MATT POV
I can’t believe Charity shot me at point blank range with a fucking paintball gun. Fucking Fletcher always sticking his business where it doesn’t belong. Charity and I were doing just fine until his ugly rogue face came along.
‘Debatable,’ Zeke retorts dryly, his unneeded opinions causing more turmoil than they’re worth.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ I ask, getting real tired of his shit. ‘I thought you hated the bastard too?’
‘The fucker is annoying, but…’ Zeke trails off, making me stop walking, completely confused by his wishy-washy attitude.
‘But what?’ I demand, trying to keep my hand from flying around in frustration. The humans in the area staring at me with concerned looks as I carry my case absentmindedly through the parking lot. ‘I swear to the Goddess if you don’t answer me. But WHAT?’
‘We didn’t exactly have Charity before, did we?’ he asks, leaving me in shock that he is really going to diminish what happened during her forced shift. Zeke is acting like none of it matters.
‘That’s not what I am saying,’ he sighs, as conflicted as I am. ‘It’s just….she likes him…’ he whimpers, admitting the one thing neither of us wants to admit.
‘We don’t know that,’ I argue, but I remained unconvinced by my words. I’ve seen the subtle looks she gives the stupid rogue when she thinks I am not looking. In fact, the only person who can make her blush as easily as me is him and it’s really fucking irritating. Every time he smirks at her, I want to cut the stupid thing off his face.
‘I doubt that would make Charity happy,’ Zeke reminds me, but at this moment, seeing her happiness is difficult. Whenever Fletcher’s around, I am too focused on introducing his face to my fist.
‘Where are we going?’ he asks, distracting me from my daydream of pulverizing that pretentious interloping asshat into nothing. Goddess, that guy really burns my biscuits. I have been walking around aimlessly holding this paintball case like an idiot.
‘What do you think Fletcher picked out for us?’ Zeke asks us, more curious than I am about what’s inside.
‘Probably some toy gun, the kind where the flag pops out of at the end,’ I say dryly, not really wanting to deal with his childish antics.
‘The kind that has a dumb saying?’ he questions, unusually chatty, as we make the long way back to the cars, where the others are supposed to meet us.
‘Probably,’ I respond, with an eye roll, ‘something like ‘Second Best’, ‘dickface’, or equally stupid.’
‘You won’t know until you find out,’ Zeke reminds me, being unusually stubborn, and it’s really sending me over my tolerance limit for the day. Inhaling deeply, I move to the side of the walkway before placing the case on the ground.
Kneeling in front of it, I unzip it slowly, uninterested in what lay within, knowing it’s nothing more than a gag. An elaborate prank to make me look brainless.
Flipping the lid open, I find a beautiful, automatic paintball gun in a slate gray. On the end, ‘Shortcake’ is engraved with a black filling to make it stand out. Son of a bitch! Slamming the lid closed, and zipping it shut, I hurry off toward the cars.
Five minutes later, I approach Fletcher’s car with him leaning against it, his hands shoved inside his pockets. “Let me guess, yours says ‘Fireball’?” I ask, slightly confused by his willingness to lean into our …..love-triangle? Fuck, is that what this is? What’s his end game?
My question tears him away from his contemplative silence, his serious face replaced with a smirk, confirming my suspicions. Meeting my eye, an internal struggle happening within. He wants to confess something. He’s just unsure if he should.
Striding forward, on the verge of caving, he stops short when a movement behind me catches his attention. Turning to find it, I see Charity running from the course, fear lightly lingering against her aura. Sensing even the faintest hint of distress, as Zeke rushes to the forefront of my mind, itching for a fight.
Fletcher has the same concerns as we rush toward Charity. A slight giggle is on her pink lips while her cheeks flush with fear and excitement. Reaching her together, we each grab a hand, ignoring the other’s existence. Focusing all of our attention on her, looking her over for any serious injury.
“What happened?” Fletcher and I demand together.
“I pissed Xander off, and he got all Alpha scary,” she explains, but I don’t miss the slight flinch, setting Zeke on edge, ready to tear him to pieces.
My growl unifies with Fletcher’s, him turning to me, his eyes as pitch black as my own. “You go high?” He asks, his voice animalistic and barely recognizable. “I go low?”
“Deal,” I nod, dropping Charity’s hand, striding past her with my mortal enemy. Ready to tear apart a rogue Alpha and then some. Realizing what we are about to do, the Gamma of Silver Run places herself in front of us. Her hand reaches out, the most subtle hum emitting from the contact.
“Guys, please stop?” She asks, using that one voice she knows always makes me cave. It always has, ever since we were kids. She doesn’t use it often, if ever, but when she does, I fold like a deck of cards. I could never figure it out, and still can’t. Apparently, those magical superpowers work on Fletcher too, as he stops with her other hand, finding its home against the man’s chest.
“I don’t give a damn if he is an Alpha,” I growl, stepping forward, not wanting to discuss this further. “He needs to learn a fucking lesson.”
“Agreed,” Fletcher chimes, trying to sneak around her with no luck.
“Seriously,” Charity says with a sigh, “Xander gave me more than enough chances to claim victory without having to shoot in Nora’s direction. I didn’t take it when I should have. I was too focused on winning to listen to him. It’s my fault.”
A doubt nags me at her words, but l stay silent without knowing what that is. Keeping her hands on both chests, she keeps us in place until she is sure we won’t leave again. Removing her hands and stepping away, while a blush crawls up her face as her eyes travel between the Beta and I.
Looking over, the moment of respect and teamwork quickly dashing as my usual disdain for the man returns.
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Hey Rebels,
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Emma Taylor
XANDER POVAres and I have been on cloud nine since this morning. I swear it’s so powerful I am glowing, while a rarely seen grin sits on my face. Nora’s number is scrawled on a piece of paper safely tucked in my pocket. Her boldness in giving it to me in front of the others still has a blush sitting on my cheeks.‘It’s hot,’ Ares growls, both of us still worked up from the kiss on the field. Taking everything in my power to restrain myself from making her scream my name in the middle of the field.Shaking my head to quiet the thoughts, and get rid of the raging boner forced into these snug jeans. Taking the stairs into Fletcher and I’s cabin two steps at a time. Racing to get inside to plan our date on Monday…maybe Simon could help me? The old bastard, having helped with every other “date like” moment we’ve had….why stop the tradition?Turning the handle into the home, Ares starts rattling off different ideas and menu options. Both of us are so distracted and pumped up on adrenaline t
XANDER POVFLASHBACKTHE MORNING OF NORA’S ARRIVAL IN SILVER RUNI’ve been pacing wildly since early this morning, waking in a cold sweat, and a burning that made me want to claw out my heart. The pain was barely manageable, breathing felt impossible.It’s been days, and I swear I am going insane with anxiety….I wanted to follow her, but I couldn’t risk it. Ares hasn’t talked to me, angry with my choices, but these people chose me to lead them.My collective is small, of sixty members, but they are family and I have a responsibility to protect them. While we are acclimating to living in Silver Run, we are still rogues among pack wolves. Some of which are not okay with the decision. Until Damon and Elle return is not safe to leave everyone alone without an Alpha around.‘And Nora is not safe without us around,’ Ares reminds me. ‘You're lucky she is coming back into the territory.’‘For Theo,’ I mutter with an eye roll. His interest in her is a blatant lie, a coverup to hide his actual r
NORA POV PRESENT TIME— MONDAY MORNING- DATE DAY The alarm doesn’t need to buzz for my limbs to spring from the bed like an energizer bunny. A type of joy bubbling in my heart that I haven’t felt in a long time….Maybe since my parents have been alive. Yesterday was agonizing. Even one day without Xander felt like a century. It slightly worries me I am falling this hard and fast for a man I barely know, a man that has secrets, a man who has a temper. I know I shouldn’t, but it’s too late. I thank the Goddess Elle had the forethought to bring my hairstylist here. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as Saturday night was supposed to be a wash night, which I usually I do, and instead I could relax while daydreaming about a certain Alpha. It couldn’t have been better with our first date tonight around the corner. Looking at the clock, I notice that it’s only six am. Letting my feet wander into the bathroom, bumbling as I search for the light. Flicking it on, my eyes blinking rap
NORA POVMy heels pace the carpeted floor, my eyes glancing at the clock for the fifth million time tonight. A silent prayer going to the Goddess when it reads 8:26 pm. Finally. Stopping, I look over myself in the full-length mirror. I don’t know if Xander picked out my outfit, or left this responsibility to Elle and Charity, but whoever chose this dress has immaculate taste. Smoothing down the pale purple satin dress with a scooped neckline, some of the fabric pooling at my chest. Pivoting to the side, I double check the low back, ensuring that none of the straps have twisted awkwardly.Simple white satin heels rest on my feet, and faux silver jewelry rests against my skin. Leaning in closer, I confirm that all of my make-up has been blended, ensuring I haven’t missed a spot. I kept things simple, with contour, neutral eyeshadows, and wings that would make AJ Crimson proud. To complete the look, I kept my lips a nude color, topping it with a nice glossy sheen.Staying with the theme,
NORA POV As if my words were the key to unlock a beast within, forcing the self-control he held onto to slither away. His eyes darken to the deepest onyx. Sitting on his heels, he slowly removes his jacket, his eyes locked on mine while goosebumps form along my skin. Sitting up, I kneel in front of him, my fingers closing around the knot of his tie, loosening it until I can pull it over his head. Without trepidation, my hands working quickly as I undo the buttons, savoring the feel of his chest underneath my palm. Xander’s eyes haven’t left me for a second, and I swear the longer he watches me, the more my heart does backflips. Knowing the effect he has on my body, he covers it with light touches, igniting a firestorm of electricity within. Goddess, it’s hard to concentrate with him so close. I cannot even imagine the delirium I would experience if I could smell his scent, too. Finishing with the buttons, I push the shirt off his shoulders before letting my fingers dance against hi
THEO POVMONDAY AFTERNOON- DATE DAY-PRESENT TIMETapping my phone screen, I find it devoid of messages, still. My foot tapping anxiously against the floor as I try to return my attention to the never ending pile of pack paperwork. It’s been two days..why hasn’t texted me? It’s been two days since the paintball game and our moment in the woods…I knew I shouldn’t have engaged in his bullshit…Goddess; I shake my head, trying to clear the negative thoughts forcing their way inside. Looking at the stack sitting in front of me, I can only imagine that Drew has the same kind on his desk. Although New Moon is a much smaller pack… I divert returning to the cynical.‘New Moon is also moving an entire pack,’ Cerberus reminds me, always quick to come to Drew’s defense.‘He could still text us,’ I grumble back, tired of his logical thinking and quick remarks.‘You haven’t texted him either,’ he retorts with a snap, missing Demitri as much as I miss Drew…I swear each day gets more agonizing than th
ANDREW POVI swear my heart is going to explode from anxiety as I look around the room of silent adults. My words sitting in the air between us for what seems like an eternity as they register my confession. Theo’s hand hasn’t left mine, sending me a subtle squeeze of support and encouragement.On the verge of running from the room and their disappointment. The only thing stopping me is the smiles beginning to creep over their lips. Moving my eyes to my mom, she has tears in her eyes, as she rushes from her chair into our arms. Grabbing us both in a giant hug, her simple tears turning to sobs of happiness I can barely understand.Glancing at my father, he sends me a wink, turning to Simon. “I think it’s time to celebrate with some champagne.”“Wait…” I stumble, confused by their reactions. They’re taking the news better than I did. “Did you guys know?” I ask, my mother’s arms still wrapped around me.My question has laughter filling the room as my mom unwinds her arms from us. “We love
XANDER POVPRESENT TIME- NORA’S BEDROOMAs I scroll through the dozens of messages in Nora’s phone, the higher my blood boils, it’s going to melt me from the inside. I am doing my best to hold on to my sanity, to not slip into the darkest parts of myself. Those areas I keep in the shadows, the parts I reserve for my work, not for her.The demon waiting inside, pacing in his cage, urging to have the reigns. But he comprises all the things I hate about myself. Those characteristics that remind me so much of my father, the side I had to create to survive in his house. I have always found a healthy way to exercise him, so that the urges don’t happen in situations like this. Around her. Never around Nora.“Xander?” her soft voice breaks through the growls of my inner demons, tingles sparking across my chest as she buries her face in my chest. The cage lowering as breath returns to my lungs. Her touch calming the inner turmoil raging within. “Are you okay?”Inhaling deeply, I let her lavende