Hello everyone, I have a ton of stuff going on and I am trying to update as often as I can but...sometimes life likes to punch you in the stomach. I hope you enjoy this one. Rolly is close, but not quite there.
ElenaI stare as sunset gives way to a dark, starlit evening. My reflection in the airplane window becomes clearer in this dark landscape.I’m disheveled. My long dirty blond hair is pulled into a messy, loose braid with tendrils that have fallen free flying this way and that. My blue eyes are puffy and raw red from the tears that have now dried despite the deep pit inside me. It feels like I am losing a piece of myself, leaving that which matters most behind.Erica, my mom…I know she isn’t the woman who gave birth to me. But she is the woman who raised me. My biological mother died when I was an infant. Erica didn’t want to tell me it was my fault, but somehow, I feel that it was. Erica has been my entire family for seventeen years. It was just the two of us in the suburbs of Los Angeles. All I have known was our life in the southern California sun together and now that is shattered and I am heading to a stranger in the cold North-East. Two weeks ago, Mom told me she had breast canc
ElenaMy heart skips a beat. I am not THAT girl. I don’t fawn over guys when they throw a seductive smirk my way. Besides, it’s pointless to show any interest. He's a werewolf and I am wolf less. He has a mate somewhere and with no wolf that will never be me, plus I don’t even know who he is.“I am Ryder James, you brother’s best friend and Beta heir,” the raven haired man drawls.“Er-hm! Step brother,” the other man corrects with a cough. “Elena, I am Noah. Pleased to meet you,” my devastatingly handsome stepbrother says after rounding the truck he just got out of to shake my hand and pull me into an awkward hug.Noah Wyld…my stepbrother. He has brunette hair like his mother and our half sister. But his eyes are a warm brown and his face looks like it belongs on a superstar. His demeanor is relaxed and his style matches. He is wearing jeans and a flannel shirt with a brown corduroy jacket. His eyes are heavy lidded and he wears a soft half smile. You wouldn’t know it to look at him
Noah“Oh shit!” I groan. “Why does my stepsister have to be the prettiest girl I have seen in…ever?”“Man! You’re right but she’s your step sister! It’s not like you are actually related. We can check her out. We just need to not be assholes about it,” Ryder says as we plop on either end of my bed. “I don’t think she likes me very much,” I sigh.“I don’t think she likes any of us very much. But think about it. The girl has been raised by a human, living with humans and never met her father or any of her own kind. This is a culture shock. Not to mention the obvious differences between California and New Hampshire or leaving the only mother she has ever known behind,” Ryder replies.“I won’t be creeping on her, but I want to make sure she settles in here. I feel like shit that we have to meet under circumstances like this, but Dad didn’t even know she existed until two weeks ago,” I grumble as I fluff my pillow and then lean back.“Yeah, she is a natural beauty, but you know my stance.
Elena:I wipe the sweat from my brow and grab myself a glass of water in the kitchen then down it. “Do you have any reusable water bottles I can use as mine, or should I buy myself one?” I ask as my father enters the kitchen.“I’ll buy you your own, but for now, you can have one of mine. I often have them all over the place. I drink a lot of water, especially when I have a really vigorous training schedule, but your brother has helped alleviate that a bit,” he replies and hands me a stainless steel water bottle with the pack’s symbol and his name engraved on it.“Stepbrother,” I correct. “Noah told me I will be training with other teens around my age, but that he needs to give me extra training in how to fight against a werewolf in wolf form.”“You must be pretty good if he said that. I was planning on evaluating you over the coming weekend,” he says with his brows raised. “I’m impressed. Just hours here and you are already showing how deep the family genes run.”“Thanks,” I say, tap
ElenaRolly met me after third period, panting and out of breath after running across the school. We had fourth period together for French class and then for fifth period he had art while I had wellness, which is more like a werewolf sex education and nutrition class from what the syllabus looks like. From what I have learned once your wolf manifests, your appetite increases a lot and protein is absolutely essential. You can not be a vegetarian as a werewolf. If you try, your wolf will make hunting more of a priority. Now it’s lunch and Rolly came to get me. He is accompanying me to lunch and we are chatting about our French homework. We enter the cafeteria and he guides me through the lunch line. The food options are way better than anything they had at my school in California and it is all provided at no cost since it is a pack school. “Hey, sis!” Olivia greets, coming up behind me as Rolly and I go to a corner table. “I’ll sit with you two today. If Bea and Hunter want they can j
Noah“Shit! Your dad is really running us through all the hardest drills today,” Ryder groans as he wipes the sweat from his brow and reaches for his water bottle.“He’s always pushing us, but it might be easier if you weren’t imagining Elena fighting in a tank and no bra last night,” I chuckle.“Don’t lie. You were thinking about it too,” Ryder retorts.“I will not confirm nor deny the allegation,” I say with a chuckle. “Let’s go to my place where we can work out a bit more and maybe go over some of those tougher moves.”“Sure why not,” Ryder replies. “Meet me at my truck in about ten minutes. I gotta piss and tell my dad where I am going because he wants to talk to me about something tonight.”“Okay, I’ll go wait by the truck,” I reply with an amused snort before heading out to Ryder’s truck. If Ryder only knew how I truly feel…no, I can’t.“Noah!” Melanie calls out, bearing her cleavage. “Aren’t you getting tired of waiting around to find your fated mate? I could be your chosen, or
Elena What do I feel about what I just witnessed? I can’t even begin to grasp the mixture of feelings, the confused emotions and war between my thoughts and feelings. Both men are extremely attractive, but Noah is my stepbrother. Both have fated mates somewhere and it would be ridiculous to admit anything about how I feel about either one. Maybe they are fated mates and gay relationships are frowned upon so they hide it? I don’t even want to begin exploring how sexy I thought the kiss was and how I want to see more but my brain won’t stop replaying what I just witnessed!I need to get a hold of myself! All of these men are off limits! I am wolfless, I won’t have a fated mate and they each have one, somewhere. But my mind and body react to them each and while Liam is hot, he is definitely the kind of fuck-boy I have always avoided, worse because he is expected to lead the pack one day and seems a bit spoiled. I could picture him kissing Ryder or Noah, though, or all of them exchangin
ElenaNoah nudges me as we run, the ground under our feet quickly turning slick with mud as soon as we are off the dock and onto the dirt driveway. “I like how your heart is racing, but maybe next time it’ll be from something other than nearby lightning,” Noah teases.“You are such a flirt! Leave it for your boyfriend!” I joke, nudging him back. Noah grabs me From behind and with his lips mere millimeters from my ear he says, “You're all wet for me, Ellie, and I like it.”His voice comes out husky and a little strained, which does things to me that it shouldn’t, especially seeing as he was just kissing his super hot best friend. When he pulls me back against him with my bum against his crotch, I can feel his erection against my butt cheeks. “Your heart beats so fast like a little bird caught in the wolf’s jaws. I’m going to call you my little bird, Ellie. You're so pretty and so…” Noah starts, but I cut him off with a well placed elbow and a burst of energy.I slip in the mud as r
Elena “So…for this project, I think we need to go get this book from the packhouse library. It goes into more details than any of the books we have found at school about…Elena? Are you listening?” Rolly asks. I’ve been distracted. I’m worried about both Noah and Ryder. I have been doing my best to bring them back together. It’s what they both want, but there is an edge to the atmosphere anytime they are in the same space, a palpable tension that I think everyone can feel and a nervousness. “Sorry, Rolly. I am paying attention, I promise, but…I’m worried. I…I shouldn’t tell you. It’s not my thing to tell,” I sigh. “But we can get the book and then you can help me clean up the Delta suite some more. I really want to move in there, even if Noah doesn’t feel up to coming with me.” “I’m sorry, but if you would tell me, maybe I could help,” Rolly offers. “It isn’t really my place to tell, Rolly,” I sigh once again. “But it’s bothering you. I can tell how much whatever it is hurts y
Liam “Liam, I would like you to be present at today’s meeting. Do not say anything. Just observe the alpha we are meeting with. This particular alpha is one who has given our pack a difficult time for quite a few years, before your birth even,” my father said before school today. Now as I enter my father’s office and come eye to eye with the Alpha of The Mystic Shadow Pack a shiver goes down my spine. Something about Alpha Donovan Blake sets off warning bells inside me and sets my wolf on edge. I can see why my father wants me present. The atmosphere is thick with tension and my father’s stance is formal and stiff, so unlike his usual demeanor. This isn’t a friendly meeting, but I already knew that. “You requested this meeting, Alpha Blake, but it is in my home and this is my son and heir, Liam. He shall be present as we discuss matters so that he may observe and better learn his duties,” my father says in a firm tone and with a still gesture. I stick my hand out to shake the oth
ElenaI’m always running, to something, away from something or just to run and be free. Now I am running because that is my morning routine.I let my speed pick up as I round the bend and pass the packhouse. I take the trail Ryder showed me last week. He’s tried talking to me a few times about how I nearly kissed him. He told me he and Noah both want me and they want the three of us to be together. I can’t entertain such ideas. My father has been on ege and Allison has been irritable at best this entire week. Noah and I find peace where we can and Olivia…poor Livie is stuck in the storm. For me, peace is running and nature. Noah finds peace sleeping in my arms or sparring other top fighters. I turn down the little path that skirts the clearing that Ryder explained is the area where they shift for full moon runs if they have them. He told me they haven’t in a while but Liam intends to start them up again. I can see how they would appeal. Running feels wonderful and I feel like out her
Ryder“Ryder, what happened? You look like shit,” Liam says with surprise and worry all over his face. “You and Noah seemed so sweet together last night. Did you fight?”“Nah…it’s personal and embarrassing,” I reply. “Noah and I are fine, but his mother is NOT fine with me. She said stuff about how she has known me since I was in diapers and I betrayed her trust.”“I’m not going to guess…or maybe I am imagining it now…” Liam chuckles and then adjusts himself which is as much a move to let me know he has an idea what might have happened as it is to make himself more comfortable.“I won’t give you details, but I’m looking forward to having some more alone time with Noah. I just don’t know how or when,” I whisper.“I hope you get that,” Liam whispers and winks.“Yeah. Well, I promised to give Elena a tour of the packhouse. So we’ll be by later, as long as no one runs me out as if I’m a criminal or something,” I snort. “I think they need some time. The pair of you have been inseparable f
Elena“Boys!” Allison shrieks so loudly that I drop my cell phone. I scoop my phone up and quickly tell Erica I have to go and I will fill her in later. Then, I rush to see what the commotion is.“Mom! Knock before you open the door!” Noah shouts and I get a decent view around Allison of him as he stand, throwing a blanket over Ryder who looks as if he wants to disappear about now.“Well, I heard noises. I wasn’t sure if you had gotten into a fight or were having a disagreement, but…this NEVER crossed my mind! How long have you…” Allison starts.“Oh, Goddess! Mom! Shut up!” Noah shouts then spots me and quickly covers his dick with his hands and flushes. “I guess mom caught them in the act,” Olivia whispers in my ear. “It was inevitable. They have both been giving each other looks for years, but you were the catalyst.”She chuckles softly and I see mischief in her eyes. She is young enough that it concerns me that she knows this, but not so young that it is far fetched. Most human te
Noah“I don’t know if I can…” I start, but Ryder’s lips cut off my words before I can get them all out as his lips crash against mine and his hands pull at my shirt.The kiss is heated and needy and his hands are frantic as they tug my shirt off and he reaches for my belt buckle. His desire is palpable and infectious. A fire coils in the pit of my belly, slowly unfurling into a wild flame and surging through my entire being. It’s a fire that can only be quenched by Ryder’s body and his hungry kisses let me know that is precisely what he intends to do. I grab Ryder’s firm ass and pull him against me as I deepen the kiss. My brain can wait to backfire. Tonight I’m making love to my best friend!Ryder moans into my mouth and rolls his hips, emphasizing how hard his cock is for me as he weaves his fingers into my hair. I glide one of my hands up His back and rull my hips against his, grinding against his hard length and getting lost in our passion.I pull Ryder’s shirt right over his head
RyderI could tell as soon as Noah climbed into the truck beside me that he was very tense. Actually, before he climbed into the truck. His entire body language shows the tension.“What’s up, Noah? You are too tense for this to be about our date,” I ask.“She’s out with HIM,” Noah snarls. “And she looks really good in a cute dress.”“You have to relax, Cowboy,” I chuckle. “He’s our Alpha and he’s allowed to get to know her. He’s an attractive guy and nice. She could do worse. If she isn’t with us, wouldn’t you rather her be with someone strong enough to protect her.”“I want her to be with us,” Noah snorts.“Please, try to stay chill and enjoy our first date. Maybe when we get home we’ll get to pick up where we left off before whatever that was with your mom,” I suggest.“I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee anything,” he replies, but he allows me to caress his thigh as I drive us to the restaurant. We are silent for the drive and I know Noah is stressing out about Elena and Liam. I trus
Elena “It’s not a date,” I remind myself as I check my image in the mirror and admire my own reflection. My floral sundress would have been fine alone in California this time of year, but here, it’s chilly, so I am wearing a cardigan and denim jacket. I’m dressed nicely, but not too nicely, because it’s just a dinner to get to know the super hot Alpha better, not an actual date. I wouldn’t want it to be a date anyway. He and all the other werewolves have fated mates. With no wolf, that cannot possibly be me. “Elena, Alpha Heir Liam is here to pick you up!” Allison calls out from the front door and I guess my time is up for deciding on my outfit, so I head out to meet him. I hear a snarl from Noah as I rush past him. He’s dressed up like he’s going out, too. He has no right to be jealous. “Hello, Liam. I hope this outfit is okay for whatever place we will be going to talk tonight,” I greet. “Oh, Wow! Elena! That is …yeah!” Liam replies enthusiastically. “You two have a grea
NoahI didn’t sleep well last night. Ryder slept at home. I’m off my game today and I’m glad I only have to cover one class, which is one I can mostly just observe and bark orders and corrections for. These guys are seasoned enough to know what they need to do. After the class, Ryder strides up to me and leans in. The gesture is intimate, even for friends as close as we are. His lips brush my ear as he whispers.“You look as rough as I feel, Cowboy.” His breath raises goose bumps on my skill and sends a surge of desire through me.“I’m going to need to learn how to ride horses if you keep calling me that,” I reply with a hint of a smirk.“No. You only need to ride me,” Ryder laughs, too loudly for me to feel as if it was private. We are alone in the room. But I know how wolf hearing is. I know anyone just beyond these walls might hear even a whisper that is uttered too loudly. “Ryder!” I hiss. “Noah, they know. If they don’t know, maybe they should,” Ryder whispers, this time brus