21. Aspyn
Chapter twenty-one
Aspyn
A spyn- aged 18
“Do you know what I hate most in the world?”
I mutter as I walk, ignoring the startled looks of people around me.
“Kids. They torment me. Torture me. Laugh, spit, throw things. Kids are crueler than their parents could ever hope to be. Because they are more honest.”
I am an old cripple. Hobbly-Wobbly. Leather face. Limp Bitch from Crippleville.
“Throw sticks at Old Melty,” they jeer.
Did I lose a fight with an iron? They sing that out at least a million times. Like no one’s ever said it to me before. Kids are not creative at all.
Hit her with stones. Curse her before I curse them. Witch, witch, witch!
Would that I was a witch, I’d curse them all, evil little brats.
They laugh as they jump and dance around me, darting in with increasing boldness. They hurt me, and it doesn’t matter because I’m just a joke to them. There are no consequences to hurting me but a slap on the shoulder from Dad and a wink at dinner.
I can’t escape them. I can’t run. The island is too small.
When did kids become dangerous?
When did they become so terrifying?
P resent Day
If I thought it was over, I was sadly mistaken. I fold my arms over my chest and stick out my bottom lip as I scowl at my alphas.
“I want to go home.”
Shale reaches out and cups my cheek. He smiles softly, indulgently, and simply says, “No.”
I snarl at him, but he just kisses the tip of my nose.
“I’m going home.”
“No, you’re not. We’re going to see this through,” Shale says calmly and picks up a piece of toast and starts eating.
“I’m with her. Let’s leave them and go home,” Keagan says, which earns him a slap from Beau.
Shale hits him with a flesh-stripping glare. “No. And stop that.”
I fold my arms under my breasts and refuse the food Beau is trying to feed me. “I don’t want anything to do with them. Let’s just go home. Please, Shale, take me home.”
Shale calmly takes the spoon and holds it to my mouth. “Eat, and we’re staying.”
I glare at him. “You’re not my alpha.”
His eyes snap up, full of fire, and I suddenly know I’ve pushed him too far. “I can change that right now if you want.”
I shiver and open my mouth.
“Wise decision.”
I chew mutinously.
Kelly walks into the room and stands there in his wetsuit looking every inch the surfing god he is. I refuse to give him more than a cursory look.
What did he mean he gave up everything?
I don’t care. I hate him.
Keagan puts an arm over my shoulder and smiles at the intruder. At least I have one alpha on my side.
“Ready to win, Raines?”
Kelly makes a sound. “Yeah, I hope to.”
Beau stands up and pulls me with him. “Let's go, then.”
“No!” I dig my heels in.
Beau stops and looks at me. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to see them all, so you can just deal with it. Those reporters with all the vile things they’ll say will be there. It’s their fault. I don’t want to.”
“Come on, one more day. I promise today’s going to be different.”
“How is it going to be different?” I snap.
“Because I’m here!” Beau purrs, and, before I can think, he’s hefted me up and over his shoulder, and we’re on our way down to the beach.
My turmoil must flow through the bonds, but he ignores it, pulsing back warm, steady, calm energy.
He puts me down on the beach and turns his head. I follow his gaze and find the five remaining pack members walking almost in time with each other.
I scoff. What a lie. What a crock of shit.
What a-
I pause, a huge wave filling my vision, but, this time, I go under, it catches me up, stronger than any force I’ve ever felt.
Beau snaps his fingers. I blink up at him. The wave disappears from my mind. What the hell is this vision?
“Welcome back, my little bag of sunshine and miracles.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you calling me a bag?”
“Of course, I am, a bag of sunshine and miracles, remember?” Beau pokes the tip of my nose.
I growl at him and follow as he retreats onto the beach. Beau laughs and stays just out of my reach.
He trips over a piece of rubbish and lands on his back, and I take the opportunity to get him while he’s down. It’s a calculated fall and a trust that the people around me will pick me up.
I grab Beau by his collar and growl at him. “How dare you!”
“Oh, I dare.”
Damn it, why is he so hot?
“Mm, my bag of-”
I press a finger to his lips and narrow my eyes. “Think before you speak,” I hiss.
He laughs, but, before I can attack him further, I’m pulled up by an arm around my waist.
Keagan’s blood orange fills my nose, stealing my frustration and leaving me with nothing but a sense of peace.
I glance up and realise we’ve crossed the line of reporters and fans. We’re in an area with just us, and people are giving us space. I immediately look at the sand.
“Don’t look down. Don’t show them fear. Keep your chin up,” Gael murmurs, and then he realises he’s said it, and he tightens his jaw and looks at the ocean.
He walks off without a goodbye, but I swivel my head to watch him go. What he said was almost nice, and it…well, it helped.
Of all the alpha’s, Gael and Ezy are the hardest to read, but Gael more than Ezy. Kelly is easier because there were so many articles about him.
But Gael is a mystery. I don’t understand him. Nice one minute but then conspiring with Kelly to hurt Pack Daane.
Ezy walks past me but glances back. Our eyes meet, and I’m struck again by how sexy he is. And I hate that I think that way about him. It’s like a betrayal of me and the Daane and everything. I should not be drooling over him. He’s bad!
Kelly is the last to leave, murmuring an unwanted goodbye. I refuse to even look his way.
All around us, the crowd murmurs. Beau and Keagan race around and wrestle on the sand, flinging it at reporters who try to get shots of me. They are wild and untamed.
Shale stays beside me, murmuring and teasing me about everything under the sun. We get to a point where I’m ready to scream, but he just smiles and leans down and touches his lip to mine.
“I’m trying to think of a spot to put that bond.”
That kills any anger I had. “Where were you thinking?” Do I sound breathless?
“I’m not sure… there are so many tantalizing places to put one.”
Keagan returns with another drink and glances around. “They are getting braver.”
“Mm, time is running out.”
“Almost show time.”
“Almost what?” I ask them.
Shale just smiles and pats my hand. “Don’t worry, Aspyn.”
“How can I not worry? You are talking about shows. What does that mean?”
“Do you trust me?”
I hesitate but reluctantly nod. “Yes.”
“Then trust me. I won’t do anything that might harm you.”
Beau picks me up and spins me away, and I get cold when I spot the Raines walking up the beach towards us.
Nat presses up against me so we’re standing shoulder to shoulder.
“What’s going on?”
“There’s some kind of show,” I grumble.
Nat laughs. “Ooh, this will be fun.”
Kelly veers off and comes towards me while Gael hesitates a moment before steeling his shoulders and approaching Shale.
I follow his movements, my eyes growing wider as Shale pulls him into an embrace and kisses the other alpha.
It’s not just a kiss.
It’s a whole freaking kiss.
It’s the kind of lip lock that gets other people horny and wishing they knew someone who could kiss them like that.
It’s the kind of kiss that has me jealous of both of them and suddenly wet between my thighs.
“Oh, my gawd, I need to go and get my dildo!”
“Nat!”
“Fuck, that’s hot!”
I can’t argue with that. I want to, but I can’t.
I turn my head away with effort, only to find Kelly right there in front of me. Blue-green eyes regard me. The Raines' eyes. I’ve dreamed of them for so many years. I could never paint the exact shade before.
I think maybe I could now.
“We’re done here now. We can go to the next stop.”
“Which is where?”
Kelly opens his mouth to answer but stops, going alert. His eyes get hard. A half second later, all the alphas have returned to me, growling, their eyes scanning for threats.
I have to say it’s both chilling and highly arousing the way they all move with such deadly grace to protect me.
“What is it?”
“I thought I saw someone who shouldn’t be here,” Kelly whispers. “I’ll be back.”
He races off, but, to my surprise, Beau races after him. I don’t like this. I don’t want these alphas, and now I have to put up with them.
Kissing my alpha like they belong to him.
“Why are you growling?” Shale pats my head. “It’s cute as hell, but I think you are growling for all the wrong reasons.”
“You are mine.”
His eyes widen and narrow. “I am, yes.”
“Don’t kiss the enemy or I’m going to kick you in the balls.”
Shale bursts out laughing. “Got it. No kissing them until you feel more comfortable.”
I shake my head, disgusted with the conversation.
Nat kisses my cheek and races off, showing her hand up in a careless wave as she throws herself around a guy in a white shirt and slacks. He catches her, and the two start passionately making out right there on the beach.
I thought she was supposed to go with us to lunch? I shouldn’t be jealous of my friend trying to find love when I have three amazing alphas here.
And three not so amazing ones.
Gael stops in front of me, his lips are puffy, and I feel like throat punching him.
“What?” I say when he doesn’t speak.
“Is there anything you want to do or see on this island before we leave?”
I hesitate because it’s actually really nice, and there is something I want to see, but I can’t get there.
“What is it?” he asks gently.
I want to be angry with him. I want to spit at him and curse him. But I can’t. He’s being so nice, and he has a way of disarming you completely.
“There’s a view, but it’s hard to reach-”
“You wanted to go somewhere, and you didn’t tell me?” Shale growls and takes my hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“To plan how to get you to the view.”
“It doesn’t matter. It was a stupid idea!” I limp as quickly as I can but end up falling behind. Shale slows to my pace instantly with a regretful look.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I murmur self-consciously.
Gael clears his throat and indicates across the road where Kelly and Beau stand together. Keagan and Ezy are behind us. I can feel them with just how sensitive my body seems to be around them. I think I could close my eyes and pick them out easily.
There would be no issues. They are my north, and I am the needle pointing the way. I can’t look away from them.
But I’m so mad.
And worse than mad, I don’t trust them anymore. Trust is something that is earned, but, with me, once lost is hard to regain.
How do I tell them I don’t think they can win it back?
I don’t want them to even try. I just want them gone.
But they have bonds.
Gael glances sideways at me, and I clench my fist around my walking stick so I don’t go and slap him. Because I really, really don’t want to have to forgive them.
But I don’t think I’m going to have a choice.