"Someone has to keep an eye on you and your family." He grumbled, as he ran a hand through his dark waves. His hair was freed from the usual pony tail he wore; revealing thick, wavy locks just above his shoulder. The bright moonlight reflected off his strong features leaving the hollows of his cheeks and eyes shadowed which made him look a little more wicked than usual. He wore a black leather jacket and worn blue jeans. Rebecca could see what Savvy found so attractive in the man.
"Speaking of family, I hear you asked my sister out to homecoming?" Rebecca raised her eyebrow, marking the obvious unspoken question.
He shrugged, "I figured it would be a good cover. She sent me a text tonight telling me she was excited about our date, I guess that means she accepted." He locked his eyes with hers, “are you okay with us going out?”
"And what of my sister's feelings?" Rebecca snapped a little too quickly as she pulled her eyes away from his, which was a difficult task with her wolf panting away in her mind.
"It’s just a date, Rebecca." There was sadness in his eyes which bled into his face. Rebecca pushed down the urge to place a hand on his cheek for comfort.
"It may be just a date to you, but girls don't think that way. I can see it in her eyes. She is very interested." She hugged her light sweater closer to her body.
"Are you jealous?" He smirked playfully.
"Well, I think it’s odd that you tell Lucky you’re into mating with me and the next minute you ask my sister out to homecoming." Rebecca stated flatly.
"I think it’s ‘odd’ you told her to go with me." He countered, irritation flavoring his words. "I’d always thought when I met my mate she would be as into me as I was in to her." His voice got quieter and he seemed more vulnerable as he continued to speak.
"I’m with Lucky." Rebecca stated as a simple excuse. The wolf whined loudly in her mind.
"And that’s supposed to change things? The man is engaged to Felicity." He ran a hand through his dark hair pulling it behind his ears. "Not only is your cover story ridiculous but it makes you look like a fool." He seemed like he was struggling with finding a place to put his hands so he pushed them into his jean pockets, pulling his jeans down further and revealing one pack of his obvious six pack abs.
Rebecca bit her lower lip as she snapped, "And you look like a fool using my sister to get to me."
He chuckled, "I’ve looked like a fool since the moment I met you at the Authority. The plan was to challenge you, not be submissive and join you."
Rebecca frowned. She had a sneaking suspicion that was the plan initially. "Really?" He nodded and Rebecca slapped him. She was not sure where the slap came from, but suspected it was the wolf that took over her motor skills in that moment. Under the street light the red hand print told her she made her mark.
He grinned, not the reaction she was expecting, as he rubbed his cheek. "Instead, I asked to be a part of your pack and I made it clear to everyone you were under my protection. Had you accepted my request then and there you wouldn't have needed Lucky to help you."
Rebecca crossed her arms against her chest, using her body language as a barrier between them. "I still wouldn't have mated with you. No one can make that kind of commitment at seventeen."
"I’m seventeen! And so I’ll wait for you to realize that your place is at my side." He shrugged, "it’s the only option I have." He grabbed her arms and forced her to look at him. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying to win you over. I know this relationship with Lucky will be short lived. I know him. I know his commitments. When it ends, I’ll be here to pick up the pieces and take you as mine.”
Rebecca raised her chin, showing her defiance. “I’m no one’s property.”
“You were born to be mine and there will come a day that you realize it. I just hope you don’t make me wait too long. I don’t want to spend the rest of our lives with you trying to apologize for how you treated me when we first met.”
“You are terribly sure of yourself.” Rebecca snapped, but even as she tried to hang onto her resolve, she felt herself losing. She needed to leave, to go back to the safety of her bed.
“Unlike you, I was born a wolf. I understand what is happening between us. You don’t.” He smiled softly. “I felt connected to you the moment I met you. But when I kissed you and tasted you I knew who you were, and I’ve been waiting for you for a very long time.”
"You can go find another mate." Even as the words left her lips she wanted to pull them back, erase them from both of their memories like one could do with words on a chalk board.
He laughed; a deep laugh which vibrated from his chest. He sounded so strong even then. "Sweetheart, there’s no one else. You’re it. My wolf and I are very selective."
"Or perhaps you’re hoping that I make my sister a wolf so you can be with her." Rebecca was angry which confused her because she didn't understand why. She made her choice. She was going to fight for Lucky.
"It doesn't work that way, but until you do give in, I’ll simply be here, protecting you and your family."
"You call dating my sister protection? I call it spiteful." Rebecca pulled from his grasp and turned to leave him there on the street alone.
He whipped her around faster than anyone she’d ever seen. "Come on, Rebecca, seriously?" He slipped his fingers into the belt loops of her jeans and pulled her close to him; the heat rising and threatening to explode between them.
"I’m not going to hurt your sister, just protect her Friday night." He slipped a loose tendril of Rebecca’s hair behind her ear, she shivered. He looked deeply and tenderly into her eyes, she felt like her soul was opening to him. "As for you, I think you know everything I’ve done since I met you has been to protect you and your family." He pulled her closer to him, if that was possible, and Rebecca’s breath caught in her throat. She knew this was getting dangerous. She knew she should turn and walk away. Being close to him was perilous; she didn't always have control over her wolf, especially where Gabriel was concerned.
"I enrolled in your school, befriended your siblings, took care of the blood," he ran a large hand through his dark hair. "Hades, woman, even asking your sister to the dance when my heart lies elsewhere with you speaks volumes to what I’d do for you. How can you doubt me?"
"I allowed you into the pack." Rebecca raised her chin defiantly. She wanted to laugh at him, to deny his statements but realization and the wolf didn’t allow her to be so hurtful. He was right. He had been a protector since they met. “Do you expect me to mate with every man who is brought into the pack?”
Gabriel growled deeply “Over my dead body!” He took a breath. “The only reason Lucky is still standing is because he is one of my closest friends.”
Parts of her body vibrated that she didn’t even know existed. She swallowed hard against the passion rising in her body. "I just don't understand why you’re so convinced of this." Her words were barely above a whisper.
“When you learn more about me you’ll understand better. I promise.” He smiled warmly, "you are my alpha and I’m loyal. Even though I was exiled." Memories of what Angel told Rebecca about the brutality his father showed him when he defied his command ran through her mind and caused her to shiver, which resulted in him pulling her closer. "I told my father that I will lay down my life, give all I have to my alpha except one thing, my heart. That belongs to my mate." He shook his head and grinned, "It’s rather ironic that my new alpha happens to be my mate and owns my heart."
Rebecca wanted to call him a liar, to tell him she owned no such thing, but that would be cruel. She saw that he believed what he was saying in his green eyes. His loyalty and heart were hers for the taking. Which only made her feel more guilt.
She pursed her lips, "when the date with my sister is over, I expect you to let her down easily. You shouldn’t be leading her on if you have feelings for another."
"Like you have for someone else?" He asked coldly.
Before she could answer him he lowered his lips to hers. It started
soft, sweet, and tentative; totally different from their first kiss. When she responded, he deepened the kiss. He pulled back and locked his eyes with hers, searching for refusal, but her wolf wouldn’t allow her to pull away. Those questioning eyes pulled her towards him like a lifesaver in the ocean pulling her to safety. She tried to unlock, to remove herself from his warm, inviting embrace but her body refused to listen, the wolf controlled it fully.
"I don't care if I have to wait for you to realize that we belong together. Your body already responds to my touch." He placed a hand on her heart and it raced faster in response. "Your wolf hears mine and accepts me." He growled his appreciation and Rebecca feared her knees would go weak at the wave of passion that flooded her. He crushed his lips to hers again and she responded, opening fully to his bittersweet invasion. When he explored her mouth the wolf growled back, ravenous in her need to possess him. Rebecca’s hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss.
He stopped his plundering for just a moment and her lips formed into a pout. "All that’s left is your mind. I’ll consume all of you and in that moment it’ll be glorious." He claimed her waiting lips again. In this moment he owned her. Thoughts of her sister, of Lucky, were lost on the wind. She was lost in the emotion.
Her mind wanted to fight, but chemistry was hard to deny; so was the fact that Lucky was engaged to another woman. Lucky fought against them being together, while Gabriel gave her everything that was his. Never in her life had she expected to fall head over heels so easily, and never with two men at the same time. She was beginning to understand the duality of being a werewolf.
It was Savannah's voice that broke the spell. "How could you?"
The pain in her voice was like being doused with a pail of cold water. Any passion Rebecca felt moments ago was now gone, replaced with the familiar feeling of guilt. All she could do was react. She broke free of his hold and ran after her sister. It wasn't fair; she responded to him, she let him kiss her. She knew it wasn't fair but all she could think about was her sister being upset because she hurt her. Why did she have to tell her it was okay that she go with Gabriel to the dance? All she had to do was say no and feelings would not be hurt now.
Rebecca found Savvy in their room. Tears were on her face and anger reflected in her eyes. Rebecca really hated hurting her sister. "Savvy, I don't know what happened. One minute I was telling him to do something and the next he was kissing me."
"But you were kissing him back." Accusation and truth thick in every word.
"I was." Realization hit Rebecca hard, like a slap to her own face. Dear gods I am in trouble. What was I going to do? How do people live like this? Rebecca wanted to tell her everything, damn the rules and consequences, but the tattoo tingled its warning on her hand.
"Yeah, I know. I saw the whole thing." She sniffed. "I even asked you if it was okay."
"I know. I’m sorry." Rebecca sat on the bed helpless. "Have you ever felt like one part of you wanted one thing and another wanted something else? Like those two parts are at war and you’re simply the casualty in the battle?"
"Sure, we all have, but we use a silly thing called willpower to fight the urges and change direction if it doesn't work." Savvy snapped, hurt stung her eyes.
"That doesn't always work and you know it. You say you want to go for a run with me but instead your desire to sleep in wins all the time. Up to this point the battle has only affected me. I really thought I had my desire for Gabriel under control. I never wanted you to be part of this war." Rebecca sat on her sister’s bed.
"And that’s your mistake. I’m always going to be part of the battle. I’m your sister, your twin. I’ll always be here to help you work through your problems, find solutions, take care of you, just as you are always there for me, or so I thought. It’s a two-way street, sister.” Her eyes shot dagger towards Rebecca. “What’re you going to do about Lucky?"
"Lucky’s my choice, not Gabriel. My mind is set on him. It’s my body that wants Gabriel. I just need to find a way to control the reaction he has on me." Rebecca shook her head thinking it was impossible even as she thought the words. Her alpha hasn’t been very cooperative so far. "I have to tell Lucky what happened."
"Are you sure that’s wise? Remember what happened at school?"
Rebecca hated keeping things from Savvy. There was so much more information she needed to understand. Rebecca hurt her and Savvy was still trying to help her figure out how to fix it. She was an amazing sister. Rebecca nodded, "he has to know." She wiped the tears off Savannah’s cheeks. "How do I make this up to you?"
"It was just a date, sis. No real emotions were involved. I’m just glad I found out now before I ruined my homecoming experience by going with him. I would’ve hated going to homecoming with my future brother in law."
"Not going to happen." Rebecca said firmly.
‘We will see.’ Her alter ego whispered softly.
"I saw that kiss. He’s one hundred percent yours for the taking. And to be honest, there isn’t that much passion between you and Lucky." Savvy smiled softly. "I’ll tell Danny I’ll go with him tomorrow. I’m sure Gabriel will understand why the date is off."
"I am really sorry, Savvy." Rebecca swallowed her guilt. It tasted like coal and burned like fire.
"You better be. I haven't forgiven you just yet." Savvy clicked the lamp off and rolled over, her back to Rebecca.
With that Rebecca’s tumultuous thoughts were met with silence and darkness. "I love you, sister." She whispered. What was she going to do now? It was the last thought she had before she drifted off into another fitful sleep, only this dream was of a green-eyed wolf and a golden-eyed angel.
Chapter Eighteen
~”Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.”
~Morihei Ueshiba
Savannah
Savannah didn't sleep well during the night and got up hours before her sister did; which was rare, she loved sleeping in. Her dressing routine was easier also since she had a limited choice for wardrobe. She decided on the cheerleading pants instead of the skirt today and chose to wear the tank instead of half sleeve top. Her blonde hair went into a simple ponytail; the wonderful cheat hairstyle that still makes a girl look good with minimal effort. Today, that was all she was feeling. Something was wrong with Rebecca and she had no idea how to fix it.
Savvy sipped her Chai tea as she sat on the front patio contemplating how she was going to be able to help her. Rebecca was a strong person. She tried to take everything on by herself, despite the fact that she had a built in support system with her family. It was idealistic at best. She internalized everything, made it her own personal war. She worked to protect Savvy and Hunter from everything that threatened to take away the perfect childhood she thought they deserved. Unfortunately, she forgot she was only a teenager herself. Granted, they were both only thirty seven days away from turning eighteen, legal adults. But it was still young.
Usually, Savvy recognized the signs before her dearest sister spun out of control, but this time there were no signs. This time she couldn’t stop the train crash from happening and now she needed to help pick up the pieces of Rebecca’s life and help her get back on the right track.
Her attention was drawn to the magnificent sunrise. It had been a long time since she watched the sun battle against the moon for daybreak. It was perhaps the most spellbinding moment of the day. She watched the moon lose ungracefully to the victorious sun in vibrant colors across the sky as she contemplated how she was going to help Rebecca.
The mess was already in place, now she needed to find a way to keep Rebecca from spiraling into the darkness; she’d done it before and that Rebecca was not a pretty picture. Something about this time was different. Rebecca was different; maybe a little stronger but still weak against guilt. When Savvy looked into her eyes, it was like she was seeing a different person. It also didn't help that Re
becca was hiding things from her. No matter how honest she tried to be last night she hid behind half truths. It wasn't just what happened with Gabriel, although that was the incident that made it clear Rebecca was falling apart.
For days, Savvy had been spying on her sister, trying to figure out what Rebecca was hiding. At first, she thought it was Lucky, and then maybe Gabriel. Now she knew it was more. It was everything. And it all started Friday night when their psychic connection was broken.
The disconnection from Rebecca was unsettling. Even at her darkest hour Rebecca never shut her out. It was in those moments that she sought her siblings out. It worried Savvy more than anything else ever had. The lies, half truths, and the way Rebecca had been dancing around them weren’t like her. Rebecca learned long ago that Savvy wouldn’t let her run away. Sometimes she felt like she was smothering her sister, but it was necessary to keep her safe.
“Well, it looks like you’re up early.” Lucky smiled warmly as he approached her on the step. Startled, Savvy glanced up and could have sworn his golden curls and dimpled cheek made him look like an angel. It had to be the light of dawn that gave him a halo.
Instead of going inside to find Rebecca, he sat down beside her and Savvy found her heart fluttered like butterfly wings in flight. Memories of the night she rode on his Harley to pick up Rebecca’s car flushed her neck and cheeks with a twinge of red. She was thankful he didn’t notice. She guessed that it was fair. Rebecca had a crush on the guy she was interested in and Savvy had one on hers. It was odd; they had never fought over boys. None of them were worth losing their special bond against the painful world.
Savvy closed her eyes and breathed in deeply; fighting off the desire to tell him what happened last night. He deserved to know, but Rebecca deserved to be the one to tell him. And from what she gathered last night that was one of the first things on Rebecca’s agenda.
Savvy compared the two guys. They were both built like someone who spent hours a day in the gym. Long, lean muscles rippled under their skin when they moved their bodies. Their faces were different. Gabe’s was hardened, rugged, which was strange for someone so young. It was obvious he had a difficult life. Savvy could relate. Lucky’s face, however, was softer, but still strong. He was cute and Gabe was handsome. He was light and Gabe was darker. In that moment, Savvy did not envy Rebecca’s choice. They were both amazing specimens, both offered great potential.