The Second Choice Mate

Eva Gibson’s pov

Standing together, Eva, at eighteen, and Olivia, at twenty-five, held each other's hand as they watched the dirt cover the graves of their parents at their large pack's cemetery…

“What are we going to do?” I questioned my older sister who was weeping quietly.

Giving me a look of sympathy she asserted, “I will drop out of university and get a job at the pack's shopping center.”

I side-eyed her in disbelief.

“But Olivia, you were getting honors and are close to graduation,” I said softly.

Lowering her tear-stained eyes from mine, she exhaled deeply and said, “I promised to watch over you and will honor our parent's wishes.”

This seemed unfair, and bitterness filled my heart for the drunk human responsible for fatally crashing into my parents.

My eyes narrowed as I glanced over the mourners who attended the funeral and paused briefly at Austin Belmont, who was blatantly staring at my sister.

“The pack whore is eyeing you,” I mumbled softly in disgust and Olivia scolded me.

“He is one of the Alpha’s sons and a dear friend. Don't be so judgemental, Eva.”

Rolling my eyes I told her that we should go since our parents' final resting plots were covered and the others were dispersing.

“You're so hard, Eva! It's okay to have feelings,” she berated me, and I swallowed the lump of emotion in my throat. I cared, probably too much but used my walls to keep others from getting underneath my skin, not wanting anyone to get too close. I was an observer, not an emotional person, using my eyes to study the world around me.

“Hey, wait up!” Austin called out, and Olivia’s steps slowed, causing me to stop and glare up at the sky in annoyance.

“Luna made some meals for you to tide you both over for the next week. They brought the items to my house so we can go there, and I can help bring them over to your place,” he explained, and I eyed him condescendingly.

Why the Alpha’s son cared for just a couple of parentless Omegas made my skin itch in a warning.

“Please thank our Alpha, well your dad and mom, Austin. It's very sweet of them to think about us,” Olivia said kindly, and I remained tight-lipped, knowing that he was after one thing, and that was my sister’s innocence.

I should know since the same crap happened to me when I gave my innocence to another womanizer during my 18th birthday who I thought cared about me. Oh, how foolish I had been.

The memory of it caused me to scorn every male I came across.

Austin fit in that category and was also a notorious playboy. He fornicated with any and all females willing to spread their thighs for him. Being the eldest of the Alpha’s sons he was the future leader of our Red Moon Pack and flaunted that fact continuously.

My sister seemed oblivious to his pursuit and it irritated me immensely.

“Let's go,” Austin said as he gestured toward his home.

“Come along, sis, so you can help carry the Alpha's generous gift,” Olivia advised as she wiped her damp eyes.

“I'm coming,” I muttered sourly as I followed the pair.

Nestled on the edge of the surrounding forest, Austin’s home was built near the pack guards' and warrior training area, and as we passed, I eyed the pack warriors doing their daily workouts.

Biting my lip I felt that I could join if I could pass the initial tests.

“Eva,” Olivia called me from my thoughts, and I saw her standing on Austin's porch, holding the front door open for me.

Taking one last glance at the training guards I entered the home.

Having been in his house countless times I went to the galley kitchen to see several grocery sacks on the counter full of items.

“This is too much,” Olivia commented and Austin chuckled.

“Just wanted to make sure that you would not be short of anything,” he said, making me narrow my eyes.

“I thought you said that this was from the Alpha?” I questioned him and saw his eyes narrow at me.

“I am his son, so technically the same thing,” he muttered, and Olivia shot me a glance to shut it.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed two sacks, ready to leave Austin.

They both grabbed sacks and we finally headed back to our home.

As we walked I listened to Austin ask my sister about her classes and what she was going to do now that my parents were gone.

“I'm going to drop out for the time being and take care of Eva. After things get in order, I will go back to university,” she explained, and I frowned, knowing that I was a financial burden now.

“Are you going to work for the pack,” he asked her and she informed him that she was going to apply for the pack's clothing store in town.

“If you ever need a ride to work, you can give me a call, and I will gladly be of service,” he said with a handsome smile.

Of course, Olivia nodded graciously and told him that she appreciated the kind gesture.

Wanting to gag I snubbed him when his eyes landed on me once we neared our modest house.