Filed To Story: Claimed by the Alpha I Hate Book Read Free
“He’s a fast shifter. ” Nolan shrugged, lifting a thick eyebrow at me.
At the very last moment, Brandon’s feet kicked off the ground and into the air. One foot turned into six and then seven, until there was nothing but sky and air beneath his body. With his snout towards the glittering lake, the silver fur shrunk into his body, revealing b**e skin, a cocky grin, and a very obvious male appendage. The splash signifying his landing was the last thing I heard.
We coasted over the bridge and back into the densely packed forest without another glimpse of silver fur or toffee eyes.
Now it was my turn to gasp when the forest finally opened up. The tree’s veered off to the left and right, creating a bowl shape around the entire city with steep mountain edge’s blocking everything in.
There were at least three snowcapped mountains off in the distance, each one more jagged and unique.
The entire city was bathed in color. Brick buildings and cobalt shutters, plum colored park benches and flower wrapped street lamps. There were buildings with graffiti art on the sides, pictures that sprawled from top to bottom showing hyper realistic wolves and other animals.
“This is the art district. Anything that has to do with creative expression, you’ll find here. ” Nolan smirked softly, some of the harshness in his eyes smoothing out. “Art galleries, classes, restaurants, and clubs are all on this side of town. The university is actually only a few blocks away.”
We continued through the art district, and I marveled at the random statues that seemed to have little monuments around town. Many of them were abstract pieces, twisted and curved. I couldn’t interpret a single one, but they were all incredible to look at.
“The college students make those.” Nolan pointed out as we passed another, “Mom figured they’d look better around town than in a storage closet somewhere, so every year she picks a few winners to be featured in the city.”
From the art district, it was another ten-minute drive to a modest looking neighborhood, surrounded by little ponds and domed fountains.
The houses were clearly meant for families, judging from the assortment of toys across many of the lawns. The neighborhood was very obviously lived in and loved with great care.
We headed towards the end of the street, and pulled into a long driveway. My heart thudded with every passing second, listening to the sound of smooth pavement beneath the tires of the SUV.
I took a second to admire the house, trying to see a younger version of Nolan storming out the front door and down the porch steps. Large windows allowed light into the living room, giving me a glimpse at a leather sectional and a small television.
We hadn’t the chance to climb the porch steps before the front door was opening, and a petite woman came outside. Chestnut hair that drifted just a bit farther than her shoulders, along with a light spattering of freckles across her face. Nolan’s morn still looked young, with slight creases around her eyes and mouth. A smile stole her face the moment she saw us both, though I’m sure my face was one of surprise.
“You’re both early.” She squealed, eyes lighting up as she clasped her hands together. She pivoted on her heel and glanced back at us. “I ‘ll go get your dad! “
I smirked at Nolan as I heard his morn’s voice ring throughout the house, telling Killian to get downstairs and that work can take a minute.
I wasn’t at all stunned to see that Nolan was the spitting image of his dad, who gave me a firm handshake and what I assumed was a warm smile. He was much like Nolan with the limited facial expressions, the most frequent ones ranged from mildly disgruntled to full blown rage. The only difference were that Nolan’s eyes were completely unique from his parents, and that his dad’s hair was a bit on the longer side.
“I have been waiting so long to meet you. All I ask is that you call me Claire, and make yourself at home here. ” Nolan’s morn beamed, pulling me into a hug even though I had no say. She was a few inches taller than me, and for a brief moment, my chest tightened as I remembered my own morn. Our relationship had been tumultuous at best, but there had been a time where I wanted her attention and advice. She gave Nolan a smug grin and released me from her grip, “I told him that once he left this town he’d finally find his mate. I knew from the very beginning it would take someone special to catch his attention. He was just too stubborn to listen to me.”
“Special is a very generous way of describing me.” I nodded, giving her a sheepish grin that showed just how out of my element I was. Fighting I could do, but meeting my mate’s parents- that was bound to make anyone nervous. I stumbled over my words for a moment before regaining my footing, “Are you sure you don’t mind my family staying here?”
“Of course, we don’t mind. You’re all a part of the family now. It’s been too long since we’ve had a full house. ” Claire shook her head, smiling softly up at Nolan’s Dad, Killian. “I ‘ve been beginning to think
Killian here enjoys the peace.”
“Of course, I don’t mind if they stay.” Killian grumbled, the look on his face was equal parts pain and adoration.
I didn’t bother trying to stifle my grin, even when Nolan cocked a dark eyebrow at me.
Dad, Grandma and Sean arrived just fifteen minutes later, pulling the van into the long driveway.
Grandma veered towards the porch, stopping at the garden that sat just next to the front steps. Colorful flowers sat in rows, with a small wire fence protecting them from smaller creatures. The flowers themselves were wilted, only shadows of their potential.
I watched Dad chuckle to himself as he spotted her, and hobbled over to the trunk to grab some of the smaller bags. Nolan and Sean grabbed the rest, hauling them into the house.
“I’ve had nothing but trouble with those plants.” Claire sighed, giving my grandma a tired grin. “I’ve tried just about everything, but they keep d***g on me.”
“Don’t you worry, I’ll have these plants healthy in no time.” Grandma waved a hand at Claire, whose grin widened even further.
“Actually, there’s another garden out back. It’s doing a lot worse than this one. Killian’s sister planted them for me, but they really do seem to hate me.” Claire chuckled, leading Grandma inside and to the backyard.
“Your brother left a few hours ago, presumably to welcome you two in.” Killian grunted, reminding me far too much of Nolan with his calm and poised demeanor. “You should be safe to go for dinner without running into him.”
“Is Brandon really that bad?” I snorted, glancing between both father and son.
Two identical faces of suppressed brutality. Hidden behind smooth skin, dark lashes, and loads of silky hair. Attractive in that savage sort of way. Nolan let a small smirk form on his face at my question, while
Killian actually rolled his eyes.
“My other son can be exhausting.” Was all he said before returning to Claire’s side.
We stayed for another hour, and I relished the chaos of it all. Grandma was talking Claire’s ear off about her garden, calling me over every few minutes to join in the conversation.
My dad had liked Killian from the beginning, actually having some friends that grew up in his pack. Dad was recounting his war stories, while Killian added a few of his own. We all but had to pry them away to make the reservation Nolan had placed for all of us.
“I think I’m actually going to stay here, dear.” Grandma smiled softly, but I could see the eagerness in her eyes at a new project. That garden would have no choice but to grow, no matter how much it detested Claire. “I ‘m going to get an early start on that garden. Mark my words, it’ll flourish before we leave.”
“Make sure you eat, mom.” Dad frowned, bushy eyebrows creasing together.
“Don’t try me.” She frowned at him, gesturing towards the door. “I made sure you were fed for twenty-
five years, leave me be. I know how to feed myself.”
Sean and I snickered as Dad mumbled something incoherent, following us from the house.
Nolan had made plans at a restaurant in town, undoubtedly a popular one given it was Friday afternoon. I had been correct when we had to circle the block three times before finding a slim parking space alongside the road.
Upbeat music played from across the street, carrying the mouthwatering scents of fried food. There was a patio outside that overlooked a small lake, and was already freckled with people milling about.
I was relieved to see I wasn’t the only one overdressed. Plenty of she-wolves wore dresses and shorts, enjoying the warmth that came with the fading sun.
As we exited the vehicle and crossed the street to the restaurant, I couldn’t help but feel eyes on us.
Everywhere I looked, people began to notice Nolan and I.
A warmth spread down my chest and into my stomach when his arm wound itself around my waist, holding me close under the eyes of half the town.
“I feel incredibly vain for even saying this, but everyone is staring at us.” I mumbled quiet enough for only him to hear.
“I’m not exactly the most sociable Alpha, if you haven’t noticed.” He replied, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“Are you making a joke? ” I snorted, narrowing my eyes as I peered up at him.
“Not at all.” His eyebrow lifted, a smirk stealing his face as he opened the door for me and my family.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?