Chapter 3

Emily's pov

"You're not just an omega Em. You're special." Bryson argued, cutting through my thoughts. His voice held a slight edge.

He always hated when I mentioned how different we both were. "You're special to me." He said under his breath with honesty.

My heart stops and then leaps again, this time quicker. When he said things like this my stupid heart would think that Bryson meant it in a more than friendly way.

But then the logical side of my mind would instantly throw me back a few steps or two by revealing that Bryson was only just trying to make me feel better.

Because that's what best friend's are supposed to do. Make the other one feel better.

I turned to face the window and stared at the huge endless green trees. They were so tall and their branches were thick. They wouldn't end until a few miles but would start right back again.

The sleepy town of Green Hallow....wasn't so sleepy at all.

-

Bryson kills the engine and turns to face me, his eyes holding a gleam of mirth and his mouth a bit pouty.

I try to not stare at it for too long even though it was a temptation that I have always lost.

I keep my eyes on his nose. Because if I were to bring them to his eyes, I'd be a lost in the windows of his soul.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you're still annoyed at me?" His lips curved into a playful grin and he chuckled.

I raised an eyebrow, and nearly rolled my eyes at his words. "For which part exactly? Is it for teasing me the entire morning after what you saw in my room or driving like a maniac?" I asked sarcastically.

I was trying to be as serious as I can but with Bryson, I can never truly remain angry or annoyed at him. It was just impossible.

He had that way about him that didn't allow someone to be angry with him. Or maybe it was me who just couldn't for the life of me stay mad at him for too long.

He lifts his eyes to the roof of the car and playfully made a clicking sound while shifting his head from side to side. " For both?"

His green eyes came back to join mine, only that they were sparkling in mischief while a grin so wide and bright nearly blinded me.

They looked deep into my soul and made me shiver.

This was one of the reasons I try to avoid staring into his eyes when we were alone. I always end up feeling things I know I shouldn't be feeling.

Bryson grins.

My stomach does a slight twist and I looked away quickly.

Wanting to not have him see my skittish self I snorted out. "Then yes, I'm a hundred percent still annoyed with you." I unbuckled myself and opened the car door.

When I was out, I swung the bag strap over my shoulder and looked over the roof of the car when Bryson also gets out.

His eyes narrowed as the sun strikes in his eyes. It made his eyes seem gold from where I stood. " Come on Em, you can't stay annoyed at me forever. You know you love me. " He said with a cheesy grin.

My heart flips. If only he knew exactly how much those words were actually true. Just more than what he thought. I didn't love him only as a best friend, I loved him as more.

I breathed in through my nose and let it out through my mouth. When I am about to respond, a friend of ours joined us.

Her face shows off a huge beam, her eyes dancing when they fell on both Bryson and me.

She skips towards us, her red hair flipping behind her. She was very beautiful with her wide cocoa eyes and pretty features.

I would look like a homeless person standing beside her.

Maya throws her arm over my shoulder and hugged me. "I missed you Em." She squealed beside my ear.

Was it get Emily deaf day?

I wince but hugged her back while my ears rang.

Maya was the beta's daughter and would be taking the role of our future beta soon. I met her through Bryson who was already friends with her.

At first, she hadn't quite liked me and didn't want my rank to make her look bad. But then after a few greetings here and there, the conversations gradually became longer and funnier until we were practically best friends.

"You saw me yesterday." I pointed out.

She pulls away and smacks me on the shoulder playfully. "Still way too long to not see your chubby cute little cheeks." She pinches my cheek to show her point.

Even though I was petite, I had chubby cheeks that made my face round. Everyone said I look adorable especially when I blush.

I smacked her hand away and glared at her playfully.

"So no one's going to even include me in the conversation?" Bryson grumbles as he walks over to us.

I turn to give him a fake annoyed stare. "No."

"Ouch Em, that hurt." He feigned a hurt look by placing his hand over his heart.

When he's beside me, Maya darts her eyes between the two of us in curiosity. "Did something happen with you two again? Did Bryson pull a prank Em?"

Honestly, her words flew over my head the moment Bryson stepped beside me.

His body heat....

My stomach knotted and I gripped my bag strap for an anchor as I try to relax my beating heart.

With them being werewolves they'd obviously hear my quickly pounding heart. I didn't want them to question me on something I'd lie about.

And obviously, with Bryson knowing me like the back of his hand, he'd know I was lying.

Bryson throws his arm over my shoulder and is the first to respond. "Em doesn't like fast rides, I'd make sure to remember that in the future. Apparently, my girl likes it slow. Don't you Em?" He teased and squeezed me to him and looks down at me.

I lift my head and our eyes connected quickly.

My heart races and I'm not sure I can actually hide the fact that I'm getting flushed.

My girl...

Bryson's tone was heavy with a tease, but there was something in his eyes while he stares at me that made my heart leap.