yes, dear.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll join your team on one condition.¡±


    ¡°Anything.¡± She looks at me pleading.


    ¡°I get topete for the captain spot.¡± I re right at Kelly when I say it.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Coach ps her hands. ¡°Absolutely, let¡¯s do it tomorrow. Meet me at lunch and we will go over a couple of routines.¡±


    I look over at her and nod. ¡°You got it, coach.¡±


    Brittney jumps up and down excited. Just when I think I have seen all the excitement that I can handle, I am grabbed up in a pair of muscr arms and spun around. Then a kiss is nted on my cheek. Oh, hell no. I am set down and I punch him in the arm and he grunts. ¡°I told you I don¡¯t like to be touched.¡±


    Trey just looks at me holding his arm, and smiling. ¡°It was worth it.¡±


    I walk down to the field and make arrangements with the coach on where to meet and then I collect my brothers. I am really pissed now. I have to be a cheerleader. I have to run a damn ranch. I have some guy touching me and nting kisses on my cheek. This is only the first day. I think this is hell.

 Chapter 5

    TREYTON


    I don¡¯t even care that she punched me. It was fucking perfect seeing Kelly put in her ce. She always thinks she is some hot shit. I know that Cass is going to take her spot and I am for that one hundred percent. Kelly needs to be knocked off that high horse she and her daddy put her on.


    As soon as she walks to the coach, Kellyes up to me. ¡°Trey, what the hell? You like her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so what?¡± I want to just push her away, but my momma raised me a little better than that. So I just shoulder my bag and start to walk away.


    ¡°Trey, I told my dad that you were taking me home so he expects me to get a ride from you.¡± She follows after me.


    I stop. Now I am getting pissed. ¡°What the hell did you tell him that for?¡±


    ¡°Because I need to talk to you about something and I figured that was the best way to do it.¡± She is trying to act cute right now. I have seen it plenty of times before when we dated. She thinks if she acts like this then she can get what she wants.


    ¡°Well, guess what princess. You are going to need to call up daddy and tell him you made a mistake. I am not driving you home.¡± I turn to stomp away.


    She puts her hand on my arm. ¡°It¡¯s important Trey.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    I turn around and face her but I make sure to keep my distance. ¡°What?¡± I am even a little huffy.


    She bites her bottom lip. ¡°I want us to get back together. Everyone expects us to be together; it just makes sense. I don¡¯t see what you see in that girl, but everyone knows that you belong with me.¡±


    I am shocked. ¡°Really, that was what was important that you needed to talk to me about?¡±


    ¡°Yes, our future is very important.¡± Now she is looking at me like I have lost my mind. Like I should already know this. If it was true, then hell yeah. But I am not destined to be with her. I just know it.


    ¡°I am going to make this very clear. I don¡¯t like you. I gave you a chance because I thought I could find some good in you, but there isn¡¯t any. You are vapid. You have no originality and you shouldn¡¯t even be as close to as popr as you are. You are jealous that someone else is taking your ce and you are trying to make their life hell. That¡¯s the kind of person you are. It is not the type of person that I want to be with. I am never getting back together with you. I don¡¯t care if the whole town takes a vote on it and says that I have to. I¡¯ll move before I get with you again. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°But Trey¡­¡± She is crying. I hate seeing girls cry.


    I break down a little. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that was harsh. I didn¡¯t mean it like that. I just, well, I tried to be nice about it. I don¡¯t like you like that. Please just ept that.¡± I softened my tone. I even put my hand on her shoulder, it¡¯s a friendly gesture, but she doesn¡¯t take it that way and pushes into my arms.


    I push her back. ¡°Kelly, stop it. I mean it. I don¡¯t like you. Just stop.¡± I turn from her and start walking away. She can not keep trying to do this shit.


    She calls out to me. ¡°Can you please just give me a ride? You know as well as I do that my dad is not going to want toe back for me.¡±


    I groan, she¡¯s right. I can be nice to her onest time. ¡°Fine, but after this you will have to walk.¡±


    She does some giddy jumps and runs after me. Yeah, not what I am wanting right now. I can see Cass with her sister and brothers from here. Cass just smirks and shakes her head. I don¡¯t want her getting any wild ideas. I make sure to keep some distance from Kelly, but Kelly is like an octopus right now. How the hell did she get so many hands?


    Once we are loaded up in my truck Kelly moves over to the center seat. ¡°Kelly, move over. You don¡¯t need to be so close.¡±


    ¡°This is always where I sit.¡± She pouts.


    ¡°When we were dating. We aren¡¯t now so please move over or you¡¯re getting out.¡±


    She whines but moves over and buckles in. Thank God. I drove to her house and put it in park. I don¡¯t say a single word to her on the drive. She seems to think any kindness means that I want her. I look over at her and wait for her to get out. She takes this opportunity to lunge at me. She clings to my neck and kisses me. I push her off me. ¡°Kelly, I mean it. We are over. Stop this. I am trying to be nice here but you seem to think that means that we are together. We aren¡¯t. Have some dignity and move on.¡±


    She sits back with a sinister look on her face. ¡°We shall see how done we are. I know you Trey. You will want me back.¡±


    ¡°Obviously you don¡¯t know me very well.¡± I roll my eyes. This girl, seriously.


    ¡°You want my body. I can work with that. Don¡¯t worry. I got your number.¡± She just hops out of my truck after saying that. Granted her body is great, but not that great.

 Chapter 6

    CASSANDRA


    I chewed out Brittney as soon as we were in the truck. Of all the things she has done in her life I think this is the top. I know she just wanted thefort of a familiar person, but she knows I am not a cheer person. ¡°How could you put me on the spot like that? You know I was just trying to help you out. I didn¡¯t want to be on the stupid team, now not only am I on the team but I am trying out to be the captain.¡±


    Brittney bows her head. ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry. I just didn¡¯t want to be alone. I didn¡¯t know that Kelly would be like that.¡±


    I grunt. ¡°Figures. She is the biggest bitch I have ever met. I swear she is trying to win a medal in the shit or something.¡± Yeah, now I am pissed at Kelly. Ok, she deserves it.


    Cb interrupts. ¡°So what is going on with that guy? I saw him talking to you in Biology, then he came to our table at lunch. Does he have the hots for you or what?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. I am not interested. I don¡¯t care if he is.¡±


    Brittney isn¡¯t helping. ¡°He kissed her on the cheek after practice. She slugged him but he was still smiling.¡±


    Bret adds his two cents too. ¡°Well, you could do worse. From what I have seen he seems pretty cool.¡±


    ¡°Again. I don¡¯t care. I am not interested. Oh, and Cb, stay clear of that Crissy girl. Apparently she is just a replica of Kelly.¡± I look at Cb as I say it.


    He just smiles back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I think I already like a girl anyway.¡± He kind of looks away.


    ¡°Oh, really and who is that?¡± I smirk. Finally take the heat off me.


    He blushes a little. ¡°Um. Willow. She is pretty cool. Shy but cool. It takes a little bit to get her to open up, but once you do, she is really nice to talk to.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, what¡¯s so great about her?¡± I liked her too. I liked that she was casual. Not pushy. She was a little reserved too.


    ¡°She is super smart. She¡¯s only a sophomore and in some of the hardest sses. She likes to read a lot of the same stuff that I do. Plus to top it off she likes Anime too.¡±


    I yfully groan. ¡°Just what we need, another anime nerd.¡±


    ¡°Just because I explore other cultures doesn¡¯t mean that I am a nerd.¡± He points out.


    ¡°Says the nerd.¡± I snicker.


    ¡°Yeah, well you are dating a jock.¡± He spits out. All in fun though.


    ¡°Oh, we are not dating. Take that back.¡±


    ¡°What cheerleader?¡± He yfully jabs.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare. I know where you sleep.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, still a cheerleader.¡± He chuckles.


    We all startughing. Honestly, me being a cheerleader isughable. Not that I can¡¯t do it, I am just not a cheery person. When we pull up to the house we are a little surprised to see Uncle Jared and Dad arguing in the front yard. I turn to the others in the truck as soon as we park. ¡°Go straight to your rooms and wait for me. I¡¯ll let you know what is going on.¡± Thest thing that they need to worry about is us moving again because Dad and Uncle Jared are fighting.


    Brittney doesn¡¯t listen though. ¡°I am waiting in your room.¡± That is echoed by my two brothers. Brittney isn¡¯t usually the one to be outspoken so I let it go. I just nod to them.


    They scurry into the house and I head to the two men. I only catch a few words. Thest words being. ¡°She deserves to know.¡± From Uncle Jared.


    I have no idea who she is but she probably does need to know if it starts a fight. I p my hands. ¡°Hey guys what¡¯s up?¡±


    They both turn and blink at me like they had no idea I was even in the area. They were in a pretty heated talk so they may not have noticed us drive up the road. Dad starts first. ¡°Nothing. Go inside, Cassandra Ray.¡±


    Uncle Jared puts his hand up. ¡°No, this involves her. She should make the choice if she wants to know or not.¡±


    ¡°If she knows then she can¡¯t unknow it. It doesn¡¯t matter because it isn¡¯t going to affect her.¡± My dad growls.


    ¡°What?¡± I am confused. What is it that I am supposed to know? I am really surprised that it was me that they were fighting about. I keep my nose clean for the most part. Is this because I punched Kelly today?


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even told any of them the basics of our family. They are all going to be confused as fuck when it happens. I me you for this. You were supposed to prepare them.¡± Uncle Jared snarls at Dad, it almost looks like he is going to punch him.


    I put my hand up to stop them both. ¡°Prepare us for what? Do we have to move again or something?¡±


    Dad shakes his head. ¡°No, we are not moving again. Uncle Jared is just being paranoid. It¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±


    Uncle Jared looks shocked. ¡°Nothing to worry about. What happens in two months, when it happens?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not going to happen to her.¡± My dad screams.


    ¡°What is not going to happen to me?¡± Dad makes it seem like I¡¯m going to die or something.


    My Uncle Jared res at my dad. ¡°When you turn into a wolf.¡±


    I wait for them tough or argue or something but it is really quiet. ¡°Do you two need medication or something? People don¡¯t turn into wolves.¡± Now I am just worried about these people¡¯s mental health.


    Uncle Jared looks at me with sympathy. ¡°We do. Our family has for generations. Your dad thinks that you won¡¯t because he doesn¡¯t do it anymore. And your mother is human.¡±


    This sounds so ridiculous. ¡°You are pulling my leg right? Some joke on the city girl or something.¡± I look at dad for answers but he just looks at the ground.


    ¡°Your dad has been suppressing his wolf for so long he isn¡¯t even sure he has one any more, but I¡¯ll show you.¡± Before I can blink, Uncle Jared rips out of his clothes and is an enormous wolf standing in front of me.


    I scream and run. I run as fast as I can to the barn. I don¡¯t know what is in there to protect me from this huge ass beast but there has to be something. I can¡¯t go to the house because that is where my brothers and sister are. When I get inside I see a pitchfork that is resting against the wall from mucking the stalls. I lift it up and carry it to the nearest stall. I m the door shut and cower in the corner with my pitchfork.


    After a few minutes I hear footsteps in the barn. Not sure who it is but it does sound human. Then I see my dad¡¯s face over the stall door. ¡°He isn¡¯t going to hurt you dear.¡± He looks at me with sympathy. ¡°I should have told you sooner. All of you. I just thought that it was something that I could hide.¡±


    I think my brain is misfiring. I don¡¯t know where to start. Should I yell, be upset. Roll with it. I just don¡¯t know. ¡°Does mom know?¡±


    He nods. ¡°Yes. She has always known. She wanted to tell you too, just in case, but I was scared.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m scared.¡± I haven¡¯t called him Daddy since I was like six. This is how scared I am. Ultimately I am freaked out.


    He sighs. ¡°I know. But it is nothing to be scared about. We are both here for you. Plus some other family members are going toe around and help you out too. It will be difficult at first. But you will get used to it.¡±


    I hear someone elseing into the barn. ¡°It¡¯s still me pumpkin. I swear I am not going to hurt you.¡± I can hear Uncle Jared. I can¡¯t see him but I can hear him.


    I look up at Dad. ¡°I want to see yours.¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°I haven¡¯t shifted in so long, I¡¯m not even sure I could. Plus the barn isn¡¯t the best ce to do that.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I stand with my pitchfork and walk to the stall door. I set the pitchfork down. ¡°I want you to show me. Let¡¯s take this outside.¡± I lead the way, with Uncle Jared and Dad following me. Uncle Jared has a smug look. I think I even hear him snicker a little. I am pretty sure that he is pleased with himself. After all, he won the argument. I know now.


    ¡°See, I told you that she could handle this. She is the most wolf-like of all your children.¡± Uncle Jared sounds like he is proud of me. I kind of like that. Don¡¯t really understand what it¡¯s for, but I like it.


    ¡°Shut up Jared.¡± My dad growls.


    I walk them straight out to the field behind the barn. When I turn to face them. ¡°Alright Dad. Let¡¯s see it.¡±


    He gives me a sideways nce. It¡¯s a mix of pity and regret. ¡°This might take a minute.¡± He pulls off his shirt. He¡¯s already a kind of hairy man. But after a few minutes he starts to sprout more. He doesn¡¯t shift as smoothly as Uncle Jared or as fast but he does shift. It looks like it hurts him a bit to do it. It takes a full thirty minutes for him to shiftpletely and when he does he justys on the ground like it took too much out of him to do it. He even looks grumpy in his wolf form.


    Uncle Jared just looks at him, ¡°I told you. You thought you could pretend to be something you weren¡¯t, look at what you did to your wolf. You need to take him on runs. No wonder you are always unhappy.¡± He shakes his head in disappointment.


    Dad just bares his teeth but doesn¡¯t lift his head from the ground.


    I am just shocked. I watched my dad turn into a beast from fiction. ¡°Um, what the fuck?¡± Dad bares his teeth at me now. ¡°Don¡¯t give me thatnguage crap now. You just turned into a huge beast. How the fuck am I supposed to react to this? Then Uncle Jared says that it could happen to me. Yeah, this is not a keep your head moment. This is a holy fuck moment.¡±


    I don¡¯t know when I started pacing but I did. Uncle Jared catches my shoulders. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s alright. It¡¯s a natural thing for our family. It¡¯s not anything bad. We aren¡¯t cursed. We don¡¯t hunt down people. It¡¯s just another side of us as a person. We arepletely in control. We are not mindless beasts. You are going to be perfectly fine, Cass.¡±


    I look behind him towards my dad and see that he has left. ¡°Where did Dad go?¡±


    ¡°When we shift we are a little naked. So he went to get clothes. You¡¯ll see him soon. Look Cass I wanted to tell you now so you aren¡¯t as shocked when you shift. On your eighteenth birthday at midnight you will shift. It¡¯s a great thing. The whole family will be here for it.¡±


    ¡°What did you mean I was more wolf-like? What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°The way you protect your brothers and sister. You are like a wolf guarding their pups. You keep that pack mentality too. You keep your pack together. I think you are a great wolf. You¡¯ll probably be one of the best I have ever seen.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what that means. I am just getting the hang of life. Now it¡¯s all different.¡± I feel this desperation hitting my system. Like it is all flooding in too fast for me to catch up.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t change much of anything. Maybe you might have to hold your temper a little more. That¡¯s all. Make sure you¡¯re not wearing anything that you like when you shift. I don¡¯t know how many of my clothes I have ruined that way.¡± He is trying to joke, but I don¡¯t think it is very funny.


    ¡°Midnight at the end of my birthday or the beginning?¡±


    ¡°The beginning. You could also meet your mate too, but that doesn¡¯t happen often around here.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    He puts his arm around my shoulder. ¡°It means that there will be someone out there that will smell better than anyone else. Someone that pulls you in. You only think about them. Wolves mate for life. It could be anyone. They will feel it too, even if they are human. I think that is why your mom epted your dad.¡±


    ¡°But if I am only half wolf then I might not shift right?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°No, your dad wanted to believe that, but there was never a time in recorded history that has happened. A wolf is a wolf no matter what.¡±


    I just sank to the ground. There is no way. No way this is what I am. ¡°How many are there?¡±


    ¡°Here or everywhere?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Here for starters.¡± I look up at him.


    ¡°Quite a few. If I had to put a number on it I would say half the town. Not all are a part of our pack but there are a lot. This area is pretty remote. It kind of draws our kind.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    He taps his nose. ¡°Smell. When you shift you¡¯ll be able to tell too. Right now you can¡¯t. But soon. I am sure you are going to school with a few too. Actually I know it. There is one pack in the area that we don¡¯t get along with, so I want you to stay close when you go in the woods. I don¡¯t want you to get hurt.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we get along?¡±


    ¡°Something about stealing mates. It¡¯splicated. Your Aunt Josephine will be able to exin it better. She is going to be here this weekend. Family is going to start descending on you. I thought it would be best to have you prepared.¡±


    I look up at him with desperation. ¡°How do I tell them? They are waiting in my room right now for answers.¡±


    He sighs. ¡°However you want. I am here to help. If I have to I will drag your father in the room and make him exin it. It¡¯s really up to you.¡±


    I look out in space for a moment. I can¡¯t think. I can¡¯t evenprehend what is going on. ¡°I think I need a minute. I¡¯m going to go for a walk and think about this. Besides I think that they would ept it better from me than Dad.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t go too far alright.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± I stand and start towards the woods.

 Chapter 7

    I don¡¯t even know where I am going. I don¡¯t really know the area, on top of that I am not really one to wander in the woods. All I know is that I need a clear head. I was pretty sure I could find my way back though, that I was sure of. That is until I hear the cracking of branches and it isn¡¯t me. I panic a little and start running from the sounds. Theye closer. It seems their speed is faster than mine. I keep running, up ahead I see a fallen tree, I figure I can jump over it and possibly hide behind it.


    Well, that is what I figured, but I was wrong. I lunged over the log and tried to duck down but the ground was higher on this side of the log. I amying down on the ground and I am not even sure I am hidden. To top it off I am defenseless. I close my eyes and try to make myself as small as possible.


    I can hear the steps approaching me. They slow, then I hear sniffing sounds. Is it a wild animal? Or is it just my Uncle. Maybe it¡¯s just him following me. I hope it is my Uncle. I really don¡¯t want to be attacked by a wild animal. That would be just the worst end ever. Young wolf cut down in her prime before she could even shift.


    Before I can think of what to do next I can feel a snout sniffing my face. I cringe, because I know that my Uncle wouldn¡¯t be doing that. ¡°Please be a wild animal. Please be a wild animal. Please be a wild animal.¡± I whisper to myself. Still with my eyes closed.


    Then I feel a lick on my cheek. I gasp in shock. Is this a dog? I peek my eyes open and see the snout of a wolf, but not my Uncle or my dad. They are both brown wolves. This wolf is gray. But one thing I am sure of, this is not a regr wolf. I sit up a little, is this a house pet? No, he looks too big to be a house pet. I decided to ask directly. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The wolf just sits there with his tongue hanging out. He even cocks his head to the side a little, like he is confused. ¡°Are you going to hurt me?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    He cocks his head to the other side. ¡°I guess that was a stupid question. It¡¯s not like you can answer me.¡±


    I start to reach out and pet the head of the wolf when a brown blur jumps in front of me. He snaps at the gray wolf. ¡°He¡¯s not going to hurt me.¡± I scream.


    The brown wolf turns back to me and starts to push me with his head. ¡°Ok, I¡¯m going, just leave him alone.¡± He snarls a little at me. ¡°I mean it. He was nice. Leave him alone.¡± I look over at the gray wolf again and he has his head cocked to the side again. Like he is confused about what he sees. ¡°Sorry,¡± I called out to him. He tilts his head to the other side. Like he¡¯s telling me he is confused.


    I am pretty sure this is my dad, so I keep going. I am sure at this point that he isn¡¯t going to listen to me. If there is one thing I know about my dad, it¡¯s that he is a stubborn man. He doesn¡¯t stop pushing me until we are back to the field behind the house. ¡°Dad, seriously, you can stop now.¡± He growls a little.


    I can see my uncle running up to us. ¡°I told you not to go too far. He could have killed you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you two are freaking out about. He was nice. He didn¡¯t make any move to hurt me.¡± I actually remember that lick on my cheek, he could have killed me then, but he didn¡¯t. I think I blush a little. Isn¡¯t a lick like a kiss to dogs?


    My uncle grabs my arm. ¡°He is one of those wolves I told you to watch out for. He is one of the ones that don¡¯t like our family. He would have killed you, if he knew what pack you belonged to. You¡¯re just lucky that it seemed like he didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°He was nice Uncle Jared. I think you are making a way bigger deal out of this than necessary.¡± I fold my arms over my chest. I think they are being stupid. He could have killed me, but he didn¡¯t. He was soft with me.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°No, maybe I am not making a big enough deal out of this. Just stay out of the woods for now. He will forget about you and you can live to actually shift someday.¡±


    I grumble but listen. At least for now. I know he isn¡¯t going to hurt me. I will go into the woods if I want. And I want to know who that wolf is. I don¡¯t care what it takes. I am going to find out who that wolf is.

 Chapter 8

    UNKNOWN


    Her scent drew me in. I caught it when I was out on an evening run. When I saw her I was less than thrilled. Sure she is pretty in her own right but not exactly the goddess I was hoping for. Still her scent pulled me to her. The closer I got the prettier she got. I can see she tries to downy it. Dark makeup, her hair is darker than it should be. I waspelled to lick her cheek. The taste of her skin was amazing. When she started talking to me I was amazed to say the least.


    Only when that wolf stood between us did it make sense. She is one of them. That pack. How could she be part of that pack? She is most likely my mate and she is part of that pack. I can¡¯t even ept her. This is bull shit. Maybe we can find a way to make it work. She didn¡¯t seem to recognize me as the enemy. Maybe she doesn¡¯t see us that way. This could be interesting.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    I followed them back to the edge of theirnd. I can see her through the tree clearing. She is defending me. Definitely a quizzical creature. I can see that determined look when she looks back to the woods. She will be here again. She wille to me again. I just need to wait for her. I figure I probably have some time.


    I ran all the way back to my house, shifting in the back room set up just for us to do that. After I slip on a pair of sweats I head in. My mom is cooking in the kitchen. She seems off in her own little world. ¡°What¡¯s up mom?¡±


    She smiles at me. ¡°Oh, nothing. Just your sister ranting again. How her world is falling apart and it is all someone else¡¯s fault. I am so d that I never had to deal with that with you. How was your run?¡±


    ¡°Interesting. I ran into a new girl. She seems new to town, maybe all of this.¡±


    ¡°Was she shifted?¡±


    ¡°No, but she knew about it.¡± I startedughing. ¡°She was talking to me. She didn¡¯t even realize that I couldn¡¯t answer for a few minutes. Well beyond yes and no¡¯s. She tried to pet me too.¡± I smile a little at her forming towards me. She had such confidence. After she got rid of her initial shock that is.


    My mom smiled. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you d you took a year off from school then. It sounds like you met your mate.¡±


    I groan. ¡°There is just one problem with that.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s one of them.¡± My mom literally stopped breathing.


    ¡°This is not good.¡±


    ¡°It was weird though. It was like she didn¡¯t know anything about it. She even defended me to her uncle and her dad. At least I think it was her dad. He was in his fur. I am pretty sure I heard her call him Dad though. She protected me. It doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±


    She looks confused too. ¡°You¡¯re right, that doesn¡¯t make sense. Why would she defend you if she didn¡¯t feel anything?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what she felt. We only talked for a moment. Barely five minutes.¡±


    My mom looks even more confused. ¡°Yet she still defended you. This girl is perplexing. We should stay clear though. Anything with that pack is just bad news.¡±


    ¡°But what if she is different? What if she and I could put an end to this? This misunderstanding? Isn¡¯t it worth it?¡±


    ¡°If it was anyone but you, I would say yes, but you are my son and I don¡¯t think it is best for you to do that.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You have a bit of a temper.¡± She looks at me like I should already know this.


    ¡°Thanks mom, I got it. You don¡¯t think I can do it.¡± I turn away from her. I can do it. I¡¯ll show her.


    ¡°It¡¯splicated.¡±


    I just left. I am not handling my mom right now. She can have her opinion, but it doesn¡¯t mean a damn thing to me. I am starting to think that she is my mate for a reason.

 Chapter 9

    CASSANDRA


    I look at myself in the mirror. I think I am not that bad, but maybe I have been trying to scare people away a bit too much. I make myself dark and uninviting.


    I¡¯m procrastinating.


    I can sense all the eyes behind me. They are all watching me, waiting for answers. I sigh, turn around and lean on my vanity. ¡°So they were fighting over telling us something.¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Cb stands up. ¡°We better not have to move again.¡± I know what he means, he just found a girl that he likes. Joined the football team. He fits in here. He does not want to move again. None of them do.


    I shake my head. ¡°No, but after I tell you, you may wish we had to move.¡±


    They are all waiting, watching me with baited breath. So, I continue. ¡°They are werewolves. We are ones too. They were fighting over telling us. Dad didn¡¯t want to but Uncle Jared did.¡± They look at me like I am insane. I see it. It¡¯s the same look I gave Uncle Jared when he told me. ¡°I know it sounds insane, but it¡¯s true. I watched them shift. Dad and Uncle Jared are huge brown wolves.¡±


    Cb starts the round ofughing. Little Demon on hisp leaps off at the startling sound. Then Bret followed by Brittney. I just shake my head. ¡°You aren¡¯t going to believe it until you see it, are you?¡±


    They are still snickering andughing. I stand. ¡°Alright follow me.¡±


    I leave the room and holler. ¡°Uncle Jared. They need proof.¡±


    He calls back. ¡°Meet me outside.¡± He sounds tired. Or maybe he is just pissed about my walk in the woods.


    I lead the way. They need to know what we are facing. I¡¯m not so sure that they can handle this. They are delicate people. Even now, Brittney is holding Bret¡¯s hand. I can see the panic on all their faces. Still they need to know. I¡¯ll have to deal with the restter. I open the front door and bring everyone out to the open driveway. This should be a good ce. That¡¯s where he shifted for me before. I am pretty sure that¡¯s the term. It sounds right.


    After a few minutes, Uncle Jaredes out in only a pair of shorts. ¡°This is thest time I am doing this tonight. I am getting tired.¡± He looks at all of them in turn. ¡°This is the real you. Look at it and listen to your sister. It is important.¡± Then he shifts. It doesn¡¯t take as long as dad, plus he doesn¡¯t look like he is in pain. Dad is probablyying in bed now. He did it twice.


    Now, Uncle Jared stands before us as arge brown wolf. I look at the rest of them. ¡°Believe me now?¡±


    They all stare in shock, their jaws hanging open. Uncle Jared runs off. I am assuming he will shift somewhere else so he can get dressed. All you can hear at the moment is the padding of his paws as he runs off.


    ¡°I know this is crazy. I almost killed Uncle Jared when he did it to me. But they aren¡¯t going to hurt us. I don¡¯t think that any of them are. Uncle Jared has some other thoughts about that, but that¡¯s his business. More family is going to start showing up, apparently they are supposed to teach me all that I am supposed to know about this. I am supposed to go through the change when I turn eighteen.¡±


    Cbes forward. ¡°Wait, so we are all going to turn into one of those things.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, when we turn eighteen.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that is cool or horrifying.¡± Cb looks lost in thought. Bret and Brittney aren¡¯t saying anything.


    ¡°Look, guys we are still who we are. We are just more than we thought. We have each other. I am not going anywhere. We will work through this together. It¡¯s like having a superpower that you didn¡¯t know you had.¡±


    They still look really lost. ¡°It sucks that you are the one that has to tell us, Dad should have had the guts to tell us.¡± Bret grumbles.


    ¡°Yeah, he thinks that we aren¡¯t going to change. Uncle Jared says it has never happened ever in history. But I guess Dad is delusional.¡±


    They all grumble. Brittney looks at me. ¡°Does Mom know?¡±


    ¡°She knows. She is human all the way, but she knows.¡±


    ¡°So, neither of our parents thought that they should tell us. This is just great.¡± Cb yells. He starts stomping around.


    ¡°Cb, that isn¡¯t going to help anything. Right now, we just need to ept this and learn how to deal with it. You guys have longer toe to terms with this before it truly affects you. I only have two months.¡± I am justing to terms with epting this. I am still freaking out in my mind a little bit. ¡°Can you guys go get ready for dinner? I need to be alone for a minute.¡±


    They grumble but do as I ask. Thankfully I know that my mom cooked. She has started cooking every night since we got here. At least it¡¯s progress.

 Chapter 10

    I head to the tree line again. I know that Dad is going to be too worn out to do anything and Uncle Jared is spent too. Neither one is going to follow me tonight. When I reach the treeline I step to the point where I am blocked from view. I don¡¯t know what I am hoping for, but I have this feeling. I sit on the ground facing the ranch with my back against the tree. I kind of feel like an idiot here like this. I am pretty sure he isn¡¯ting here, I mean it is right on the edge of our property.


    I close my eyes and just listen to everything around me. I can hear some critters scurrying around. There is an owl a little ways off, sounds like he is waking up for the night. There are some branches that break off to my right. I don¡¯t know if it is him or if it is someone I need to be afraid of. I look over, and smile when I see the gray wolf standing there. ¡°How did you know toe back?¡± Iugh at myself. ¡°Sorry, habit. I don¡¯t really expect you to answer.¡±


    Hees over to me and sniffs my cheek. It tickles a little. I let out a chuckle and moved my face to the side. ¡°That tickles.¡±


    He sits back with his tongue hanging out. Then he walks behind me. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t go.¡± He looks back at me and nods.


    I¡¯m not sure why, but I think I understand him. I turn away from him and listen to the sounds behind me. I can hear the bones cracking. It¡¯s the same sound when my uncle and dad changed. Is that what he is doing? I don¡¯t turn too scared to know the answer to that question. I hear someone let out a sigh. ¡°Just don¡¯t turn around ok.¡± His voice sounds so nice. Slightly gruff, but soothing too.


    ¡°Why?¡± I¡¯m curious.


    I hear him sit on the other side of the tree. ¡°Well, for one, I am naked.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°Oh, yeah, right. I forgot that part.¡±


    ¡°Secondly, I don¡¯t want you to see my human form yet. As you can imagine, your family doesn¡¯t exactly like mine.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but why?¡± I lean my head back on the tree. I¡¯ll respect his wishes and not look.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story. My family doesn¡¯t like yours much either. Why don¡¯t you know this?¡± He sounds confused.


    ¡°I just found out tonight that this even exists. I don¡¯t really know anything about anything. My dad didn¡¯t want me to even know that this could happen. He thought that I wouldn¡¯t be affected because my mom is human. Uncle Jared says that that doesn¡¯t happen. Thankfully they told me before my birthday, if not I would have been really shocked, probably would have freaked out.¡±


    He chuckles a little. ¡°That¡¯s why you weren¡¯t scared of me. I figured when I saw that wolfe at me that it would be all over. That you would hate me, but you didn¡¯t. You defended me. That just doesn¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°Well, you could have killed me, but you didn¡¯t. So I believed you when you said that you wouldn¡¯t hurt me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess I could have. I didn¡¯t even think about it at the time.¡±


    ¡°Why did you lick my face?¡± I blush remembering it.


    ¡°I wanted to surprise you.¡± He chuckles again. I like that sound.


    ¡°You certainly did that.¡± Iugh with him. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question, why do our families hate each other?¡±


    ¡°About two hundred years ago, there were two men. One from each family. One from mine and one from yours. They were both in love with the same woman. They wound up fighting over her. In the end the woman died. Both men imed that the other was at fault. They continued to fight even after she died. I think it was stupid. She was dead, it¡¯s time to move on. I don¡¯t even know what happened to the two dudes. Like was she really either of their mates. I have asked these questions and never gotten an answer. I don¡¯t even know how the woman died.¡±


    ¡°Wow, sounds like a bunch of crap. For one that was so long ago, none of the people involved are even alive. Why still hold a grudge? I don¡¯t feel any hate for you, just so you know.¡±


    He chuckles. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you either. I think we are different. You saw how your dad and uncle reacted to me. It¡¯s like they expected me to kill you on the spot. I don¡¯t get it.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t get it either. I don¡¯t know much about all of this, but I don¡¯t think I could ever hate someone for something that someone else did. It just wouldn¡¯t make sense.¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°I agree.¡± We are both quiet for a minute. ¡°You should probably get back, it¡¯s gettingte. They wille looking for you. You don¡¯t have the defenses that we do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess I don¡¯t.¡± I stand so I can walk back to the house. ¡°Hey, what do I call you?¡±


    He is quiet for a minute. I think he is deciding if he should answer. I am pretty sure that he didn¡¯t leave. ¡°Gray. You can call me gray. And I will call you Brown.¡±


    I smile. ¡°So, I¡¯ll have a brown wolf, is that what you¡¯re saying?¡±


    ¡°Your whole family does. It would only be natural that you would too.¡±


    ¡°Alright Gray. Will you meet me again?¡±


    ¡°When would you like to meet me?¡±


    ¡°Can youe tomorrow night? A little before sun down. Like tonight.¡±


    ¡°As you wish, Brown.¡± Clearly a joke.


    ¡°Funny.¡± I chuckle. ¡°See you tomorrow Gray.¡±


    ¡°Wait. I changed my mind.¡±


    I turn and look at the tree. ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°I am going to call you Green.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because that is the color of your eyes. I like it better.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°As you wish, Gray.¡±


    ¡°See you tomorrow Green.¡± Ites out soft and I like it. I am usually a strong willed person, but Gray makes me a little soft. Maybe that will be my downfall.

 Chapter 11

    The next morning I got us all ready for school, like usual. My dad is still in his room. I don¡¯t know if he is depressed or if shifting really just took that much out of him. Our Uncle meets us at the door. ¡°Now, I would hope that I don¡¯t need to remind you all that you can¡¯t tell people about this.¡±


    I roll my eyes, ¡°Yeah, that is going to be the first thing I am going to do. I am going to run and tell everyone that I am going to change into a mystical beast when I turn eighteen. Cause I want to be thrown into the loony bin.¡±


    ¡°It was just a question.¡± He states.


    ¡°Well it was a dumb one.¡± I led us all out of the house. See sassiness. I don¡¯t have that with Gray. I amfortable talking to him. Not to mention he makes me feel like I shouldn¡¯t be this hard shell. At least not with him. I even found myself wanting to look prettier. Not that I am not an attractive person. I guess I am somewhat. But I just don¡¯t think of myself like that. I see the tough chick that I have always needed to be. Maybe I don¡¯t need to be that here. Everyone seems to be doing well, no bullies except Kelly. I have put her in her ce. If she does anything again then I can do the same thing. The point is that I don¡¯t need to be a hard ass all the time.


    I am quiet on the way to school. While I mill all this around my brain. Everyone else is talking about school and who they are meeting up with when we get there. Apparently Cb got further with Willow than I thought yesterday. She is meeting him at the gate. Brittney and Bret are meeting some of their teammates. I am just going to head to ss. I didn¡¯t make ns to meet with anyone and I am fine with that.


    It¡¯s weird when we get to school and they all climb out of the car with ces to go. It¡¯s not like they didn¡¯t have friends at our old school but they kept close together. Now they are all going separate ways. Well, Bret and Brittney went the same way, but they aren¡¯t holding hands. Afterst night I figured that they would still be a little freaked out, but they aren¡¯t. They slept in my roomst night. Then this morning they are fine.


    I am lost in my thoughts when I feel someone next to me. ¡°So, how are you doing this morning?¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± I turn and see Trey. ¡°How was your ride home with Kelly?¡± I smirk. Yeah, didn¡¯t think I knew about that did you?


    He groans. ¡°She told her dad that I was driving her home so then he left her here. I felt bad so I took her home. Nothing else.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re dating. Drive whoever you want home. I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°Harsh. I am sure you are aware that I am attracted to you. I mean I think I made that clear. I didn¡¯t exactly say it, but I kind of acted it.¡±


    I shrug. ¡°Sounds like you have some things going on. I am not one forpetition. I told you that yesterday. You need to deal with your Kelly issues. I am not fighting her for you.¡±


    He groans. ¡°We broke up six months ago. She just hasn¡¯t let go.¡±


    ¡°Hey, rx, we just met. I am sure there is plenty of time. Let¡¯s get to know each other. Hell, you might not even like me after you get to know me.¡± I chuckle. I like Trey enough, but he doesn¡¯t give me those overwhelming feelings. I am not falling over myself to be with this guy.


    He puts his arm around me. ¡°Well, then I have to just convince you.¡±


    I move out of his arm. ¡°First rule about me. I don¡¯t like to be touched. Not casually anyway. I like my space.¡±


    He cocks his head at me. ¡°Really, it is just an arm.¡±


    ¡°Really.¡± I stand my ground.


    We are standing there facing each other. When he starts again. ¡°How about this? I can put my arm around you and I won¡¯t kiss your cheek again, without your permission.¡±


    ¡°How about you just don¡¯t kiss me?¡± I counter.


    He gets a little closer. ¡°Come on, I got to do something to scare these other guys away. Give me something here.¡±


    I think about it for a minute. ¡°Fine, an arm around the shoulders, but that doesn¡¯t mean that you im me. I am still a free agent. Got it?¡±


    He nods and throws his arm around my shoulders. ¡°Loud and clear.¡± He starts steering us towards our first period ss. ¡°So, are you ready for the tryouts this afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know what I am doing. I have to meet with the coach at lunch to learn some routines, but that¡¯s just the basics. I took dance and I can learn moves. I should be able to learn some cheers.¡± I roll my eyes at the basics of it. It seems so trivial. My dance instructor was a demon. I am sure if I can get the moves to her perfection then I can do whatever cheer this chick throws at me. I can evene up with a few of my own.


    ¡°Good, I know you can do better than Kelly. She isn¡¯t even that great, there just aren¡¯t that many people who are challenging her. That¡¯s the problem with all our sports. Not enough talent to reallypete.¡± He seems like that just irritates him. Like there should be more team spirit or something.


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know how well I¡¯ll be because of the fact that I have never cheered before, but I can damn well do my best.¡± I stand confidently. ¡°I have enough skills to do the basics. I¡¯m going to learn what I can and I am pretty sure that I can do it.¡±


    ¡°After yesterday I am pretty sure you can do it. You rocked the moves your sister was asking. You can just do that and be captain.¡±


    ¡°Then I am pretty sure that Brittney should be captain already.¡± I smile at the thought. She really is that good. Plus she has a better personality than me. ¡°So, how did Cb and Bret do?¡±


    ¡°Great. They got speed and skill. I am thrilled to have them on the team. We might actually win a few. Don¡¯t get me wrong there are a few other guys that got skill too, I just think they are holding back. Your brothers don¡¯t hold back.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I was worried that they would. It¡¯s good to hear they came out of their shell. I guess the first game is going to be cool to watch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ll be able to pay attention to the game. I¡¯ll be too busy watching you.¡± He whispers in my ear.


    I shove him a little. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think so.¡± He pulls me closer. ¡°So, what do we talk about now? I have no clue.¡±


    He chuckles. ¡°How about the back to school dance? It¡¯s next week, it should be fun.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that isn¡¯t my thing.¡± I shake my head.


    ¡°I need a date. It¡¯s like a requirement.¡±


    I shrug. ¡°Well, good luck with that.¡±


    He groans. ¡°Be my date please.¡±


    ¡°I told you friends. I am not dating you.¡± We reach the ssroom and he opens the door for me.


    ¡°Fine, be my friend date.¡±


    I cock an eyebrow at him. ¡°Is that even really a thing?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course it is.¡±


    ¡°Sure, it¡¯s not something that you totally just made up.¡± I roll my eyes.


    He walks me to my seat and leans on the desk next to mine. ¡°What¡¯s it going to take to get you to go to the dance with me?¡±


    ¡°A lobotomy.¡± I answered without hesitation.


    Heughs. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad. It¡¯s actually kind of fun.¡±


    I sigh, ¡°If I tell you I¡¯ll think about it, then will you drop it?¡±


    He smirks. ¡°For now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll think about it.¡± I shake my head for added measure.


    Some guyes in and nudges Trey. ¡°Dude, your ass is on my desk.¡±


    Trey looks down at the desk. ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Like he didn¡¯t know he was sitting his ass there. He jumps up. ¡°Keep your hands off my girl.¡± He gives the guy a knowing look. What the fuck, I am not his girl?


    The guy looks at me then back at Trey. ¡°I thought you were with Kelly.¡±


    Iugh. I can¡¯t hold back, this is funny. The look on Trey¡¯s face is hrious. ¡°She only wishes. Now I mean it. Keep your hands off my girl.¡± He points at the guy and then back at me to make his point.


    I flipped him off. ¡°I am not your girl, I made that clear.¡±


    He groans. ¡°Work with me here babe.¡±


    ¡°Now, it¡¯s babe. Wow, you just keep digging yourself in a hole don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Keep it up and I¡¯ll have to kiss you right here in front of everyone.¡± He smirks and takes his seat at his desk.


    I look around and everyone is looking, just great Trey, I¡¯m going to have to punch him after ss. Just when I thought I would leave all that behind me. I guess that isn¡¯t possible today.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    The guy next to me leans closer. ¡°Don¡¯t mind Trey, it¡¯s his way of flirting. I don¡¯t think he gets the concept of taking things slow.¡± He seems like a nice guy. He puts his hand out for me to shake. ¡°I¡¯m Ethan by the way.¡±


    I take his hand. ¡°Cass.¡±


    ¡°Cool, I¡¯ve seen you in a couple of sses. If you need any real help, I can help you out.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. That¡¯s nice of you.¡± I give him a friendly smile. I didn¡¯t make many friends yesterday. I am pretty sure it was just Trey. And Gray, but he doesn¡¯t count.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just the average bumpkin around here. Most of the time people don¡¯t even notice me. I kind of like it that way.¡± He whispers thest part like it¡¯s part of a conspiracy.


    I chuckle and lean forward. ¡°Just my kind of people.¡± Then I give him a wink. He sits up a little straighter. I wasn¡¯t trying to flirt, but that is probably what that was. I like that he is easy going. Not a look at me kind of guy. I like that.


    Now I am wondering if Gray is that kind of guy. Probably, he sounded hot as hell. Yeah, I think I have a problem.

 Chapter 12

    TREYTON


    I think I have to try harder. She is blocking me. I don¡¯t like this crap. I don¡¯t have to work for girls¡¯ affections. Granted that is what I hate, but still I figured I would get a little something. Then I see her flirting with Ethan. Ethan for crying out loud. He is the biggest nerd there is. I am way better than he is.


    After ss I make a point of putting an arm around her and pulling her close to me right in front of Ethan. He just rolls his eyes and walks off. Kelly was trying to talk to me all ss, I just ignored her. I wanted ss to be over so I could talk to Cass. Ethan was still talking to her at the end of ss. They were talking about the sswork, so not really hot and heavy but I don¡¯t like it.


    So when I pull her into my arm, cing her body up against mine, I finally feel a sense of peace. ¡°Do you have a question about the work?¡± I ask putting my mouth as close to her skin as I can get. I know I told her no kissing, but I am having a hard time right now.


    ¡°No.¡± Short one word answers, this is not good.


    ¡°Then what was that?¡± I point at Ethan.


    ¡°We were talking about maybe doing a study groupter. I think Ethan is cool. I¡¯m going to do it.¡± I am starting to think this is to spite me.


    ¡°Cass, babe, I can help you out if you need it.¡±


    ¡°Did I ever mention to you that I was a four point O student at my old school? I don¡¯t think I really need anyones help.¡± She walks out of the ss, dragging me behind her because I am not letting her go.


    ¡°So, then why do you need to do a study group with Ethan?¡±


    ¡°Study groups make the work easier. It gets done faster. I¡¯m going to need that if I am on the stupid cheer team.¡±


    I smile. ¡°Yeah, I forgot about that. I can¡¯t wait to see you in the uniform.¡±


    She gets silent for a moment and she looks lost in thought. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m pretty?¡±


    I am shocked that she would even ask this. ¡°I think you are hot. I am pretty sure I have made that clear.¡±


    She shrugs. ¡°I just know I am not like other girls. Maybe I can lighten up a little. Not be such a hard ass. It was kind of a reflex where we were before. I had to defend my family so much that I had to act like this girl that I don¡¯t think I really am. I mean I am strong and I will fuck you up if you mess with my family. I just don¡¯t think I am one of those girls that is just trouble you know.¡±


    ¡°I get it. You felt like you had to be this person, but you¡¯re not sure if that person is really you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know what it is about living here, but I feel like I can actually start being me. Like finding myself or something. I don¡¯t need to look like I just came from a biker bar.¡±


    ¡°I think you just need to do you. If you are a chick that just came from a biker bar, then so be it, but if it¡¯s not, then that¡¯s cool too.¡±


    She gives me a small smile. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    I know I am breaking the rules but I pull her closer and kiss the top of her head. ¡°No problem babe.¡±


    She gives me a soft elbow to the ribs. But she smiles a little too. ¡°You are going to be trouble. Can¡¯t even follow the rules for a full two hours.¡±


    ¡°I guess I am a troublemaker. Or maybe it is you. You have me under some spell.¡± I wave my fingers in her face to make my point. ¡°But seriously, you¡¯re cool no matter what. Don¡¯t stress the small stuff.¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 13

    After school we all head out to the field. As much as I would like to say that I started practice off without a hitch, I didn¡¯t. I was too wrapped up watching the cheerleaders. I wasn¡¯t the only one if that helps. Coach Calhoon wasn¡¯t too happy about it, but after fifteen minutes he let it go and let us all watch what was going on with the cheerleaders.


    It didn¡¯t help that Cass was wearing these ck shorts that cupped her ass just right. She had on a tank, it was hot pink, I didn¡¯t think that would be her color but it works. Coach Mallory has both girls run through the routines that she calls out. Just like I thought, Cass kills it. Brittney is ok, but not the best. She is stiff in some areas. She keeps watching Cass and falls at least once. I saw once that she looked like she was going to fall but she caught herself.


    After thirty minutes the coach tells them both to sit. Both sit right where they stand. Coach Mallory seems like she is thinking about this kind of hard. It¡¯s not that hard to me, but I¡¯m not the coach. After a minute she sighs. ¡°Kelly, I¡¯m sorry. Cass is the better choice.¡±


    Kelly snarls. ¡°You have got to be kidding me. She isn¡¯t even a cheerleader.¡±


    Coach nods. ¡°She is now.¡±


    Cass doesn¡¯t let it go to her head either. She puts her hand out to Kelly. ¡°You did a great job.¡±


    Kelly smacks her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare patronize me. You shouldn¡¯t even be on the team.¡±


    Cass just keeps a straight face. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be if you were a fair team leader. You were going to bench my sister out of spite. That¡¯s on you. I hope that we can move past this.¡±


    Kelly gets up and storms off. Coach Mallory shakes her head. ¡°Let¡¯s get to the real practice. Come on girls.¡± She waves for all the girls to hit the field.


    Coach Calhoon takes this as his cue. ¡°Now, boys, can we get to the field?¡±


    We howl and head to the field. It¡¯s like there is a new vigor in the team too. We all y really hard. I don¡¯t know if it was seeing Cass use excellent team work or what. She could have put Kelly in her ce but she calmly talked to her. Even congratted her on her work. That¡¯s a good sport. Kelly is the dumbass that walked off the field.


    At the end of the practice I head straight to Cass, before she can duck into the locker room. I grab her waist and pull her back to me. I broke the rule again, this time kissing her neck. ¡°You did amazing out there.¡±


    Sheughs. ¡°Yeah, right.¡±


    ¡°I mean it. I¡¯m not just talking about the tryouts, the way you handled Kelly afterwards. It was great. You kept cool.¡±


    ¡°She is still a part of the squad. She¡¯ll cool down and be back. Even if it is just to try to prove that she is better than me.¡±


    I turn her around in my arms. I only meant to look in her eyes, but then her lips were just right there. ¡°You are truly amazing.¡± I am really breaking the rules. I kiss the shit out of her right now. I wrap her pony tale around my hand so she can¡¯t break away from me. My other arm is pulling her waist to my body. She is just gripping my biceps without a clue as to what to do. Good, maybe I can just keep confusing her and kiss her all the time.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I end the kiss and rest my forehead on hers. She pushes me back. ¡°That¡¯s it, you¡¯re grounded.¡±


    I put on a sad face. ¡°Babe, really.¡±


    She steps away from me. ¡°Oh, yeah, You are grounded. Now you don¡¯t even get the arm thing.¡±


    I stalk towards her. ¡°Oh, really.¡±


    She backs up with her hands out. ¡°You better stop right there.¡± I can tell it is yful, I wouldn¡¯t purposefully hurt her. I grab her up in my arms as she tries to run from me. We are kind of spinning around and she isughing. ¡°You are in so much trouble.¡± She cries out.


    I am about to say something else but Coach Calhoones around the corner. ¡°Hey, we want to go home at some point. Hit the showers.¡± He points at the locker rooms. We break apart and do as we are told but I really don¡¯t want to. Cass is too much damn fun.

 Chapter 14

    CASSANDRA


    I avoid Trey after that. I hurry to shower and get dressed with Brittney waiting for me. She grabs my arm. ¡°I am so happy that you got the spot. You are going to make a good captain.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best. That¡¯s all I can do. The Coach really wants to do this regional thing. I think we can do it. It¡¯s going to take work though.¡±


    She jumps a little. ¡°This is so cool.¡±


    When we get to the car Bret and Cb are there. Cb hugs me. ¡°Good job sis. I knew you would knock them dead.¡±


    Bret highfives me. ¡°That¡¯s my sister. Boss at all she does.¡±


    I justugh and climb in the car. I can see Trey watching me as he walks past my truck. He winks and makes a kissy face. I just roll my eyes and shake my head. He is a damn goofball.


    Once everyone is in I start driving home. Everyone is really chatty today. All about their own thing. It¡¯s weird but still a conversation. Cb is talking about something that he and Willow were talking about. Some new book that¡¯sing out. Brittney is talking about some girl in her ss, I guess she is cool. Bret is talking about football practice. We all make it home in one piece and in a good mood. There isn¡¯t a brawl on the frontwn so that is good.


    Uncle Jared left us a list of chores to get done while he is gone. Mom and dad are at the new restaurant. At least that is what the note said. I divide us up to handle the chores and we get to work. I can¡¯t say that I hate it, but it¡¯s not bad. I mean so when you work at a restaurant you always have to deal with customers. They can be a pain in the ass. Plus there is cleaning the bathroom. People are gross in public restrooms, just thought I would point that out. Right now I am cleaning out stalls and that is cleaner than the bathrooms at ourst restaurant. I took this job because I knew the others wouldn¡¯t want to do it.


    After I am half done I see Cb leaning against the barn door. He nods over to me. ¡°You know you don¡¯t always have to do that.¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡± I say as I lift a rake full of hay and grossness.


    ¡°Protect us so much. I know it was hard before. I don¡¯t know what it is, but being here feels right. Like we can finally be ourselves. City life just wasn¡¯t for us. We haven¡¯t been picked on once since we got here. Not one of us feels out of ce. I think it might be time that you stop trying to protect us all the time.¡±


    I lean against the rake. ¡°What did I over step on this time?¡±


    ¡°You took the hardest thing on the list because you knew we wouldn¡¯t want to do it. You always make things harder on yourself. Stop it. Brittney could have challenged for captain. You didn¡¯t have to do it. I¡¯m only saying this because I love you. Stop protecting us.¡±


    I look him over. He looks confident as hell right now. Since when did that happen? I sigh. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll back off.¡± I keep shoveling. ¡°Help me out here.¡± I smile over at him.


    Hees taking another rake from the rack at the front of the barn. He takes the stall next to me. Heughs for no apparent reason. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    He catches his breath. ¡°I was just thinking. We are a bunch of wolves with a bunch of horses. Don¡¯t wolves kind of eat other creatures like that?¡±


    ¡°That they do. I am pretty sure we aren¡¯t eating our horses though.¡± I chuckle a little too.


    ¡°How are you handling it?¡±


    ¡°As well as I can. It¡¯s a lot to take in. It¡¯s strange though. It was like when I found out it made sense. After I tried to kill Uncle Jared.¡±


    ¡°Me too. It doesn¡¯t make sense, but it does too.¡±


    I decided to change the subject. ¡°So, what¡¯s up with you and Willow?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s cool. I like her. I am going to take her to a movie this weekend. As long as I can use the truck.¡±


    ¡°My truck?¡± I add in mock indignation.


    Heughs. ¡°Yeah,¡±


    ¡°Alright, I guess you can.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Cool, I want you to hang out with us at lunch tomorrow too. I think you¡¯ll like her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I will.¡± I know I will. She makes my brother happier than I have seen him in a long time. It almost seemed like he liked her at first sight.

 Chapter 15

    After dinner I head for the treeline. I sneak away telling them all I am just getting some air. Uncle Jared gives me the stink eye, but I promise that I am going to be good and not go too far. I went straight to the tree I was atst night. As soon as I sit down I see Gray. He is sitting there with his tongue hanging out. ¡°Were you here first?¡±


    He nods his big canine head. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll close my eyes.¡± I close my eyes and listen to him walk around me and to the other side of the tree. I hear the cracking of bones. Then a sigh as he sits down. ¡°So, how was your day?¡±


    I smile. ¡°Pretty good. I didn¡¯t have to beat anyone¡¯s ass.¡±


    ¡°Then why do you smell like some guy?¡±


    Is that jealousy I hear? No, that can¡¯t be right. ¡°Probably Trey. He seems to think he can make me his girlfriend by sheer force of will. I keep telling him no, but he doesn¡¯t get it.¡±


    ¡°I thought it smelled familiar. Boy does get around.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°Yeah, not my type.¡±


    ¡°What is your type?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°Not really sure. I never gave myself a chance to think about it. I guess, I don¡¯t really care about looks. I care about who the person is, you know. Like they have to stand for something. They have to know what is important and be willing to protect it. I think that is someone that I would definitely be interested in.¡±


    ¡°So, not Trey?¡±


    ¡°Not Trey.¡± I repeat. ¡°He is a friend at most. He got all possessive today. I was talking to this guy Ethan and he started calling me babe. I shut that down, told him that I am not his girlfriend right in front of Ethan.¡±


    ¡°Ethan Thomas?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he sits next to me in English. He seems nice. We are going to do a study group.¡± I fidget with my shirt. ¡°How old are you? It¡¯s obvious that you don¡¯t go to high school.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I graduated two years ago. I was at collegest year, but I couldn¡¯t decide what I wanted to do so I took a year off. I guess I wouldn¡¯t have met you if I didn¡¯t. Maybe we would have run into each other on break or something, but I¡¯m not sure if it would be the same.¡±


    ¡°I am sure you would have lived. I¡¯m not that great.¡± I chuckle a little.


    ¡°Give yourself some credit. I think you are great. I wouldn¡¯t be here if I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Well, that is nice of you to say. So what do you do with yourself all day?¡±


    ¡°I work for my dad. He has a business here in town. It¡¯s mainly handyman stuff, but it¡¯s work. With wintering up there is always a lot. Not at your house of course. Your Uncle likes to take care of it all on his own. He¡¯s stubborn like that. He will even call someone out of town rather than call our family.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe we can change his mind.¡±


    ¡°I hope so, it¡¯s stupid and ridiculous. So, what else did you do today?¡±


    ¡°I am the new Cheer Captain. I didn¡¯t really want to do it, but thest girl said that she wasn¡¯t going to let my sister cheer, she was going to bench her. My sister is good. I¡¯m not saying that because she is my sister. She took four years of dance and six years of gymnastics. She¡¯s got moves. It was just because she didn¡¯t like me because of Trey. I guess they used to date or something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Kelly is really full of herself. I keep telling her that she needs to lighten up, but she thinks she is some princess or something. Her dad doesn¡¯t help. He spoils the shit out of her.¡±


    ¡°Did she hit on you or something?¡±


    ¡°No, nothing like that. We just know each other. She is all about Trey anyway. I swear she thinks they are destined to be together for the rest of their lives. Obviously Trey doesn¡¯t feel the same way.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he just needs to see her in a different light. I get the feeling he is just bored. Maybe if she was more down to earth she would capture him again.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I hear him chuckle. ¡°You really don¡¯t have feelings for Trey.¡±


    ¡°No, I said I didn¡¯t. He doesn¡¯t really stand for anything. Sure he has his things he does, but what does that stand for. There are no principals there. He didn¡¯t even really seem to care about the team that he is supposed to be leading. Tryouts were a joke. He didn¡¯t really recruit anyone. A little with my brothers, but he just basically told them they were on the team before he even saw if they were any good.¡±


    ¡°Are they any good?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but he didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    Grayughs. ¡°You¡¯re fun to talk to. When is this game you are supposed to be cheering at?¡±


    ¡°I think next Friday. Then there is a dance on Saturday.¡±


    ¡°What about the dance?¡±


    ¡°Trey asked me to go with him. I already told him that I wasn¡¯t going.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to go?¡±


    ¡°I was just thinking that maybe I should start doing stuff like that. I have kind of held myself in for so long that I really am not myself. I don¡¯t know if that makes any sense.¡±


    ¡°No, it does. I feel like that sometimes. I guess that¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t figure out what I wanted to be. I was always doing whatever my family wanted me to do, I never took the time to figure out who I am. I think I am just starting to find that person.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too. Even my look, it was all to look tougher. Make sure no one messes with my family. Now I look at my reflection and I don¡¯t even know who I am. I hate my hair. I don¡¯t like the makeup I wear. My clothes aren¡¯t so bad, but maybe a little more color would be nice. Maybe some dresses. I don¡¯t know, just different. You know what I mean?¡±


    He sighs. ¡°Yeah, I do. That would be nice by the way.¡±


    ¡°What would?¡±


    ¡°Seeing you in a dress.¡±


    ¡°Well, Friday you¡¯ll see me in a Cheer uniform. Apparently we have to wear them every Friday. It¡¯s a school pride thing.¡±


    ¡°Well, go Wolves.¡± He chuckles.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it funny that the school mascot is a wolf and well half the town is wolves.¡±


    ¡°The town was founded by wolves.¡± He is quiet for a moment. ¡°I sometimes forget that you don¡¯t know all this. We are all raised with it and it seems so natural. It seems weird to exin it.¡±


    ¡°I hate being so lost on something so basic. I me my dad. If he would have told me then this wouldn¡¯t have to be like this. I would have already known all this.¡± I really do hate being so ignorant of something that I should know. I am a wolf and I should know about my heritage.


    ¡°Yeah, but then you and I probably wouldn¡¯t be talking.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s true.¡± I sigh looking at the setting sun. ¡°I should probably go before Uncle Jaredes looking for me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I wouldn¡¯t want him to see me full monty. I should have brought some shorts or something. I think these leaves are starting to chafe.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. Well, I¡¯ll leave first. See you tomorrow Gray.¡±


    ¡°You bet Green. I look forward to it.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±

 Chapter 16

    GRAY


    I shift and watch her walk all the way back to her house. She is beautiful. I didn¡¯t see it at first but she is. I know it sounded jaded or jealous when I smelled Trey on her, but it pissed me off. Not because it was Trey but because it was anyone. It¡¯s like I don¡¯t want anyone near her. His scent was all over her skin. That means he was really close.


    I ran back to my house. Surprisingly our houses are close together. You would figure over the years they would have moved away from each other, but they didn¡¯t. It was like they had to keep an eye on each other. When I step into the back room I barely have my pants on when my sister barges into the room. ¡°There you are. Mom was looking for you. Not that she cares about my bad day, no, only where you are.¡±


    ¡°I heard, it must have sucked.¡± I give her a mock concerned face. Because honestly she deserved it.


    ¡°It was the worst. No one was on my side.¡±


    ¡°Maybe if you weren¡¯t such a bitch to everyone all the time.¡± I point out.


    She rolls her eyes at me. ¡°I have to be. How else am I going to get people to do what I say?¡±


    ¡°How about you be nice to them?¡± Duh.


    ¡°No, that doesn¡¯t work. Haven¡¯t you heard the phrase nice guys finishst?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that doesn¡¯t mean they don¡¯t get it done. Plus I am pretty sure an asshole told that one. For an example there was this bridge out once. I saw it in a documentary. Anyway it was out right at the top of the crest so the cars couldn¡¯t see it. Cars kept going over the edge into the river below. Eventually someone noticed and stopped, but I am pretty sure those people were grateful to best.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± She sneers at me.


    ¡°I am giving you valuable life information here.¡±


    ¡°You are so stupid.¡±


    ¡°Whatever.¡± I shrug and head in to see my mom. I found her in the kitchen again. I know she bakes when she is stressed. Pretty sure I made her that way. ¡°Hey, mom, what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Were you with that girl again?¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± She doesn¡¯t answer, she just gives me a look, the look that means don¡¯t bullshit me, just answer the question. ¡°Yeah, I was.¡±


    ¡°It is not a good idea. This could end really bad for you. I don¡¯t want to see you hurt. Please can you just stay away from her for me.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°I can¡¯t mom. She isn¡¯t what you think. I am sure if you met her you would see that.¡±


    ¡°She is one of them.¡±


    ¡°So, we don¡¯t let it bother us. You shouldn¡¯t either.¡±


    ¡°I am just worried about you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried. I am careful and she doesn¡¯t let anyone know that we are meeting or where. Which is exactly why I am not telling you where we meet.¡±


    ¡°I could just follow your scent and find out.¡±


    ¡°Would you really invade my privacy like that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying they could do the same thing.¡±


    ¡°But they don¡¯t. It¡¯s fine.¡±


    She sighs. ¡°Any sign of trouble you get your ass out of there.¡±


    ¡°Yes mom.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    At least she left it there. She could have made more of a fuss. She is my mom. I am a bit relieved that she knows I am a grown adult and I can make my own choices.

 Chapter 17

    TREYTON


    I have been attached to Cass all week. I am pretty sure the whole school thinks we are dating. Good, they will leave her alone. As far as I am concerned we are. The grounded thingsted about a day, then I weaseled my way back in. She can¡¯t resist my charms. Alright she can, but I am really persistent.


    Kelly is standoffish which I am good with. She hasn¡¯t tried to act like my girlfriend again, but I know her, she has something cooking. She hints at it today when she casually brings up the dance next week. ¡°So, are you taking your new girlfriend to the dance?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not really her thing. We are talking about it.¡±


    ¡°I have noticed that she has changed over the week. A little lighter. More like me. Is that you?¡± She doesn¡¯t look like Kelly. She does have lighter hair and she doesn¡¯t wear as many earrings. Her nose ring isn¡¯t a hoop any more, it¡¯s a small stud. She is even wearing lighter colors.


    ¡°No, that is her.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not trying to turn her into me?¡± She smirks.


    ¡°Fat chance of that.¡±


    She slides her hand along my arm. ¡°So I was thinking, since it really isn¡¯t her thing, maybe we could go together.¡±


    ¡°No, thanks.¡± I try to walk away but she digs her fingers into my arm.


    ¡°I really think you should consider it. You wouldn¡¯t want to go to the dance alone.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be alone, just won¡¯t be with you.¡± I pull out of her grasp and go to find Cass. She is usually in the library with Ethan about now. They have built quite the friendship. Not that I am thrilled about it, but it¡¯s Ethan, it¡¯s not like he could steal her from me.


    I see themughing away in the library. They have a seat towards the back. Ie up and take the seat next to Cass and pull her into myp. ¡°What are we studying?¡± I smile at Ethan.


    Cass rolls her eyes. ¡°We were talking about theparisons in work done by Poe and Shakespear.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t their work totally different?¡± I ponder.


    Today Cass is wearing her uniform, she looks so hot in it. My hand is holding her legs over myp, that means my hand is on her bare thigh. I am gliding my thumb over her thigh, I really like it. The feel of her skin under my hand is actually a big turn on. I am not even that high up her leg.


    ¡°Shakespear¡¯sedies yeah, sure. But the tragedies, those are a lot like Poe¡¯s.¡± She answers leaning forward. I pull her back.


    ¡°Ok, but they were both drunks, doesn¡¯t that equate to a little of their mindset.¡± I like that I actually know something in this conversation.


    ¡°Sure, but Poe was also into other harder stuff.¡± Ethan adds.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why he didn¡¯t have anyedies.¡± I smile at my own joke.


    Cass just rolls her eyes again. ¡°Could be, but Poe was also highly depressed. That could be the main reason why he didn¡¯t have anyedies.¡±


    ¡°Why are we talking about this again?¡± I¡¯m lost. This has nothing to do with what we were doing in ss.


    They both shrug. ¡°Just something that we got to talking about.¡± Cass adds. ¡°Anyway, we are done with our work. Since practice was cut for both teams today, I should probably collect my fam and head home.¡±


    I pull her a little closer. ¡°Or you could just hang with me.¡± I give her one of my charming smiles.


    She looks back at Ethan. ¡°So, we are on for next week, right?¡±


    He looks nervous. ¡°Yeah, that should be fine.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s next week?¡± I ask, looking at both of them.


    ¡°I have to work next week so he is meeting me there to study.¡±


    ¡°As in he is going to be sitting with you eating a meal.¡± I am not liking the sound of this. Since when does studying involve meals? Sure snacks, but not meals. This sounds more like a date.


    ¡°Rx. Ethan and I are friends. You are a friend too by the way.¡± She nudges me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Whatever.¡± She shakes her head. ¡°Thanks Ethan. I¡¯m only supposed to have to work weekends, but the regr waitress got sick and they don¡¯t expect her in all week. So they want me to cover. I think it¡¯s the flu or something.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to have enough time though? You will be working.¡±


    She waves him off. ¡°I got it covered. I already have a table picked out for you. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    He shrugs slightly. ¡°Ok, if you say so.¡±


    She smiles. ¡°I do say so.¡±


    I lift Cass up in my arms as I stand. ¡°Well, I am going to be taking this beautiful creature with me for the next hour.¡± She clings to me like I am going to drop her. I¡¯m not but she is worried about it I can tell.


    I carry her out of the library, she starts protesting. ¡°Where are you taking me? You left my backpack in there, you know.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I smirk. ¡°We will be back in time to pick it up. I am just taking you for a drive. Some time, just you and me.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I don¡¯t want to be alone with you. Have you ever thought of that?¡± I like it when she gets feisty.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I am giving you much of a choice here. Do you think you have a choice?¡± I ask.


    She sighs, ¡°I guess not.¡± Good she gets the picture here.


    I carried her all the way to my truck and only set her down long enough to open the door. Then I lift her back up and put her in the truck. I close the door and run to the other side. I climb into the driver¡¯s seat and start it up.


    ¡°Are you going to tell me where we are going?¡± She asks as she buckles up.


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s a surprise.¡±


    She groans. ¡°I hate surprises.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a big one.¡± Iugh and start down the road. It only takes me about ten minutes, but it is a long time with her huffing at me in the seat next to me. I pull in front of my house and park the truck. ¡°Well, here we are.¡±


    ¡°Where is here?¡±


    ¡°My house. I was going to take you somewhere else but we don¡¯t have time, so here we are.¡±


    I go and collect her from the truck. This time I held her hand. ¡°What are we doing here?¡±


    ¡°Honestly I just wanted you to know where I live. The weekend ising up and thought you might want toe visit me. You are free toe see me anytime you want. I¡¯m going to introduce you to my mom. She¡¯s cool. You¡¯ll like her.¡±


    ¡°Really you want me to meet your mom?¡± She looks at me shocked.


    ¡°Well, sure it wasn¡¯t my first choice, but you know what time allows.¡± I give her a cocky grin. Pulling her into the house I find my mom in the kitchen. ¡°Hey, mom, this is Cass.¡±


    She stops stirring her pan and dries her hands on her apron. ¡°Well, I have heard a lot about you.¡± She gives Cass a pleasant smile. ¡°She puts her hand out. My name is Trish.¡±


    Cass takes her hand. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±


    ¡°I told Cass that she cane over if she wants. I was sure it would be cool with you.¡± I wink at mom. This is my way of asking and she knows it.


    ¡°Well, she certainly seems nicer than thest girl that you brought.¡± My mom jokes.


    I take Cass¡¯s hand again. Dragging her up to my room. My mom calls out to me. ¡°Remember to keep the door cracked.¡±


    ¡°I know mom.¡± I called back. I smirk back at Cass. ¡°I can get a whole lot done with the door cracked.¡±


    ¡°Not with me you don¡¯t.¡±


    I pull her into my room and have the door cracked only two inches. I pull her into my arms. ¡°You know you look really hot today.¡±


    ¡°I think your vision might be skewed a little.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡± My voice is really husky. She does this to me. She drives me a little crazy. She pushes me away to look around my room. There isn¡¯t much in here to be honest. Video game console, some books on the shelf, some trophies for sports. Nothing grand. It¡¯s actually a little messy. I have some clothes on the floor by the closet. I getzy in the morning. The only things on the walls are a tack board with all my uing schedules on it. Also a picture of Cass, hope she doesn¡¯t see that one. I have a picture of my mom and dad from when I was younger on my desk. Some friend pictures, not many. My desk is a bit littered with papers and myptop is open on my desk. The screensaver is shifting on the screen, just abstract pictures. She steps over and clicks the sensor pad.


    ¡°What were you working on?¡± She looks down at the screen and then back at me. I really don¡¯t remember what I was working on. ¡°Really?¡±


    I look at her confused but then I can see around her. It is a picture of her that I took yesterday. I remember now, I was debating on printing it out. I left it there for me to decideter. ¡°Um, well, as you can see I have pictures of my friends on my desk. I was going to add you.¡±


    She points to the tack board. ¡°And that one doesn¡¯t count, why?¡±


    I hoped she hadn¡¯t seen that one. ¡°Well, because you are just too important to only have one picture.¡± I smirk, approaching her. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re hot, I should have a million pictures of you around.¡± I pull her to me. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I want to see your face any chance I get.¡±


    ¡°You are a ham. If you did that I might have to put you in the ssification of a stalker.¡± She lightly pushes me but I don¡¯t go anywhere. ¡°So, what was your n, just introduce me to your mom?¡±


    ¡°Kind of. And maybe a little of this.¡± I lift her up and toss her on the bed climbing up her body. I press my lips to hers before she can protest. It feels good to have her in my bed. I put my hand on her thigh, right where it was before. Propping myself up with my other arm I explore her mouth. I think she has gotten used to me kissing her. She still protests she isn¡¯t my girlfriend but I think she is opening up to the idea. At least how she is kissing me is any indication, she feels for me too. My fingers dig into her skin when she moans into the kiss.


    It starts to turn into a heavy make out session when my hand starts to work its way further up her skirt. That is when she pulls back. ¡°We should stop there Romeo.¡±


    ¡°That story didn¡¯t have a good ending. Let¡¯s pick another one.¡± I peck her nose.


    ¡°I do have to get back soon. I have people waiting on me. A bag to collect.¡±


    Iy next to her pulling her body closer to mine. ¡°We have some time.¡±


    ¡°So, I am looking around this room and I don¡¯t see anything that you are passionate about. It just seems like basic stuff.¡±


    I shrug a little. ¡°I guess it is just stuff I do. I don¡¯t really have a passion.¡±


    ¡°What do you care about? What drives you?¡±


    ¡°My mom. She has been taking care of me and my sister and brother on her own since I was three. My dad died. She has done everything to make sure I had everything I have ever needed. So I want to get a good education so I can do the same for her. Earn enough that she doesn¡¯t have to work again. I would work now, but she told me off thest time I brought it up. It was not a pleasant conversation.¡±


    I lift her wrist and run my fingers over her tattoo, ¡°I guess in a way that makes us the same. We care about our family.¡± I kiss her wrist over the tattoo.


    She nods. ¡°I guess it does. Is that why you like me?¡±


    I look over at her. ¡°I like you because you are interesting, beautiful and full of fire. You are passionate about everything that you do. Look at the cheer squad. You didn¡¯t even want to do it, but now that you are captain, you have taken the role seriously. I have seen the new routines, they are good. You even are getting Kelly better. You got her to listen on the field, that is a feat.¡±


    ¡°I think it is more the coach standing right there.¡± She suppresses herughter. ¡°What about you? With the football team, why does it seem like you are just going through the motions?¡±


    ¡°I guess I am. At first I was all for it. I worked really hard, then we just kept losing. I lost my fight after that. I just do what I can and let the rest go.¡±


    ¡°The team doesn¡¯t look all that bad, I think if you put a little more into it, you might be able to turn it around this year.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I just hate defeat.¡±


    She kisses my cheek. ¡°If you don¡¯t try then you are admitting defeat already.¡±


    I smile. ¡°Another reason why I like you.¡± I kiss her hard. How is she so perfect?


    I am really getting into this when my mom opens the door. ¡°Well, if that isn¡¯t a sight.¡± Cass jumps away from me.


    ¡°Thanks mom.¡± I grumble.


    She smirks. ¡°Just keeping you in check. I came up to see if you were staying for dinner Cass.¡± She nods towards Cass.


    ¡°Actually I need to get going. I have to get my brothers and sister home. Trey promised to get me back to school.¡± She looks at me with pleading eyes.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take you back.¡± I grumble. Why can¡¯t she just stay right here?


    My mom smiles at Cass. ¡°You are wee here anytime.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Trish.¡± Cass nods to her with a smile of her own.


    I stand and take Cass¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s get you back before my star yer has a coronary.¡±


    She chuckles. ¡°Yeah, Cb would. Bret wouldn¡¯t be much better.¡±


    I groan, ¡°I know. I swear those boys only care about their sisters. I was surprised that Cb was spending so much time with Willow.¡±


    ¡°I think he really likes her.¡± She whispers loudly.


    My momughs. ¡°Well Willow Wilson is a good girl. Your brother could do worse.¡±


    Cassughs. ¡°Yeah, I know. There have been a few of those sniffing around.¡±


    ¡°I tried to get Trey to date her once, but it did not end well.¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± I can not believe she just said that.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s true.¡± My mom acts like she has no idea what she just did. I know you do mom. Don¡¯t y innocent with me.


    Cassughs. ¡°Well, then I think Cb would be heartbroken.¡±


    ¡°Trey seems pretty happy this way too.¡± Can she be any more embarrassing?


    I drag Cass out of there, before my mom can do any more damage. I load her up into my truck and get us back to the school before we are toote. I still hated to let her go. I wanted her to stay right in my arms. The worst part was knowing that I would not be able to see her for two whole days.

 Chapter 18

    GRAY


    I am waiting in our usual spot. I¡¯m a little nervous. I have no idea why. We meet every night. Over the week she has been changing her look. I don¡¯t want to say this, but she is turning into the goddess that I thought she would be. At least if she is my mate. I don¡¯t know. I think so. This is torture. I am pacing in my fur waiting for her toe through the trees.


    I can hear hering before I see her. When her bodyes through the trees I am stunned. She is wearing her cheer uniform today. I can see legs that she usually covers up. She sees me watching her. She hopefully doesn¡¯t notice the drooling. What I¡¯m in my fur, it happens. She does a little spin for me and I think my heart stopped. ¡°You like it?¡±


    I nod with my tongue hanging out. I have seen other girls in that same uniform but none of them do what she is doing to me. I shake my head trying to clear my thoughts. She cocks her head to the side. ¡°Is that a yes or a no?¡±


    I nod towards the tree, indicating that she should take her seat. She gets me, she sits and I trot around the tree to the other side. It doesn¡¯t take me long to shift and I have a pair of shorts that I left here yesterday. I slip those on. ¡°I like it very much.¡± I manage to choke out.


    ¡°I¡¯m d.¡± I can hear the smile in her voice.


    ¡°Close your eyes.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Please.¡±


    She sighs. ¡°Alright. They are closed.¡±


    Before I take a seat I move around to the other side of the tree. Her eyes are closed, she is sitting there looking a little irritated. I can smell that boy on her skin again. I think I let out a little growl that I honestly tried to suppress. Yes, I know who he is but I don¡¯t really give a shit. He needs to stop touching her. The best way to do that is to touch her myself. ¡°Keep ¡¯em closed.¡±


    I kneel down next to her and run my fingers behind her ear, pulling her face a little more towards me. I study her face. I have never touched her this way before. It¡¯s different. I can tell it¡¯s different for her too. Her breath has sped up. Her heart is beating hard. ¡°You know Trey shouldn¡¯t be touching you if you don¡¯t want him to.¡± I slide my fingers down her neck.


    ¡°Yeah, well, try telling him that.¡±


    I chuckle. ¡°Maybe I will.¡± I glide my fingers along her side resting my hand on her hip. ¡°Is this alright? I don¡¯t want to do anything that you don¡¯t like.¡± I whisper leaning closer.


    She shakes her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± She sounds a little breathless.


    ¡°I¡¯m about to do something that I probably shouldn¡¯t.¡± I brush my lips against hers. I wait for her response. She doesn¡¯t hesitate. Her lips seek mine. The feeling is amazing. Our lips move in tandem. I feel it through my body, she reaches for mine. I pull her a little closer. I have never been more connected with a person in my life. She moves with me, moaning and pleading for more. I don¡¯t want to stop anyway. That is until I hear some branches snap in the distance. Not too far off.


    I pull away from her. ¡°We are not alone.¡±


    She still has her eyes closed. ¡°Which direction?¡±


    ¡°Mine.¡± I growl. It better not be my mother. ¡°We have to cut today short. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°It will beter. I have to work, remember.¡±


    I look back down at her. ¡°I remember. You remember this.¡± I give her a soft kiss. ¡°Maybe get that guy to stop kissing you.¡±


    She smiles. ¡°It¡¯s a deal.¡±


    I run away from her, shifting as I move. I head straight to the noise. When I reach her I want to kill her. Mom, what the hell are you doing? Her small gray wolf is almost trembling next to mine.


    You were with her again, weren¡¯t you?


    That is none of your business.


    I am worried about you. She is going to hurt you.


    Right now the only one doing that is you. I growl and snap a little bit. Sometimes I hate the woman that my mom has be. This isn¡¯t even my family¡¯s squabble. She just married that asshole. Maybe that¡¯s why I don¡¯t care about it. Sure I have been raised with that family and am considered a part of it, but I¡¯m not. That blood doesn¡¯t run in my system. This isn¡¯t my fight. Soon I will find out if she is my mate and if she is, you better believe I will take her as my mate. I don¡¯t give a crap about this feud and neither does she.


    I take off in a huff. I can¡¯t believe she followed me out here. Not only that but she ruined apletely good kiss. I do have a good thought though. I can see her more this weekend. She just won¡¯t know it¡¯s me.

 Chapter 19

    CASSANDRA


    The diner was packed today. It¡¯s like everyone in this town wanted to eat out today. There are even a bunch of college kids too, which is surprising. More likely they all wanted to see the new girl. Most were people in town who hadn¡¯t met me or my family. I was the only one waitressing today though. I got Ethan a table in the back and when I had breaks we would sit and talk, but he is getting bored and is ready to head out. I feel bad because I wasn¡¯t much entertainment for him. At least he is my friend.


    I am serving up a tter for a family of four when a young college aged guyes in. He smiles at me and takes a seat at an empty booth. I finish with the family and head over to him with my pad in hand. ¡°Wee to Oasis Diner, what can I get started for you?¡±


    He smiles up at me. ¡°How about a c to start?¡±


    I jot it down. ¡°Do you want water also?¡± I always have to ask. Even though most people look at me the way this guy does. Which is like I just said the stupidest thing ever. Why would I want two drinks? ¡°I have to ask.¡± I mumble thest part.


    He nods in understanding. ¡°No, thanks, just the c.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Go ahead and look over the menu and I¡¯ll be right back.¡± I leave and get his drink. It doesn¡¯t take long. When I turn back to the table I see him watching me. Not really sure why. That is until a horror showes in.


    ¡°Justin, what the heck?¡± He groans looking at her. Kelly sits across from him. ¡°You just ditched me.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to sit around and wait for you to finish hanging out with your friends. You should have gotten your license already and then people wouldn¡¯t have to drive you around.¡± He leans back in the seat.


    He must have been trying to see what her enemy looked like. I ce the drink in front of him. I nod to Kelly. ¡°Would you like anything to drink?¡± I even smile.


    She scoffs at me. ¡°Yeah, right. Not from you.¡±


    ¡°Kelly, don¡¯t be such a bitch. She is doing her job.¡±


    She practically screams at him. ¡°I don¡¯t like her and I will talk to her anyway that I want to.¡±


    I put my hand up. ¡°It is quite alright. I can find you another server if you would like.¡± I have to be polite or I will hear about itter.


    Justin is the one to speak next. ¡°I am quite fine with my server. Maybe my sister should just leave.¡± He res at Kelly.


    She waves it off. ¡°Find me another server.¡±


    I nod. ¡°I¡¯ll do that.¡±


    Justin stops me by grabbing my apron as I turn. ¡°I am ready to order.¡±


    ¡°I will get your server in just one second.¡± I give him a nice smile.


    ¡°No, I said I wanted you to serve me. She can have her own. And her own check too. Consider us separate tables.¡±


    I turn back around and pull out the notepad. ¡°Alright, what would you like to order?¡±


    ¡°A turkey sandwich. Side of fries. Make sure the sandwich has extra pickles. That is all for now.¡± He seems to emphasize the for now part.


    I jot that down. ¡°Alrighting right up.¡± I head back to the kitchen and ce the order. I lean over to catch my mom¡¯s attention. ¡°There is a customer out here that doesn¡¯t want me to serve them. I need someone to help her out.¡±


    My mom sighs. ¡°What did you do?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°She just doesn¡¯t like me.¡±


    She washes her hands real quick. ¡°Alright give me your pad.¡±


    I hand it over and she takes the order for the drink and the entree at the same time. Then she ces the order on the counter. ¡°She is a pain in the ass isn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°See, it wasn¡¯t me.¡± I take my pad back from her and take another order before Justin¡¯s order is ready. I head over with his meal and he watches me the whole time. I ce his te in front of him. ¡°Anything else you would like.¡±


    He is about to answer when I feel arms wrap around me. I push him back. I know who it is without even looking. ¡°I am working that is not appropriate.¡± I hiss as I turn and look at him.


    He rolls his eyes. ¡°You are serving Justin and Kelly. Not exactly a high clientele.¡±


    ¡°They are all important.¡± I put my hands on my hips to make my point. ¡°Now if you are going to order then take a seat. If not, you have to go.¡±


    He rolls his eyes and takes a seat a couple of booths over. Kelly immediately stands up and goes to his table sitting across from him. I turn back to Justin. He is trying to hide a smirk behind his ss of soda. ¡°I apologize. Is there anything else I can get you?¡±


    He smacks his lips as he sets his ss down. ¡°How about ketchup? Plus maybe I would like that water.¡±


    I nod and smile getting what he requested. When I set the items on the table he smiles again. ¡°Can I get another pickle?¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I have no idea why he needs so many pickles, but I nod and get him another pickle from the kitchen. I set down the extra te. He waves his fork at me. ¡°Can I get another fork? I dropped mine.¡± Does this guy not realize that I have other tables to serve?


    ¡°Just one minute.¡± I smile, but at this point it is getting strained. At least it doesn¡¯t look like anyone else needs anything else at the moment. My mom brought Kelly her meal so I am sure she is taking care of Trey too. Until she meets me at the counter.


    ¡°He requested you.¡± She points to Trey.


    I sigh. ¡°Alright.¡±


    I take Justin his clean fork. ¡°Here you are? Anything else?¡±


    He just smiles. ¡°Not at the moment, but I am sure I can think of something.¡±


    I am pretty sure I am blushing. ¡°Just give me a holler when you figure it out.¡±


    I pull out my pad and head to Trey. ¡°What can I get for you?¡±


    He smiles at me. ¡°Alright beautiful I would like the half pound burger and fries. No pickles. No onions. A chocte milkshake with two straws please.¡± I write all that down and highlight the two straws so I don¡¯t forget.


    Kelly gushes. ¡°Oh, that is so cute, baby.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get those right out for you guys.¡±


    I turn and I hear Trey jump up from the table. ¡°Wait babe, not like that. I meant that for you and me.¡±


    I turned back confused. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°For your break. I keep asking Kelly to move. But instead I think she thinks it means move in.¡± He rubs my arms. ¡°Seriously, I came here to see you.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I have to work. I am out of breaks. I had to use my breaks earlier. I am almost done with my shift.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± He looks disappointed. ¡°Well, you can have it with me when you get off.¡±


    ¡°That is like an hour from now.¡±


    ¡°So, I can wait.¡±


    Why does he have to be so cute when he says that? I am trying to be standoffish here. ¡°That is really sweet but it seems like a lot.¡±


    ¡°Anything for you.¡± He leans in and I know he is going to kiss me so I turn my head. ¡°Right, you¡¯re working. Get the shake when you get close to getting off.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°Alright.¡±


    I pull away from him so that I can get his order together. When I turn around after cing the order I see Justin waving me down. I hurry over to his table. ¡°Did you figure out what you needed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I need you to take a seat for a second.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, I am on duty and I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just for a second.¡±


    I edge over to the seat. I shouldn¡¯t be doing this. I sit on the edge of the bench. ¡°Now, what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°So, my sister hates you. That much is clear. What is going on with you and her ex-boyfriend?¡±


    I am confused. ¡°I¡¯m sorry what does this have to do with your order?¡±


    ¡°Everything. Answer the question.¡± He leans forward like this is the most interesting information on the.


    ¡°We are friends. He wants to be more, but I do not at the moment.¡± I fidget with my fingers.


    He taps at the table. ¡°Well, that is very interesting. Can I get some apple pie mode?¡±


    I stand quickly and jot that down for him. ¡°Coming right up.¡±


    I can¡¯t get away from that table fast enough. Why is he asking me these questions? None of it makes sense. Plus he is Kelly¡¯s brother, I am sure that there is something to that. Some family loyalty.


    I serve a few more tables before Trey¡¯s food is done. I set his food down and go to handle the other tables. He grabs my hand. ¡°Hey, what was going on with Justin?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. He just had a question.¡±


    Kelly rolls her eyes. ¡°Who cares? Let him have her. They are made for each other, both a couple of blemishes.¡±


    Trey res at her. ¡°Don¡¯t you have somewhere else to be?¡±


    She smiles sweetly at him. ¡°Nope. I am all yours. Unlike other people I am not too busy for you.¡±


    ¡°Please leave.¡± He groans.


    ¡°Enjoy your food.¡± I slip my hand out of his grasp.


    I do know one thing: I need a break. I make for the kitchen and head to the walk-in fridge. It will be freezing but quiet. I don¡¯t n on being in there long. I step in and close the door. Oh, hell it is cold. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. This is getting out of hand. We need to work out something between Kelly and I. That is the only way that we are going to get this to work.


    After I have myselfposed enough I leave the fridge. I see that the pie is ready for Justin. I grab it and take it to his table. ¡°Will that be all for you?¡±


    He taps his ss. ¡°More please.¡±


    He does have a nice smile. ¡°Coming right up.¡± I take his ss for the refill and he has a napkin wrapped around it. I take the napkin off so that I can wipe the ss down. When I do, I see a note written on it.


    Hey beautiful,


    Call or text me sometime.


    555-358-2596


    I shove it in my pocket only so that no one else will see it and then head back to the table with the fresh ss. He nods to me and takes the ss from me, lightly brushing my fingers as he does. ¡°I¡¯ll get your check ready.¡± I pull my hand away.


    I am ready to go home now. This is not my day.


    I continued about my job. Only Justin and Trey don¡¯t leave. At some point Kelly finally did. But that really isn¡¯t helping me right now. They have started to re at each other. This just makes me ufortable. Then I remember my way out of all of this. I have a date. Ok, not a date, but a meeting. I wish it was a date.


    I start wrapping up my shift for the night. Trey notices and motions for me toe to his table. ¡°Are you going to get that shake with me?¡±


    I act like the totally innocent person that I am. ¡°Sorry, my mom just reminded me of this thing I have to do after work. I can¡¯t stick around. Do you still want the shake?¡±


    He sags in disappointment. ¡°No, that¡¯s alright. Maybe some other time. Do you really have to do this thing?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a family meeting thing and I am the one that has to be there.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll head out then.¡± I hand him his check, heys some money on the table and tries to lean in for a kiss but I turn my head again. I made a deal after all, I can¡¯t go back on my word. He leaves looking defeated. I feel bad but at the same time I  don¡¯t. One down, one to go. I don¡¯t have any idea what he is hanging around for.


    I head over to his table. ¡°Was everything to your satisfaction?¡±


    He loses his smile a little. ¡°Not entirely. I think the staff could be a little friendlier.¡±


    I blink a few times. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡±


    ¡°It seemed like you were avoiding me. I hope that is not part of your service.¡±


    ¡°Well, no. I was not avoiding you. I thought I was pretty amodating.¡± I am getting frustrated with this guy. He kept asking me for things every five minutes and I got it all without fail.


    ¡°Then have a seat with me and talk for a minute.¡±


    ¡°That is quite inappropriate for me to do. You are a customer and I am working.¡±


    He nods. ¡°But you are getting off soon. So there is nothing stopping you.¡±


    ¡°I have a meeting. I can not stay and talk right now.¡±


    ¡°Did you get my note?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I was going to continue but he cut me off.


    ¡°And you did not thank me.¡±


    I blink a few times. ¡°Seriously? I thought the whole point of sneaking the note was because you didn¡¯t want me to say anything. And while I am ttered I don¡¯t think I should call or text you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, for starters your sister hates my guts.¡±


    ¡°Half sister.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Whatever. For another, I don¡¯t know you. It would be weird.¡±


    ¡°Well, you aren¡¯t talking to me now so how else are we supposed to get to know each other?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are.¡± I start collecting his dirty dishes. ¡°Thank you for thepliment, but I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not going to call you.¡± I gather up the rest of the dishes and he grabs my apron again.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. I am sure at some point you will call me.¡± He winks.


    I roll my eyes and leave the table. Cocky much. I finish clearing and cleaning the rest of the tables that are done. Justin is still sitting there. He doesn¡¯t even have his ss anymore. I am not sure what he is doing. But as of right now he is no longer my problem. My recementes in with a big smile on her face and her red hair is a wild flyaway updo. ¡°Thanks, Cass. I¡¯ll take over from here. Anything I should know?¡±


    I point to Justin. ¡°He has already ordered and ate. I gave him his check too. Not sure why he¡¯s still here. The table still needs to be wiped down. Other than that, you are golden. Have a good night, Jennifer.¡±


    She waves at me. I go back to the kitchen to change and collect my things before heading out. I change in the locker room and grab my purse. I throw my uniform in the bin to be washed and rush out the door. I don¡¯t want Gray to wait for me.


    Just as I am heading past the register Jennifer stops me. ¡°That guy at the table left something for you.¡±


    I groan. ¡°What now?¡±


    Sheughs and hands me a note and a twenty. ¡°Your tip.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I¡¯m surprised after he said that he didn¡¯t like my service. Maybe he was just teasing me. I take the money and the note. It¡¯s folded so I can¡¯t read it yet. I just stuff it in my pocket and leave giving Jennifer onest goodbye. I run to my car and drive home as quickly as I can. I park and leave my purse there running for the woods. I told him I would bete, but still I don¡¯t want him waiting too long.

 Chapter 20

    When I get there I don¡¯t see anyone. His wolf isn¡¯t here. So I take a seat and hope that he didn¡¯t just skip tonight. Maybe he doesn¡¯t even like me. Maybe he is just hanging out with me to deal with this family feud thing. He doesn¡¯t like it, that much I have gathered. I could be just putting too much thought into this. I mean I idently thought of this as a date an hour ago.


    I am lost in thought and don¡¯t notice the gray wolf on my left. He gives off a low growl, causing me to jump in fright. At first I didn¡¯t realize that it was Gray, until he stuck his tongue out the side of his shout. ¡°God you scared me.¡±


    He does this little wolf snicker. Hees up to me and nudges my leg. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you want.¡± He blinks his eyes a few times, taking a real long time about it. ¡°Oh, you want me to close my eyes.¡± He nods.


    I do just that. I trust him. I can hear his bones cracking and then feel his hand on my legs. His breath on my face as he leans closer. ¡°Keep ¡¯em closed.¡± His husky voice sends chills through my body. His hands trail up my body andnd on my waist. He pulls me closer to him. He starts by lightly kissing me along my jaw, a few nipping kisses on my neck, moving back up to my mouth. He lets out a satisfied purr. ¡°No one else¡¯s scent. Good girl.¡±


    I am breathless and clinging to his neck as his assault continues. His strong arms pull my body to his and he grips my ass. Holy shit I am in trouble now. I am not imagining this right. I¡¯m not going to wake up any second and wish that this was the truth. It sure feels real. He moves us around so that I am positioned in what feels like in between his legs. He turns my body so that my back is resting on his chest. ¡°You can open your eyes now, just don¡¯t look back.¡±


    I open my eyes and see the powerful legs that surround my body. His strong arms are wrapped around my body. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to be ufortable without any shorts?¡±


    He chuckles. ¡°I am probably going to regret itter, but I¡¯m good for now. I just want to hold you right now. This is all I have thought about all day.¡±


    ¡°Why? Why me? Don¡¯t get me wrong I love it, but I¡¯m nothing special. Why go through all this trouble to be around me?¡±


    He leans forward and kisses my head. ¡°I am drawn to you. Your scent is like ambrosia. Your kiss is like my breath. I enjoy talking to you.¡±


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you want me to see who you are?¡± I don¡¯t know if I want the answer to this question.


    He sighs. ¡°Have they told you about mates yet?¡±


    ¡°Kind of. Not much but a little.¡±


    ¡°When you turn eighteen you sense your mate, as long as they are of age too. Some of us look for a while before finding them. I don¡¯t want your judgment to be clouded if you see me before then. I want to know for sure that you and I are mated. It¡¯s your life partner. I don¡¯t want us to have problems.¡±


    ¡°Why would I be confused? Isn¡¯t it a feeling?¡±


    His fingers are gliding along my arms. ¡°The problem is that I already feel for you so much and I am scared that if you see me then you will too. Then it will get all confused. You are such an amazing person, you deserve someone way better than me. I don¡¯t want you confused is all.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t get how I could be confused.¡±


    ¡°It happens. It happened with my mom.¡±


    This is kind of the first time that he has opened up to me about this stuff. ¡°Your mom?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my dad is who she thought her mate was. He¡¯s great by the way. My mom was stupid to leave him for her so-called mate, but the way she is actingtely, maybe she deserves him. Anyway, they were together for three years. They had me, then one day she found her mate. My dad was crushed, but he understood. I don¡¯t, but it¡¯s their love life. My dad still hasn¡¯t found his mate.¡±


    I cry a little inside, that is sad. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He sighs. ¡°Don¡¯t be. It¡¯s just that is why I am guarded. I want you to see me. I do. I just want to wait is all.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t I just see your wolf and know it¡¯s you?¡±


    ¡°As soon as it hits your birthday I am not going to be in my fur until I hear that you found your mate. I really hope it is me, but I am not going to influence the choice.¡±


    I nod in understanding. ¡°So, what did you do all day?¡±


    He knows I am changing the subject and he chuckles. ¡°Well, aside from checking you out at work through the windows, I did some work with my dad this morning. Then my mom made me take my sister ces. Like I am a damn taxi. I don¡¯t like her very much.¡±


    ¡°She is still your sister.¡± I point out.


    ¡°You only say that because you like your siblings.¡±


    I lean back a little more. ¡°I didn¡¯t always.¡±


    He squeezes me tighter. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    I try to smile through it but it does hurt that I had these thoughts. ¡°It was hard sometimes. Especially with the twins. They have this anxiety thing, they hold hands when they are scared. I guess if they were the same sex it wouldn¡¯t be as bad, but they are not. So people started talking crap about them. I just wanted them to stop. Make the problem go away. I started to hate them for it. Then one day this guy was ragging on them calling them sick freaks. I just lost it. I beat the crap out of the guy. After it was done my brother and sister ran into my arms and I don¡¯t know, things changed. I realized that they needed me. I could help them through what they were dealing with. I needed to be there for them. After a while the hate went away. I love my brothers and sister more than anything.¡±


    He kisses the top of my head. ¡°It¡¯s alright. You worked it out. They adore you. I can smell them all over you.¡±


    ¡°That they do. I have been actually happy moving here, they are more rxed. All of them are doing so well.¡±


    He rested his chin on my head. ¡°It seems that you have too.¡±


    I shrug. ¡°I guess. Not all of it is fun. I don¡¯t like fighting with Kelly. Really I am not in anypetition with her. She can have it all. Even being cheer captain, she just needs to do it right.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, she is the type of girl that doesn¡¯t learn lessons easily. She is just going to me you for everything. My sister is the same way.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know the type, but she isn¡¯t my only problem either. Trey keeps pestering me for a date. I don¡¯t really feel that way about him. He¡¯s nice and all, but I really just see him as a friend. Then today at the diner some guy gave me his number. And to top it off he is Kelly¡¯s brother. I am definitely not interested in that.¡±


    He chuckles behind me. ¡°What are you interested in?¡±


    ¡°I plead the fifth.¡± I smile. He squeezes me a little tighter.


    ¡°We are in trouble aren¡¯t we?¡± He whispers in my ear, sending tingles through my body. ¡°You can¡¯t fall for me Green.¡±


    My smile deepens. ¡°Then you can¡¯t fall for me Gray.¡± He groans.


    ¡°I think it might be toote for that.¡± We are quiet for a moment then he sighs. ¡°I should probably get going. Someone is going toe looking for me if I don¡¯t. Not that I want her too, but she is being difficulttely.¡±


    ¡°You mean your mom.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she was the one I heard yesterday. I kept her from you, but that doesn¡¯t mean that she won¡¯t try again. I don¡¯t want her to know it¡¯s you I am meeting.¡±


    ¡°Are we really doing such a bad thing?¡±


    He kisses the back of my neck. ¡°No, they are just stupid in their traditions and don¡¯t realize it. We are doing nothing wrong.¡±


    I close my eyes. ¡°My eyes are closed. You can get up now.¡±


    He shifts out from behind me but kisses my lips onest time before I hear his bones crack in the shift. He gives me a small yip. Opening my eyes I see his beautiful blue eyes. He is so majestic in his wolf form. I can¡¯t wait to see his human side. ¡°Good night Gray.¡±


    He nods to me and pads off.


    Later that night I empty my pockets and see the note from Justin. I don¡¯t really want to open it, but curiosity gets the best of me.


    I look forward to spending time with you.


    That¡¯s all. What the hell. I am not spending time with him. He has problems.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

 Chapter 21

    The next day at work is much the same. Both Justin and Treye in only earlier this time. Ethanes in and I lead him back to the booth I gave him yesterday. Before he can sit though I let him know what¡¯s going on. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you are going to want to stick around today. Apparently I am popr for being run ragged.¡±


    He chuckles, looking over my shoulder. ¡°Trey giving you a hard time?¡±


    ¡°If it was just him I would be fine, but Justin keeps making me run around getting him everything under the sun. I swear if he thought I could get the sun then he would make me get it. I think they are both just trying to pick on me.¡±


    Ethan isn¡¯t buying it though. ¡°I¡¯ll stay then at least you have an excuse for your breaks. We have a project or something. I¡¯lle up with something. Give you a break.¡±


    ¡°You are my best friend, you know that right?¡±


    Heughs full heartedly. ¡°Always friendzoned.¡±


    ¡°I have too many suitors, how could you want topete?¡± I joke. I know he has no interest in me.


    ¡°Yeah, well, let¡¯s try to get these two to back off.¡± He winks at me and takes a seat. I bring him back a lemon lime soda and an order of fries. He smiles and ces a few books on the table. ¡°I got it, our senior project. We could say we are working on that. Make it extraplicated, then they will leave us alone.¡±


    ¡°Thanks Ethan.¡± He is the best friend a girl could have.


    I start to step away from the table when I can see Justin waving me down. I grudgingly step over to his table. ¡°What can I get for you?¡± I give my fakest smile ever.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You can get me another server. I am finding you quite distracted by all your male friends.¡± He emphasizes thest part. He sounds testy as hell.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry there are no other servers today. I can ask someone to temporarily assist you but they would not be able to give you the attention you require.¡± Still a fake smile.


    ¡°Well, maybe then you should attend this table a bit more often.¡± What the hell is his issue?


    ¡°What can I get for you?¡±


    He waves me off. ¡°I want fresh water.¡±


    I remove his ss from the table and retrieve a fresh one for him. Thankfully today is Sunday and I am working the morning shift which is usually slow. I set the water back on the table for him. He smirks at me. ¡°I have a proposition for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± I¡¯m confused again. Why would I listen to any proposition from him?


    ¡°I have a proposition. You spend your next break with me and I will not tell the manager that you were rude to a customer.¡±


    I hold my ground. ¡°You are aware that my mother is the manager and owner right?¡±


    His smirk doesn¡¯t waver. ¡°You are aware then that your mother can¡¯t afford to lose business and I would make sure she could lose quite a bit.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°What is it that you want?¡±


    He dusts off his shirt, even though there is nothing there. ¡°Meet me out back for your break. I just want to talk.¡±


    ¡°This seems rather extreme to just get someone to talk to you.¡± I want to be rude, but he is correct. My mom can¡¯t afford to lose out on business in a small town like this. So I sigh in defeat. ¡°Alright. As long as you know I will kick your ass if you try to touch me.¡±


    ¡°Temper, temper. I am sure you are going to listen to reason. Your break should be soon. Don¡¯t worry about the table. I will be back.¡± He stands and leaves.


    Justin is as much of a pain in the ass as Kelly is. I take a look around the diner and see the only two tables upied are Trey¡¯s and Ethan¡¯s. I head to Trey¡¯s table. ¡°Hey, I am getting ready to go on break, do you need anything before I do?¡±


    He smiles at me. ¡°Can you sit with me this time?¡±


    ¡°I have to run a quick errand, but if I have time, sure I¡¯ll sit with you for a minute, this is a quick break.¡±


    He looks disappointed but hopeful. ¡°You aren¡¯t avoiding me are you?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m just busy when I am at work. You are my friend Trey, I would never avoid you.¡± Ok, I¡¯m half lying. I am avoiding him a bit, but only because he keeps trying to kiss me. I am not his girlfriend.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you toe back.¡± He winks at me.


    Not even acknowledging that, I go to Ethan¡¯s table. ¡°I have to step outside for a second, I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    He nods and goes back to his books. He must have reallye up with a senior project. I love how passionate he is about what he works on. That is why I decided to be his friend and I am d I did. He is my best friend. He knows everything about me except that I am a wolf. It¡¯s funny that we got so close after just a week but it¡¯s easy with him.


    I head to the back kitchen to let the otherdy that is washing dishes know that I am taking a break and she needs to cover the front. She is scrolling through her phone. Really? Whatever it¡¯s not like it¡¯s super busy. ¡°Katie. I am going on a break. Watch the front. The two tables out there are taken care of, you just need to watch for new customers. Oh, and there is a table with stuff on it, he just stepped out for a second and he ising right back.¡±


    She nods and puts her phone away. I proceed to the back door. As soon as I step out I feel a pair of arms wrap around my body as the door shuts and a hand covers my mouth. ¡°Now, be a good girl and listen.¡±


    I am scared, but not that scared. He surprised me, doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t fight back. I should have known though. That just talk crap. He nned to attack me. Right now I am calcting what is the best course of action. I stand still, letting him let his guard down.


    ¡°Good girl. I want you to go on a date with me.¡±


    I am trying to hold it together, but seriously this is how he asks out a girl? He has issues. I shake my head, because I can¡¯t talk with his hand over my mouth. ¡°That is not the answer that is going to get you out of this. I have been very nice to you, threw in charm and yet, you still reject me. Why?¡± He lets go of my mouth a little.


    ¡°Did it ever ur to you that I might be interested in someone else?¡± I try to shake his hand the rest of the way off my face but he grips my chin.


    ¡°What? One of those douches inside?¡±


    ¡°No, his name is Gray.¡± I feel his body stiffen beside mine. ¡°Now will you let me go and take the rejection. It¡¯s not like there are no other girls that you couldn¡¯t harass.¡±


    His arm around my waist tightens and pulls my body closer to his. ¡°One date. It isn¡¯t going to hurt anything. Gray doesn¡¯t even have to know about it.¡±


    ¡°But I would know about it and it would be a betrayal in my eyes.¡±


    He chuckles behind me. ¡°Then tell him. Maybe it will make the asshole make a move.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell him because there is not going to be a date. You can¡¯t just force a person to go on a date with you.¡±


    ¡°I am not forcing you, just asking very aggressively. Besides if you say no then I will have to file aint. Maybe some business will be lost for your family. I would hate for that to happen.¡± He lets go of my jaw, but brushes his fingers along my cheek.


    I have had enough of his crap. I stomp on his foot and elbow him in the gut. I am done. He loosened his grip and I got free. ¡°File aint and I will file one with the police department for sexual harassment.¡± I pushed past him back into the restaurant. I don¡¯t hesitate to think about what I just did, I just march through the kitchen. I take a seat across from Ethan, more flustered than I should be.


    Before I can utter a word Trey is right next to me. ¡°What happened?¡± The concern etching his face isforting.


    ¡°Just dealing with some unpleasantness.¡±


    Trey puts his arm over my shoulder. ¡°You can tell me, maybe I can deal with it.¡±


    ¡°I already dealt with it, but thanks.¡± I turn my attention to Ethan. ¡°So, senior project, let¡¯s hear your ideas.¡±


    Ethan lights up and starts talking about a literaryparison between today¡¯s authors and authors of the past. Basically we are going to try to contact authors to get interviews of their writing techniques and how they get in their zones. It sounds good. ¡°So, who do you think we should try to get a hold of?¡± I ask as I look over his notes.


    ¡°Well, that is going to be hard. Some that I know that are a little easier to get a hold of are ones that are lower paid ones. But we really want to try to get a hold of the more popr ones. That is going to take some research and some work. Are you up for it?¡±


    ¡°Sure, it sounds fun. Are we allowed to work together on the senior project though?¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°There is no rule against it. We will work on the proposal today and submit it. As long as they approve it then we can get started.¡±


    ¡°Well, alright, let¡¯s do this.¡±


    Trey chuckles. ¡°You two are so funny. You get so excited over books.¡±


    I look at him and chuckle. ¡°Oh, yeah, what is your senior project on?¡±


    He looks away. ¡°I kind of haven¡¯t thought of one yet.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought.¡±


    I look over my shoulder and see Justin ring at me. Go ahead and re buddy, I am not going to date you.


    I sigh. ¡°I better get back to work. You want more fries?¡± I ask Ethan.


    He nods his head, still engrossed in his notes. I look at Trey. ¡°Do you need anything?¡±


    He cups my cheek. ¡°A kiss would be nice. You haven¡¯t let me kiss you in over twenty-four hours.¡±


    I take his hand and pull back a little. ¡°I don¡¯t think we should do that anymore.¡±


    He looks at me puzzled. ¡°Why? Did I do something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just. I don¡¯t think I am ready to date anyone and kissing is sort of a dating thing. So, I am saying let¡¯s stop doing that right now. I am just trying to get used to things around here. Can we take some time?¡±


    He nods, he looks hurt, but understanding. ¡°Alright. I can give you some time. Under one condition.¡± He smiles at thest part. ¡°Consider going to the dance with me.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°I will consider it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all I ask.¡± He smiles and lets me up from the booth.

 Chapter 22

    I head back to the kitchen to get Ethan¡¯s fries. I pay for them out of my check so it really isn¡¯t a bother for him. He gets to chill and study and get free drinks and food. Since I am back from my break and I don¡¯t want him to give me anymore shit. I check on Justin. ¡°Do you need anything else or do you want the check?¡± I am trying to hint that I want him to leave.


    ¡°Only what I asked for outside.¡±


    I lower my voice. ¡°I am not going on a date with you.¡±


    He smirks. ¡°Well, then you have left me no choice but to make a scene.¡±


    I am shocked and surprised. What the hell kind of a scene is he talking about? He stands up and pulls me into his arms. I fight him but he is actually pretty strong. He ms his lips into mine. I am revolted and want to be sick. He is forcing shit on me. I push him back with all my strength. Only when he is ready does he pull back. ¡°I know you wanted to keep our affair a secret but I can¡¯t do it anymore.¡± His voice carries through the whole diner.


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± I shriek.


    Again, he talks loudly. ¡°I want everyone to know how much we love each other. It¡¯s time. Stop hiding it.¡± Then he leans closer so that he is whispering in my ear. ¡°Now, everyone will know you are mine.¡±


    I pull back and p him. ¡°Like hell I am.¡±


    He snickers. ¡°Your affection is strange sometimes but I love it.¡± He¡¯s back to his show.


    ¡°Get out.¡± I scream.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up after work.¡± He smiles and leaves the diner.


    As soon as that door closes I want to die. How could he do that to me? I told him I wasn¡¯t interested. I even sink into the seat a little. I only look up when there is a shadow over me. I look up at Trey. ¡°Is that why you don¡¯t want to kiss me anymore?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. I don¡¯t have a rtionship with Justin, he just made that up. I just met him yesterday. He asked me out and I said no. This is his retaliation for that. I had to hit him to get him to leave me alone. I don¡¯t have anything to do with Justin.¡±


    I guess I didn¡¯t notice the tearsing from my eyes, but Trey did. He sat next to me and wiped my tears away. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s alright. It¡¯s going to be ok.¡± He wraps his arm around me. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him. Try to get him to back off. I didn¡¯t realize that he was harassing you.¡±


    ¡°He started yesterday. He wanted me to sit with him after my shift and I told him no. Then today he told me that he was going toin about me to my mom and that if I didn¡¯t want him to then I needed to talk to him out back. I figured it was just talking so I went. Then he grabbed me up and I had to hit him to get loose. He had asked me out and I told him no. So when he came back, I figured he would be civil here. He asked me again and I said no again. This was his answer to that.¡± I never break down, what is wrong with me? I can¡¯t stop crying.


    It takes me a minute to realize that Ethan is on my other side. ¡°He isn¡¯t going to get away with this. He thinks because his dad is some big shot that he can get away with this shit. Well his dad isn¡¯t that big of a deal.¡±


    ¡°Who is his dad anyway?¡±


    Trey answers. ¡°Kelly¡¯s and his dad, is the principal of the high school and part of the city council. He is part of most of the decisions in town. Most people in town are scared of him. But this is something that can¡¯t be ignored. He can¡¯t bully you like this.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°What am I going to do? His dad can shut down this diner in a heartbeat. Then what is my family going to do?¡±


    Ethan sighs. ¡°It might be best to go along with what he wants until he tires of you. Justin gets bored easily. I am not saying let him touch you, but go on the date. Let him think he won. That will at least buy you some time.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go on a date with him.¡± I protest through my tears.


    Ethan tries again. ¡°It¡¯s one date. It can¡¯t hurt.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes it can. You saw how he acted a minute ago.¡± I sniffle a little trying to dry my tears.


    ¡°Yes, but if you give in he will let his guard down. He will try to impress you rather than bully you. Maniption.¡±


    Trey shakes his head. ¡°I don¡¯t like it. That means that she will be alone with him. He could do anything to her.¡±


    Ethan argues with him. ¡°He may be an asshole but if he thinks he¡¯s winning he will back down. I know from experience.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t agree. He is just like Kelly. I didn¡¯t think it before, but I do now. Look at what he just did.¡± Trey argues.


    ¡°I was here too. She is my friend too. I am trying to protect her just as well as you. At least I am not trying to get in her pants.¡± They are starting to shout at each other.


    ¡°So, what? At least I am not going to force her. Justin will.¡±


    ¡°Only if she doesn¡¯t go on the stupid date with him. Were you not listening to what she said?¡±


    ¡°I listened just fine. Maybe you need hearing aids. It doesn¡¯t matter why he did it, he still did it. She isn¡¯t safe around him.¡±


    Well, at least listening to these two has made me stop crying. ¡°I¡¯ll do it. It¡¯s just better to get it over with, I¡¯ll be the worst date ever.¡±


    Ethan seems satisfied. ¡°See she gets it. Make him not want you. That¡¯s the key to fixing this.¡± He turned his attention back to me. ¡°Make him not like you anymore. Then he will move on.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± I wipe my tears and stand up. ¡°I can do this. I am not letting him touch me again.¡±


    Trey pulls me into his arms. ¡°Keep me on the phone. I want to make sure he isn¡¯t going to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to let him hurt me. Plus he has been pushy and has sexually harassed me but he hasn¡¯t hurt me. Just emotionally and I am not going to let him do that again.¡±

 Chapter 23

    After I was done with my shift I changed my clothes, throwing the uniform in the bin. I wish I could contact Gray and get him toe to my rescue. I know Trey means well, but I don¡¯t want him to be my knight. I don¡¯t want to go on this stupid date, but as soon as I step out of the diner there is Justin. He is leaning against a sleek car. I could never have a car that expensive, but I think in this environment that car ispletely impractical.


    He smiles and stands. He doesn¡¯t even talk, just opens the passenger door and motions for me to get in.


    I hesitate for a minute before getting in. Once I am in I buckle up. He closes the door gently and takes the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Well, are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Why are you even asking me? You know I didn¡¯t want to even be here.¡±


    He leans towards me. ¡°Yeah, but by getting in this car you confirmed what I said earlier. Now everyone knows you are mine.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± I state inly.


    He settles into his seat and starts up the car. ¡°So, what makes you like this Gray so much?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    ¡°Sure it is. If you aren¡¯t willing to consider me then I have to know what I need to improve.¡±


    ¡°Stop being an asshole for starters.¡± I am watching where he is going and I am not pleased. It looks like he is taking me out of town. ¡°Where the hell are we going?¡±


    ¡°Somece special. You¡¯ll love it I swear.¡±


    ¡°Not likely.¡±


    He acts like I didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°Actually my sister told me about this ce. Apparently it is where your boyfriend Trey used to take her when he thought he was going to get lucky.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you think is going to happen?¡±


    ¡°No, just making a point.¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t my boyfriend either.¡±


    ¡°I know, I just wanted to see what you would say.¡± He smiles at me.


    I am silent now, he doesn¡¯t seem to take no for an answer. Maybe ignoring him a bit will be better. He seems to like attention. I look out the window watching where we are going. He turns off the main road and heads down a dirt road that I am sure is not making his car happy. It is going to be dirty as hell when we are done here. The dirty road is actually pretty smooth, considering. For about twenty minutes we bob along on the dirt road. I am starting to think he is taking me out here to kill me.


    He parks the car on the side of the road in a cleared out section. ¡°Alright it is a little bit of a walk from here.¡± He climbs out of the car and I sit and debate what I should do. Should I just follow him or make it difficult? I decided to go with the former, only because I was curious as to where he was taking me. I leave my bag and climb out of the car.


    He is standing by the trees waiting for me. ¡°Took you long enough.¡±


    ¡°Were you just going to wait for me?¡±


    ¡°I figured if you took much longer then you weren¡¯t getting out of the car.¡± He reached over and took my hand. I pulled it back.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be touched.¡±


    He took my hand again. ¡°Deal with me touching you.¡± He locked his fingers with mine. It¡¯s a bit harder to pull it away now.


    We walk through the trees for about thirty minutes in silence. I am pretty sure I am dying now. There is no way he would take me out here if he wasn¡¯t. Maybe Imitted some crime in his book I don¡¯t know about. Finally he turns to me. ¡°I want you to close your eyes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that isn¡¯t happening.¡±


    I shake my head. But he releases my hand and pulls a blind fold from his pocket. ¡°I tried to do this the easy way.¡± I backed away from him but didn¡¯t realize that he had put me in front of a tree so when I backed up I just hit the tree. He pins me to the tree with his body. ¡°It¡¯s just a blind fold. It doesn¡¯t bite.¡±


    ¡°I changed my mind, I¡¯ll close my eyes.¡±


    He leans forward and whispers in my ear. ¡°Toote.¡± He covers my eyes with the blind fold, tying it off before I can even think of what to say next. I am totally in the dark now. You know how usually with blind folds there is a little light from the bottom. Not this one, itpletely blocks out everything. I reach my hands up to take it off but he grabs my hands. ¡°Leave it alone Cassandra.¡± He has a warning tone.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°I want to surprise you. I can¡¯t do that if you peek.¡± He lets go of my hands and lifts me off the ground. I squeak. He chuckles but continues to carry me. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you to fall over now would we?¡±


    He carries me for a couple of minutes, cing me down on soft ground. I can feel the moisture under my shoes on the ground. He turns my body a little. I feel the blind fold loosen and slip free. It takes me a minute to blink free the spots from my eyes, but when I do I gasp in shock. This ce is beautiful. The leaves are just starting to yellow and look amazing surrounding what looks like an amazing pond. There are still somete season flowers along the shore. On the ground a little ways from the shore is a pic set up on a blue nket.


    I feel a pair of arms wrap around me from behind and a chin rest on my shoulder. ¡°Does this meet your satisfaction?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s very beautiful.¡± I can¡¯t lie, it is. If I said anything else he would know I was lying.


    ¡°You are so stubborn, you know that.¡± He mutters.


    ¡°Then why do you want to go on a date with me?¡±


    He lets go of my waist and moves so that he is facing me. ¡°Because I love stubborn women.¡± He takes my hand and leads me to the nket.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying if I would have agreed to the date in the first ce you would have lost interest?¡±


    Lifting my hand to his mouth he kisses the back of it. ¡°No, it just makes you more interesting.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, I am not interesting. I am just a normal person. What is wrong with you people?¡± I plop down on the nket like a five year old throwing a tantrum.


    He sits next to me. I try to move away but he pulls my body back. ¡°Stay.¡± Something in the way he said that sounded familiar. I can¡¯t ce it though. I do stay put.


    He starts handing me things. A te, a fork, a soda, chicken, potato sd, and a roll. It¡¯s all hot. How is that possible, it took us almost an hour to get here and it had to be set up already for him to have it sitting here? ¡°How is this still hot?¡± Curiosity you know.


    He glides his fingers over my cheek. ¡°I have my ways.¡±


    I can¡¯t imagine what he has in ways of ways. Maybe the basket has a thermal package in it and the food was in there. That would make logical sense. That was probably it.


    I am debating on if I should eat the food or not when he doesn¡¯t wait for me to start. He takes my fork and proceeds to try to feed me. He has it sitting in front of my mouth. ¡°We can sit here all night until you eat.¡± Reluctantly I open my mouth.


    After the fourth bite I stopped him. ¡°I can feed myself.¡±


    He looks like he is biting his cheek. ¡°Yeah, but you weren¡¯t, now I enjoy it, so you have to endure.¡± He took another forkful to my mouth.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I tuck the food in my cheek. Not verydylike, I know. ¡°This is really good. Where did you get it?¡±


    ¡°I made it.¡± He gives me another forkful not realizing that my mouth is still full. I quickly swallow and take the next bite.


    ¡°Really, are you sure?¡± I give him a skeptical look.


    Heughs. ¡°Yes, I made it. I am capable of doing things. I am not just an asshole.¡±


    ¡°Could have fooled me.¡± I mutter.


    ¡°Only because you are refusing to get to know me.¡± He takes the te from me. It is only half empty and I am starting to miss it already.


    That is until he shocks the shit out of me. Heys his head on myp. I throw my hands up in shock. I¡¯m not really sure what to do. I mean I could push him off, but that just seems like it would make this worse. I don¡¯t want to touch him though.


    ¡°Um, what are you doing?¡±


    He smiles and nestles into myp. ¡°Rxing and enjoying the calm with you. I actually do really like it out here. It¡¯s a shame that Trey found this ce first. It is on my family¡¯s property though, so it is ours. We still let him use it though.¡±


    I put my hands behind me to lean back to put some space between us and give my hands something to do. ¡°So, is this what you envisioned our date to be?¡±


    ¡°Not really, but it¡¯s a start.¡± He¡¯sying with his head on myp watching the sky. His hands are folded over his belly.


    ¡°So, what is it that you thought this would be?¡±


    ¡°I thought that maybe I could sweep you off your feet. Maybe at least find out what you like about this other guy so much.¡±


    ¡°Why? I mean you just met me yesterday. What is so fascinating about me?¡±


    ¡°I liked how you kept your cool with Kelly yesterday. You could have been a bitch just like her, but you didn¡¯t. You kept calm when I was harassing you with my many requests. Most were bullshit by the way. You may be a hard ass but you¡¯re not a bitch.¡±


    I fidget around a little. I didn¡¯t think he paid that much attention to me. ¡°So, if you really want to know what I like about Gray, it¡¯s that he is understanding when talking to me. He tries to get the whole story and find the facts. He doesn¡¯t let what other people think about a person decide how he is going to treat that person.¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡± I look down at Justin, because this just seems like an odd response. He has his eyes closed. When I fidgeted I wound up putting my hand on his chest. Absentmindedly I was ying with his hair with my other hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I pull my hands away really quickly.


    His eyes shoot open. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to do that.¡± I try to stand up. ¡°I should probably get going.¡±


    He sits up. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t feel that way. We are just rxing.¡±


    I stand and dust myself up. ¡°I can¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± He is on his knees in front of me.


    ¡°I was getting toofortable with you. You don¡¯t see things the same way I do. I am not dating you.¡± I shake my head profusely.


    ¡°Why? I mean this Gray guy isn¡¯t doing it. Why not me?¡±


    I sigh, ¡°Justin, it¡¯splicated. He is older and he is waiting for my birthday. So, see, it¡¯s not that he doesn¡¯t like me, I am just a little short on age.¡± That sounds like a good excuse right.


    ¡°Well, are you sure that isn¡¯t just an excuse?¡±


    I pause. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°What if he just wants to string you along? I mean you aren¡¯t that shy of your birthday. How much older is this guy?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the same age you are. Or about there.¡±


    ¡°See, I don¡¯t care, why should he? I really want you to give me a chance here.¡±


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t. Not until after my birthday.¡± I stand my ground. I am not going to cave.


    He stands up and grabs my waist. ¡°You really are stubborn, you know that right?¡±


    ¡°So I have been told.¡±


    He pulls my body close to his. ¡°Fine, I will wait until your birthday. But when this guy isn¡¯t who you think he is, I will be right here.¡± One of his arms wraps around my waist and his hand cups my face. ¡°I don¡¯t understand how he can wait. I want you in my arms, I want to kiss you.¡±


    He leans in, I am sure he is going to kiss me. ¡°Gray doesn¡¯t like it when people kiss me. Well, specifically he said Trey but I am sure it is kissing in general.¡± I pull my head back.


    ¡°What Gray doesn¡¯t know won¡¯t hurt him.¡± He leans in again.


    ¡°Only he will know. He just does. Plus I would know.¡±


    ¡°I already kissed you once. I am sure that one is going to count against you. Might as well have one that you enjoy.¡±


    ¡°Justin.¡± I groan. He is breathing on my neck and rubbing his nose against my skin.


    ¡°I told you it is really hard for me. I am sure Trey agrees. You are irresistible.¡± He is talking to me but his lips are sliding against my skin as he does it.


    I grab a hold of his arms and pull him away from me. ¡°I am not doing this.¡± I state as firmly as possible.


    He chuckles. ¡°Alright, until your birthday. Then I am giving you the biggest kiss of your life.¡± He pauses for a minute. ¡°If I can wait that long.¡±


    ¡°Can you take me back now?¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Sure. I guess. I mean you could stay for a little while longer. I promise to be nice.¡±


    I eye him sideways. ¡°How nice?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll only kiss you if you beg me.¡± He smirks.


    ¡°Well, then we are safe forever, because that is never happening.¡±


    ¡°Never say never my dear.¡± He takes my hand leading me back to the nket, walking backwards. ¡°I will be a gentleman from here on out.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± I nod, biting my lip. I am pretty sure that I am going to regret this.


    Only the rest of the day he just talks, we talk together actually. He asks about my life here, and my life before. I ask about what he is doing in college. He is learning about agriculture, but he¡¯s not sure he wants to stick with it. Heys in front of me on his side facing me bracing his body with his elbow. I kind of match him, facing him. I don¡¯t know why but the more time I spend with him the easier it is to talk to him. I feel like we should be tackling harder things but we started goofing off and telling funny stories and jokes. I guess not everything needs to be serious.


    ¡°You know I think you might kill me.¡± He says brushing some hair behind my ear.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, why is that?¡±


    ¡°I thought maybe if we got to know each other then I could move past you. But you really are not the type of girl I can do that with. I still really want to kiss you. Among other things.¡± He raises his eyebrows suggestively.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t there girls in college that you could hit on?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but they aren¡¯t nearly as fun as you.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe you should try a few of those girls.¡± I suggest. I am sure there are girls that would be more suitable to him there. I just don¡¯t feel like I am going to be on the market after my birthday. I don¡¯t feel like I am on the market now.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe. But I¡¯ll wait, see how this ys out.¡± He rolls over onto his back. ¡°I should probably get you back. I am sure you have other things to do. Since I basically kidnapped you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my aunt is supposed to being to visit today. I am pretty sure I was supposed to be there for that.¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to let you go though.¡± He smiles. ¡°Maybe I could kidnap you until your birthday. Or at least until you fall desperately in love with me.¡±


    ¡°Why, you don¡¯t love me, why would you want me to love you?¡±


    ¡°Because it would be so much easier to get you to do what I want.¡±


    ¡°Well, that isn¡¯t happening. So, take me back please.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± He groans and stands, helping me up.


    We are kind of quiet heading back. I have the feeling that he really just liked us being there. However I have enough to worry about with his scent all over me and meeting Grayter.

 Chapter 24

    I take my truck once we get back to town and head home. I have to meet with Aunt Josephine first, then I can meet Gray. She looks like one of those old school masters in movies. Not at all inviting. She is sitting on the sofa in the sitting room, watching the door when Ie in. She practically growls at me. ¡°Where have you been? Your mother said that you were off work hours ago.¡± Her gray hair is in a tight bun and she has her lips in a tight line.


    ¡°I had a date. I didn¡¯t figure you would be angry.¡± I feel like a scolded child.


    ¡°What date? With who?¡± She stalks towards me, sniffing the air.


    ¡°Really how can I pinpoint it, there are a few male scents on you. What type of girl are you?¡± She sneers at me.


    Uncle Jaredes around the corner. ¡°Ease up Aunt Josephine. She is a good girl I swear. She just has a lot of friends. Some of which are guys.¡±


    ¡°Good girls shouldn¡¯t be running around with guys into the wee hours of the night.¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°It is hardly the wee hours of the night. Christ the sun isn¡¯t even down.¡±


    I put my hands up. ¡°I thought you were here to help me, but I guess I was wrong. I¡¯m going for a walk.¡± I throw my purse down and head straight to the back door.


    I don¡¯t stop until I get to the tree. I am fuming. How dare she talk to me like that? I am not a slut. She is a bitch. I kick a few rocks and scream at the sky. Only after my voice dies down do I hear a yip to my right. I look and see Gray standing there. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not yelling at you.¡±


    He cocks his head to the side. I take my seat and close my eyes. Soon I hear the cracking of bones. The feel of fingers brushing my face isforting. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Aunt Josephine. She practically called me a slut. Says I¡¯m out toote with guys and I smell like a bunch of them.¡±


    He grumbles. ¡°Well you kind of do.¡±


    ¡°Not you too. I have had a really bad day. I have been osted, kidnapped and insulted. I thought you would be a little nicer.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I can tell that someone kissed you.¡±


    ¡°That would be the ost.¡± I wrap my arms around my knees. I still have my eyes closed for him.


    ¡°Someone forced a kiss on you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Justin. He kidnapped me too.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Why would I lie about that?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. What did you tell him?¡±


    ¡°I told him that I was interested in someone else and I would not be interested in him. He said that you were stringing me along and I shouldn¡¯t hold out hope for you. But I know that was just a ploy to get me to date him. I am not stupid. What¡¯s going on isplicated.¡± I actually feel a tear on my cheek. I didn¡¯t realize that I was that upset about it.


    ¡°Hey, maybe I am asking too much. I should probably stay away. I know I am asking a lot. Especially since we feel so much for each other anyway.¡± He kisses my cheeks. ¡°I am selfish, I¡¯ll admit it. I don¡¯t want to let you go.¡± He pulls me into his arms. ¡°I am going to be crushed on your birthday. You are going to find this perfect mate and leave me.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?¡± The tears are getting worse. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine anyone more perfect than you.¡±


    He chuckles. ¡°You won¡¯t think that always. You¡¯ll find out things about me that will make you want to run for the hills, if I am your mate.¡±


    ¡°What makes you think I¡¯m not?¡±


    ¡°You are too good for me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bull and you know it.¡± I want to look in his eyes and tell him this. I am really trying hard to respect his no looking thing, but to be honest it is pissing me off.


    ¡°Well, then maybe after this.¡± He angles my head so that it isn¡¯t in his chest anymore. Then he kisses me. Passion oozes from his lips. Without breaking the kiss he moves my body around so that I am straddling him. I cling to his shoulders as he digs my body into his. Pushing my hips down. He attacks my lips like they are hisst meal.


    ¡°Gray.¡± Ites out as a whimper.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t make me stop.¡± He whines. Attacking my lips again. He tangles one hand in my hair holding my face close to his. His other arm doesn¡¯t stop pulling my body to his. I ampletely and utterly lost in the feel of him. My hands venture down his chest. I can feel every line and curve of his muscles. How could he think he isn¡¯t good enough for me? If anything I feel he is too good for me. So, when he peels my shirt off I don¡¯t even hesitate, it¡¯s not a problem.


    His mouth leaves mine, but only to kiss and lick my skin. ¡°Your skin tastes so amazing.¡± He gives me a little nibble on my neck. Earning him a moan of pleasure. ¡°You like that?¡± He bites a little harder. I moan more. Holy crap that feels good. It shouldn¡¯t feel good. He licks where he bit. ¡°I need to be careful. Wouldn¡¯t want to mark you before your birthday.¡± He switches to the otherside doing the same thing. I never knew something like this could feel so amazing.


    ¡°Gray.¡± I moan as he slides his tongue down to my upper chest, just above my breast.


    ¡°Fuck, I can¡¯t stop.¡± I feel his fingers fiddling with the back of my bra. This is it. He wants me. We both hear a howl off the left. I don¡¯t open my eyes still but I am sure his are wide open now. ¡°Damn it.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Someone is following my trail. I have to go. I don¡¯t want them to find you.¡±


    ¡°Someone who?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know but I am going to find out.¡± He growls. He lifts me off himself. He pecks my lips. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s better this way. We should really wait for your birthday.¡±


    I pout a little as he hands me my shirt. ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to?¡±


    He lets out a low purr. ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me. I want nothing more than to throw you on this ground and make you mine. I don¡¯t want to let any man touch you.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t.¡±


    He pulls me close to him. ¡°Please don¡¯t change.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to.¡± I feel him lean in and kiss my head.


    ¡°Hurry and put your shirt back on. I am sure Aunt Josephine wouldn¡¯t want you to return without it.¡± Then I feel his absence.


    The sound of bones cracking fills the air. When it¡¯s silent for a moment, he lets out a yip. I finally opened my eyes to see him watching me from a close tree. He nods to the shirt. I smile and quickly pull it on. Only then does he seem satisfied. ¡°Good night Gray.¡± He gives me onest yip before running off.

 Chapter 25

    GRAY


    I am going to kill whoever it is in this wood. They need to stay away from her. I am so sick of everyone touching her. They just need to leave her alone. She is mine. I can¡¯t rationalize it, but it is there. I watched her all weekend and it wasn¡¯t enough. I need her to fucking breathe.


    My paws pounding on the ground don¡¯t even feel a thing as I run to defend her from whoever thought that they coulde here. This is a ce for me and her. I am close to the border when I catch the scent. I am even more pissed when I recognize it. I start tearing up the ground as I race towards it. He is still in the woods, but close to the border of our property. His ck wolf is standing there staring at me.


    What the hell do you think you are doing? Your mother told me that you think you are mated to that thing.


    None of your business. You aren¡¯t even my father.


    Only because you never treated me as such. I am still the father that raised you.


    Not even. My dad isn¡¯t some absentee father. He has always been here for me. Just like now, you are not on my side. You haven¡¯t even heard a word from my mouth about this. You are just a prejudiced jackass.


    Don¡¯t you dare talk to me like that.


    I will talk to you however I want. You want some respect, earn it. Learn to fucking talk to me if you want a rtionship with me. But you never did. It was always about your precious little girl. I was the mistake.


    You are not a mistake. Who the fuck told you that?


    Your little girl, she told me about how you talk about me behind my back. Now I am going to make this perfectly clear. You stay away from her. I will not hesitate to fight you on this. She is off limits. I hear you even talked to her and I will kill you. She is none of your business.


    Which one is she? There are two there.


    Doesn¡¯t matter, leave them both alone. Leave the whole family alone.


    You are awfully demanding today.


    I don¡¯t care what you think. I am not backing down here. Leave her alone.


    Alright, how about this. We will sit down and talk about this. I will hear your side and we cane to a rational adult decision about this.


    There is nothing to talk about. Just leave her and her family alone. I am not going to stop meeting her either.


    Even though you aren¡¯t sure she is your mate, isn¡¯t that dangerous considering your lineage?


    I pause. He¡¯s right. What if I am wrong? If he hadn¡¯t howled I would have marked her. I was right there and I was biting her skin. She is flooding my senses and I can¡¯t think straight. I sit on my hunches and sigh. You¡¯re right. I am being too rushed. I love her. I¡¯m not going to hide it. But maybe you¡¯re right and I should put some distance between us until her birthday.


    Good then at least we agreed on that. I am not going to say that I am thrilled with her being a part of that family, but from what I have heard she doesn¡¯t really know any of this stuff. None of them do. So I am sure she isn¡¯t holding some old family grudge against you. However her aunt is in town and she will. Don¡¯t let the rest of that family catch you.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    I won¡¯t. I¡¯m going to go take a break. I think I might have some things to think about.


    Alright son. If you need to talk I am here.


    I just nod and head back to the house to shift back. How the fuck could he be so right about something like this. He doesn¡¯t understand shit, but what he said is right. I don¡¯t want to lose her.

 Chapter 26

    TREYTON


    I feel like something is wrong. For days now Cass has been avoiding me. She hardly even looks at me. I am still the same guy. Charming and everything. She just built this wall and doesn¡¯t want me to cross it. I think she is even spending more time with Ethan just to spite me. Or avoid me. I haven¡¯t decided.


    One ce she can¡¯t avoid me is the practice field. So, I made arrangements to get her alone. I need to talk this out with her. I told her brother Cb to take her keys while she was busy and take the rest home and I would take her. He noticed her being distant and he wanted to help. At least I know one of them is on my side. The twins still look at me like I am the enemy sometimes.


    After she leaves the locker room I grab her around the waist and pull her to me. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    I look down at her adorable face. ¡°I am kidnapping you.¡± I practically hum it. ¡°You have been avoiding me babe. We are going to talk about it.¡±


    ¡°What is there to talk about?¡± She shrugs. ¡°I am busy. My aunt came to visit. I have to do a lot of things with her. It¡¯s distracting.¡±


    ¡°No, you are avoiding me. I can tell the difference.¡±


    ¡°I need to take my brothers and sister home.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t, I got Cb to do it.¡±


    She looks at me in utter shock. ¡°Why would you do that?¡±


    ¡°Because we need to talk.¡± I grab her hand and pull her after me to my truck. She fights a little, but not nearly as hard as she can. She doesn¡¯t want to be mean I can tell. I am using that to my advantage. She is too fucking sweet for her own good. That¡¯s why she went on that date with Justin, I am not too happy about it. She won¡¯t even tell me what happened.


    I put her in my truck and got into the driver¡¯s seat. I start it up and listen for aint, but one doesn¡¯te. ¡°What is it? Come on, you can talk to me.¡±


    I pull out and start to my spot. I like to go there alone usually but I think Cass will really like it. She is still silent in the passenger seat. I looked over a few times. Finally she says something and I don¡¯t like it. ¡°I know where you are taking me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Justin said that you would take Kelly there when you wanted to get lucky.¡±


    I grumble. ¡°For one, I never once slept with Kelly. I thought about it, but it didn¡¯t happen. For another, I never brought her here.¡±


    ¡°Then how did Justin know about it?¡±


    ¡°He caught me here once. Said he didn¡¯t care and I could use it. It¡¯s on his family¡¯s property. Well the far end. I thought it was publd until then. He said I could use it though, so I do.¡±


    ¡°So, you wanted to sleep with Kelly. What happened?¡±


    ¡°Kelly is what happened. I couldn¡¯t get past her personality. Seriously, have you met her? She has a nice body and before I met you, I would think about it. That¡¯s one of the reasons why I went out with her, but she¡¯s a bitch.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever been ghosted?¡± She is looking down at the ground. She looks lost in thought.


    ¡°No, not really. Why?¡±


    ¡°It sucks.¡± I can see tears start to fall from her eyes.


    ¡°Hey, hey, don¡¯t cry. I am sure there is something we can work out.¡±


    She shakes her head. ¡°No, I¡¯m stupid. I thought he really liked me. But he didn¡¯t. He has been avoiding me all week.¡±


    I blink a few times. ¡°Who the hell are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know, that is the fucked up part.¡± She is full on balling now.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry babe, but you are not making any sense.¡± I take a back road that I know that will take us pretty close to the pond. It¡¯s a bit bumpy on this road but I can make it in my truck just fine. The other road is smoother, but it¡¯s farther away.


    ¡°It¡¯splicated. We would meet in the evening. We never exchanged names. But since Sunday he hasn¡¯te. Sunday we made out pretty hot and heavy. I thought things were different, but he¡¯s just gone.¡± It¡¯s almost hard to hear her through the tears but each word she speaks is like a dagger to my heart. That¡¯s why she insisted on being friends. She had a guy she was meeting in secret. ¡°The worst part is that Justin knew. He knew he would do this to me. He warned me. And I thought he was just trying to get me to date him instead. I feel so damn stupid.¡±


    ¡°Babe, you are not stupid. Ok, I¡¯m going to be honest here. I am a little hurt and it¡¯s taking me a minute to process this. But do not think you are stupid, not for a minute, do you understand me. Sometimes you feel for someone, it doesn¡¯t make all the sense in the world but you do. Sometimes you try to rationalize it and put some distance. And sometimes you jump in head first. That doesn¡¯t make you stupid.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± She balls harder. I can¡¯t take it anymore. I pull over and pull her into my arms.


    I hold her close, rubbing her back. It¡¯s not easy, we are both buckled, but I am making it work. ¡°It¡¯s alright. It¡¯s going to be alright.¡±


    She nods her head. ¡°I know, it just hurts a little.¡± She sniffles. ¡°Ok, a lot.¡±


    ¡°I am sure you did nothing wrong. Whoever this guy is, it¡¯s their problem. Not yours.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am sure I did something. He didn¡¯t like other people kissing me. Justin kissed me on Sunday. I mean you saw him.¡±


    I chuckle a little. ¡°That¡¯s why you stopped letting me kiss you.¡±


    ¡°Plus he said he wanted to wait until my birthday to actually go out with me. I didn¡¯t want to wait. I wanted to have something real, not something on hold. I was too pushy. It is my fault.¡±


    I tilt her head up to mine. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t. I don¡¯t understand how anyone would want to wait with you.¡± I press my lips to hers. I can¡¯t help myself. Even though she just confessed to wanting someone else. I can¡¯t stop myself. I find my buckle clip and release it to bring my body closer to hers. Next I release hers, pulling her closer too.


    ¡°Trey.¡± She is still kissing me, I think this might be a protest though.


    ¡°Use me babe. It¡¯s alright. Just don¡¯t stop.¡± She presses hard into me. Now, I am the one that is being stupid. I could care less right now. She is kissing me. I slide as close to her as I can get, which puts me in the middle of the seat. That lets me pull her over myp. I am not going to push her away. She needs to feel loved right now. I am going to make her feel so damn loved, that she will forget that other guy even exists.


    I cup her ass and pull her as close to me as she can get. She gasps and it¡¯s enough for me to sweep my tongue in her mouth. She moans as I do. I sneak one hand under her shirt to cup her breast. ¡°God, I need you.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    I don¡¯t know what happens next but she stops. She pulls back. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be doing this.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± I¡¯m panicked, where is she going?


    ¡°It¡¯s like leading you on. Your great Trey. But I¡¯m not there for you. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She pulls back further. Sliding off myp.


    ¡°Look, I wasn¡¯t expecting anything. I just wanted to make you feel better.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°Well, you did. Mission aplished. I just can¡¯t treat you the same way I was treated. That wouldn¡¯t be fair to you.¡± Who gives a crap? Can¡¯t you see how much I want you?


    I take her hand. ¡°Will you still go to the dance with me?¡± Ok, so she never said she would go with me in the first ce, but you know if I said it any other way she might back out.


    ¡°I will give you an answer tomorrow. Let me sleep on it.¡± She is still smiling.


    I kiss her fingers. ¡°Till tomorrow then.¡± I sigh. ¡°Alright, do you want to keep going or go back home.¡±


    Cass bites her bottom lip and I moan inside. How does she not know what she does to me? ¡°I should probably get home. Aunt Josephine has been a bit of a paintely. Plus we have a game tomorrow. I should get some rest.¡±


    ¡°As you wish.¡± I slide back over to my seat and proceed to drive her home. Not that I want to. Plus the problem in my pants is still a big problem. Whoever this guy is, is aplete moron. I¡¯d give anything to have this girl want me like that. Hell, I¡¯m taking scraps and loving it. I can only imagine what it would be like to have all of her.

 Chapter 27

    CASSANDRA


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Why do we keep a feud going, when we don¡¯t even know what the hell it is for?¡±


    She sighs at me. Aunt Josephine has been over this like a hundred times and I am not getting any closer to the answer to the question. ¡°It is a matter of honor.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°But you can¡¯t even tell me who was really at fault. Neither guy marked her. So who is to say who she really belonged to. Plus what happened to her. I have been looking through the records here at the house and all I have found is a name, nothing about her death. How do we know that she didn¡¯t just reject what¡¯s his name and go with her true mate?¡±


    ¡°His name was Jedadia. It would do you well to remember it.¡±


    ¡°Still not answering my question.¡±


    She pinches the bridge of her nose. ¡°Maybe we should take a break tonight. I think I am getting a headache.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Alright, fine.¡±


    I leave Aunt Josephine to her ¡°headache¡±, code for I don¡¯t want to answer your questions right now. Debating on if I should head to the spot again, just to be rejected for the fourth night in a row. I decided onest time won¡¯t hurt. Ok it will probably hurt a lot, but I have to try.


    Ducking out the back door without being seen has be second nature to me. When I make it to the tree line I am ted. He¡¯s there. I quickly take a seat and close my eyes. I can hear him walk around me and then behind the tree. I hear bones cracking.


    Finally I hear his voice and it sounds cold. ¡°You can open your eyes.¡±


    ¡°Where have you been?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should do this anymore. I only came today to tell you in person.¡±


    I am shocked. Stunned really. I guess what I have been feeling for a couple of days is correct. He doesn¡¯t care about me. ¡°Fine, I see how it is.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± He sounds angry.


    ¡°I get it Justin was right. You were just stringing me along. Wanted to see what you could get out of me without actually being in a rtionship. Well, you found out didn¡¯t you. Was that howl your buddy? Someone to get you out of here on time, before the dumb girl went too far.¡±


    ¡°NO! What the hell does it matter? I can smell Trey all over you. It¡¯s not like you were waiting around for me.¡±


    ¡°Trey was there tofort me when you ghosted me. You know what I did a lot for you. Even as far as not even knowing your real name. I did that because I respected your choices. I didn¡¯t push, even though I thought the whole thing was bullshit. I defended you. You are just an asshole. I still don¡¯t care about this stupid family feud thing, but I will tell you this. I hope your mate hates your guts.¡±


    ¡°Green.¡± He sounds like he is going to stop me, but I don¡¯t care anymore.


    ¡°Go to hell Gray.¡± I stand up, not looking back and storm away. He doesn¡¯t try to stop me again.


    My brother still has my keys so I go straight to him. I need my keys to get where I want to go. Cb hands them over without protest. Well, he tried to find out what was wrong but I didn¡¯t tell him. So he dropped it. Now I am going to the one person that I know will let me feel loved.

 Chapter 28

    TREYTON


    After I dropped off Cass I needed to take a break, cool down. I go to the track and run severalps to try to burn off the feeling that I have but I can¡¯t. After sixps I decided it would be best to resort to a cold shower. I can¡¯t wear myself out before the game tomorrow.


    So I head back to my room and throw my things in my room. I am ready to turn around and head straight to the bathroom, but this thing on my bed catches my eye. I turn and look again. It is a naked woman. Ok, that is new.


    ¡°I think you should put your clothes on.¡±


    ¡°You know you want me.¡± She slowly gets up from the bed and I will be honest here I am trying to stay strong. This is a lot for a guy to handle. Especially one already turned on.


    ¡°No. You need to get dressed.¡±


    She moves so that her body is pressed up against mine. I am frozen. What should I do? She is pushing herself at me. ¡°Kiss me and I¡¯ll get dressed.¡± She even goes as far as to pull off my shirt. I have little resistance. Now her bare chest is pressed against mine. She wraps her arms around me. Standing on her tiptoes she presses her lips to mine.


    My body reacts without me telling it what to do. Because I don¡¯t know what I am doing. I kiss her back and wrap my arms around her. Just then my door bursts open.


    ¡°Trey, I was thinking about the dance.¡±


    I shoot away from the girl in my arms. Kelly. She must have known this was going to happen. Why else would she do this? I look at Cass, I can see that she has been crying and it doesn¡¯t look like it¡¯s going to stop either. ¡°Never mind.¡± She shuts the door.


    Kelly grabs my arm as I turn to run after her. ¡°Let her go. You don¡¯t need her, you have me.¡±


    ¡°No, It¡¯s her I need.¡± I pull out of her grasp. ¡°You better be out of here when I get back.¡± Running down my stairs and out the front door I see her fumbling with her keys to get in her truck. ¡°Cass, please. It¡¯s not what you think.¡± I try to reach for her but she pulls back.


    ¡°I am pretty sure that I can¡¯t misread that. She was naked wrapped around your body and yours around hers.¡±


    ¡°She ambushed me. I was still turned on from what we did earlier. I just got home and she was naked on my bed. She threw herself at me.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s fine. We aren¡¯t a thing. It might be best if you just go back to her.¡±


    ¡°Cass no. Just give me a chance here.¡± I reach for her again, but she pulls away again.


    ¡°I am done being yed by men. Go back to Kelly and leave me alone.¡± She seems to have found her key because she unlocks her truck and jumps in.


    ¡°Cass.¡± I scream after her. She doesn¡¯t stop, she peels out of my driveway. I scream her name until the break lights disappear.


    When I finally manage to pull myself back into the house my mom is standing by the door. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°No, not in the least. Please tell me you didn¡¯t know that Kelly was in my room.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She screams it. How the fuck did that girl get in here? My mom looks pissed as hell. I don¡¯t usually see that side of her, but I never like it when I do.


    ¡°If she is still here I am going to kill her.¡±


    I storm up the stairs with my mom following close behind. Thankfully when I get to my room, it is empty. The window is open though. I look out and sure enough there is adder leading to my window. ¡°I sure the hell didn¡¯t put this here.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    My mom shakes her head. ¡°That girl has no shame. What did she do? Is Cass going to be alright?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know mom. I don¡¯t know if she will even speak to me again. Kelly was in here naked. It looked like¡­¡± I can¡¯t even finish the thought.


    She pats my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s ok. I know what it looked like.¡±


    ¡°Cass thinks I am some maniptor. I can¡¯t¡­¡± For the first time in years, I cry. Cass is gone. It sounded like she was even going to go to the dance with me. We were so close.


    ¡°She wille around. She¡¯s a nice girl. Just give her time.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a nice girl that has been pushed too far. How are we going toe back from this?¡±


    My mom just hugs me. ¡°If it was meant to be then it will work out.¡±

 Chapter 29

    CASSANDRA


    I managed to pull myself together this morning. After crying half the night, I am amazed I can do anything. I call Ethan as soon as I get ready. ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Ethan, I need a favor. You¡¯re my friend right. Nothing is brewing in that head that I don¡¯t know about.¡±


    ¡°No, I am your friend. What¡¯s up? You sound upset.¡±


    ¡°I will exin when we get to school. I need you to be my buffer today. I do not under any circumstances want to talk to Trey.¡±


    He sighs. ¡°What did he do now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll exin when we are alone. I don¡¯t really want to st it through my house right now. Just please do it for me.¡±


    ¡°Alright. But you are going to owe me some brownies or something.¡±


    ¡°Anything. You are the bestest best friend ever.¡±


    ¡°God, don¡¯t I know it.¡±


    He actually gets me to smile. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at school.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    I round up everyone. Brittney and I are in our cheer uniforms, it¡¯s required for our game today, plus it¡¯s Friday. I could really care less. I don¡¯t want to cheer in the first ce. Bret and Cb have on their jerseys, at least they look casual. Brittney looks at me. ¡°You don¡¯t look good. What happened?¡±


    ¡°Guy trouble. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    Cb stops, ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s go. We have a rally today and a gameter. There is too much on our tes to worry about my friends.¡±


    Cb puts his hand on my shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re doing it again.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°I caught Trey with Kellyst night. It¡¯s not the end of the world. We weren¡¯t even dating.¡±


    ¡°That son of a bitch.¡± Cb clenches his fist.


    ¡°No, Cb. That¡¯s not what I want to hear. Leave him alone. He knows what he did and that I am not going to forgive him.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No Cb. Let me handle this one.¡±


    ¡°I never get to be the big brother.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s because you are my little brother.¡± I smirk.


    He rolls his eyes. ¡°You are no fun. If I get the chance, I am going to punch him and there isn¡¯t a damn thing you can do about it.¡±


    ¡°Fine, get detention. That¡¯s on you.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, logic. Alright let¡¯s get to school.¡±


    I am about to step out when my mom catches me. ¡°Are you going to be able toe by the diner today?¡±


    ¡°Mom, there is a game today.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right I forgot. Sorry. Have fun at the thing.¡± Yeah, that¡¯s great, she can¡¯t even remember what we are doing.


    It¡¯s actually kind of annoying since we are wearing our uniforms. But she hasn¡¯t ever really paid attention to what we do, so what do I expect?


    When we get to school I see a few things. Kelly is as close to Trey as she can possibly be without touching him. Ethan is waiting for me and it looks like Willow is waiting for Cb. Before he gets out of the truck I stop him. ¡°You better treat her right.¡±


    He looks over at Willow. ¡°I treat her like the princess she is.¡±


    ¡°As you always should.¡± I give him a smile and a nod.


    Ethan is at my side as soon as I step out. He gives me an extravagant bow. ¡°Your escort has arrived.¡±


    I curtsy, even taking the corner of my skirt like it¡¯s an extravagant gown. ¡°Well, thank you kind sir.¡±


    He puts his arm out for me. ¡°So, are you ready to tell me what happened?¡±


    ¡°You remember how I told you about that guy I was kind of seeing?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡±


    ¡°He called it offst night. I was hurt and upset. Trey had been really nice yesterday so I thought I could go to him and getfort. Only when I got there he was with Kelly. And she was naked.¡±


    ¡°Wow, I thought he was totally into you.¡±


    ¡°The worst part is that he med it on me. Said that I had worked him up and she was just there throwing herself at him. He couldn¡¯t control himself because he was horny.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    We approach the gate. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be that guy, but well he is a guy. It¡¯s kind of how we are wired.¡±


    ¡°So, if I was naked in front of you, you wouldn¡¯t push me away.¡±


    ¡°Are you offering?¡± Heughs. ¡°Seriously, though. I might not. You¡¯re not ugly. The only thing that might push me to do it, is that I wouldn¡¯t want to lose you as a friend, by having some casual sex.¡±


    ¡°Well, still. I can¡¯t believe it was with Kelly. I thought he hated her. Anyway, this dance. Will you be my date? I was going to go with Trey, but I¡¯m not now. I don¡¯t want to miss out on it. Please.¡±


    He rolls his eyes. ¡°You are a pain in the ass. You are lucky you are my best friend.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± I hug his arm a little tighter. ¡°Oh, this weekend, Can you bring some books on the town¡¯s history. I want to do some research.¡±


    ¡°Really, what about?¡±


    ¡°There was a problem about two hundred years ago. A little after the town was founded. I want to learn more about it. So keep to that time frame.¡±


    ¡°Sounds intriguing. Am I helping with this project?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, who else would I get to help me?¡±


    We have managed to make it to ss without being stopped by Trey. Ethan takes the seat next to me. ¡°So what brought up this project?¡±


    ¡°My aunt Josephine. She keeps bringing it up like it was a big deal, but she is shady on the details.¡± I take my seat.


    After a couple of minutes Trey and Kellye in. The ssroom is pretty full at this point. Kelly¡¯s voice still rings out. ¡°See, she doesn¡¯t care. She¡¯s a slut. She just moved on to the next guy.¡±


    I re at her. ¡°At least I am not desperate enough to sneak into a guy¡¯s bedroom and get naked, to get their attention.¡±


    Half the ss gasps, the other halfughs. Kelly turns a deep shade of purple. ¡°How dare you. You stupid bitch.¡±


    Trey is the one to call her out. ¡°Just shut up. It¡¯s true.¡± He tries to catch my eye but I avoid it. I don¡¯t need his help. Plus now the rest of the ss isughing.


    Thankfully the teacheres in and it all quiets down.


    I think I am safe, that is until I get to my next ss and remember that I share ab table with Trey. Damn, how do I get out of this? I can¡¯t pretend to be sick, because they wouldn¡¯t let me at the gameter. I am the captain, I can¡¯t let the team down. I guess I will just have to ignore him.


    When I take my seat it is quickly pulled towards him. ¡°You have to talk to me.¡± I shake my head. Because in fact I do not have to. ¡°Yes, you do. It is a requirement of beingb partners.¡± I shake my head again. That is only if we have ab. Only I am just realizing that nodding is in factmunicating with him. So I am already talking to him. I groan and turn away from him.


    He wraps his arms around me. ¡°You can¡¯t fight me forever. You know you want to talk to me.¡±


    I peel his arms off me. I still don¡¯t say a word. Cbes up to the table. ¡°Keep your hands off my sister or I will dismember you.¡± It¡¯s low and a growl, but he gets his point across. I think that might be the wolf in him. Trey backs off a little. I am able to scoot my stool further away.


    Cb goes back to his seat but he keeps an eye on Trey. I can see Willow trying to calm him down. Oh, bless her sweet heart.


    Thankfully this is the only ss that I have to sit next to him and Cb is here to watch my back.

 Chapter 30

    Basically I am able to avoid Trey until lunch. I am sitting at the table with my family, Willow and Ethan when Trey drops in next to me. He leans into my space. ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    I turn and look at him. ¡°What more do you honestly have to say?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll never know unless you talk to me.¡±


    I turn and look at Ethan. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s start on that project.¡±


    He smiles at me and stands to head to the library with me. Only Trey takes my hand. ¡°Please. I really need to talk to you.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°Will you give up if I give you five minutes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take what I can get.¡± He takes my hand and leads me out of the cafeteria. He takes us to the field, there aren¡¯t many people around here. But he pulls me a little further so that we are by the locker rooms. Here we are totally alone.


    ¡°Ok, Trey, timer has started. What do you want?¡± I pull my hand from his.


    He grabs me and pulls my body to his. ¡°I want you. I don¡¯t know how much more clearer I can make that. Last night I was frozen. I didn¡¯t know what to do. I¡¯m a guy ok. Then she kissed me and I just reacted.¡±


    I pull back. ¡°So, it will just happen again.¡±


    ¡°No, babe, it will never happen again. Listen, I felt so crushed watching you drive awayst night. You¡¯re the only one that I want. I don¡¯t want Kelly at all. Please, you have to believe me. Yesterday you were telling me about this other guy and then we, well you know what we did. I went a little crazy. Not that what I did is excusable. I understand that I shouldn¡¯t have even let here close to me. I have locked my bedroom window so that will never happen again. My mom didn¡¯t even know she was there. I promise you are the only one that I want in my bed.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°I¡¯m just not in the right headspace for this. I came to your house yesterday because I was hurt. I was going to ept your invitation to the dance. But I¡¯m not so sure it would have been fair to you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if it is fair. I just want you. Please.¡± He pulls me closer again. ¡°Come to the dance with me.¡±


    ¡°I am going with Ethan.¡± I state it firmly.


    ¡°What? Why?¡±


    ¡°Because Ethan doesn¡¯t want to sleep with me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am sure some part of Ethan wants to sleep with you.¡± He scoffs.


    ¡°Ok, a small part of him might want to, but he is my best friend. So that isn¡¯t a part of our rtionship.¡±


    ¡°What about us? I¡¯m not saying I want to have sex right now. Ok, I do, but I don¡¯t want you to shut me out.¡±


    I sigh, ¡°Trey, it¡¯s justplicated right now. I won¡¯t shut you out. I just can¡¯t give you a rtionship right now. I feel bad about that.¡±


    He kisses my chin. ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad.¡± His lips slide over my skin. ¡°I want to be right here.¡± He keeps kissing me as he walks me backwards. I don¡¯t know what he is doing until my back hits the side of the locker rooms. He¡¯s pinned me in. With his hands now free he slides one down to my thigh and grabs a hold of the skin there. The other hand slides under the back of my top, pulling my body to his as he attacks my lips. ¡°God, do you know what you do to me?¡±


    My arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer. I just need to feel loved right now. After the rejection from Gray yesterday, I really need this. It may not be right, but my brain doesn¡¯t care about that right now. It only cares about the affection that I feel from the guy in front of me right now.


    He pulls away after a few minutes and rests his head on my forehead. ¡°I need to stop or else we could get kicked out of school with what I want to do to you. I¡¯m sorry I got carried away.¡±


    I lean my head back so I can look in his eyes. ¡°I can still only be your friend. Is that ok?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He smiles, pecks my lips. ¡°Friends with benefits, ok with you.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°I am not sleeping with you.¡±


    His mouth slides over mine again. ¡°Oh, my dear there are so many other things we can do. Eventually maybe I can even get you to fall in love with me, then we can explore each other more.¡±


    ¡°Trey,¡± I moan as he pushes his hard member into me.


    ¡°Just reminding you what¡¯s waiting for you.¡± He smirks. ¡°Damn I am going to have a hard ass time concentrating tonight.¡± He looks down at my body, admiring the way the uniform hugs my body. Today we are wearing short sleeves so my arms are bare too.


    I push him back a little. ¡°Ok, how about this? If you win, I will make out with you for thirty minutes without objections.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah. What if I lose?¡±


    ¡°If you lose then you only get one dance at the dance.¡± I give him a small smile with my challenge.


    ¡°You¡¯re killing me. Alright. I¡¯ll take your challenge.¡± He keeps his arm around my back. ¡°Are you staying after school or going home first?¡±


    ¡°Ethan and I are going to work in the library after school before the game.¡±


    ¡°Can I sit in?¡± His lips find my neck.


    ¡°Are you going to be productive?¡±


    ¡°Definitely not.¡± He even chuckles a little as he kisses my neck.


    ¡°Well, then why would I want you there?¡±


    ¡°Come on babe. I need some time before the game. My go juice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not making out with you in front of Ethan.¡± I scoff.


    ¡°No, I will just have you sit on myp. Maybe a kiss or two. Nothing too bad. Please.¡± He looks in my eyes, giving me these puppy dog eyes, and with his clear blue ones looking like that I want to relent.


    ¡°Ok, fine. But you get too frisky, I¡¯m kicking you out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll behave, I promise.¡± He pecks my lips. ¡°I better get you back to the table otherwise your brothers might corner me in a closet somewhere and rearrange my face.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I doubt that.¡± Iugh and take his hand, leading him back to the cafeteria. I look behind me and see him watching me walk. ¡°Are you looking at my ass?¡±


    ¡°Yes, one hundred percent that is what I am doing.¡± He smirks at me.


    ¡°You are such a perv.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you don¡¯t want to know what I was just thinking about.¡± That is even worse. I can think of a few things that he might be thinking.

 Chapter 31

    TREYTON


    I got my foot in the door. This woman will be the death of me but I could care less. Right now I have her sitting on myp in her cheer uniform. My hands rest nice and easy on her thighs that are just right there. Right now she is leaning forward looking at a book that Ethan has and I can only picture her bending over in front of me. This is not good. Ok, it¡¯s actually really good, but I told her I would be good. And the tightness in my pants is arguing this fact. It definitely wants Cass to y.


    When she sits back I am a little concerned for little Trey, but I shift her ass a little before she sits back all the way. I am sure at this point she knows what she is doing to me. She looks back at me and rolls her eyes. ¡°Do I need to sit in the chair?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no babe. You are fine right here.¡± I squeeze her thighs to make my point.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Ethan smirks. ¡°Do you two need a room?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you got one?¡± Iugh.


    Ethan chuckles. ¡°Well, no, but the look on Cass¡¯s face says that you wouldn¡¯t get that far.¡±


    ¡°Damn, I was hoping I had softened her up.¡± I squeeze her thighs again. Damn I need to figure out how to win this goddess over real quick.


    ¡°Yeah, well, we have to get ready to head to the field soon. Are you staying for the game Ethan?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°Naw, not really my thing. I¡¯ll pick you up tomorrow for the dance. Six thirty ok?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sounds good. I¡¯ll be ready.¡± She stands and gathers up her bag. I watch as Ethan leaves us alone.


    I pull her back down onto myp. ¡°Are you sure you wouldn¡¯t rather go to the dance with me?¡±


    She rolls her eyes again. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure. You need to focus on your game.¡±


    I bit my bottom lip. ¡°You better believe I am focusing on this game. I want to win this game more than anything.¡±


    She looks in my eyes. ¡°Do you really like me that much?¡±


    ¡°You have no idea.¡±


    She shakes her head and gets off myp. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this going. Let¡¯s win this.¡±


    ¡°Getting in the cheer zone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it takes a minute. This isn¡¯t normal for me.¡±


    I take her hand. ¡°You got this. You practiced, you know the moves. Get out there and show them what they got in a new Cheer Captain.¡±


    She gives me a smile. ¡°You do the same.¡±


    ¡°Kiss me first. I am afraid I will not be able to focus on the game if you don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You are a pain in the ass, you know that.¡± Yet she still bends her body towards mine and our lips meet. I don¡¯t want to ever stop kissing her. She is like heaven in my mouth.


    ¡°Now, go win the game.¡± She whispers against my lips.


    ¡°I will do my best. You better believe I want to win this game, more than I have ever wanted anything in my life.¡±


    She stands and gets a silly smile on her face. ¡°Good.¡± Then she turns and is gone. She is seriously going to kill me.

 Chapter 32

    GRAY


    I took my seat in the stands. I hate football, but I am not really here for them anyway. I am here for the cheerleaders. I can see her talking to the squad. She is somanding. It¡¯s like she is leading them into battle. I fucking hate myself right now. I love her so much, but I pushed her away. At this point. She is going to hate me if I am her mate. She will reject me on the spot.


    I just can¡¯t trust myself around her. All I want to do when I see her is pull her to me. I fucking almost marked her. She tasted like ambrosia to me. Even now, surrounded by all these people, I want nothing more than to pull her to me and make her mine. I don¡¯t care, I want her. That is why I had to cut her loose. She was willing to let me do anything to her. She would have let me mark her and then we wouldn¡¯t know if I was really her mate. Unless her real matees along. Or mine. I just seriously doubt that I could feel for another woman the way I feel about her.


    I see that boye up to her, he has his uniform and gear on. She smiles at him and it looks like she orders him back to the locker room. Only he grabs her and kisses her. I suppress a growl and clench my fist. This is my fault. She thinks I hate her. She isn¡¯t going to fight off Trey anymore. He paws at her skin and I want to rip his arms off.


    CASSANDRA


    I can see Trey trying his hardest out there. But the team just isn¡¯t up to par. Maybe this will teach him for the next game. Our team is down by ten. I don¡¯t really think that we are going to make up the points.


    I keep cheering though. Coach Mallory looks on and she is impressed. I like it. I feel like I am doing a good job. At one point I led the crowd in a wolf howl. It was cool. I used the megaphone. I told the crowd that we need to show the other team what it meant to be a wolf. We all howled and it was great, especially since half the crowd sounded like real howls, I am sure they were. It was intimidating for the opposing team I am sure. I saw a few look over with concern.


    I kind of scan the crowd, kind of hoping to see our parents. Even though I know that is a long shot. Who I do see is Justin. I am thinking he is here for his sister and he may be, but he keeps looking at me. He even gives me a smirk and a little wave. I just roll my eyes. Who does he think he is?


    When the game ends we are down by four points. At least they made up some. I am packing up my gear when Trey grabs me from behind. ¡°You know how hard I was trying.¡±


    I chuckle a little. ¡°I know, but that is why you need to work harder on your team. You are team captain, if you work a little harder you can win games.¡±


    ¡°I get it, I need to be a better captain. Will you still dance with me?¡±


    ¡°I told you, one dance.¡±


    He hisses like he is in pain. ¡°Ok, how about this. I lost by four points, so I get four dances.¡±


    I chuckle at his logic. ¡°A loss is a loss.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± He kisses my neck. ¡°Pretty please. I am begging you here.¡±


    ¡°If I agree to four dances will you go take a shower?¡±


    ¡°Yes, anything.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you get four dances, now get out of here.¡±


    He kisses my neck again. ¡°You got it babe.¡± Thankfully he leaves me after that. I am still not totallyfortable with him. I mean he has always been this way, but at the same time, I miss Gray. I am so upset that he doesn¡¯t want to talk to me anymore. Yet, I am also pissed, I thought he wanted me. I guess I was wrong about the whole thing.


    You know maybe it was all about that stupid feud. He made me feel like he wanted me and I would fall for him, only for him to leave me. Crush my soul.


    I¡¯m lost in my thoughts when I feel a presence next to me. ¡°Hey, beautiful.¡±


    I look over and see Justin. ¡°Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you would be driving your sister around.¡±


    Heughs. ¡°Naw, she¡¯s grounded. Trey¡¯s mom called and told her dad about her sneaking into his room. She was pissed. So, Kelly has to take rides with her dad and only her dad.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I thought you were here to watch her.¡±


    He takes my hand. ¡°No, I was here to see you. I haven¡¯t seen you all week. I missed you. How are things going with you and that guy?¡±


    I groan. ¡°Well, you were right. He didn¡¯t really want to be with me.¡±


    Justin smirks. ¡°So, that means that you might be free for me to sweep you off your feet.¡±


    I pull my hand away. ¡°Yeah, I think I¡¯m going to be guy free for a little while.¡±


    He just takes my hand again. ¡°Yet I saw Trey kissing you a few hours ago.¡±


    I scoff. ¡°Yeah, try telling that guy no.¡±


    He pulls my arm, making my body collide with his. ¡°Then I¡¯ll just take a page out of his y book.¡± He presses his lips to mine. He isn¡¯t forceful, but he is taking what he wants. His handsnd on my hips, keeping me in ce.


    I pull back a little. My hands are on his biceps. Shit he is built. ¡°Yeah, that is not what I wanted.¡± It¡¯s like a whisper though.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± He whispers back.


    We are still standing really close together. ¡°Why do I keep feeling like I know you?¡± I look up in his eyes. I feelfortable with him. Let¡¯s be honest here, all things considered, I should run the other way.


    He moves his right hand off my hip and brushes away a loose strand of hair. ¡°Maybe because you are supposed to.¡±


    I pull away from him. ¡°Well, anyway.¡± I cough, clearing my throat.


    He puts his hands in his pockets. ¡°So, are you going to this dance tomorrow?¡±


    I chuckle. ¡°Isn¡¯t that like a high school guy thing to ask?¡±


    He smirks. ¡°Normally yes, but my stepdad roped me into chaperoning, so are you going?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Ethan is taking me.¡±


    He raises an eyebrow. ¡°Another guy vying for your attention.¡±


    ¡°No, he is my best friend. I didn¡¯t want a date.¡±


    The grin returns. ¡°Then you wouldn¡¯t mind sharing a dance with a chaperone?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be watching the dance? It¡¯s a little hard if you are upied.¡±


    ¡°I can spare a couple of dances. It¡¯s not like I am the only chaperone. So, what do you say, will you dance with me?¡±


    I smile in return. ¡°Promise you will behave yourself.¡±


    He winks at me. ¡°To the best of my ability. You bring out the worst in me sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Well, then you should avoid me. Wouldn¡¯t want you being at your worst.¡±


    He lets out a small growl. ¡°That can¡¯t happen. Please dance with me.¡±


    I am lost in that growl. It sounded too real. ¡°Um, yeah sure.¡± What the hell, is he a wolf? I can¡¯t just ask him. At least one thing wille from my birthday, I will be able to smell the wolves.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    He noticed my change. He cocks his head to the side. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°Nothing, just thinking. Alright, so I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± I try to put on a cheery look. I pick up my bag and shoulder it. I am ready to go home. I need a break.


    He catches my arm. ¡°You can talk to me. I wouldn¡¯t judge you or anything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing bad. I was just thinking about Gray.¡± Not really, but kind of.


    He gets this sad look. I get it, he doesn¡¯t want me to be thinking about him. ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Then he seems to get an idea. He pulls me back to him. ¡°Well, maybe I can help you forget.¡±


    When his lips meet mine, I melt. I don¡¯t know why. It¡¯s like they feel familiar and I like it. He is a little more forceful this time, but at the same time not. It¡¯s like he is demanding that I only think about him. This time my arms wrap around his neck and he pulls my entire body towards him. Arms wrapped around my back. When he pulls back it takes me a full minute to realize where the hell I am.


    ¡°Was that the birthday kiss you were talking about?¡±


    He smiles. ¡°No, I am saving that one. Consider this a prelude.¡± He pecks my lips again.


    ¡°I should go. I have to get my family home.¡±


    ¡°If I must let you go.¡± He smiles, but I can see the seriousness on his face.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure you do.¡± I pull away from him. Why does it feel like the wrong thing to do?


    I give him a small smile. I feel like things are just all screwed up at the moment. I can¡¯t think straight. Maybe I just need a break from it all. That¡¯s it. After the dance, no more social engagements until my birthday. Then I can have a clear head for all of this. I just hope that I find my mate quickly so that all of this can end. I highly doubt it is Trey though. He¡¯s human after all. I guess that really doesn¡¯t matter since my own mom is human. Ok, I don¡¯t have feelings for him that way, I just like his attention.

 Chapter 33

    I am getting dressed for the dance and seriously contemting just staying home. Will I really be missed? Who am I kidding, those two will show up at my door demanding that Ie.


    I put on avender floor length dress. It isn¡¯t tight, butys against my body nicely. You can see my curves, but it doesn¡¯t look like a hooker. It¡¯s spaghetti strapped and the front hangs loosely, so my chest isn¡¯t on prominent disy. I have my hair up in an updo with curls hanging down. I kept everything else simple. No makeup. I just want to rx, even though this night is anything but rxing.


    A part of me wonders what Gray is doing tonight. I wonder if he still thinks about me or if I am some footnote that he doesn¡¯t even want to consider. I wonder if he isughing with his college buddies about the dumb highschool girl that he got to fall for him. Then I wonder if he regrets what he said. Sometimes it seemed like he cared about me, but then others it was just being a friend. I read too much into it. He obviously wasn¡¯t interested in me, he led me on.


    I am grabbing my purse when Cbes to the door. He gives it a soft knock. ¡°Are you alright to get there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Ethan is picking me up. You guys go ahead. I know you are picking up Willow on the way.¡± I give him a smirk.


    He blushes a little. ¡°Yeah, I really like her.¡±


    I nod. ¡°She seems good for you.¡±


    He smiles. ¡°She¡¯s perfect.¡±


    He looks pretty dressed up. He¡¯s wearing a white dress shirt with a ck tie. He never wears a tie. He paired it with ck cks. I am pretty sure he bought this outfit just for tonight. He must really like her. He hates dressing up. His idea of dressing up is a cored shirt and jeans.


    ¡°Did you get her a flower too?¡±


    Cb blushes again. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s in the fridge.¡±


    I nudge my head towards the door. ¡°Well, go get her tiger.¡±


    ¡°See ya there.¡± He leaves me behind.


    I finish collecting my things and make it down stairs. Uncle Jared is fiddling with something in the kitchen. I think he is fixing the sink. Aunt Josephine is in the sitting room. ring at me as I descend the stairs. Uncle Jared looks up at me and smiles. ¡°Well, you look nice. Who¡¯s the lucky guy?¡±


    Aunt Josephine rolls her eyes. ¡°With her it could be anyone in town.¡± I swear to God I am going to punch her.


    Uncle Jared waves her off. ¡°Ignore her. Who¡¯s picking you up?¡±


    ¡°Ethan. I didn¡¯t want a date. Too many guys think that means I am their girlfriend. I don¡¯t want to be with anyone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you want to y the field.¡± Aunt Josephine mutters. ¡°In my day that was called a slut.¡±


    Uncle Jared growls at her. ¡°That is enough. She is a kid. She isn¡¯t sleeping around. You need to get a grip.¡±


    ¡°She will be an adult in a short time. October twenty-eighth isn¡¯t that far away.¡± She counters.


    ¡°Then she will find her mate.¡±


    ¡°Unless her mate doesn¡¯t want her because she smells like ten guys.¡±


    He growls again, but then gets a cocky look on his face. ¡°What if she is mated to a bunch of guys, like that one wolf in the Delta Pack.¡±


    Aunt Josephine¡¯s eyes grow to the size of the moon. ¡°Don¡¯t even mention that. That is not going to happen in this pack.¡±


    He rolls his eyes. ¡°Who made you Alpha.¡±


    I put my hand up. ¡°Question. Who is Alpha?¡±


    Uncle Jared smiled. ¡°It was supposed to be your father, but he left with your mother, so, it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Some of us thought there should have been a challenge when your father stepped down.¡± Aunt Josephine replied smugly.


    Uncle Jared bared his canines. ¡°Care to challenge me. Anytime.¡±


    I just shook my head. ¡°I am going to wait for Ethan outside.¡±


    Uncle Jared turns back to me. ¡°Have fun.¡±


    I waved back. ¡°I doubt it.¡±


    He justughs.


    Thankfully Aunt Josephine stays in the house and leaves me alone. Ethan arrives a short timeter in his old buick. It¡¯s one of those old four door models from the eighties. It works for Ethan. I don¡¯t expect him to do anything date like so I just go straight for the passenger seat and get in. When I sit, Ethan passes me one of those corsage things. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    He groans. ¡°My mother insisted. She seems to think that I will never have another date. She wanted me to bring you back to the house so she could get pictures. I told her that isn¡¯t happening. She was highly disappointed. So if you don¡¯t take the flower she will blow a gasket.¡±


    I chuckle at this thought and put the flower on my wrist. ¡°Well, it¡¯s pretty.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she picked it out too.¡± He puts the car in gear. ¡°I can¡¯t believe her sometimes. Does she not get that girls in this town are just not stimting enough for me.¡±


    I mock hurt. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m in this town.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you are my best friend. That doesn¡¯t count. The only one close besides you, was Willow and she is with Cb. Even then she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to talk to me. Or maybe she was too shy. Whatever. The point is that there are no girls in this town worth talking to, let alone dating.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s your mother, she worries about you.¡± I point out. ¡°At least she cares. My mom probably doesn¡¯t even know where I am right now.¡±


    He gives me one of those pity looks he gets sometimes. ¡°Sorry, I know that¡¯s a touchy subject for you.¡±


    I wave it off. ¡°I think I am more irritated with Aunt Josephine at the moment. She keeps calling me a slut. I swear if she wasn¡¯t an old woman I would beat her down.¡±


    ¡°Ignore her, she doesn¡¯t know what she is talking about. You tell these guys that you aren¡¯t interested, it doesn¡¯t stop them. That isn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I could fight them off a little more. Like Trey. I could put more distance between us, but to be honest, I am liking the attention at the moment. After what Gray did, I don¡¯t even want to think about a guy seriously, but that doesn¡¯t mean that I don¡¯t want to be appreciated.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You feel bad about it though, don¡¯t you?¡±


    I look down in shame. ¡°I do. Trey needs to move on. At least with Justin, I think I feel something, even if I don¡¯t want to. There is nothing there for Trey. It makes me feel bad. I told him that too.¡±


    ¡°Well, you can¡¯t me him for holding out hope. He thinks you will change your mind. I see it in him. He thinks if he is good enough then you will want him. I am not sure if he understands chemistry.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I could exin it to him, like him and Kelly.¡±


    ¡°No, then he will think you want him sexually, you just hate his attitude. Although sometimes I think he wouldn¡¯t mind if you just used his body.¡±


    Iugh, because he practically said the same thing yesterday. ¡°I don¡¯t even hate his attitude. I just don¡¯t feel anything for him. Is that bad of me? Like maybe I should like what I got. Like I¡¯m ungrateful or something.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°You are asking the wrong guy. This is the only date I have ever had. And you aren¡¯t even really a date.¡±


    I chuckle. ¡°Well, not ording to your mother.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, except her.¡± He smiles too.


    ¡°So, off my love life. Have you found anything about Abigail?¡±


    ¡°Not much. It¡¯s like she just showed up and then disappeared. There is no birth certificate, no death certificate, no marriage certificate. It¡¯s like she was just here to cause trouble.¡±


    ¡°Well, she did. What did you find?¡±


    ¡°She seemed to stir up a bigmotion in town. Tried to have many council members tried for heresy and witchcraft. She used so many people of things. Then after there was a duel over her hand, she disappeared. Both men died.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re saying both men died.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I think one had the samest name as you.¡±


    ¡°Jedadiah?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That was it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what Aunt Josephine was talking about. Only she made it sound like he lived after that. But she was vague as hell, like she didn¡¯t even really know.¡±


    ¡°The whole thing seems vague as hell. Like who the hell was that woman and what happened to her?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I would like to know.¡± I pause for a second. ¡°What was the name of the other guy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d have to look at my notes. What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can track the other family. See if they know something more than we do.¡±


    ¡°We can try. Let¡¯s look at it Monday and see what we cane up with.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a n. At least we might get somewhere with this nonsense. I swear if I hear it one more time, that¡¯s just the way it is, I am going to scream.¡± I imitated Aunt Josephine¡¯s voice. Obviously she didn¡¯t know nearly as much as she thought she did.

 Chapter 34

    We pull in front of the school gym. Several cars are already there, including mine. We slide out of his car and head in. I looped my arm through his. We just smile at each other.


    When wee in I see there are a bunch of older people here. Like graduated older, not teacher age. Justin sees me first he swoops in and hugs me. ¡°There you are, I was starting to think that you were bailing on me.¡±


    ¡°Why are there so many college people here?¡±


    Justin shrugs. ¡°My stepdad always does this. He ropes in as many college aged kids to chaperone as possible. The teachers are more free that way, so they don¡¯t care. I didn¡¯t care because I wanted to be here.¡±


    Ethan tugs on my arm. ¡°I¡¯m going to get something to drink.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll be there in a second.¡± At least I think I will, Justin pulls me closer. I am not so sure he is letting me go anytime soon. I turn to look at him. ¡°You know Ethan is my date, sort of. I can¡¯t leave him hanging.¡±


    ¡°I am sure he will live. He doesn¡¯t even like dances.¡±


    ¡°Still he is my best friend and I can¡¯t bring him here and then ditch him, what kind of person would that make me?¡±


    ¡°A bitch.¡± He sighs. ¡°Alright, but you are dancing with me. You promised.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember ever making any such promises.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you did. Do you want me to jog your memory again?¡± He leans forward, I am sure to kiss me.


    I put my fingers on his mouth. ¡°Nope, sure I got it.¡± I smirk as he groans. Slowly he removes his arm from me. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter.¡± I wave as I walk away.


    I see some guy I don¡¯t knowe up on his left. He nudges him a little and points at me. He¡¯s blushing a little. That¡¯s kind of cute.


    I turn away from the friends and head toward Ethan, he¡¯s at the cooler getting us both some soda. He likes his lemon lime. I see Cb and Willow. He is holding her close while they dance. She is blushing up a storm but has a huge grin on her face. Good, he makes her happy. Ethan turns and sees where my gaze is. ¡°They look good together.¡±


    ¡°I know right? I am so d. Cb seems so content with her, I have never seen him so happy.¡±


    Ethanughs. He points over to Crissy and some of her squad. They are ring at Willow. ¡°It looks like some people aren¡¯t happy about it.¡±


    ¡°They can shove it. Cb is happy, I doubt any of them could turn his head.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he is the new hot thing in school. I am sure that is what¡¯s pissing them off. He picked the nerd over them.¡±


    ¡°He is a bit of a nerd himself.¡± Iugh with Ethan.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think they care.¡± He rights himself a little. ¡°So, what¡¯s up with Justin? He¡¯s going to steal you away?¡±


    ¡°I guess he ns on dancing with me. I don¡¯t really know.¡±


    Ethan smiles. ¡°Come with me.¡± He takes my hand and leads me out to the floor. Before I know it he has his arms wrapped around me. He pulls me close enough to whisper in my ear. ¡°Make them sweat.¡±


    Iugh lightly. ¡°You are so bad.¡±


    ¡°Hey, they need to earn you. You aren¡¯t going to roll over for either of them.¡± I would have found this odd if he wasn¡¯t my best friend, but he is so I just roll with it. I know he doesn¡¯t want me in that way. He just wants to make sure that I don¡¯t get hurt again.


    ¡°Thanks Ethan. You are a great friend.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He smiles.


    We dance and talk for a while,ughing at other couples who look strained or way toofortable on the floor. There were a couple of people that I didn¡¯t know that had to be led off the floor, they got way toofortable. I don¡¯t see too many teachers, they must have really just had the college people chaperone for this thing. I don¡¯t know if that is scary or refreshing. At least it¡¯s not overbearing but at the same time maybe a little tooxed.


    Justines to me first. He asks Ethan for my next dance. ¡°May I take thedy for the next dance?¡±


    Ethan gives him the stink eye. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be working?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you only her friend?¡±


    ¡°Answering my question with a question. Evasive. I don¡¯t think you will get your dance.¡± Ethan makes meugh. Like he is defending my honor.


    Justin rolls his eyes. ¡°I have my partner covering my section of the floor.¡±


    Ethan nods. ¡°Alright. I am sure you can be spared for one song.¡±


    I can¡¯t hold it in anymore. I let out a chuckle. Ethan does too. ¡°Are you done yet?¡±


    He continues to chuckle. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it.¡± He walks off leaving me alone with Justin.


    Justin doesn¡¯t hesitate to wrap his arms around me. ¡°If he wasn¡¯t your best friend I would be worried.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why is that?¡±


    ¡°You guys are sofortable together.¡± He kind of shrugs a little. Like it isn¡¯t a big deal but I can tell that it is to him. ¡°It just seems like you rx with him. With me you are always kind of guarded.¡±


    ¡°Gray kind of made me that way. I don¡¯t want to get hurt again, you know what I mean right?¡± I look up into his beautiful blue eyes.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He looks down at me, half smiling. ¡°Yeah, I get it. Still wish you were that way with me.¡± He bends down, giving me a soft kiss.


    Suddenly I feel him pushed away from me. I am stunned, until I look over and see Trey. He looks like he is fuming. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch her.¡±


    Justin staggered a little, but caught his bnce. ¡°Jealous Trey. Thought she was your girl?¡± He is smirking a little.


    ¡°She will be. Leave her the fuck alone. I know you are just ying games and she is going to get hurt. So back the fuck off.¡± Trey isn¡¯t backing down and we are drawing a crowd.


    ¡°Will both of you just knock it off?¡± I scream. I am so pissed.


    Instead of knocking it off, Justin tackles Trey. Both are throwing punches on the ground. I don¡¯t even stop it. I just walk around them and find Ethan. He isughing his ass off. ¡°If I had known that school dances were this fun I would have gone to more.¡±


    ¡°Well, we are leaving this one.¡±


    He keepsughing all the way to his car. ¡°You know what, they are going to be so fucking lost when they stop fighting and neither can find you.¡±


    ¡°Good, the assholes deserve it.¡± I plop down in his car seat as we see them bothe bolting out the front door. ¡°I will take pictures with your mom if you get me the hell out of here.¡±


    ¡°I would never subject you to that horror. But I do have a better idea.¡± He smiles as he pulls out of the parking lot. Both guys were chasing after the car. God don¡¯t they have any tact. I am just d that it is over and I am not going to any more social events until I meet my mate.

 Chapter 35

    TREYTON


    Stupid fucking asshole. He ruined this night for me, I know he did it on purpose. I push him again. ¡°This is your fucking fault.¡± He only moves back one step, not even enough to make him stumble.


    He growls at me. ¡°Fuck you. You know as well as I do that she doesn¡¯t feel the pull for you. Let her the fuck go.¡± I can tell he is inching towardsunching at me.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t feel it for you either. So go fuck yourself. I am willing to take what I can get.¡±


    He smirks at me. ¡°Really, what makes you think she doesn¡¯t feel it?¡± Why does he look so damn confident.


    ¡°She told me.¡± I can¡¯t wait to pop his little bubble.


    He shakes his head. ¡°She told you that she has absolutely no feelings for me? I find that hard to believe.¡±


    ¡°The day you kidnapped her.¡± I yell back in his face.


    He rolls his eyes. ¡°And since. Has she said the same thing since. The way I hear it she is always telling your ass she isn¡¯t interested.¡± I don¡¯t know, we haven¡¯t talked about it. I don¡¯t want to hear if she does.


    ¡°Fuck you. You are just using her, I know you. You are a fucking dick who uses women.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I don¡¯t want to be tied down until I find my mate. I have a feeling I already found her.¡± His cocky ass grin res back at me.


    ¡°You can¡¯t know until her birthday. You fucking know it as well as I do.¡± I am yelling but he is standing there so fucking smug and sure of himeself.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just go back to Kelly. She wants you.¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t my mate.¡± I growl. I knew three months ago when she turned eighteen. I turned a month before that. We were already broken up anyway.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Never stopped you before.¡± He sneers at me.


    ¡°We dated for a little while, nothing more, no matter what she told your parents.¡±


    ¡°Yeah right.¡±


    ¡°Fucker. I never slept with your sister. She tried, I wanted to wait until we knew. She thought if she told your dad that we did then he would force us to mark each other. Thankfully he doesn¡¯t believe her. Your sister has issues, man. You may want to put a leash on her.¡± I am upset, ok. Between Kelly and Justin I might lose Cass. I don¡¯t want that.


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you stopping with Cass if you wanted to wait.¡±


    ¡°Because I feel the pull. She has to too. I think she is fighting it.¡±


    ¡°Or else you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    He growls. ¡°Just stay the fuck away from her, you got that.¡±


    ¡°Over my dead body.¡±


    I growl. ¡°That can be arranged.¡±


    He scoffs and turns his back on me. Showing me that he doesn¡¯t fear me. This just pisses me off even more. ¡°I mean it, Justin, stay away from her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to im her before her birthday. But I guarantee when she scents me, I will be her mate.¡± He sounds so fucking sure. Damn asshole.

 Chapter 36

    CASSANDRA


    I have been avoiding both men to make sure that they know they fucked up. They are both persistent though. They show up at my work. They bother me at school. Even Justin now. He volunteered to do some work at the school so now he is everywhere. I stick to Ethan, I know he will have my back. He keeps them both back as much as possible.


    The only time that I can not avoid Trey is in Biology. We are stillb partners. It¡¯s been a month since the dance and I keep all conversion with him to a minimum. Today he starts ying with the hem of my sweater. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I re at him as he fiddles with it.


    ¡°I am trying to get your attention. You have been avoiding me.¡±


    ¡°You think. You made a big show at the dance. I am so done with the drama that involves you.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t my fault.¡± He starts to protest.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Really, who pushed who first?¡±


    He groans. ¡°Alright it was my fault. He just drives me fucking nuts. You can¡¯t honestly say that you want a guy like him.¡±


    ¡°Right now I don¡¯t want any guy. I think I am thinking of going gay. Do you think Cb would share Willow?¡±


    I hold in theugh as Trey looks at me shocked. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡±


    ¡°Why not, she¡¯s pretty, smart, all the things I look for in a woman. Not to mention she is her own person, she doesn¡¯t let others dictate her actions.¡± Ok, I am not interested in Willow that way, but the rest is true.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t funny. I¡¯ll give you that Willow is a great girl but you can¡¯t think of going gay. Babe, I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t do it again. Please, you promised that you wouldn¡¯t cut me out. Well, that is all you have done for a month.¡± He looks really sad right now.


    I sigh, ¡°I did say that. But Trey, I can¡¯t give you what you want. I think it is best just to leave this thing between us alone.¡±


    ¡°Meet me after practice. Please, just to talk. I promise nothing bad.¡±


    I groan, ¡°Will it get you to leave me alone?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Well, to the best of my ability.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I will have a conversation with you after practice. I will have Cb drive everyone home and you will need to give me a ride.¡±


    ¡°Anything babe.¡± He smiles, looking pretty content.


    I groan. ¡°Don¡¯t call me babe.¡±


    He just shakes his head. Fucking give the guy an inch and he takes a mile.


    I am walking to lunch when I am pulled into a ssroom. At first I think it¡¯s someone who¡¯s going to hurt me, until I see that it¡¯s Justin. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I growl as he closes the room door.


    He rounds on me. He looks every bit the predator that I think he is. ¡°You have been avoiding me.¡±


    ¡°With good reason.¡± I backed away. ¡°You can¡¯t fight people over me. I don¡¯t belong to anyone.¡±


    He pushes me back up against the wall. He sniffs my neck. ¡°I have missed you.¡± His voice sounds husky. He glides his nose along my jaw, making my body shiver. I don¡¯t know why he makes me feel this way, but he does. He bites my jaw and my mouthes open in a moan. He doesn¡¯t hesitate to silence it with his lips. I am just gripping his shirt and hanging on for dear life. He is making me dizzy with his kiss. As much as I want to protest, it¡¯s too hard. I have missed him too.


    ¡°Cass, don¡¯t push me away again. I don¡¯t think I could handle it.¡± He sounds breathless and needy. His voice sent shivers through my body.


    I look up into his blue eyes. ¡°What is this? Justin, I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    He kisses my jaw and holds me closer. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You feel it too don¡¯t you?¡± His lips leave tingles with every touch. I am reaching my body towards him for more. I should want to push him away just as much as Trey but I don¡¯t. Don¡¯t get me wrong I am still pissed, but that doesn¡¯t seem to matter at the moment. Justin is all that I can focus on.


    The door to the ssroom opens and causes us both to freeze. ¡°There you are, son. So, this is your little friend.¡± He seems to sneer when he refers to me as a friend.


    ¡°Get out Dad.¡± Justin seems to return the sneer on Dad.


    ¡°I thought we talked about this.¡± He isn¡¯t relenting. I feel really embarrassed.


    ¡°We did. I decided that I didn¡¯t care. Now go.¡±


    ¡°You really think that is best.¡± His dad folds his arms over his chest in a challenging posture.


    Justin grips me tighter and growls. ¡°Leave us alone.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are thinking clearly. She is not eighteen yet, it would be best if you were patient.¡± He clears his throat and continues. ¡°Considering you are twenty it could be considered illegal. I would hate for someone to bring that to light.¡±


    ¡°I am not having sex with her, you are such a fucking asshole.¡± But Justin is loosening his grip on me. ¡°I don¡¯t really see what two weeks is going to change.¡±


    His dad sighs. ¡°You never know unless you wait.¡± I know exactly what they are talking about. This isn¡¯t about Justin being twenty, this is about if he is my mate or not. I knew it, they were wolves.


    Justin sighs. ¡°He¡¯s right. But that doesn¡¯t mean that I want to let you go. Don¡¯t shut me out again.¡± He peers down at me and makes me want to melt.


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    His dad ps his hands. ¡°Now that that is settled, maybe you should run off and have lunch my dear.¡±


    Justin lets out a growl.


    ¡°I apologize. Not dear. Miss.¡±


    Justin still growls. ¡°She is not your anything.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± His dad doesn¡¯t seem too thrilled about the distinction, but he is cating his son.


    ¡°I should go. I think you two need to work some things out.¡± I pat his arm to let him know that he should probably let me go, he looks down at his arm and moves it slowly off my body. I can see the pained look on his face. I grip his arm and give him a small smile as I slip away from him. It is kind of hard for me too. What the hell is wrong with me? I have never felt this way about anyone but Gray. I know it isn¡¯t Gray because he threw me to the curb as soon as he could. I was nothing to him. Justin doesn¡¯t seem to want to do the same thing.

 Chapter 37

    TREYTON


    I have waited all day to get this woman to talk to me. When she finally agreed this morning, I knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to focus on anything else. I sucked at practice. Coach was not happy. I had been turning things around, but now my performance made the whole team suffer. I know I need to pull it together, but it is really difficult at the moment.


    After a shower I head to the field and I really am hoping that she hasn¡¯t ditched me. There she sits on the bleachers. She looks so fucking perfect. Her skin practically glows in that yellow dress that she is wearing. It¡¯s that darker, fall colored yellow, but beautiful on her. I smile as I approach her. ¡°You actually stayed. I was a little worried that you would ditch me.¡±


    She chuckles. ¡°Well, I thought about it. But it is best to face your challenges head on. Besides, you have no intention of dropping the subject, so it needs to be addressed.¡± Cass fiddles with her dress a little and I want to pull her into my arms, but I know I can¡¯t at the moment.


    I take a seat next to her. ¡°For you, I will never give up.¡±


    ¡°Why? We are notpatible. All we have done is fight. Have misunderstandings. I don¡¯t feel for you the same way that you feel for me.¡± It looks like this is really hard for her to say right now.


    ¡°I know. I just feel this pull for you that I can¡¯t exin.¡± I cup her cheek with my hand. ¡°Babe, you have to know how I feel. I don¡¯t know how to exin this, but I think in two weeks everything will change. I can¡¯t feel this much for you and not have it change.¡±


    Her eyes flicker over mine. She is searching for something. ¡°You¡¯re one aren¡¯t you?¡± Her voice is a soft whisper. I love it.


    ¡°Yes.¡± I know what she is asking. I have no problem answering her question. I would tell her anything.


    She stands up abruptly. ¡°Maybe I should find another ride home.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I am confused as fuck right now. Why is she bailing on me right now? ¡°Did I say something wrong? I mean you can¡¯t hate our kind. You are one too.¡±


    ¡°I know I am. But you also know that means that I won¡¯t know until my birthday. So if that is what you are waiting for then it is best to keep some distance for now.¡± She even steps away from me to make her point. I hate this distance from her. She needs to be here by my side.


    ¡°I can control myself. I¡¯ll give you a ride home. I am not out of control.¡± I scoff. I am kind of pissed that she is shuffling away from me.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. Trey, what happens when I shift and you aren¡¯t my mate? What then? I¡¯ll tell you, you are going to hate me. You will resent me and take your anger out on me.¡±


    ¡°But what if you do? What if you smell me and I am the one?¡±


    ¡°Then I don¡¯t have to worry about you being pissed.¡± She res at me. I said the wrong thing.


    I sigh. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hate you. I will be very disappointed, but I am not going to hate you. I feel empty without you. I could never hate you.¡±


    She waves her hands at me. ¡°You say that now. But even at this second you are mad that I am stepping away from you. It will be much worse when I am not your mate.¡±


    I growl, because she is right. It pisses me off that she isn¡¯t in my arms. I have for the past month wanted nothing more. I am pining for a girl that keeps putting up this wall. A wall I have to keep pushing over, over and over again. ¡°Cass, I can¡¯t be apart from you. I can¡¯t exin it, I just need you.¡±


    ¡°I like the attention I get from you. I¡¯ll be honest, I like the way that you make me feel loved. But I don¡¯t feel any pull towards you. I don¡¯t want you to keep pushing for some girl that isn¡¯t here for you.¡±


    ¡°Some people don¡¯t feel the pull at all until their birthday. Some people have no clue until that day. I could still be your mate.¡±


    I can see the tears starting to escape her eyes. ¡°Why are you making this so difficult? Can¡¯t you just ept this?¡±


    ¡°Never.¡± I growl and move towards her, scooping her up in my arms. Finally I start to feel calmer. Just having her near me makes it a little easier to breathe. I take in her scent and pull her even closer.


    ¡°Trey.¡± Her voice is quiet and calm. ¡°Trey, put me down.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. Not yet.¡± I pull her body to mine.


    ¡°How about we make a deal?¡± Her voice is a little louder, but she still seems like she is picking her words carefully. She knows she set my wolf off and she doesn¡¯t want to do it again.


    ¡°What kind of deal?¡±


    ¡°I will be by your side at school. No kissing. Or any other couple things, but I will be close. Until my birthday and we know for sure. I won¡¯t cause a division between us.¡±


    ¡°On one condition.¡± I set her down, keeping her body close to mine. ¡°I get onest kiss now.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Onest kiss Trey. I mean it.¡± I don¡¯t wait for her to change her mind. I take possession of her lips and relish in the feel of it. The sweet caress makes every one of my cells vibrate. I have to fight pulling her down to the ground right here. Her slender form in my arms is heaven. I do start pulling at her straps on her dress. Cass pulls away from me. ¡°I think that¡¯s enough.¡±


    I groan. ¡°You have no idea what you do to me.¡± I pant staring at her form. She has pushed away from me. I can see her whole body now. ¡°I¡¯ll drive you home.¡± I turn away from her. It takes all I have to fight this need to pull her body to mine. I want her, I don¡¯t know how much more I can fight it. I am starting to feel like she is consuming my soul. She is all I think about, care about. How can she not be my mate?

 Chapter 38

    CASSANDRA


    Trey seems stiff the whole way to my house. I can¡¯t help it. I know he can¡¯t be my mate. I just don¡¯t get why he feels so strongly for me. At most the only feelings I have for him are that of a friend. At least I got him to stop kissing me. He will see, on my birthday. I just hope that he doesn¡¯t hate me. I don¡¯t want to lose him as a friend.


    I don¡¯t feel like facing Aunt Josephine yet. She hasn¡¯t gotten any easier over the past month. We just aren¡¯t seeing eye to eye on anything. She insists on this feud and I just don¡¯t see it. I have done all the research that there is to do. There is no reason for the feud. Both men died. The woman disappeared. Why do we still fight over this? It doesn¡¯t make sense. I tried to trace it back to the family that it involves, but they have changed their family name and I can find no record of the newst name. A big pain in the ass if you ask me.


    After I watch Trey drive away, I make my way to the woods. I haven¡¯t been out here since thest time I saw Gray. I don¡¯t like the memories, but I need to have some alone time. At the moment, these woods seemforting. Like I need to be here to get myself centered. I trudge through the first trees, I can see where I usually would sit and wait for Gray. I don¡¯t n on stopping there. That would just be stupid.


    I passed by the tree that he would always sit behind. As I am behind it, I hear a yip. I stop in my tracks. Why the hell is he here? I turned and there on the log that had fallen, just beyond where we would sit, is Gray. He is in his fur. His big tongue hangs out of his mouth, like he has some stupid grin on his face.


    I re at him. ¡°What the hell are you doing here? It was your idea to stay away from me. You don¡¯t like me, remember?¡± I don¡¯t even back down.


    He huffs and goes behind a tree. I see his form disappear and I can hear bones cracking. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you. I have had enough of male bullshit tost me a lifetime. Just go back to your family and stew in their bullshit. Yeah, cause that is bullshit too. I swear I am surrounded by it.¡±


    ¡°Cass, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I pause. ¡°How do you know my name?¡± My voice is softer. I don¡¯t understand it.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I just do. Can we just talk? Like we used to.¡±


    I sigh, closing my eyes trying to figure out what to do. I want to talk to him. But the hurt is so much. I can¡¯t let him in and then have this happen again. ¡°I can¡¯t do this. I can¡¯t let you hurt me anymore. That¡¯s what will happen.¡±


    ¡°Cass, I¡¯m not going to hurt you again. I just want to talk. I promise I won¡¯t touch you again. I know I crossed lines.¡±


    ¡°The point is Gray. For some messed up reason, I wanted you to touch me. I felt something for you, then you just threw me to the side like I was nothing. That¡¯s what scares me the most. Now Justin makes me feel the same way. I know it¡¯s going to happen again. Then you want to breeze back in and bring everything back up. I just can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Cass. Please. Just talk to me. I¡¯m sorry. I was stupid. I thought I could keep myself back and I was only hurting my own feelings. I didn¡¯t think you had any feelings for me. I know I screwed up. I can¡¯t bear the thought of the pain that I put you through. Just know that I felt all the same pain being away from you. More, because I saw you gettingfort from Trey. I saw the way you were with him.¡±


    ¡°Only because I wished it was you.¡± I screamed.


    ¡°Me too.¡± I can hear the sorrow in his voice. I want to forgive him and go right back to the way that things were. I just can¡¯t.


    ¡°Fine, you want to talk. I want to do it face to face. If you can¡¯t do that, then forget it.¡±


    ¡°I told you why I don¡¯t want to do that.¡±


    I scoff. ¡°Do you really think that matters anymore? If you really care about me the way that I care about you, then it isn¡¯t going to matter if I see you now orter. So just fucking do it, or leave.¡±


    I hear him sigh. Then a small chucklees out. ¡°You know I am surprised that you haven¡¯t figured it out yet. Maybe my step-dad is right. Two weeks isn¡¯t that long. Besides, I am a little naked at the moment.¡±


    ¡°Find a low bush. I said I only need to see your face. If you can¡¯t do that then leave.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave. Not because I want to. I just can¡¯t taint your choice. I think I may have screwed up everything already. You will probably reject me once you see my face anyway, if I am your mate then I expect it. I have hurt you so much.¡± I can feel the tears on my own face. He doesn¡¯t want to show me his face. It¡¯s another game. I can hear his bones crack, I know he is leaving me now.


    His massive wolf formes out from behind the tree. He watches me. I don¡¯t even care about my tears anymore. I scream in frustration. ¡°Then get out of here. Stay the hell away from me. Stop looking at me like that. It¡¯s not like you actually fucking care. Get.¡± He flinches at myst words. But he doesn¡¯t move. I pick up a stick and throw it at him. ¡°I said get out of here.¡± He whimpers looking at me, still not moving.


    I throw my hands up in frustration and turn the opposite way, running away from him. I don¡¯t want his pity. I just want to be left alone. Only now do I realize that wearing a dress and doing this is fucking stupid. It keeps hanging up on things and fucking catching on bushes. I feel like Snow White in that movie. I¡¯m getting more angry at myself than anyone else.

 Chapter 39

    TREYTON


    She has been a shell. Two weeks and she just goes through the motions. There is no fire, no passion. It¡¯s like she is on lock down. Her birthday is tomorrow and I don¡¯t know what to do. I am supposed tofort her, but how can I when I don¡¯t even know what is wrong. I even try to bring it out, doing that couple stuff that she said not to, but she just pushes me away and moves on.


    I think it is enough. I pull her aside after practice. ¡°Hey, so, it¡¯s your birthday tomorrow. Are you excited?¡±


    She shrugs. ¡°Not really. I think everyone else is more excited than I am.¡± She is looking at the ground. Not even up at me. I hate it.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    I put my hands on her shoulders. ¡°Cass, what¡¯s wrong? You have been somewhere else for a couple weeks now. You can tell me.¡±


    Finally she sighs and looks up at me. ¡°Trey, I think I don¡¯t want a mate. All this just seems stupid anymore. You and Justin are both so sure that I belong to you both. One of you is going to hate me after tomorrow. I have a feeling that whoever my mate is will be disappointed. My Uncle Jared says that it doesn¡¯t happen around here much, so maybe that will just be me. Then you will both hate me though. I don¡¯t even really want to have my birthday anymore. I just want to keep being me.¡± I can see tears swelling in her eyes.


    ¡°I could never hate you Cass. I might be really disappointed, but I could never hate you. Right now I want to hold you close and make all those tears stop. Just keep you protected in my arms. I¡¯m mad at myself that I can¡¯t do that for you.¡± I pull her into my arms and for the first time in a while she doesn¡¯t push me back. She lets me hold her. I can hear her sniffle a little. ¡°It¡¯s going to be alright. We will enjoy your birthday no matter what happens. I¡¯ll still be here.¡±


    ¡°I know you will be hurt.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but what¡¯s a little heartache. I couldn¡¯t lose you. Even if I have to settle with only friendship.¡±


    She buries her head in my chest and continues to cry. I feel the first drops of rain then. It¡¯s like the skies are letting go the tears that I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t stand the thought of her not being my mate, but it is a possibility. I just keep praying to the goddess that she is.


    The drops get thicker and more abundant. By the time that Cb and the twins make it out of the showers we are both soaked. Cb takes his sister from me. ¡°Thanks for trying to help.¡± He nods to me. I know how much he loves his sister. She is like a mother to him.


    ¡°Yeah, no problem. I¡¯m always here.¡±


    They all pass me by, giving me that sad look that I hate seeing. I know none of them like seeing their strong sister this broken. They also know that I want to be the one tied to their sister for life. They know I want her. I can see the pity. They don¡¯t think I am the one.


    I make my own way home and hope that I can just rx and let tomorrow¡¯s worries be for tomorrow. Only that doesn¡¯t happen. My momes to my bedroom door. She knocks lightly. ¡°Hey, so tomorrow is the big day huh?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. It will be nice if it is, but I can¡¯t make it happen.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have no doubt that she will be your mate. Call it mother¡¯s intuition. So, are you sneaking out in the middle of the night to find out?¡± She smirks.


    I shake my head. ¡°No, she isn¡¯t in a great head space right now. I figured I would y it cool and just meet her at school.¡±


    She gets this disappointed look on her face. ¡°Are you sure? What if that other boy is there? Maybe he will confuse her. That is what his dad did, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Justin isn¡¯t his dad. He wants her just as much as I do. He¡¯s an ass, but he wouldn¡¯t confuse her. He, above everyone else, knows how that feels. He wouldn¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°Treyton, you are going to get your ass down to that ranch tonight and be by your mate¡¯s side. Do you hear me?¡±


    I am shocked. ¡°You never cared this much before. I mean, I know you like her, but still. What¡¯s up?¡±


    She shakes her head. ¡°Nothing, just listen to your mother.¡±


    I sigh and shake my head. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go.¡±


    She smiles. ¡°That¡¯s my boy.¡±


    I ampletely baffled by her behavior. I¡¯ll do it, but it doesn¡¯t make sense.

 Chapter 40

    CASSANDRA


    Aunt Josephine hands me this white sheet thing. At least it looks like a sheet. It¡¯s not, it¡¯s some sort of robe. Makes sense. They n on me having my first shift in thirty minutes, I would ruin anything else.


    The n is that my family will be outside in the back field. Those that can shift will be in their wolf form. I walk out at ten minutes to midnight and stand in the middle of them. They all stand and support me through the change. I am scared shitless and they all just stand around. Maybe some howling.


    Aunt Josephine scolds me as usual. ¡°Now, from this moment on, you could meet your mate. You need to be more reserved. Noing home smelling of other males.¡±


    ¡°It was just a hug. I didn¡¯t do anything else with him.¡± I roll my eyes. It¡¯s bad enough I have heard this crap for thest two months, but she said she is going to stay around for another week to make sure I am settled in.


    ¡°Be that as it may, it needs to stop.¡±


    I take the garment and go behind the screen. ¡°So how long does it take for the first shift?¡±


    ¡°Depends on the wolf. The stronger ones shift faster. I imagine for you it could take a while.¡±


    Can I kill her? Put her out of her misery and mine. ¡°Thanks for the vote of confidence.¡± I step out wearing the sheet. It looks like one. Seriously, it¡¯s like they cut a hole in a sheet and call it a garment. ¡°So, what ten minutes, I head out?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will be out there, so will the rest of the family. Don¡¯t be a disappointment. The whole family came in for this. You are the first wolf of this generation, they are excited to see what you will be. Size matters in the wolf world, remember that.¡±


    ¡°How could I forget?¡± I roll my eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sass me.¡± She gives me that stern look. The look that I have no doubt means she will kick my ass as soon as I shift. I don¡¯t really care anymore. Let her. I just want this to be done and over with.


    I zone out Aunt Josephine and putter around the room. I don¡¯t even notice when she leaves. I just stare at the clock waiting for this hell to be over with.


    Finally when it is time I walk out past the back door. It is like a sea of brown. I didn¡¯t even realize our family was this big. There are like fifty wolves out here. There are those that aren¡¯t shifted yet, they stand a bit further out. I am pretty sure it is so that they don¡¯t get hurt if I react during the shift. Cb, Brett and Brittney are close to the door I step out of. They each give me a hug. My mom is further back, I can¡¯t read her at all. Not like I ever really could.


    Taking a deep breath I head to the center of the wolf sea. I do a little spin in the middle to take a look around. It¡¯s not everyday that someone is surrounded by a group of wolves and knows that they will make it out.


    Arge bell rings out. Aunt Josephine said that it would signal midnight, and some of the males set it up. Instantly I feel pressure in my bones. It all seems to be happening really fast. I can¡¯t catch my bearings as my body flings forward. I am on all fours in seconds. Howls erupt around me. I hear the tearing of the sheet garment. Fur explodes on my body. Only it¡¯s white. I was expecting brown. What the hell happened? Is there something wrong with me? Did I do it wrong? Shit Aunt Josephine will never let me hear the end of it.


    I shake and I am done. Mere seconds and it was over. A chorus of howls follows. I can hear my Uncle in my head. ¡°The white wolf has been given to our pack. The goddess has truly blessed us.¡± More howls.


    I don¡¯t understand any of it. Especially when I look around the group and they all have their heads bowed. Thest is my Uncle, his wolf is the biggest, ¡°You did good kid.¡± Then his head follows the rest.


    I am lost. What the hell does all this mean? Aunt Josephine didn¡¯t cover this. I feel a little panicked, but then this amazing smell hits me square in the face. Through instinct I react, snapping my head towards the smell. I can¡¯t help but follow it. I charge forward and I can¡¯t focus on anything but that smell. I pause when I reach the trees. I know it is close, just on the other side of the tree line. I want to go forward, but what if¡­? I don¡¯t even want to think about it.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    A smirking man steps out. I stagger back a step. The smell ising from him. It¡¯s him. My mate. The word rings around in my head. He takes a step towards me. ¡°You are even more beautiful than I thought you would be.¡±


    I feel like crying, not because I didn¡¯t want him to be my mate, but because I can¡¯t believe it. It can¡¯t be true.


    Justin stands in front of me and smiles. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Only I have one more thing to show you.¡± He bites his bottom lip and I see him start to shift. I seriously do cry when I see the familiar fur grace his skin. As soon as hends on all fours, I run for it. It can¡¯t be true.


    I can feel him run behind me. We both crash through the woods.


    My Uncle res through my head. ¡°Are you in danger?¡±


    ¡°No, I just need to be alone.¡± I scream back. I can¡¯t help it. They all saw me run from my mate. Only he is one of them. So I am sure there are plenty there who are on edge now.


    We make it past any point I have ever been to before and I feel him over take me. He pushes me to the side and my paws lose their footing. I want to fight him, but at the same time, it has all been too much.


    I shift back, crying. He has shifted as well,ying on top of me. ¡°Baby, it¡¯s alright. It¡¯s done now.¡±


    ¡°You were Gray the whole time. You purposefully acted like two different people. You hurt me.¡±


    ¡°I know baby, I was just scared I would lose you. You are way too good for me.¡± His lips start to pepper my skin. ¡°But it¡¯s done now. No more secrets. We can be together.¡±


    I cup his face and make him look at me. ¡°Then kiss me and don¡¯t ever stop.¡±


    His crystal blue eyes look right back into mine and he smiles. ¡°With pleasure.¡±


    When his lips touch mine, I feel my body explode with pleasure. It feels so amazing to have him like this. He is mine and he will never leave me again. He can¡¯t. I won¡¯t let him.

 Chapter 41

    TREYTON


    I am crushed. She chased his scent, not mine. She didn¡¯t even know I was there. When I saw her all I could think was mine, she didn¡¯t even smell me at all. What the hell is going on? I can¡¯t love her like this and she is not my mate. It doesn¡¯t make any logical sense.


    When I fall back in my bed I want to just die. How is this possible? I can¡¯t even think straight. She ran to him.


    My momes in a few minutester, with a big smile on her face. ¡°Well, what happened?¡±


    I turn away from her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡±


    I can hear the confusion in her voice. ¡°What happened? I am sure she didn¡¯t reject you, so what happened?¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t my mate.¡± I choke on the words. My heart aches to say them out loud.


    ¡°That¡¯s not possible.¡± She sounds direct now. Like I must have mixed something up.


    I turn and look at her confused. ¡°What do you mean not possible? Of course it is possible. I don¡¯t get how I could love her this much and she not be, but there it is. When she shifted she took off to the west, I was in the east. Justin was in the west. I made sure my scent came straight to her, yet she still sniffed him.¡±


    ¡°No, he must be confusing her somehow.¡±


    ¡°How mom? She didn¡¯t know it was him. She just followed her nose.¡±


    ¡°No, that isn¡¯t how this is supposed to go.¡±


    Now, I am even more confused. ¡°Well, that¡¯s what happened. She shifted into this gorgeous white wolf and caught his scent. They ran off together.¡± I feel like balling my eyes out.


    My mom looks scared. ¡°No, that¡¯s not possible.¡±


    ¡°Mom, why do you keep saying that? It is possible. I hate it, but that is the way it is.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She screams. ¡°That is not how it was supposed to be. Fuck.¡± My mom doesn¡¯t swear. Why the fuck is she losing her cool like this? It¡¯s like she is contorting into a beast. ¡°It must be because she is a white wolf. That¡¯s why it didn¡¯t work. Shit, why didn¡¯t I think of that?¡± She has started pacing my room.


    ¡°Mom, what the hell are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°She was supposed to be yours. He was supposed to suffer.¡± She growls.


    ¡°Mom, what are you talking about? You don¡¯t make any sense.¡±


    ¡°I am not your mother.¡± She growls even more. What the fuck? Since when?


    ¡°Now you are definitely not making sense.¡±


    She red right at me. ¡°Just like your brother and sister, I killed your parents and took you in. You had one job to do and you couldn¡¯t do it. You were supposed to get her to fall in love with you. You were supposed to keep her from her fated mate. You stupid wolves, breeding like fucking rabbits. It makes me sick. For years I have prevented so many from finding their mates, but then someonees through and fucks it up. This time it was you.¡±


    ¡°What are you?¡±


    She smirks. ¡°Vampire. Witch. Take your pick. My spell was supposed to make her love you and not even sense her mate. But somehow it¡¯s fucked up. I put a spell on you, to make you attracted to the girl I wanted you to be. Your real mate is Kelly. That¡¯s why she won¡¯t stop following you. She still feels it. Not totally, I dampened it, but that doesn¡¯t mean she can¡¯t tap into it.¡±


    ¡°You kept me from my true mate.¡± I growl.


    ¡°Of course. I had to y this out correctly. I put thoughts into your mind. Made her y her part. Showed you my disdain for the girl. She was not worth it. It didn¡¯t take all that much to break the two of you up either. Too bad that neither of you will be happy.¡± She gives me a fake pouty face.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What the fuck are you talking about?¡±


    I have stood and am backing toward my window. I just came in, so I know that it is unlocked and open. I was too upset to do anything about it. Now, I find out that it is all fake. I don¡¯t even really feel these feelings. My mother, or who I thought was my mother, has been fucking with my head and my emotions.


    ¡°You will die. I can¡¯t have you telling that wolf what is going on. She can wreck everything.¡± She cocks her head to the side and grins. ¡°Too, bad really. I actually kind of liked you. You were a good son.¡±


    I feel the windowsill behind my hand. ¡°I could still be a good son. I won¡¯t say anything. Just give me Cass and all will be ording to n. Kill Justin instead.¡± I am trying to buy time. I wouldn¡¯t do that to Cass.


    She sighs, ¡°Unfortunately I already know what is in your heart. You will tell her.¡±


    I turn and leap. I know what ising next. I can¡¯t wait another second. As my pawsnd on the ground I hear a screech behind me. I know she is going toe after me. I tear off in the direction of Cass¡¯s house. If anything the bitch seemed worried about her. Maybe there is something I don¡¯t know.


    Coming through the woods, branches and vines, try to snare me. I keep pushing through, tearing at any thate close. I have to get to Cass. A vine catches around my throat. I don¡¯t know what to do. Only my brain starts to process it better than my actual thoughts. I shift back to human and extend my ws to cut through it. Quickly I shift back to my wolf. I have to get to Cass, no matter what it takes.

 Chapter 42

    CASSANDRA


    I know what I have to do. Because he is a part of that family, I have to let my family know that the feud has to end. Justin kind of prepared, so I am grateful. He trots over to where he hid some clothes for the both of us. I smile sliding the clothes on, they are his but I don¡¯t mind. ¡°You expected me.¡±


    ¡°Hoped, really.¡± He blushes a little. ¡°You are all I have been dreaming about since I met you. I never for a million years would have guessed you were a white wolf. Do you know how rare that is?¡±


    ¡°No, but I am sure Aunt Josephine will tell me.¡± Iugh.


    ¡°Oh, she will. You heard the way your pack howled. It is amazing. You are far better than I thought you were. I am still surprised that you didn¡¯t reject me and send me packing.¡±


    ¡°Justin, knock it off. We are done with that. Just be with me ok.¡±


    He takes my hand. ¡°To the end of the world.¡± He brings our hands up so that he can kiss my fingers. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to mark you. I just don¡¯t want to do it in the middle of the woods.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really. What did you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°A romantic setting. One that will being as of tomorrow night.¡± He pulls me into his arms. ¡°Or rather tonight.¡±


    We walk out of the woods wrapped around each other. I can feel Justin stiffen next to me as we exit the woods. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I got this. They will not attack you.¡±


    ¡°Do they know that?¡± He looks around at the sea of brown.


    Wee closer and I call out in a loud voice. ¡°This is Justin, he is my mate. I do not care about his family background. He doesn¡¯t care about mine. The feud is done. It¡¯s time for a change.¡±


    My Uncle shifts first. He stands behind my dad who just barely covers his private areas. Thanks Dad. ¡°As Alpha of this pack. I agree. The feud is done. I will meet with your Alpha and make it official.¡±


    We all hear crashing in the woods off to the east. It doesn¡¯t sound normal. More intense. Like the woods themselves areing towards us. Justin sniffs the air. ¡°It¡¯s Trey. Something is chasing him. I can¡¯t tell what.¡±


    We all run in that direction. Most of my pack is still in their fur. I just do my best not to look at my Uncle. When Trey breaks through the woods he is tangled in vines. ¡°What happened?¡± I call out, running towards him.


    He shifts out of his reddish brown wolf. ¡°My mom, she is fucking nuts. She said that she has been ruining mate bonds for years. She was going to ruin yours. She cast a spell on us. She is scared of you. Apparently her magic isn¡¯t working on you.¡±


    Aunt Josephinees forward. ¡°It¡¯s because you are the white wolf. Our packs have been waiting for you for such a long time. We knew something was messing with our bonds, we just didn¡¯t know what. You need to fix this Cassandra.¡±


    I look at her confused. ¡°What exactly am I supposed to do? She sent a damn forest after her own son.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not her son. She said she killed my parents and I was supposed to ruin your mate bond. That was my one job. Now I am useless to her.¡±


    I can hear the hurt in Trey¡¯s voice. He loved his mom. Now she is trying to kill him. ¡°Be that as it may. What the hell am I supposed to do against that?¡±


    Justin squeezes me to him. ¡°We are all behind you. You lead the charge. I will not leave your side.¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    We don¡¯t have time to figure it out either. A glowing dark figurees out of the woods behind Trey. ¡°I knew my worthless son would run straight here.¡± Trish smiles and waves her hands to the side. ¡°Well, I guess the cat¡¯s out of the bag. For two hundred years I have made your families suffer from the side lines. Made mates cheat. Made people forget their mate bonds. Made bonds that caused weak children. All for the sake of weakening your worthless race.¡± She growls, losing her smile towards the end. ¡°Then you had to have a white wolf. You had to bring her back here. You had to ruin everything.¡±


    We all felt the ground rumble underneath us. Patches started to shift and move. ¡°Now you all will pay.¡±


    I shifted without even thinking. I could see all the wolves moving around me. Several went to protect the kids, those that couldn¡¯t shift. Others went towards Trish. We all created a front. Trey had shifted back and Justin was shifted at my side.


    My Uncle¡¯s voice rang out to me. ¡°You are the only one that her magic doesn¡¯t affect. We will distract her, but you are going to have to go in for the kill.¡±


    I cringed at the thought, but I know that he is right. When I looked back at Trish her evil gaze was locked on mine. ¡°You think you will win. I am far more powerful than you.¡±


    Justin growled and lunged at the same time that Trey and Uncle Jaredunched as well. They were creating a distraction. Only I have never killed anyone before. I have no clue what the fuck I am doing. I let my instincts take over and lunge towards her face and throat. She tries to block me with a spell. At least that is what I think she is trying to do. Her arm faces me, I feel a tingle, but nothing. I keep going. When I hit her I feel her strength. Even without her power she is strong. Her hands grip my cheeks, my snapping jaws, just short of the face that I am beginning to hate.


    ¡°You think you can beat me, little wolf. You have no idea the power I possess.¡± Her hands are too busy holding my face that she doesn¡¯t notice that she has left my paws free. My ws dig and scrape at her skin in quick session. She is healing but not fast enough. My ws dig deeper. She loosened her grip to try to grab a paw, but that was enough to let my jaw free. I snapped my jaw on her throat and dug my canines in as deep as I could. I could feel her foul blood seeping into my mouth. Her screams echoing in my ears. I dug further still. I didn¡¯t want her to heal. Aunt Josephine told me enough about her kind to know she is a vampire. She could heal from this. I need to remove her head. That is the only way.


    Digging my hind paws into her chest Iunched off. mping down my jaw, it pulled at her neck. With the force Iunched I swung my body around hers. This twisted her neck. Iunched again, this time with more force. Completing the circle. I felt the neck bones snap in my mouth. Still I tore until it waspletely severed.


    Trish¡¯s head rolled as soon as it hit the ground. Her body crumpled under mine. Trey looked at her head in sorrow. All things considered, she still raised him.


    Around the field I saw wolves, one by one, shift back into their skin. There were a few injured, but no one was dead. At least I could be greatful of that.


    Justin put his arms around me and pulled me away from Trish¡¯s body. I didn¡¯t even realize that I was frozen over her lifeless body. I shift back and copse into his arms. Tears streamed down my face. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to kill anyone.¡±


    He holds me to his chest. ¡°You had to. You were the only one that could.¡±


    Trey stands in his skin andes towards us. ¡°I think her spells are breaking. I can feel it. Not that I don¡¯t think of you as a friend, but I don¡¯t love you anymore. I need to find Kelly. She said that she is my true mate.¡±


    Justin smiles up at him. ¡°I already linked my pack. She is on her way here.¡±


    Uncle Jared addresses the packs. ¡°I think it is time that we all united in the wake of these events. It is time that we put all old grudges in the past. We need peace among our kind, that is the only way we are going to be able to fight off this type of danger again. I suggest we call a meeting. Now seems as good a time as any.¡±


    Justin¡¯s pack bursts through the woods on the west side of the woods. I can see a massive ck wolf leading the charge. The pack marches forward until they meet ours. The ck wolf shifts. I see that it is Justin¡¯s step-dad. ¡°Justin, what is going on?¡±


    His arms barely leave me as he points to Trish¡¯s body. ¡°It would seem that we had a vampire/witch that has been among us for several years. She has admitted to tampering with mate bonds for several years. We have reason to believe that now that she is dead the spells that she used are breaking.¡±


    His step-dad nods towards me. ¡°This one?¡±


    ¡°She is my mate.¡± He puts a possessive arm around me.


    Uncle Jaredes forward. ¡°I suggest we all sit down ande to some agreements. Many things we thought were not true.¡±


    Kelly has shifted and is running through the field. Trey meets her part way. He grabs her up in his arms. I may not like Kelly, but I am d that they can both be happy.


    Her dad looks at her and softens. ¡°I see. Perhaps you are right, Jared. It is time that the packs fight against this evil together.¡±


    Uncle Jared points his arm at me. ¡°This is because of her. She has killed the vampire. She should be a part of everything that goes on.¡±


    ¡°What makes her so special?¡±


    Justin doesn¡¯t hesitate to answer. ¡°She is a white wolf.¡±


    I can see the awe on his face. ¡°Then by all means. We should get cleaned up a bit and meet in town hall. All wolves present. I will send out a call.¡± He nods his head at us. Turning he shifts. Trey and Kelly follow him.


    Only now do I look down at myself. On top of being naked I am covered in blood. ¡°I think I need a shower.¡±


    Justinughs, but holds me close. ¡°Yeah, that you do.¡±

 Chapter 43

    Four hours have passed since the field incident. I am not calling it a killing. I can¡¯t think about it like that. Aunt Josephine kindly reminded me that vampires are technically already dead so I didn¡¯t kill anyone. I don¡¯t see it that way. I know there are others of that group that wouldn¡¯t agree either. I feel like I killed someone. It¡¯s going to take some time getting over it.


    Every werewolf in town is now in the town hall. There is almost the whole town. I can¡¯t believe it. Uncle Jared said that there were a lot of wolves in town, I just didn¡¯t realize how many that really was.


    I am a little lost in thought when I feel someone plop in the seat next to me. I am curled up in Justin¡¯sp, but I do manage to look over. Kelly is sitting there with her head kind of bowed. When I look over she starts talking. ¡°I know you may not like me very much, but I¡¯m sorry. I thought you were trying to take Trey away from me. I didn¡¯t understand what was going on. I don¡¯t think you are a bitch. I¡¯m sorry I ever said that. Your sister is a great cheerleader too, that was mean of me to say. I am just asking that you and I start over.¡± She looks up at me, when thest words are out of her mouth.


    I know none of it was her doing. That witch was causing all kinds of problems. ¡°I am not going to hold any of that against you. I know it was the spell. From now on clean te.¡± I can see a smile appear on her lips. ¡°Also in the spirit of forgiveness, I have an idea. I mean if you want to. Would you want to be my co-captain of the squad?¡±


    Her face lit up. ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± I smile back at her.


    She hugs me and in turn hugs her brother a little. ¡°That is so awesome. Yes, that would be so cool.¡± She pulls back. ¡°I always wanted a sister, you know. Honestly I thought Justin was never going to find a mate.¡± She winks at me to show she is joking.


    Justin pulls me closer. ¡°Keep it up sis. I know where you sleep.¡±


    Kelly sticks her tongue out. ¡°Whatever, I¡¯ll just tell my new sister all about it and then you will be in the dog house.¡±


    Trey sits down next to Kelly, pulling her into his arms. ¡°Justin¡¯s in the dog house already.¡±


    Justin just rolls his eyes. ¡°Yeah, keep it up.¡±


    I kiss his lips, it¡¯s a small kiss but enough to put a smile on his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you aren¡¯t in the dog house.¡± He has hardly left me alone since we found each other. I love it. There is nothing wrong with how Justin treats me.


    Ethan takes a seat in front of me. ¡°So, do you guys know what this meeting is about?¡± We allugh. Ethan looks shocked. ¡°I missed something didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Trey nods. ¡°Oh, yeah. Basically Cass reset the whole cosmos.¡±


    Ethan smiles. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one hell of a birthday present.¡±


    Kelly gasps. ¡°I totally forgot it was your birthday. We have to go shopping after this.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°Unfortunately I think after this I am going to sleep for a week. I am so exhausted.¡±


    ¡°Rain check.¡± She smiles at me.


    Ethan definitely looks confused. ¡°Yeah, the cosmos have definitely been rearranged.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll exinter.¡± I told him.


    He nods. Then his eyes ze over. He sniffs around like he is following a scent. At the end of the aisle, my cousin who I just met this morning is doing the same thing. Their eyes meet and she blushes a little. I smile and chuckle a little. ¡°Well, looks like you met your mate.¡±


    He winks at me. ¡°Won¡¯t my mother be happy.¡± He gets up leaving us.


    A couple walks in front of us, I don¡¯t even register them until Justin gasps, ¡°Dad.¡± I look up and see some guy I have never met before, holding hands with Coach Mallori.


    He smiles at Justin. ¡°Hey, son. I was looking for you, I kind of missed you there in the pile. Look who finally found his mate.¡±


    He looks really happy. Coach Mallory looks at our group. ¡°Cass, Kelly. I am surprised to see you two together.¡±


    We bothugh. ¡°We made up. We also decided that we will be co-captains of the team.¡± I state, not really making it an option.


    Her smile doesn¡¯t falter. ¡°Well, that is amazing news. I am d to hear it.¡±


    I am sure they had more to say but my Aunt Josephine was at the podium tapping the mic, asking for attention.


    ¡°Alright everyone. Can we have your attention? I know there are many exciting things happening this morning. We are here to exin how this all came about. If you all could take a seat, we have a few speakers this morning and we would like to get through it quickly. Some of us have never been to bed.¡±


    She waits for a few minutes for people to shuffle to their seats. ¡°So for starters, ourmunity has been gued by a curse for the better part of two hundred years. That curse was broken today.¡± She holds up three thick volumes from the podium. ¡°These journals chronicle the activities that a vampire in our midst haspleted since her arrival in our town. Almost every dispute that has ever happened in this town was caused by her. She opens the first page of the tomb she is holding. ¡°December 2, 1802. I have arrived at the town of Oasis. At first nce it looks like a perfect utopia. All the residents get along. There are hardly any disputes. If there are any they are minor. However the area smells of dogs. The wholemunity is contaminated with their breed. I can hardly breathe. The only solution is to thin out their numbers. Get as many to leave as possible. At no time will I have peace, until the vermin are extinguished. This is her first entry.¡± Aunt Josephine closes the book. ¡°Further she exins the spells that she used to corrupt our minds. Break our bonds and lies she told to cause countless deaths, not to mention the deaths she caused at her own hands.¡± She holds up the tomb again. ¡°I have one more entry to read this morning, then these volumes will be avable for everyone to read. I do warn you that some of the things inside are graphic. However, this next passage involves the curse that was spoken of.¡±


    She adjusts herself a little before continuing. ¡°March 13, 1803. I have had a vision this morning. The first in several years. A white wolf will be the death of me. It will end my ways and send me into an abyss. I don¡¯t know when this wolf will appear or from where, only that it will be my end. So far there are no white wolves in thismunity. I will just have to work harder to eradicate them before that happens.¡± She closes the book again. ¡°This morning, she was killed by a newly shifted white wolf. Her powers didn¡¯t work on her. I will let her tell you in her own words what happened, but as soon as the witch was killed, all her spells were reversed. As you can see by the many newly mated pairs in this very room.¡± For the first time I saw Aunt Josephine smile. ¡°I am very proud of my niece and the work she has done this morning. It warms my old heart to see this many happy wolves in ourmunity.¡±


    With that she stepped down. Her ce was taken by Kelly¡¯s dad. ¡°Thank you Josephine. Now I am sure many of you are wondering what this means for us all from here on out. We have decided that we would like to have a council of our own that will deal with issues like this. I know we have a town council, but this is different. This will be a council of elders, we will take rmendations, names will be submitted.¡±


    Someone in the back yells out. ¡°The white wolf.¡±


    Soon a chorus rings out. ¡°White Wolf. White Wolf.¡±


    Kelly¡¯s dad raises his hand. ¡°I quite agree. She will be the first person on this council. I will introduce you to her in a minute. She will oversee this group and make sure that something like this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± I am starting to hyperventte. I can¡¯t do this. I can¡¯t even hear what he says any more. I am just trying to breathe.


    Justin grips my face. ¡°It¡¯s alright baby. It¡¯s alright. You can do this.¡±


    I¡¯m shaking my head. ¡°I can¡¯t do this. It¡¯s too much.¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be alone Cass. I¡¯ll be right here with you. You can do this.¡± He pulls me to his chest and holds me until my breathing evens out.


    It takes a few minutes but when I can finally hear the room around me I see that there are many eyes on me. Apparently Kelly¡¯s dad has introduced me and they are all waiting on me to speak.


    I climb out of Justin¡¯sp, but keep a strong grip on his hand and drag him up to the podium with me. He doesn¡¯t hesitate to follow me. Thank the goddess, because I would die without him right now. Kelly¡¯s dad pats my back as soon as I get up there. ¡°It¡¯s alright. You can do this.¡± He nods to me and leaves me and Justin there.


    ¡°Well, I am sure at this point you are all worried that you have picked the wrong wolf for the job.¡± I chuckle a little and most of the room follows me. ¡°Honestly I don¡¯t know if I am the right wolf. I do know that I will do my best and with the other members of the group we will make sure ourmunity is safe from this kind of danger again. The damage that Trish caused is going to take time to get past. Like now, I know of two wolves that no longer have a family because she killed their parents and raised them as her own. She used wolves for her own devices. She moved us around like pawns. When she came towards me out of the woods this morning, my only thought was I needed to protect those around me. We needed to be safe. I had to be the one to do it, because I was the only one that wasn¡¯t affected by her magic. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I don¡¯t like the thought that I might have to do it again, but I would to keep ourmunity safe. I can see many happy faces that I didn¡¯t see a couple of weeks ago. I can¡¯t imagine two hundred years of that unhappiness. I am going to do my best and build thismunity to the state that it is supposed to be.¡±


    I get a round of apuse. I am not really sure I deserve it, but there it is. Justin pulls me into his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s get you some rest now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you, thank you. Please.¡±


    I know this isn¡¯t happily ever after, but it is happy for now. That¡¯s all that any of us can really ask. Many more matebonds were found before the end of the week. Wolf families moved back to town. Ourmunity returned to the utopia that it was before Trish arrived here in our little town. The human residents weren¡¯t any wiser.


    Kelly and I became great friends. Much to Crissy¡¯s dismay. Apparently as a human she couldn¡¯t fathom what the heck happened to cause us to change. She has fallen from her socialdder and she isn¡¯t too pleased with it. The cheer squad and football teams have both improved. Kelly and I are out of high school now, but we still help out Coach Mallori as often as we can. Doesn¡¯t hurt my daughter inw points either.


    Justin built us a home with the help of his dad, in the woods right in between the two families¡¯nds. I like that I get to be close to my family and still be alone with Justin. Sometimes we go to the pond and relive that pic that we had. I love it. Sometimes he acts pompous and we fight about it, but that is the only thing that we fight about anymore. Usually I win too. We always wind up in the same bed at the end of the day. Who could really ask for more. The man I love with me every night and a future that looks bright for once in my life.


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