GINGER"It's so nice having you back!" Paige remarked. The weather was beautiful on Paige's day off from warrior duty, so she brought me along with her and Jasmine to ride the Newport to Beebe bike path, which was about an hour from the pack. They were both a lot more fit than me, but they didn't ride too fast so I could keep up with them.On our way back, we stopped at a market to buy sandwiches and snacks, and then hiked down to Jay Branch Gorge. Everything was crowded that day due to the nice weather, and both Paige and Jasmine complained about there being too many humans around. I had noticed over the years that most werewolves didn't really like being around humans, almost having an allergic reaction to them."Yeah, you're funny!" Jasmine agreed with Paige."She's hilarious. You should see when someone pisses her off. Some of the insults she comes up with are crazy." Paige laughed. I was suddenly reminded of Tyce and everything I'd verbally vomited all over him. Luckily, I had av
GINGERWhen we got back to the pack later that evening, Jasmine invited us over for dinner at the packhouse, and to watch some TV show series they'd been watching together after. Paige basically answered for me and took me along. I figured if he was there when I got there, I could just split. Fortunately, he was nowhere to be found when we entered."Jasmine, Paige! Are you joining us for dinner? I'll put out some extra plates," a very tall, blonde girl said as soon as we walked in, and then I remembered that she was the Beta's mate. I felt so out of touch with what went on in the pack having gone to boarding school for high school and now going away for college. "And oooh, Paige, is that your twin?""Yep, this is Gigi," Paige pushed me forward. "Gigi, Lucy," she said unenthusiastically. I got the idea she wasn't a huge fan of her."Hi, Gigi!" Lucy said cheerfully, the contrast between her and Paige's attitude clear. "Yay! This is great! I love when we have company!"Before long, we we
TYSON Goddess, what the actual fuck? How could I still want to fuck her so badly after everything that had gone down? She was so infuriating. How did she affect me so much? Why couldn't I stop seething about everything, and, at the same time, wanting to accept her apology—the one she delivered so sweetly and vulnerably? That moment—she just seemed so pure, and like she was more than just some bitch hell-bent on terrorizing me with her insults. I was in the kitchen picking at leftovers when Blake walked in. "Sup," I greeted him. "Look, man, I don't care if you hook up with random girls. That's your business. But I draw the line at taking advantage of my pack members. Especially if they're passed out and can't consent." "And what, you think I'm doing that?" I replied, trying to keep my voice even, feeling myself becoming angry all over again at the accusation. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't inquire after what was said at the table tonight. I asked Gigi and she said she does
GINGER I'd managed to avoid Tyce for almost a whole week. But now it was Sunday, and I knew he'd be at the service that night. My anxiety was in overdrive. Not only was I stressing about seeing Tyce again after everything that had gone down almost a week ago, but I still hadn't worked out exactly how I was going to get to Salem again, and the next full moon was only two weeks away. Our family only had one car, so asking to borrow it for an entire day was not easy. Everyone would want to know where I was going and what I was doing with it. It was a four-hour drive to get there, so it wasn't exactly something I could slip out for an hour or two to do. I had to think of a creative excuse. When we finally arrived at temple that evening, I spotted him right away. It was hard not to—he was so tall and had a commanding presence. It made sense, considering he was an alpha, and I had a hard time forcing myself not to stare at him as he conversed with people at the front, near where the alpha
JASMINE "I want you to work with a personal trainer moving forward," Blake said to me one morning as we were getting ready for the day. "Why? Your mom said most exercise is fine as long as I just modify a few things and take a break from sparring," I replied. He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. "Jasmine, please, do this for me. I know what my mom said, but it's really hard for me. I can't stand the idea of anything happening to you or our pups." "Nothing will happen to me," I replied. "My wolf will just heal me." "But the pups don't have one yet." I turned to look into his eyes and felt how vulnerable he was. "Okay," I conceded, even though I hated the idea of, once again, getting special treatment that the other female warriors wouldn't. I knew I was the luna now, but even Blake still trained with everyone else to build camaraderie. That was something I'd never quite managed to do with my fellow female warriors with the exception of Paige. It didn't bother me m
GINGER I set my alarm for early on Friday. I didn't want there to even be a slight chance I'd miss my ride. I really had to swallow my pride for this one, and I knew I'd have to be on my best behavior. Who knew how many other rides I'd need to grovel for in the future. Although, I really hoped this would be my last one. With the sun shining, and the warm air flowing in through the window screen, I had a good feeling about this time. I threw on a cute spring dress and stood in front of my full-length mirror. Damn, I'd forgotten how low cut this dress was. I was sporting more cleavage than I intended. But when you were busty like me, it was pretty unavoidable. I pulled the neckline up a bit, but it didn't really do much. Oh well. It's not like Tyce would be interested or looking anyway. He'd made it pretty fucking clear I was a 2 on his rating scale. As much as I hated to admit it, his dig still stung. After I was satisfied with my appearance, I made my way downstairs to make myself
GINGER Although we lived pretty far from the packhouse, I was in such a foul mood I knew I needed the walk. After a few steps, I remembered I owed Tyce his sandals, but didn't want to go back. I'd grab them for him when he dropped me back at home that evening. Done and done. When I got there, Lucy let me in. "Hey, Gigi! So nice to see you!" She wrapped her arms around me. "Hi, Lucy," I responded, returning the hug. "Hey, if you're not busy in a couple weeks, there's going to be a really good DJ coming to the casino club. DJ Sandstorm, have you heard of him?" I shook my head. "Well, I ordered a table, and everything's comped since the pack owns the casino. Jasmine and Paige are pretty boring and don't want anything to do with clubbing. But you seemed so fun last time you were here! Come!" "Sure," I replied. "Yesss! What's your number? I'll text you when it gets closer so we can make plans." I gave her my number and then sat down at the dining room table to wait for Tyce while Luc
GINGER The day was uncharacteristically hot for so early in June. I was relieved once we made it inside the air-conditioned fortune-telling shop. Helena greeted us, passing her hand through her dark curls—well, greeted Tyce. I may as well have been invisible. "Oh, hello there. You're back!" She smiled widely at him as she came around from behind the register. "Hey," he replied, giving her a flashy smile. Although it absolutely should not have bothered me, it did. No, I was clearly just annoyed that she didn't even notice my existence even though I was a regular customer—that's all. It one hundred percent did not bother me that she was looking Tyce up and down and he was giving her a much bigger smile than he ever gave me. No, not at all. "How long are you in town for? Do you have time for a drink or two this evening?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him. "Maybe," He began to reply. "There's a great spot. Totally underground. But I can get you in." "I think I can make time for a