“I appreciate the recap.” I clap. “It was nice. I actually lived it, so it wasn’t necessary.” I step around him. I’ve heard the song and dance so many times it goes in one ear and out the other.
He blocks my path. Nostrils flaring, he glares down at me.
“I can’t control the way things played out for me. And I have as much right to live in our town as anyone else.”
His thick eyebrows fly up, and he laughs. “We’ve become brave while we were away.” He steps
into my personal space. “I wonder what else you learned.”
I hold my breath to avoid inhaling more of licorice, spiced honey, and vanilla scent as his power presses down onto me.
My skin prickles, and I wait wondering if he’s going to use his alpha command on me.
“What’s the matter, beta?” He leans closer. “Scared?”
Ashamed of the powerful response I’m having to him, I glance away afraid he’ll see my desire. Mother nature can be a real bitch.
When your body’s entire goal is to keep you running at the peak shape, beings of beauty are created and designed to be pulled toward each other. Too bad this shiny, edible looking apple has a rotten core.
Glee fills his expression. Bo likes the hunt and the chase, and I’ve just presented myself to him as prey.
“Bo.” A brunette head appears at the tent opening. “Stop playing with the loser and come play with me,” she purrs.
“You’re right. There’ll be plenty of time for getting reacquainted.” Bo winks. Breaking into a run, his laughter trails behind me. I stop when I approach the empty lot that was never rebuilt.
Once it held my three-story Victorian home with a loving family who had a promising future. Back then, we held a good standing in the pack.
Our parents taught me and my brother, Jarl what it meant to be pack and how to treat others with kindness and respect. How ashamed you’d be of what’s happening here now.
Traveling down the path, I stand on the scorched earth and replay the events of that night, wondering once more why I alone survived the flames.
CHAPTER THREE
Dark blue walls with paintings surrounded by gold filigreed frames close in around me. Candelabras line the center of the long table and the lights are dimmed for ambience.
It’s the kind of spread one does for a family holiday.
“You will be on your best behavior today.” My Aunt’s bony fingers dig into my arm.
Since the Alpha declared I return to their dwelling, leaving isn’t an option. Yesterday’s excursion only led
to a night of scrubbing the house until it sparkled.
“Or what? There’s nothing to hold over my head when you already treat me like shit.” I shake her hand off.
Her eyes bulge and I laugh. “Backed yourself in a corner, didn’t you?” I can’t hurt her, but I can
get under her skin, and that’s just as well.
Her eyes narrow. “You will not embarrass us—”
“Trust me, you do that all on your own.” Disgusted, I scowl.
“Ungrateful—”
“Yes, I’ve heard this before. Time to get some new material. Or here’s an idea.” I smile. “Let me
go back to the life I worked so hard to build.”
She turns away, but not before I can see the fear flashing in her eyes. What’s going on here?
I run my hand down the dress. The silk material is too fine for a casual affair, and the silverware on the table rests on expensive white linen tablecloth.
“What’s this?” I gesture toward the table.
“Dinner set up. Fold the napkins in a fan. If you can remember that.” She sets heavy gold
napkin rings down on the wooden table with a thud, rattling the fine China.
“Why are we putting out all the finery?” I rock back on my heels.
“Because we’re receiving a very important guest.” She sniffs.
“Who?” My voice is hoarse. I’m afraid of her answer.
“The Alpha.” My Uncle’s heavy boots clop over the floor as he enters the living room with fire
wood. The fresh scent of cedar fills my nostrils.
