He popped us into the water which made me laugh. It might be cold to humans, but as Werewolves we were fine. I wrapped my legs around him as he bent down and kissed me. We broke apart when we were splashed.
Sierra and Phil had cannoned balled into the pool. Phil surfaced with ideas, “Let’s play chicken with the girls on our shoulders.” Sierra snorted, “Hell no, we’d lose. Ash is vicious.” I snorted, “You are a sore loser. I mean really... the name of the game is to knock people off the other’s shoulders.”
Xander growled, “You’ve played before?” I answered, “Ummm yeah, a few times. Well…I played with my brothers too…before…well just before… Caine is usually my partner now.” Xander snarled, “MINE!” He slammed his lips on mine in a searing, claiming kiss.
I bit my lip when we pulled back seeing his eyes were blazing. I smiled saying the first thing that came to my mind, “Your eyes look very pretty all gold and blazing.” Phil snorted, “It’s good you think that since his eyes are often gold. Something tells me it might turn into a permanent state of being soon.” I had no idea why, but they were pretty.
I shook that thought off. Sierra said, “It’s not what you think. It’s not a romantic thing.” I laughed, “Caine is like a brother….so… He sees me as a little sister.” Xander studied me then relaxed. Sierra chimed in, “That’s true. Dax and Caine see Ash like a little sister. It’s even complete with her not listening to their advice.”
Phil yelled, “Say hallelujah the pool day is saved. Snap us a net Alpha cousin of mine.” Xander laughed and snapped a volleyball net in the pool. I pouted, “I do listen to them.” Sierra snorted, “Then you ignore them.” Not all the time… just when they were wrong.
Sierra sighed, eyeing the volleyball net. She glanced at Phil, “You just want to lose at something? Ash is VERY competitive and freakishly good at things.” I argued, “It’s not freakish… I mean... it’s just... I’m not a volleyball star or anything... I know the basics and…”
Xander kissed me again. He pulled back, winked, then said, “I’m sure we will do just fine.” We killed them. Xander laughed on game point. He threw me onto his shoulders. I laughed as he yelled, “Dream team!” Phil snorted, “I say it’s hot tub inside time.”
Xander popped us inside. He yelled, “Walking is for losers!” Phil rolled his eyes, opened a portal, then stepped through with Sierra. He looked around before commenting, “Well, it looks like there are no losers here.” Xander laughed, “Some sore losers though.”
Sierra shrugged, “Next time I’ll pick the teams and I’ll be on Ashley’s team. The girl doesn't lose.” I blushed. Phil asked, “Ever?” Sierra shook her head, “Nope. Not since I’ve known her.” I rolled my eyes. I’d lost plenty in the game called life.
I lost my family, my pack, and my Xander. I had him for the time being though. Freya coughed, “Forever.” Maybe. I was really starting to hope that she was right. Freya told me, “You can trust me, Melanie. I know people have let you down, but I promise I’m not one of those people.”
I assured her, “I don’t think you would. I’m worried the reverse is true, and I’ll let you down. Oden wants you and we both know it. If Xander doesn’t want me that’s not your fault.” Freya reiterated, “He will, he does. Trust me.” I decided to lean into that feeling.
I could be the glass half full, instead of empty girl with Xander. I’d used to be that girl all the time. Now, I generally knew that the glass was definitely half empty and someone was about to drink it. Freya snorted, “That’s a way to view things.” The last several years told me it was accurate.
Xander pulled me to sit between his legs with my back against his chest. He snapped us drinks. I smirked at the drink in my hand because it was my favorite: vodka cranberry. Phil and Xander had beers and Sierra had a Cosmo.
We sat there talking and laughing. I was really beginning to picture life this way. It was scary and exciting. I linked Freya, “Will we really shift?” I wanted her to be able to run as a wolf as we were always meant to.
Tristan and Jason always said it was a liberating and freeing experience. I wanted Freya to be able to run with Oden. It was fun when I was in human form with Oden. I knew she’d love it. Freya answered, “Eventually, and it will be fun. I just need to get stronger.”
I knew my shift would likely be rather painful since it would be a late shift. Freya just laughed in my head. I had no idea why my pain would be funny to her. Freya told me, “You’ll see.” There was so much to I was going to see I guess.
Maybe Selene was going to try to suck up to me by not making my shift so painful. She could shove it. I could more than handle pain. I didn’t need, nor did I want her help. I would never forgive her for the things she’d done to me.
Xander and I got out of the hot tub. He snapped and instantly we were in dry clothes. I was wearing his hoodie and my leggings. I smiled brightly at him. Sierra jumped out demanding, “Me next.” Phil laughed and got out too. Xander snapped both of them into clothes, then popped us all into the living room.
Sierra made us more drinks while I snuggled into Xander as we watched a movie together. It was calledThe Other Woman. Xander chuckled, “My mom would like these women. She’d be more in your face than they are though. The hijinks she’d pull would be epic.” I laughed.
Honestly, I liked the girls in this movie too. Sierra linked, “They are moving in the shadows to a degree like we do. So, I also like them.” They were a bit less covert but they were in the shadows making moves.
Once the movie ended, we went our separate ways for the night. Xander picked me up and carried me up the stairs. I teased him, “I thought walking was for losers.” Xander kissed me then said, “I’ll be a loser any day to have you in my arms.” I giggled, “You’re too much….people with Hackura blood don’t like to lose.” Xander replied quite simply, “What I am, is all yours. I’d lose any game to sit by your side.” I was really starting to believe that he really was mine. Saying that was a big deal.
Xander said, “You should.” What? Gosh dang its Melanie. Inside head thoughts. I looked at him admitting, “Ummm... I did not say that out loud. Wait... what? I should what? You can’t hear my thoughts... that’s not a thing. Is that a thing? I’m pretty sure it’s not.” Xander kissed me.
He sat me down on our bed then said, “You’ve been linking me.” No, no, no. I needed in my own head thoughts…I already talked out loud when I didn’t mean to NOW I was LINKING him?! Seriously? That was blatant cheating…in some way…I wasn’t sure what… but it was cheating.
No, we weren’t marked. This was not happening. He closed his mouth, and I heard him clear as day in my head, “I can do it too.” I gasped, “But... how?” Xander shrugged, “I’ve been thinking about it, and I think it’s possibly because we mated. Your wolf is newer so maybe that’s it. You call me your Alpha, and she feels that loyalty. My parents could link after they mated before my dad marked her. As much as I tried not to pay attention to that story, I do know it.”
I thought about it before saying, “That’s crazy. We aren’t supposed to link until we are marked.” Oh god… what else had he heard? Xander snorted, “Nothing bad. It’s not all the time either.” I studied him, then nodded because I trusted him. He’d talk to me if he’d heard something weird... probably. He’d definitely do so if it was bad. Plus….ya know…he can’t lie.
He put his arms on both sides of me then kissed my neck. He asked, “Are we done talking about this?” He trailed kisses down my neck. I snickered, “Is this why you didn’t snap me into a bra?” Xander chuckled against my neck, “Did I not? How forward thinking of me.”
He kissed my lips and laid me back down on the bed. His hand snaked up the hoodie I was wearing. I moaned when his thumb gently slid across my nipple. He snapped both our pants off. He started rubbing my clit with his other hand.
I whimpered, “Xander.” He whispered against my lips, “I love the way you say my name. I love everything you do. You’re intoxicating to me. You’re a beautiful dancer.” I flushed. He continued, “I love having you in my arms.” I did too.
He continued, “I love the way you rant. I love how I have to stop any rant by kissing you. I love that when I touch you your heartbeat picks up. I love your blush. I’m addicted to you, Lovebug. I’ll never let you go.”
