‘Yes… no, I just needed to talk to you. I guess it can wait. Have fun. Love you.’I mindlink back.
As much as I could use my mom’s advice, this might be better if I learn to control my doubts and emotions. Ian hasn’t given me a reason to doubt his intentions… yet. He’s been nothing but loving and caring. He genuinely seems remorseful about the past and has put me first. Maybe it’s time I trust him. I push all my emotions down and make my way to the packhouse. Tonight, Rebeka has arranged a pajama girls’ night to celebrate Sonia’s last night as a single lady. Technically speaking, Sonia is far from a single lady, but we’re trying to incorporate all human traditions for weddings. We’ll be feasting on nachos and margaritas, which is Rebeka’s go to junk food.
Minutes turn into hours as about one hundred she-wolves gather in the common area of the packhouse. My mom, Luna, and Ian’s mom get back from dinner and join us. We all laugh, eat, drink, and tell stories about growing up with Kelsey… and yes, most of the ladies gathered here have some sort of story to tell about my brother. The best come from my mom, of course. It’s a little past two a.m. and none of these ladies look like they’re getting tired.
“I would love some pickles,” mom says out of the blue.
“That’s an odd craving. Am I getting a new sibling?” I tease.
“Ha! Nope, I’ll leave the baby making to you and your brother.” She crosses her arms in front of her in an X pattern.
“Ewww, mom. I’m not making babies with Kelsey.” Sonia, Rebeka, and I laugh. It takes mom a minute to understand why we’re laughing at her words.
“Oh, my goddess, Kate,” she smacks me in the face with a pillow. “You knew exactly what I was trying to say. Now go get me pickles, young lady.” She’s giggling like a schoolgirl and pushing me off the couch.
“I’m going. I’m going.” Mom playfully slaps me across the bottom because I’m still laughing. “Hey!” I jump and laugh.
Walking to the kitchen, I look at all the happy and smiling faces as I move past them. This was one of the main things I missed so much while I was living in New York.Pack life.Being part of a pack is the best feeling. We share amazing moments like this, but also help each other through the sad and heartbreaking moments as well. I’m honestly not sure how humans live their lives in solitude. They really don’t know what they’re missing.
Still with a silly smile on my face, I look in one of the large refrigerators in the kitchen area. Finding exactly what I came for, a familiar high-pitch voice causes my blood to curdle as I grab the jar from the fridge shelf.
“Oh, hey babe, how was Vegas?” Nikki speaks loudly into her phone. Knowing her, it’s one of her lovers. I honestly can’t imagine her being faithful to one man.
“I’m so glad you had a fun boys’ trip, Dante. Can’t wait until you get home. The things I want to do to you, starting with the way I’m going to su…” Nikki is interrupted before she can finish her filthy thought.
“Gross, Nikki, TMI.” A female voice says.
“Babe, I’ve got to go. They’re too many listening ears around. See you soon, lover.” I hear her footsteps walk out of the kitchen and back to the party in the common area.
Dante? She was talking with Dante? Did she say boys’ trip? Vegas? You’ve got to be kidding me. Ian lied again. He’s the exact same… nothing has changed. How could I be so stupid? As the thoughts race through my mind, my breathing becomes heavy as I fight the tears back. The pickle jar slips from my fingers, shattering on the floor at my feet. Glass shards, pickles, and pickle juice fly everywhere.
“Damn it!” I murmur, “get a hold of yourself.” I look for a broom and mop to take care of the mess that I’ve made.
I take my time cleaning up the mess, getting up every piece of glass from the floor. Once I’ve inspected the floor area a final time, squeals of joy and giggles of excitement fill the air. I can only assume that the guys are back from their trip. A fresh wave of anger washes over me.
“Kate… I’m home.” Ian’s voice booms from behind me.
Chapter thirteen
Something Feels Off
**February 2001**
Ian
Ourfathersheldusup in Alpha’s office a little longer than I would have liked. They were mostly bitching about our three-point-zero GPA. They want a three-point-seven GPA or better and are holding our titles over our heads.Bastards.Sometimes I wonder if the three of us will ever be good enough in their eyes. We never seem to do anything right. They also inform us we will be required to attend meetings and formal functions with them, starting with the Autumn Moon Ball at the royal palace with them in September. This is a recent development. While we’ve attended certain functions with our parents over the years, we’ve never been required. Our fathers explain how important it is that the werewolf community gets to know us as the future leaders of this pack. In most packs, new alphas take rein between the ages of eighteen and twenty. Our pack is different, reins change at twenty-five, after college and a year of training at the royal palace. This is because our territory and pack are the largest in North America, with around two thousand members. Our territory includes a growing city that is home to both humans and werewolves. Alpha Ezekiel decided that a certain amount of maturity was needed in an Alpha to handle such a massive pack.
After our meeting in the Alpha’s office, Zane, Kelsey, and I make our way to the party tent set up in the garden behind the packhouse. I’m not surprised Kate’s eighteenth birthday party is out here; she loves the roses and other flowers planted in this garden. So many times, I’ve watched her from the balcony of the packhouse; curled up in the rope hammock swing under the old oak tree just behind the garden reading. Simply lost in her own world. I could watch her for hours, her hair shimmering and being highlighted different colors by the rays of sun that leak through the heavy tree canopy. The way she’d lick her finger to turn the page as her hair gently moved with the breeze. She is so beautiful. Her dad had the swing added to the tree for her twelfth birthday, because the tree was her favorite place to read. She said being in the garden, smelling all the flowers, made her feel calm. I’ve had a thing for her since I was sixteen, but I didn’t really understand what it was until after my eighteenth birthday. Not being able to tell her right away, I feel like I have lost years with her.
The party is in full swing by the time we make it out there, but there’s no sign of Kate anywhere. I was hoping to meet up with her before the party started so I can give her a gift, but for now it sits safely in the pocket of my blazer. Leaning up against the bar with drinks in our hands, we note all the available she-wolves undressing us with their eyes. Most of the ones that are here are friends of Kate’s, but like with any big function, unmated males and females travel from miles around hoping to find their mate. If they don’t find their mates, they’ll settle for a quick hookup in the woods later tonight.
Tonight, is a full moon. Full moons are exciting for us werewolves. We draw energy from the moon, and when the moon is full and high in the sky, it’s at its most powerful. It’s sort of like we are recharging our batteries while growing stronger. Emotions and hormones are always higher than normal during a full moon.
“Damn, look at all the fine pieces of ass that are here tonight.” Kelsey says while eyeing a blonde, “looks like I’m having some fun tonight,” he licks his lips earning a giggle from the blonde.
“That redhead looks like she might eat you alive, Kelsey.” Zane laughs and takes a drink.
“Hey there’s enough of Kelsey to go around.” The cheeky bastard runs his hands through his hair and kisses the air towards the redhead. Zane and I burst into laughter, watching Kelsey’s cheesy actions.