Page 1 of Curvy Alpha Bride
Chapter 1 - Mabel
Music and laughter echo across the lake, sounds of happiness and contentment that fill me with joy. When Kit first took over Cyan Lock, I had a lot of hope, but deep down, I really believed nothing would change. I thought we’d be stuck forever in the old ways, the class divide splitting the town into warring factions that would eventually tear the pack apart.
I’m so happy to be wrong. So much of this is due to Lexa and her effect on Kit.
An awed rush sweeps through the crowd, and I realize Kit and Lexa are doing one of their famous dances. I hurry around the side of the house to watch, almost mesmerized by their grace and synchrony.
They are so connected. I wish I knew what that felt like.
“Hey, babes.” Cass jostles my elbow, making me spill my drink all over my arm.
“Jesus Christ, Cass. Where the fuck did you come from?”
“The mysterious shadows, my friend. I lurk in the darkness, silent as a ghost.”
“For someone sneaking around so well, you sound pretty drunk.”
“I am not drunk!” Cass declares, swaying. “I only had… um… okay, I don’t remember. But it wasn’t that many Jell-O shots.”
“You and James were in a slam challenge, and you don’t know who won because there were too many empty cups to count.”
“Well, anyway,” Cass mutters. “I’m not drunk.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Why are you all miserable, anyway?” she asks. “It’s a party.”
“I’m fine,” I reply. “Watching Kit and Lexa just makes me feel a bit…”
“Jealous?”
“Yeah,” I admit, looking away. “I’m happy for them. I just wish there was something like that out there for me.”
“There is,” Cass says determinedly. “I know it.”
“How can you possibly know?”
“Because he’s coming this way.”
I turn around and look in the direction Cass is staring. Xavier is walking towards us, fidgeting a little like he does when he’s nervous. His long, straight dark hair falls forward over his cheek, and he shoves it back, muttering softly. Through the darkness, his blue eyes burn, bright points of light flickering like gas lanterns.
“Cass,” I mutter.
“No, it’s cool!” she slurs a little. “Trust me.”
“Hi,” Xavier says, smiling shyly.
I’m a bit shocked by his meeker attitude. He’s usually full-on in my face, always teasing me and making jokes.
It’s not like him to be this nice. Maybe he hit the Jell-O shots, too.
“Hi,” I answer warily.
“I was wondering if you’d like to go for a walk along the lake?”
I narrow my eyes, staring at him as I try to gauge his mood. He looks completely serious, but for all I know, this is just a new level of humor for him.
His expression flickers, and doubt shines in his pretty eyes. His face is all sharp angles and hard shadows, with high cheekbones, a cut jaw, and a strong forehead. For the first time in my life, I allow myself to admit he’s incredibly handsome.
