“Yes, Jer. I have to go. You’re about to start serious Alpha training, and I’m human**no mate in sight. It wasn’t you, and I don’t know who else could ever compare,” I said dramatically, placing the back of my hand on my forehead. “Right now, I don’t have any other useful role in the pack.”
“You know how weird that was, right? Everyone waiting to see if we were mates. Don’t get me wrong**you’re amazing and beautiful**but you’re my twin sister,” he said, shuddering theatrically. I just laughed.
“You’re such a weirdo. But are you ready for this year? There’s a lot of pressure now. Everything’s starting to feel real.”
“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” he shrugged. “We’ve already got trips planned to visit other pack Alphas so I can start building alliances. At least I’m not the only new Alpha**there are two more in our alliance. That way, I’m not the odd one out, treated like a dumb kid all alone.” I laughed, but I understood. Visiting Alphas could be patronizing to younger wolves. It was a hierarchy thing, but some of them**and some pack members**acted like their species, rank, and status automatically made them better, allowing them to say and do whatever they pleased without consequence.
We pulled into the school parking lot, Jer sliding into his usual spot, where, of course, the usual group of girls awaited him.
“Ooooh! Your fan club’s here to make sure you don’t break a nail on your way to class,” I teased in a singsong voice.
“Shut up,” he growled, taking a deep breath before stepping out.
These girls were relentless in their pursuit of him. Many were eighteen like us and knew for a fact he wasn’t their mate, but that didn’t stop them from chasing after him like he was available. He wasn’t a saint by any means**none of his crew were. They were, in fact, notorious womanizers. According to Tommy, it was practice for being good mates someday.
But since our birthday, when Jer came of age and could sense his mate, I hadn’t seen him with another girl. I didn’t think his wolf would allow it. They were all in for their mate and only their mate. Too bad none of the girls in the “bitch brigade” got that memo.
His disinterest only fueled more rumors about him “slumming” with me, but I shut those down quickly by reminding them that if that were true, it meant he chose me, not them. They changed tactics fast after that.
We both stepped out of the car, and I had to push through the crowd of girls surrounding him just to get by. But he never left me hanging, no matter how vicious some of these girls could be. I appreciated that he didn’t coddle me or fight my battles for me. He knew that would only make things worse. I was capable of standing up for myself, and I had the attitude to match. He just made sure no one blocked my way or held me back from class.
“Kennedy, let’s go, girl. The guys are waiting,” he said, wrapping his arm around my neck and leading me away. “What am I going to do without you here to cockblock for me? See, you can’t leave for college. I need you here.”
“First, that’s your mate’s job, so chop chop**find her already so I can pass the torch. Second, you know why I want to go. I can’t be a burden anymore. I want to honor my parents and Aunt Beth and Uncle James. I need to support myself. I can’t rely on you guys forever.”
“That’s a lie, and you know it. You better rely on me forever. I fully plan to rely on you, Warrior,” he said, trying to look serious, but his handsome face betrayed the effort. “And you know Mom’s never letting you go. She’s plotting just as hard as I am to keep you here.”
Before I could answer, the rest of the guys arrived, looking like a Magic Mike runway show before the clothes came off. Not gonna lie, I might have drooled a little, but what do you expect when all your friends are ridiculously hot? Too bad none of them were my type, and I wasn’t their mate. I’d tested the waters with all of them**except Jeremiah. It was an unspoken rule that none of us ever brought it up.
Ben was our dark-haired, tattooed, brooding Beta. Tommy was the fun-loving Delta, and Jason was our blonde surfer boy Gamma. All tall and broad like Jer, with muscles that seemed crammed into shirts a size too small. I always wondered if that was intentional or just laziness.
They greeted each other with bro hugs as we met up, each one giving me a hug and a kiss on the head or cheek. It was all very public and very deliberate, especially after last year.
Kennedy
The afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the school courtyard as we gathered, the familiar hum of chatter and footsteps filling the air.
“Hey Kennedy! Looking good, girl! You just keep getting hotter every time I see you,” Tommy called out with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
I rolled my eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Tommy, you saw me yesterday**at training**when I totally kicked your ass.” Well, not exactly kicked his ass, but I definitely held my own and gave him a run for his money.
Tommy closed his eyes briefly, a playful smile spreading across his face. “That’s getting better every time too.” We all burst into laughter, the easy camaraderie between us making the tension of the day melt away.
“You are seriously so stupid,” I teased, nudging him lightly. “Does that line actually work on any girls?”
He winked, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “I save my best lines for you**until I find my mate, of course. Then I won’t need any lines. She’ll love me no matter what.”
I made a mock gagging face at Jason, who just chuckled beside me.
“You’re lucky the Moon Goddess is going to make someone stick with you forever,” Ben said with a dry laugh. “Otherwise, I don’t know if anyone would put up with you that long.”
Ben’s rare display of humor caught my attention. Our tough-as-nails friend rarely lets anything slip through his stoic exterior. Beneath that stern, quiet demeanor lies a genuinely kind guy**if you get past the walls he’s built. Girls often try to break through, determined to ‘fix’ or ‘save’ him, but I don’t think he’s broken**just selective about who sees his softer side. His mate will be the only one lucky enough to witness it.
We pushed open the school doors, ready to face the first day of our senior year.
**
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.