Chapter Nine

If high pitch screaming could burst an eardrum, then I was sure both mine and Taylor’s had been. Our mothers squealed so high that I was sure I would never hear anything the same. Taylor, being the dick he is, had prepared for the event and had already inserted earplugs. I was more annoyed at him because he had thought of it.

I had taken his advice and actually put effort into myself; which meant I was wearing something that wasn’t randomly chosen off my bedroom floor. Taylor must have approved because he was making one remark after another about my butt - that was until I punched him in the guts. He had got the hint after that.

After a very long and painful dinner, we then got the pleasure of driving to Zane’s house for the pack meeting. Mom and Dianne were so buzzed to tell everyone that they had literally jumped out of the car. This pretty much leads us to this moment in time. Taylor and I were standing in the foyer, waiting for the crowd in the hall to sit down before we entered.

What all these people had to talk about I didn’t know, but I just wished they would take their seats already.

“People are going to notice,” Taylor whispered harshly in my ear, while his eyes scanned the foyer.

“What?”

“That you keep glaring at me.”

“I’m not glaring,” I said defensively. Sure, I might be shooting him the odd dirty look, but it wasn’t glaring.

“Well whatever it is, stop it because it is about to be show time.” The next thing I knew he was threading his fingers into mine - well, let’s not lie here. He forced my fingers open for his.

“Taylor and Allie, I hear congratulations are in order.” Alpha Harris had made his way over to us, our mothers of course only a step behind him.

“Thanks,” we both forced out at the same time, causing a small smile to be shared between us.

“I’m surprised you two kept it a secret for so long.”

Alpha Harris barely ever spoke to me and, well, speaking to him twice in a fortnight just felt odd.

“When a thing is good, you don’t want to ruin it.” Taylor grinned and shook Alpha Harris’s hand.

We are going to be in so much trouble when they all find out this is a lie. I personally am planning to make the time the truth comes out around the same time I leave the country.

“It won’t be ruined, son.” He patted him on the back, smiling warmly. “It only gets better.”

Please, this was torture and it wasn’t getting any better.

“As your mothers told me, you two are entitled to the cabin for as long as you like.”

I choked on my own saliva. My body was trying to kill me, which as a result would have saved me from an awkward answer. My body’s self-destruct button didn’t plan on Taylor slapping me hard on the back = saving me.

After receiving an odd look from the Alpha, I spluttered an answer seeing as Taylor was just staring at me. “We, um, well thank you, Alpha, but we don’t need to go away.”

The cabin was always doomed as the love hut by the younger wolves. Pretty much it was used for newly mated wolves to get some alone time. Apparently, it was a lovely cabin, but I was never EVER planning on finding out for myself.

“It’s a stressful time when you come out as mates. Don’t be stupid, accept the holiday and get a break from everything.” Alpha shot a glance at our mothers, and even I smiled at that.

“Didn’t you hear them, Dad, they aren’t interested,” Zane’s overly chocolate and alluring voice entered the conversation. My heart rate spiked slightly, knowing he was near.

“Son, have you congratulated your best friend?” Alpha Harris asked as Zane stood somewhat back from Taylor with his arms crossed.

“Yes.” Zane had his eyes locked on Taylor’s, and I swear they were having a little secret conversation with each other.

“Zane was overwhelmed with congratulations,” Taylor piped up.

I noticed Zane’s slight eye roll. However, everyone else mustn’t have picked up on it.

Stupid Zane. Why did he look so good? Him and his stupid attractive body. I hated him for having such good looks, but mostly, I hated him for not being the one next to me. Who knew mates had such a pull on each other. I had never thought I would be wishing to be publicly telling people we were mates.

“We will think about it.” I smiled at Alpha Harris. “Taylor and I are still…” I looked up at Taylor, faking a look of love. “We are still getting to know each other.”

“Which is the point of the cabin, to take time from everyone and get to know your mate, plus, it gives one an excuse to hit the snow. I did hear a healthy amount has been falling up there.”

“Fine, we would love to.” I heard the words come from my mouth and I was just as shocked as Taylor that I had agreed to it, but I just wanted Alpha to shut up.

“Good, we can arrange the dates after the meeting which we should get started. Come on son, time to take the stage.” Alpha Harris waved over his shoulder while walking away.

Zane, however, wasn’t in a hurry to follow. “You two are putting on a show,” he grunted, now standing in front of us. His eyes flickered down to our entangled hands.

“I think I was born to be an actor.” Taylor smirked.

“Born to be a bullshit artist you mean,” I grumbled and went to pull my hand away from his.

“Don’t you even think about it, babe.” He tightened his grip on my hand.

Zane looked mildly disgusted and, for some sick twisted reason, I was happy about it. I hoped he felt guilty. I wanted him to be jealous, and I was sure I would be going to hell for it.

“Fine,” I gave in.

“Come on, let’s go get some good seats. Good luck with your speech tonight.” He patted Zane on the back before guiding us across from room towards the hall.

While I wasn’t enjoying holding Taylor’s hand, I didn’t hate it either. To be honest with myself, I did like affection. Blake never showed it as he didn’t like public affection.

When I told him what Taylor and I were up to, his exact words were ‘that is never going to work because you will end up killing him by the end of the week.’

So right now, as Blake was staring at us with this blank look on his face, I was proud. See, Blake, I hadn’t killed Taylor, he was sitting, standing, and breathing. Blake’s blank expression soon turned into an impressed one, and I watched as he and Chase shared some words about it.

“So, do you normally come to these things?” Taylor asked me, as we took our seats in the middle row.

“Every single one,” I said bitterly.

“Why haven’t I noticed you before?” Taylor asked me and all I could do was shrug my shoulders in response.

I might as well have been invisible.

The pack meeting started like normal. Boring, followed by more boring, and even though this was perhaps the most boringness meeting ever, it was perhaps the only meeting I had ever felt so alert.

Taylor had brought my hand to his lap, and he hadn’t let go of it. He was slowly drawing circles on the back of my hand, and it was driving me mental, but it wasn’t the mental I would expect.

My stomach was flipping around, and my heart was beating slightly faster, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the small circles he was drawing! It felt so, well, good and it killed a part of my pride to admit it.

Taylor must have felt my eyes on him because he slowly turned to look at me, raising an eyebrow at my blank expression.

He leaned down to my ear. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I swallowed hard and tore my eyes away from his face.

“It’s boring, isn’t it?” Taylor’s hot breath swirled around my ear; his voice so low, that nobody else but I could hear him.

“Yes.” The corner of my lip twitched up slightly, and for the first time in my life, I was smiling at Taylor. “I hate these things,” I whispered up into his ear.

“They do tend to drag on, don’t they,” he agreed, while still drawing those sweet circles on the back of my hand. “Are you cold?” he asked, his eyes running up my bare legs. Sure, the shorts might look good, but they weren’t keeping my legs warm.

Goosebumps covered my skin. “A little.” I nodded my head. While our blood was meant to run hotter, I had always found that wasn’t the case for me.

“Here.” He wrapped his free arm around me and pulled me to his side. Then he slowly let go of my hand and pulled his jumper off. He placed it over my lap, tugging the sides under each of my legs. “There, don’t say I never did anything for you.” A flirtatious grin captured his lips, causing a wave of butterflies to wash through me.

“Thanks.” The feel of his warm jumper was more than welcoming. I hadn’t realized just how cold I was until now.

He took my hand again. “Surely this thing will have to end soon.” He spoke to me, but his eyes were on the stage.

“Do you have plans after this?” I asked. This was the first conversation I wasn’t forced to have with him. When he began to draw circles again, a feeling of relaxation crept over me.

“Nope, you?”

I shook my head while yawning.

“You’re tired.” He smiled at me while I covered my mouth.

“Yeah, I am. I just wish this would end so we can go home.”

“I have a very comfy shoulder,” he offered.

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yep.”

“Come on.” He let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him.

I let myself get comfy into his side. He was so warm and inviting. I closed my eyes just briefly enjoying the feeling that had captured my body.

“If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you,” he whispered into my ear. His lips were so close to my skin that I could feel the heat coming off his lips.

I nodded my head.

A few hours ago, I couldn’t think of anything worse than Taylor touching me, and now I couldn’t think of anything better.

I swear my hormones ruled my body and my mind caved to their every will.

‘You’re making me sick.’ Zane’s voice filled my mind, causing my body to stiffen.

‘Just leave me alone, Zane,’ I firmly replied.

I had been so relaxed that I hadn’t even felt him enter my mind.

‘Well, stop laying all over my best friend then,’ he snapped back.

‘Would you like to come down here and take his place?’ I offered with an edge to my tone.

‘No.’

‘Then leave us alone.’

‘When did you two become an ‘us’?’

‘Around the same time I was rejected by you.’

‘So, you are doing this to get back at me?’

‘No.’

‘You are.’

‘Is it working?’

‘Yes.’

I smiled just slightly hearing him admit it. ‘Pity I’m actually enjoying this then.’

‘Didn’t take you as the cuddly type.’

‘Didn’t take you as the arrogant type.’

‘Taylor is using you, you know that, right?’

‘So.’

‘Why did it have to be my best friend?’

‘He chose me, remember.’ My eyes sprung open and locked with Zane’s distant ones. ‘Now drop it, Zane.’

‘When he hurts you, don’t come crying to me.’

‘Have I ever come crying to you? Plus, if I came to you upset, that would mean I would be expecting you to care for me, which we both know you wouldn’t.’

‘Allie, you are mine, and I have a responsibility for your safety so I’m ending this before it gets out of control.’ He was deadly serious. His arms were crossed tightly, and his eyes shone with frustration. ‘I won’t be watching him hurt you.’

‘You know, Zane, I’m starting to get the impression you care for me.’

 ‘I don’t get a choice.’ His words were a double-edged knife.

‘Nothing is going to happen between Taylor and me, so just mind your own business, Zane. Taylor wants this car, and you are his best friend, remember,’ I spat the words into his mind.

Zane wanted me because he couldn’t have me, and I wanted him because my blood craved his touch. It wasn’t fair.