Page 12 of Fallen Wolf
Finn went out for a run and invited me to go with him, at ten years old I thought he was amazing. He was like Superman he could save anyone, do anything. He was a wolf shifter, he felt like he was invincible. I thought he was too.
But we ended up too far from home and not in our territory anymore. We had come across an old bear shifter, and Finn thought his wolf could take him. When the bear challenged him to a fight Finn wanted to prove that he was a great wolf shifter. He wanted to show that he was strong and could take on anything. I didn’t want him too, as quick as Finn was there was no way he could take on a full-grown bear.
What he didn't know was this bear was an outcast. His own sleuth had kicked him out, for fighting and not obeying the rules of their shifter world.
So, when Finn challenged him to a fight, the bear shifter accepted and tore through him like he was paper. I tried to scare the bear away, to stop him from hurting Finn further, but I only had a human form. I hadn't hit puberty like Finn, so when the bear shifter turned on me… attacked me. I couldn’t do anything to stop him, I wasn't able to shift. I wanted to shift so bad… I wanted to save my brother.
The bear injured Finn so badly that he was barely breathing and I knew he needed help, I had to get it for him. I had a broken ankle, huge open wound on my face and chest that wouldn’t heal and just kept bleeding, by the time I stumbled home to get help, I passed out from my own injures a yard from my backdoor.
The whole pack went out to get Finn, but it had taken me too long to get back to them. I couldn’t heal fast like my fathers could, just one shift and they could heal their injures. If I could have… if I just had told Finn no, walk away…he would still be here.
My dad playfully nipped my flank, urging me on. I didn’t realize I had been so caught up in my thoughts of Finn. I growled and snapped back at him. I knew he was laughing at me so I took off and headed straight for the woods on the same path which we travelled every single day.
I slowed down and stopped where my father had. There was a small clearing here where the sun—when it felt like appearing— warmed up the grass. It was nice to laze around here in wolf form, I had done it often when I first shifted with Mason and River. Kenton started following us out here when he’d shifted too. But now it was just dad and I. I dropped and rolled onto my back and scratched it against the grass. My father sat beside me and when I was done I sat next to him. It was nice here. I realized then it was quiet. Away from most things, just a few other shifters close by, only birds and the cool breeze.
I couldn't stop thinking about what River had said earlier. It was true, the way the Kiba boys we're starting to really notice Ada now. When my father shifted to human form, I knew he wanted to talk.I didn’t.
He ruffled my ears and chuckled. “Come on, I want to talk, see how you have been?” When I didn’t shift he pulled my ear playfully. “You want to talk about… Graham?” my ears flicked back. He laughed. Dang, my wolf knew who he was talking about and gave it away. Graham was the name of Ada’s dad, the one who the pizza was for.
“She is real pretty son. I heard Kenton talking about her last night when I went in to help out at the shop, he showed me a photo on his phone. Did you need help in how to ask a girl out? I can help you, I have theskillswhen it comes to the ladies.” He wiggled his brows at me and I shook my head and snorted.
Oh hell no.The only woman he’d ever dated was my mom and I didn’t want to know how that happened or his skills to get it. I tried to pull away but he had my ear. He just chuckled again. Then let go and ruffled my head.
“Alright, but if you want to talk about it. You know, if you have any questions about dating, relationships…sex.” I rolled my eyes, but he continued. “You don’t have a packmate, so I wasn’t sure what your intentions were on dating and all that and I didn’t want to push you to tell me. So, I just want you to know I’m here, anytime if you want to talk about anything. And you’re welcome to invite her over for dinner, or to study, is another good way to get a girlor guyyou like over and get to know them better.”
I knew he was trying to be helpful but I was conflicted, I didn’t know what I wanted my future to look like, and why would Ada even want to be a part of it. I haven’t spoken to her in years. I didn’t want to talk about it with dad, so I nodded then ran back towards home.
15
Ada
I gota text from Lexi on Saturday afternoon, asking me to come over… to her house. The one she didn’t tell me about, the one at the end of Kiba Court. Well, I couldn’t help myself. I called her and I kind of was a little more excited than she might have been expecting.
“I cannot believe you have been living there, and you didn’t tell me. Like I was here waiting all day for you to call me, to tell me and you texted it to me. You know I learnt it from Ranger… okay well that was kind of cool, but holy crap you are living at the Lovell’s house and I’m only just now being invited over.”
I took a breath and I could hear her laughing, I smiled to myself. I was a little upset she didn’t tell me until now, but I was only just starting to learn more about Lexi and she was someone with a past, she didn’t want to talk about it which was understandable. She also has trust issues, I get that too. I just get excited and want to hang out with her, more than she probably wants to.
“We are having a sleepover, and full girls’ night. With movies and chocolate and pjs.” I held my breath worried she would say no, I had never done this. This was something you did when you were young, but I assumed it was normal for someone who was eighteen to do this… right? It was. When she said yes, I almost died. I tried to act cool but I didn’t think that was coming out right, so I told her I would be there soon.
“Hey, munchkin, where you off too?” Dad asked as I rushed out of my bedroom with my suitcase in tow. Not that I needed much, I just wanted to make sure I had the right clothes, you know. In case one of the sexy Kiba boys were there… like maybe Saint Wood. He didn’t live there but he was friends with Maverick though. And he lived there… ugh, Maverick was so angry last time I saw him. But was I still angry at Saint? Or was Lexi cool with him now?
“I’m going to my best friend’s house, Lexi. We are having a sleepover.” I watched the shocked look on dad’s face and then the smile crept up.
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Stay up late and have lots of fun. Did you need some cash for chocolate?” He reached for his wallet. I shook my head and he gave me a big hug and kissed my forehead. I felt so great, this was going to be the best sleepover ever.
Drivingup to the big gates was making me a little nervous. I was alone now, and how did I get in? As I slowed the car to a stop outside the gates where there was a buzzer, I put my window down, but before I could reach out and push the call button the gates opened and a familiar face approached me.
“Hey there Ada, I’m Jett.” My mouth decided not to work straight away as I watched Jett Lovell smile at me… oh dang. Clare Briggs —my sisters’ friend— was dating him and his best friend last year, but I couldn’t understand why would she break up with him. Like ever? His hair was this deep brown, with these green eyes that could just render anyone speechless.
“Hi.” I croaked out and he laughed. “Yeah, I’m Ada. I’m here to see Lexi.” He nodded and rounded my car, I thought he was leaving but when he opened the passenger door and climbed into my car, like it was normal for him to be in a car with me. I squeaked.
“Let’s drive and I will show you where to park for the night.” He pointed forward and I slowly rolled forward onto the Lovell property. During the daylight hours it was so much better than I remembered. I could see a few cars parked off to the side of the huge mansion. He pointed next to a Jeep. There were a few of them but I could tell this was the twins. They shared the same one, I’d only noticed that as they drove together every day and I was a bit of a people watcher.
“So, what kind of stuff do girls talk about?” He asked as I got out and grabbed the suitcase. He took it from me as I shrugged my backpack over my shoulder.
“Ah… boys?” He cocked his head to see if I was asking him, I wasn’t sure if I was. He chuckled and I loved the sound of it. But no… this was Clare’s ex. I couldn’t think of him in anyway other than a friend. “We will probably watch romance movies, talk about boys and do each other’s hair.” I smiled over at him as he led me inside the same doors I came through only a week ago to get some water. When I messed up with Saint… and talked about snails. Worse… snails sex life.
“So… you go to school with my brothers?” I nodded. “I feel sorry for you then, living with them is torture.” Now it was my turn to laugh.
