Chapter 4

Joel's POV

I took off to the guest room I'm staying in so I could rush and beat that jerk Damien out to the pool. I stumbled through the closet, rushed out the door and down the stairs to reach the back porch and looked out at the beautiful sight of Rose floating. As calmly as I could, I strolled over to the edge of the pool closest to Rose.

"Hi Rose, how have you been? I'm remorseful about this summer. I'd like to start over, we can be just friends if that makes you more comfortable."

"I'm not sure yet Joel, you really hurt me. I'm going to need time but for now we can just be acquaintances." She said sadly. I felt awful about having hurt her this summer.

"If that's what you want then I'm grateful for the opportunity. Thank you, Rose." I tore off my shirt and watched Rose swallow and her pupils enlarge. I'm glad to see I still affect her. Thank god for werewolf genes. I dived into the pool and swam as far out as I could to get a little closer to Rose and her sweet scent. My wolf has been going nuts wanting to claim her yet I can't do anything until we get closer like we did over the summer.

"Joel, you splashed me! I was enjoying floating" she huffed out.

Damn she is so cute when she's mad. I was so busy watching Rose I didn't notice everyone else now jumping into the pool until she squealed from being splashed at by Brent.

"Brent! Ahhh!" She screamed with water dripping down her face.

"Oh come on sweetheart you're so cute when you're mad," he winked while her face flushed. Bastard, hitting on my girl.

"Rose! What are you doing?" Sophie ran out and cannon balled right into the center of the pool. "Hey girl later on I want to sit and have a talk with you, all of us need to have a conversation actually." I gulped knowing what Sophie meant was we need to tell her about us being werewolves. Well 3 wolves, and two hybrids anyway.

"Ok, sure just let me know when" Rose smiled and I swear the heavens shined down on this woman and blessed every inch of her body and put extra care into the beautiful smile. I'm not looking forward to the long wait until she trusts me again, but I know that it will be worth it.

Colten's POV

The sun started to set and I swear I could see a halo above my mate. She truly is descended from heaven. We all finished up messing around the pool, deciding to go inside and all I focus on what my jealousy from when Brent was playing around with her earlier in the pool. They were splashing each other and laughing. How the heck are we supposed to share a mate when I turn red at her having fun with another one of these men?

"Mr. Star!" Sang my sweet mate.

"Please Rosalie, call me Colten" I told her.

"Um ok, Colten" I understand that you probably feel obligated to hang out with us since you're Sophie's brother, but I wanted to let you know that you won't offend me if you don't want to be around us. We must seem like such children in comparison to you."

"I assure you Rose that I don't view you as anything less than a woman at all."

"Oh thanks? I reckon since today is my 18 birthday I am officially an adult."

"Definitely. And I'll be happy to help you out with any advice or if you just need someone to talk to. I know that we will probably see plenty of each other over here at my house since you and Sophie are friends." Rose blushed a pretty pink which caused my wolf to howl on the inside.

I know it's too early for her to develop any feelings since she's not a wolf but I hope that she can come to rely on me as a man. I will literally do anything for her and I've only known her for one day. Being a wolf makes me protective of her. I stared at her lips, wondering if they were as soft as they looked.

Rose's POV

Colten continued to stare at me and if I didn't know better, I'd think that he was staring at my lips. All of a sudden, I had the urge to fix a tendril of his fringe that fell in his face. I started to reach out before I pulled back. Bad Rose. He's a teacher, you don't want to get into trouble, regardless of how hot he is and how his presence is utterly electric. Being so close to him is driving me nuts. I need to get out of here before I do something foolish.

"Well Colten I'm sure that Sophie is looking for me. I'm going to head upstairs." He nodded as I turned on my heel to rush up the steps. Damn, I really need to exercise, these damn stairs made me run out of breath. Suddenly, I tripped and started to fall backwards when a pair of strong arms grabbed around my waist. Thank God for Brent! I was so discombobulated that I didn't realize how close my face was to his as I was assaulted by his heavenly, manly smell. Mmmmm.

"Are you ok Rose?" He peered right into my eyes and all I could think about was his scent, his tingly touch on my waist and how him and Damien are so similar to each other except Brent has a sexy lip ring.

Brent's POV

My wolf is howling in pleasure on the inside at my hold around her waist and strongly insisted on claiming my mate. It took everything in me to restrain myself from claiming her lips.

"Be careful taking the stairs princess, I can't always be here to catch you," I teased with a grin. Rose blushed fiercely and huffed cutely.

"I may be gravity challenged," she spouted.

"Hahaha," I couldn't help but laugh.

"Not funny! Anyway I need to go upstairs now and get changed, I'll be down soon."

"Ok." I replied.

"Um, can you let me go?" She asked.

"Oh yes, sorry." I let her down and scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment.

"Thanks for the save," she smiled sweetly at me before skipping up the stairs.

God, this woman. I don't know how to describe it but it's like I found a missing piece of me that I didn't even know I was missing. It's cliché but true. How was I blessed with the most beautiful little red head that I've ever seen? I sent a quick prayer up to the heavens, thanking God, and continued my way to my room to get out of these wet shorts.