Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
“Huh.”
Sierra says looking at me like it’s a big decision. I don’t break eye contact though. She’s not going to win this argument. I was dealing with this long before she got here. Fine, I will keep this quiet, for now, but on one condition.”
Wiat?” I know I’m going to regret this, but it feels good to be able to tell someone other than Delta Kyle. I give him even less details, I thought his wolf was going to force itself out when I confided in him the first time he noticed whip lashes on my back His reaction was on par with what I think my brother’s and possibly the rest of the guys’ reactions would be. “l want to know every time it happens.”
“Wait, what? No way! Didn’t I just say I wasn’t running to anyone for help?” “Not for help. You don’t have to give me details, I want to know so I can help you heal quickly. You won’t let anyone step in, but you at least let Delta Kyle give you stuff to treat the really bad injuries. Let me be a part of that, but I want to know immediately. The first time I see a new cut or bruise or whatever and you told me. I’m going to the guys.”
My eyes widened in shock. ‘You wouldn’t?” “l would. Starting with your brother.”
She crosses her arms and stands to her full 57″ height. Daring me to object. I roll my eyes, she knows I’m caught now, I can’t do anything but accept. If I don’t she’ll just go to the guys anyway. ” Fine.”
I grumble out. “Fine what?” She raises her eyebrows not wavering from her demanding stance. “Fine. I will tell you anytime bullying happens so you can help me heal.”
“Great!” She chirps, her mood changing instantly and wraps me in a tight hug. “l, sort of, understand why you are doing this, but you really have to be alone, okay? And we need to get the guys on board with opening their minds and observation skills. They really do suck at noticing things happening right under their noses.”
I just nod and let her hold me while I force the tears down. will not cry here, not at school, not when anyone could be watching. They will not get to me. only have a little bit more time here and then hopefully we can all grow up. This is how the rest of my freshman year goes. The winter was brutal, but kept to the same training schedule I always did, no matter the weather or how much my frineds complained. Sierra, finally, convinces me that it is okay to let the guys in a little bit as friends, but I keep it to training and school as much as possible. No matter how many times they invited me to parties and to the diner again, I always found a way to get out of it
I may be a little crazy for allowing the bullying to continue, but I’m not suicidal. I am not trying to earn jealousy punishments too. Other girls give me dirty looks when I am with the guys, they just dont go to the extremes that Kaley and he friends do. As the school year goes on, more and more rumors start flying about Kaley being the next Luna and no matter what Cam and Kota say or do to squash them, the rumors just keep coming. I’m sure most of it has to do with Kaley cornenng one or both of the twins at every possible chance in and out of school with hands all over them. Social media pictures have started popping up too. From what the guys say, the Alpha isnt going to do anything right now since everyone is underage and it’s ‘harmless teenagers practicing marking their territory.’ She also shoots any girl who looks their way a death glare, giving the universal girl sign for back the ‘F’ up off my men. don’t know how much of her crazy behavior the guys see though. She can turn it on and off ike a switch. I’m sure the rumors are all started by her through Marnie and Jeanie. At least hanging out with all five guys together, she couldnt really accuse me of going after the ones she wants and what is she going to say about me hanging out with my brother? We are less than a year apart in age, making us almost as close as Cam and Kota. I was true to my word and went to Sierra every time an injury happened. She did a decent job of holding in her anger and never asked me questions, but she was right, I wasnä alone and her knowledge of healing solutions, powders and creams was seemingly endless. I recovered in no time with her help and my wolf didn’t have to work so hard to help me heal, allowing me to get stronger. I was also becoming more comfortable in the crazy ass clothing she is trying to get me into. I’m no longer allowed to wear all baggy long clothing that allows me to hide. According to her, I have to show off the figure I have earned with all my over training.
Crap really hits the fan in the spring when our annual mating ball happens. It was originally designed for any wolves who are 18 or older, who are unmated, to try and find their mate if they are in the pack. We can’t find our mate until the first full moon following our 18th birthday so if your mate is older or younger you just have to wait to find out. About a decade ago or so, the school council decided that any of the highschoolers could attend the ball too. This basically took the place of our spring dance. I think it was a way for them to get out of having to host and chaperone a high school dance, but that’s just me. Elther way, it has become THE event of the year and come April, was all the girls could talk about. I honestly could care less. I never had any friends to go to things like this with and I really didn’t like dressing up. I have my dad to thank for that Any time we had to dress up for some event he was required to take both Mateo and l. He would have me dress a little closer to the queen of England on a business trip than a young girl. The skirt suit felt like a straight jacket and was not comfortable in any form. So now when I hear ‘formal’ that is all I can think of. Since I wanted nothing to do with naturally my best friend was obsessed. Sierra had drawings upon drawlngs of dresses she imagined for this dance. It didn’t even matter, we couldn’t find our mates yet anyway. She did not like or care for my logic and ignored my lack of enthusiasm at the idea of dressing to impress. One day at advanced training she threw me under the bus with Luna Ava, hoping to get an ally. color do you think would look best on Sky, Luna? ” All the women had been casually taking about past mating balls and regalling us with their stories. The question was innocent enough, but it shocked me and I froze, allowing the female warrior I was sparring with to take me down. At least the Alpha finally made these training session private. No one saw me take the distracted hit or could eavesdrop on this conversation.
“She could actually get away with several colors, I think. Blue in any shade would bring out her eyes and make her hair glow. But deep jewel tones would look amazing on her skin tone. What were you thinking?’ Luna Ava throws over without bslowing her movements down. Like to conversation was a part of the sparring she was doing. “I’m not sure, really. She refuses to dress shop with me and says she isn’t going to the dance, leaving me all alone with these crazy boys. And we have to go, this will be my only year here. I leave this summer to go back home and we can’t miss the ‘biggest event of the year.”
She air quotes the overused tagline. Making a pathetic pouty face to go right along with it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath through my nose, adjusting the shoulder that took the brunt of the hit. Luna Ava stops to look at me now. “Oh, sweetheart, you have to go. You will have so much fun, we have so many things planned. I normally wouldn’t push a freshman to go, but you can’t miss going with your best friend and who would keep the boys out of trouble?” Her pout matches Sierra’s. “Lets get something straight, No one keeps the boys out of trouble.”
All the females on our end of the training arena laugh loudly. “And I don’t really see the point in prancing around in uncomfortable clothes and shoes like a slave for auction when I can’t even sense my mate, therefore getting nothing out of the torture.”
Luna Ava and the other females just laugh again, they know I’m not wrong, but at the same time, I’m wavering. They are right too, I can’t miss Sierra’s only dance here in the pack. Ugh, can’t believe I am considering this. I rub my temples with my fingertips. “It’s not all bad and depending on the dress there are some remarkably comfortable undergarments that help you feel like you’re wearing regular clothes. How do you think I got through all the formal events with the Alpha? If you don’t want to buy a new dress, I’m sure I or any of the ladies here have several things you could look at and we can have them altered. We could always do a dress day at the packhouse, it would be so much fun!” She claps her hands and is getting far too excited. I can see the wheels turning.
“Fine, fine, l’ll go.”
They all squeal, getting the full attention of the guys. “But I have conditions.”
I say to no one listening to me at all anymore. *What’s got you all excited, Love?” Alpha Lucas walks up and asks, wrapping an arm around Luna Ava and kissing her softly on the cheek. He can’t seem to not touch her when he is within ten feet. It’s really cute. “We just talked Skylar into going to the mating ball.”
She said happily as I winced and shielded my eyes trying to hide as best I could from watching eyes, waiting for someone to make fun of me. you weren’t planning on going?” Oliver asks, taking his usual defensive stance crossing his massive tattooed arms over his chest. Why would he care if I go? He’s got Marnie to entertain him anyway. There’s no way I’m going to be able to hang out with the guys much with the Barbie trio around. “Uh, no. Where have you been the last couple weeks? I hate all of this dress up stuff and I’m not old enough to find my mate, so it’s kind of pointless. But it’s Sierra’s one and only time to go, I can’t miss it, according to her and the Luna.”
Dripping my last words with sarcasm just for her. “We have to go shopping this weekend.”
Sierra claps her hands, like the Luna, skipping right over my last comment. are totally joining you, you know, for professional opinions.”
Sam adds, stepping comfortably close behind Sierra and trying to wrap his sweaty arms around her shoulders. She squeals and jumps out of his grasp. “Gross, you are exceptionally nasty today, go shower before you touch me.”
She wipes her shoulders off with her own towel scowling at him as we laugh. you just want to watch me make a fool of myself trying on stupid dresses.”
I roll my eyes at him and laugh at my friend. “It will actually be a nice change from your usual choice of baggy and comfortable or workout clothes.”
He laughs and jumps out of the way as I aim a swift kick to his butt. “It will be interesting to see what you’re hiding. I’m sure you’re fit enough to make all the girls jealous.”
He wiggles his eyebrows at me. I take a deep breath fighting the heat in my cheeks. “Fine you can come, but you are buying me food.”
I snap back, missing another kick as he dodges around my brother to hide from me. “Deal. Little Bit.”
He stays behind my brother, intelligently anticipating another attack from my foot, but he reaches around Mateo to shake on it and then he’s looking at me funny. ‘What?’ ask, questioning if I really want to know.
“l was just wondering if they made dresses in hobbit sizes.”
He laughs along with everyone else and takes off as I chase him across the field. I easily caught up to him and jumped on his back. He jogs back to the group like, I’m not even there, both of us laughing. “Hey, Sam, let me help you out, you have a tiny little something on your back.”
Oliver chimes in and lifts me off Sam by my armpits and holds me out away from his body like someone who’s never held a baby before. His large hands have a firm grip on my ribcage and I am painfully aware of how close he is to touching my boobs with his massive hands and I’m not sure what to think about that. My feet dangling off the ground. “Put me down a*shole_” I kicked my legs backward, trying to divert my embarrassment, earning more chuckles from everyone since it did absolutely nothing. “Let me help you with your baggage.”
I’m still squirming as Dakota grabs me bridal style. At least I feel less like a little kid now. I wrap my arms around his neck naturally, to try and hold some of my own weight. My brain kicks in at how close I am to him and feel embarrassed all over again. Before my cheeks can even flame up. Cam steps up to us. “That’s not how you carry her properly.”
Cameron quickly scoops me up with one arm and throws me over his shoulder. I squeal and then laugh at the abrupt change in direction. His hand rests just above my knees, in between my legs. He gives me a playful squeeze while all the guys continue to laugh. “Is she the new toy you’re all trying to play with now?” Sierra laughs at them and smacks my butt while I’m in a compromising position and can’t do anything to stop her. The smack was hard enough that I could feel my butt wiggle with the impact and I let out a little squeak.
That’s going to leave a handprint on my ass!” I shout at her trying to reach back and rub the sore spot _ Her and are still laughing and I’m trying to look around Cam’s back to see where she went when Cam puts me down slowly and Sierra and I realize they are no longer laughing. have to run. See you guys at training tomorrow morning.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.