“It was long enough, Alexander,” her tone was reproving, but the smile on her face contradicted it. I grinned at her, and she shook her head. “Come deal with your son, Pearson. It seems having his own pack has made him cheeky.” A solid hand smacked me on the back, and I turned to meet the amused hazel eyes of my father. While I had my mother’s hair and eyes, everything else about me looked like my father. He stood tall and muscular, even with his head full of grey hair. He was a strong alpha, and I had yet to see anyone brave enough to challenge him.
“Ophelia, love, your son has always been that way,” he winked at Tegan who giggled, the brat, and nodded her head. Mom pulled Tegan into her side and led her up to the house. I heard her asking question after question about the pack and our new home. Tegan’s answers, usually shy, even after living with us for so long, were more animated.
“Seems like Tegan is doing well,” leave it to Dad to jump right into something. He was right though. Tegan was different, braver somehow. I suspected Zee and Wyatt had played a big role in that.
“Seems like,” I agreed. His arched eyebrow told me that it wasn’t a good enough reply. “I’d love to take the credit, but I think it’s Wyatt’s doing.” He seemed to think on that while we headed through the house. His face was conflicted, and I would have laughed, if I hadn’t had the same thoughts. Wyatt was a good wolf, a good male, but he’d be dead if he ever hurt Tegan.
I walked out on the back deck and right into a pair of long lean legs and long red nails that belonged to a gorgeous blond female named Layla. She was a born wolf, and her intentions of being my mate had kept many females from making advances. Her stunning blue eyes peeked up at me from under her long black lashes. Her red lips formed a little pout as she waited for my attention.
“Wow, Layla, you look beautiful as always,” I murmured, taking in her black dress that just reached the tops of her thighs and dipped low in front to allow a view of the honey colored skin of her breasts. The woman knew how to put on one hell of a show.
“It’s so good to see you Alex,” she practically purred as she leaned up to place a long kiss on my cheek. “I know your pack must be broken up with you gone, but I’m so happy you came back.” Of course, she wanted to snoop, let the games begin. I narrowed my eyes at her and suppressed a smile when I felt her stiffen slightly.
“I think they can manage a day or two without me,” my tone wasn’t so friendly, and she took a half step back. “I needed to speak with my father, and I thought in person would be best. Then we’ll be heading back.” Her eyes flicked involuntarily in the direction of Tegan with my mother.
“So soon?” Layla pouted her lips again and batted her eyes a little. Zee would never play these petty games, but I wasn’t supposed to be worried about her. She needed space, and I needed to get my head on right. I pulled Layla’s body against mine and wrapped my arm around her, pulling her towards an open seat in the yard full of my family and friends.
“I’m sure I’ll be here long enough to spend some time with a wolf as pretty as you,” I murmured in her ear. Her girlish giggle made me feel sick with myself for playing her game. My mother however was looking on with a smile. Tegan glared at me ferociously and I almost missed a step. She was never openly hostile to anyone, especially me.
My afternoon progressed much the same. My mother shot furtive glances and happily smiled every time she caught my eyes. Tegan glared, switching equally between Layla and her wandering hands and me sitting back impassively. Layla seemed to know her place in the sun was precarious, because she didn’t leave my side for even one moment through dinner.
When Dad suggested a run, she dug her nails into my arm a little, as if she thought I would stay behind with her. When I followed the pack to the edge of the mountain forest she followed closely behind. The pack waited, younger wolves bouncing with excitement, for my father to shift into his unusually colored off white wolf. We all followed suit moments later. Layla stood beside me as a light grey wolf. She nipped playfully at my jaw, trying to get my attention.
Finally, I turned to her and raised my head high above hers in a show of authority. She ducked her head a little, but I could feel her indifference when she licked my jaw in apology. I was done dealing with her attention for the night. I wanted to run and feel the Colorado forest around me.
With a quick look at my father, who nodded his permission, Go, I let out a howl and dashed into the woods. I could hear the answering howls of the pack and the sounds of paws hitting the ground as they sped after me into the woods. Dusk had fallen and the woods were full of shadows. I smelled a fox nearby and considered chasing it for a bit of fun. Instead I kept on course, heading to the cliff where I always went to think. It was the exact reason I had searched for a similar cliff at my new home.
I could
