Chapter 4

Logan

Sadie was hosting a house party tonight like she did whenever her parents were out on patrol. Why my dads never made the connection to not leave a child on their own for the night was beyond me. Perhaps Sadie persuaded her parents to switch so she could host a party. Who knows.

Olly stood beside me in the kitchen where a punch bowl was currently being spiked by goddess knows what. Two kegs sat to the side with a stack of cups, and several of our friends were currently drinking straight from the tap. Tad was DJ for the night, the tunes blasting through the house with the disco lights flashing in time to the beat. Several people were already dancing despite it still being early.

Violet was off with her clique of friends. The core trio kept looking my way, and as much as I wanted to tease my sister that her friends were trying to get close to me, she wouldn't believe it anyway. I'm sure she would say in her bratty voice that they didn't fancy me as they remember me eating paste or flicking bogeys when I was a kid. But I knew what I saw. Their lingering looks and how they always found ways to corner me alone. Not to mention their not-so-subtle signs of pressing up against my body every fucking chance they could get.

Of course, my sister didn't care too much about that as it meant she had less competition as every fucker here was looking at her like a prize to be won at the fair. No amount of glaring from me seemed to deter her—although the guys knew what would happen if they crossed the line.

If Luca was here, I doubt my sister would even be allowed to so much as look at another boy without him threatening him to exile. But Luca wasn't here, and in truth, he may not even care what anyone did. He left us. So I guess that was answer enough. It was up to me to look out for our family and pack.

"It's getting kind of late—maybe I should—" Olly grumbled, looking out at the packed house. More and more of our friends from school were piling in that the large lounge, kitchen, and dining room were already packed. So much so people were spilling out into the garden. I downed my punch and slapped Olly on the back. "Don't even think about it, dude. You have been saying for weeks how you wanted a chance with Laura or Alice?" I pointed out a few of the girls in the crowd as Olly shrugged.

"I don't know what to even say to them. They only ever talk to me to get an in with you," he grumbled, filling up his punch cup once more. I couldn't exactly argue that. Being the son of the alphas meant I was noticed by everyone. Almost everyone, that is. Of course, I knew if Luca ever came back, things would change. It was all shallow reasons anyone wanted me. You have alpha as part of your DNA, and no one cares if you are smart, kind, or a complete asshole. They just want the status that comes with bedding the future alpha or hoping to get to be luna one day. Like any of the girls here would be luna.

Of course, Olly just hadn't realized that yet. As soon as he worked up the courage to speak to someone who wasn't his mum, my mum, or sister, he would soon be able to work his magic. "It just takes practice." I try to reassure him, but he looks a little pale at the thought of doing anything that leaves this corner of the house. "We're going to be 18 soon. We will get our wolves and the opportunity to find our mates. What are you going to do if your mate is in this room and you can't even say hello?" His face morphed into a determined nod before he downed the rest of his drink.

"Fuck it, don't tell my mum," he grumbles as I give him a look. As if I'm some kind of snitch. He weaved through the crowd as the song changed with the bass thudding, causing more people to dance, making it harder for him to walk through the room. I wanted to wingman for him, but sadly I pull focus and Olly needs to figure this out on his own.

My feet, however, follow close behind him as I didn't want him to strike out. I'll be close if he needs me. We had been best friends for as long as I can remember, and I wasn't about to let him crash and burn on his first attempt.

"There you are. Are you enjoying the party?" Sadie bats her lashes at me, her blonde hair curled around her angelic face, but she has one of those smirks that spells trouble. Arguably she is one of the hottest girls in our school, but I'm not into blondes. "Sure, it's like all your parties." A small frown forms between her brows before she flicks her hair and laughs.

"Right, let's go somewhere quiet to talk." Code for "I want to get you alone so we can kiss." She even licks her lips afterwards in case there was any doubt I misunderstood her intentions. I scan the crowd, seeing Olly chatting to a few girls, and he seems to be holding his own. Guess I was worried for nothing.

Sadie laces our hands together and then starts to weave us through the crowd. People part to make way for me. At over 6 ft., it's hard not to be noticed. A mix of awe and jealousy flits across everyone's eyes.

I let Sadie lead me through the house where the music gets quieter, and we pass several other couples kissing as we go. We make it to one of the bathrooms where Sadie guides me inside before locking the door behind her. How romantic. "No one can disturb us now. We can talk." She leans against the door, a smile smirk to her lips as I sit on the side of the freestanding tub.

We stare at each other for a while. The tension builds between us, and I can see Sadie counting down the seconds until the moment is just right. I sip the rest of my punch, keeping our gaze locked as she starts to shift uncomfortably. I don't believe Sadie is my mate for one second. She has and always will be Violet's annoying friend who won't take no for an answer. Mum's voice rings in my head about being respectful of our mate. No one wants to meet their fated mate and already be bound to another. She drilled that message home to both Violet and me. Especially me.

I can tell Sadie is probably hoping that things will escalate, that she will win me over with the perfect kiss or blow job, but one swallow doesn't make a relationship. Placing my cup down beside me, I curl my finger to beckon her over. Her face lights up with glee before she composes herself, acting sexy, swaying her hips and licking her lips.

She stops between my legs, and even sat down, our height is nearly the same. I brush her hair back, my finger trailing over her cheek. "I can't believe this is finally happening," she gushes as my gut twists inside, wondering if this is really a good idea. I have a reputation to maintain. It's not like I'm going to sneak off at a party to just talk. Even if I wanted to. It's just part of me had always wanted to wait for my mate to be my first kiss. Still, as I lean forward and our lips meet, I don't regret it.

When I finally find my mate, I want to be able to make her happy, and knowing how to kiss is a skill an alpha should definitely have, amongst other things. Sadie seems to be enjoying herself as her fingers run through my hair. She makes little noises to show she is enjoying it, but there isn't that jolt that hits me inside as we kiss. It's just nice.

"Shhh, we don't want Logi to find us," I hear Violet giggle as she jangles the handle on the bathroom. I see their feet move from the door, and now I'm no longer focused on the kiss. Who the fuck has got his hands on my sister?