Chapter 6

CLAIR

The last three days went by fast. After the awkward first meeting with Dad after many years, we all tried to move on and be a family.

It wasn’t easy, and I wanted to be a rebel and let him know how badly he treated me for sending me away. But I couldn’t. As much as I hated him for sending me away, I loved my father. And I longed for him just as much as I longed for Mom. I knew it would take time before all the wounds of being abandoned would heal. But I wanted to make us a family again, even just for a short time before I moved on and became an adult on my own.

So I was trying just as he was. 

Dad was the manager of the town’s public library in nearby town. He’d been bringing home additional books for me to read since I arrived. He was aware of my love of books, but Aaron had taunted him that it appeared he just wanted me to be cooped up in the house with books and with no social life.

But, to be honest, I haven’t had time for myself or for all the books Dad has given me since I arrived.

I thought nobody remembered me or cared. However, everyone appeared really pleased to see me back, from the elderly to the parents whom mom and dad were close to, as well as those within my and Aaron’s age range. And I’ve been to everyone’s house for the past three days - I’ve been invited from breakfast to dinner, or simply a coffee break or something similar, which I’ve had to decline on some occasions because I wanted to spend time with my dad and Aaron.

Nonetheless, the attention made my heart soar, and I would have been completely satisfied if the Alpha himself had acknowledged my presence. However, I haven’t seen him since the day I returned home.

I knew he was busy because I didn’t get to see Aaron for the entire day most of the time, but he kept his promise to stay home with us, so I got to spend some time with him before going to bed.

And then the full moon is approaching. Tomorrow will be a full moon. And from the looks of it, I was the only one expected to shift. And this just added to my anxiety.

Jenny was in charge of the afternoon training, which was the one I attended today. I had less than 48 hours before the full moon and I was determined not to die. She laughed it off when I told her I was terrified of dying and that was why I was so motivated to train.

"Get a grip, Clair! You’re not going to die. It’s painful, but you’re not sick or too old to die from shifting." She chuckled as she slapped my ass while I warmed up and told me what to do next. "Go and run! Give me ten laps before we can start!"

I lifted my right hand to my temple in a salute before acknowledging her. "Yes, ma’am!"

I let out a hearty chuckle before spinning on my heel and dashing towards the tracking oval. I was glad that I met Jenny. She’s one of the few female warriors under the guidance of my brother.

She and her mother transferred to our pack three years after I left. She was 17 years old then. She’s now 19 years old and has proven to be one of the best warriors in the world.

Her motivation? My brother. She had been crushing on Aaron since she was 17 and did her best to join his squad. And my oblivious brother had no idea, or at least he pretended he didn't know.

Unfortunately, they weren’t fated mates either.

But it was nothing unusual. With the werewolf packs growing everywhere, you would be lucky to find your fated mate sooner. Most gave up hope of finding their fated mates and just moved on with their lives with their chosen mates. My parents were among those who were lucky enough to be fated.

Mom and Dad didn’t belong in the same pack. And none of them were ever a part of this pack in the first place. They have to move away from their respective packs because both of them were in relationships before meeting each other, and the other parties were not willing to give up the relationship. Talk about Mate dramas!

So they both ended up here because my mother was good friends with Jake’s mother and convinced them that this was a good place to raise a family. And the rest is history.

I was lost in my own thoughts as I made my seventh lap when I felt a presence beside me. I tilted my head to my right and saw Jake, running at the same speed as mine.

"Hey!" I felt the smile on my face reach up to my ears. I was surprised to see him and, at the same time, excited that he was here.

"Hey! How’s it going?" He responded without looking at me, maintaining the same poker face he had used at his office a few days before.

I came to a halt and put my hands on my hips, panting as I did. He stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at me. "Tired already?"

I shook my head and looked at him. "No! I was just wondering if you would stop and look at me or if you plan on talking to me without looking at all."

He shook his head and walked toward me, stopping just a few steps away from me. "I don’t get you at all. Last time, you said you didn’t want me to look at you. Now you want me to look at you. Make up your mind, princess. " He chuckled, showing me those deep dimples on his cheeks.

I had to stop myself from melting from his boyish smile. Was he really smiling?

"Are you for real? I said, don’t stare at me, and not - don’t look at me!" I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms over my chest, still panting from all the running. I was trying to mask my real emotions. His smile alone made me giddy, and it was getting harder to control my own smile from tugging at my lips.

He squinted his eyes as his smile grew fuller, reaching his eyes. He looked so sexy that I had to look away because looking at him was hurting my eyes. He was too perfect!

"Yeah, my bad! I just don’t know how to talk to you. I know I must’ve pissed you off big-time with that mindlink prank." He scratched his head, looking like a lost boy. A good-looking lost boy.

I tried to stop myself from smiling again as his words sent tingles to my core.

I swallowed and tried hard to put on a poker face. "Well, you did. It’s an asshole move, Jake." But I couldn’t hold my smile anymore, so I let it curve from my lips. "But it’s okay, you can always get away with things around here, you know, being the Alpha."

I placed my hands on my hips again and I let out a playful smile before I continued. "But you can say 'Welcome Home' and then maybe come and hug me?"

I didn’t know where I got the courage to say the last part. It just came out. It took an eternity for me while I waited for his response. A part of me wanted to regret what I had just said. Was I too aggressive?

"Yeah, that would be nice. Come here, princess. Give this old man a hug!" He chuckled as he motioned with his hand for me to come over, a wide grin across his face.

And like a little girl who wanted to have ice cream, I found myself flinging my arms around him. He lifted me in an instant before letting me back on my feet but not releasing me from his arms. He rested his chin at the top of my head for a moment before placing his lips on the crown of my head. "I’m glad you’re back, princess. I miss you!" He said softly.

I closed my eyes and scooted my head closer to his chest. I did not mind the sweat around his shirt. I was enjoying the moment while I drowned in his warmth and his masculine scent. "Me too, Jake!"

We stayed in that position for a while, squeezing each other’s bodies until the moment was broken by someone clearing his throat. Jake let go of the hug but did not take one arm away from my shoulders. Instead, he pulled me close to his side as we turned to face Aaron.

"This is a training ground if you’re not aware. And I would be pleased if my Alpha and my sister could respect that." He stated, his face emotionless, but I could see him attempting to mask his scowl.

"Chill, man! I’m just welcoming Clair back." He said in a happy tone as he squeezed my shoulder. "Go ahead and continue your run, princess. Or your brother may beat our asses up."

He winked at me before letting me go, and if Aaron wasn’t there, I would probably be beaming at Jake right now. But instead, I let out a sigh before rolling my eyes at Aaron and sprinting away from them, disappointed that my brother had just cut off my happy moment.