CHAPTER NINE

In the morning, I head down to the kitchen.

My friends are at the table again.

Brock lifts his eyes as I enter.

For the first time, I see what Beth's been talking about. His eyes spark when he sees me, like I am something precious and wonderful and rare he's never seen before.

Not even Nathaniel looked at me that way...

It makes me blush all the way to my toes.

"How did you sleep?" Beth asks, pouring me a coffee.

"Great," I say. I sit down and sip the coffee. "I'm kinda exhausted."

"Must be all that tree climbing," Beth says with a wink.

Ethan glowers at her.

She ignores him and places a plate of toast in front of me.

Glade slides some butter my way.

"I was thinking," Brock says, "if you'd like to see the river today, Bria?"

I look up to see a soft smile on his face.

"Sure," I begin to say.

But Ethan interrupts me with a frown.

"No, she wouldn't," he says.

Brock looks confused. "What have I missed?"

"You can't ask out the alpha's mate!" Ethan snaps.

Brock's eyes go round with surprise.

"I'm not!" he cries. "Jeremiah asked me to show her around. He is away on business until tomorrow."

An awkward silence falls.

So Beth was wrong.

It's all been a misunderstanding.

Brock's interest in me is simply because he has been asked to show me the new territory.

He is simply obeying orders.

Nothing more.

I should be relieved.

But I realize I am not.

I was starting to like the idea of Brock liking me.

More than the thought of Jeremiah liking me...

The others looks uncomfortable.

Brock glowers at Ethan. "Are you going to apologize?"

He is pulling rank.

Ethan clearly hates it.

He grits his teeth.

"Sorry, Beta," he mutters.

Brock remains stony faced.

"Well, look," Beth says, attempting to lighten the awkwardness. "Why don't we all go to the river together? Swim? Fish?"

"You have chores," Brock snaps. "And we don't need a chaperone!"

I wish the ground would swallow me up.

This is so embarrassing.

Brock glares angrily at each of them in turn.

"We obey Jeremiah," he says, sternly. "He is our Alpha. We don't double cross his. Understand?"

"Understand," they all echo morosely.

I peer down at the table, feeling guilty, like this is my fault.

I didn't mean for them to get in trouble.

But at least now it's out in the open, I know I'm not his soul mate and I can't stop thinking about it.

I am not his soul mate.

I am not his anything.

"Great breakfast," Beth mutters sarcastically.

Then she storms out of the kitchen, Ethan hot on her heels.

Glade hurries after them.

Brock and I are left sitting across from each other at the table.

I look up to see him looking at me.

"I'm so sorry about them," he says.

"It's fine."

"I don't want to fight with them," he says. "They are my friends. But their jokes cross the line sometimes."

I don't tell him it's not a joke.

I just nod.

"Of course," I say.

"You're a lovely lady, Bria. But I can't move against my alpha's wishes, even if I wanted to."

"Please. It's fine."

I just want him to drop it.

Luckily, he does.

"Good," he says. "Shall we go?"

I nod and we exit the kitchen.

Brock shows me to the forest.

As we walk through the trees, we talk about our childhoods.

"Did you grow up here?" I ask.

"No," he says. "I grew up in the city. The pack moved here when I was ten."

"Why?"

"The Alpha wanted a better life for us," he says. "What about you?"

"My mom died when I was young before she could have any more kids. I only ever had my dad."

He nods sympathetically.

We come to a small clearing and Brock stops.

A serious look crosses his face.

"If you ever need to talk," he says. "I'm always here for you."

I nod.

I'm uneasy and slightly embarrassed.

I don't know what to say.

So Brock changes the subject and we talk about the territory and the pack.

We talk about everything and nothing.

I'm enjoying his company a lot.

So much so, I forget about Jeremiah coming home tomorrow.

And I forget about Nathaniel broken-hearted at home.

And for the first time, I wonder if what Beth said about soul mates is true.

We reach the river.

It is clear and cool.

"It's beautiful," I sigh, as I stare at the sparkling water.

I close my eyes and breathe in the sweet, pine-scented air.

"Bria," Brock says.

"Huh?" I reply, realizing he's calling me.

"You're thinking too hard," he says.

"Sorry," I say.

"You should learn to relax," he says.

He holds out his hand.

I take it.

I let him pull me into the water.

I'm instantly welcomed into the cool embrace of the water.

"See?" he says.

"So much nicer," I reply.

I peer over at Brock.

His eyes are burning into me.

"I know how hard it must be for you to be here," he says.

I shake my head. "Please don't worry. I'm fine. I'm settling in."

"Once the Alpha gets back, you'll be married."

"Yes..." I say.

Which is ridiculous. I've only known Jeremiah for a day.

"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen," he says.

Suddenly, the air is thick with electricity.

I look away, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

But it's like this is meant to happen.

I know it's wrong.

But I also know I can't stop it.

He moves closer to me.

And then he's kissing me.

He kisses me with tenderness and passion.

He kisses me like the world is going to end.

And I kiss him back.

I get lost in the moment.

Lost in the sensation.

Until I hear a voice shout, "Bria!"

And I come back to earth with a jolt.

We are not alone.