Chapter 2
Rissa
I shifted in my chair outside the pack house, smoothing out the folds of my sundress. Moving to Stock Creek was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Even if it meant living with Gavin while I got my shit together. My brother was over the moon about having me home.
Home. I wasn’t sure I had a place I could truly call home.
I’d spent my life bouncing between my dad’s house here in Stock Creek and my mom’s place in the Knoxville Pack.
While Knoxville was great, I never felt like I belonged.
When Mom decided to move to Florida a few months ago, I didn’t want to be further away from Dad and Gavin.
Glancing up, my gaze caught Nathan’s across the yard. Quickly, I looked away. Damn it. I’ve tried so hard not to look at the handsome alpha. Tried not to notice every hard lean muscle. His dark beard only added to his appeal. All kinds of sexy mountain man fantasies played in my mind.
Stop! I didn’t need a man, nor did I want a mate. Nathan deserved someone who could give him children. That person was not me.
A pack member stepped into my view. Lifting my gaze, I met her amber depths. She beamed at me. "Hey there. I'm Krystal, Nathan's niece." She took a sip of her beer. "My dad was Nathan's brother, Quin, but he passed away a few years back."
"I'm so sorry for your loss," I said softly. Nothing sucked more than losing a parent. While I knew loss, I hadn’t lost a parent.
Krystal waved her hand. "Thanks. Feels weird being back, doesn't it?"
I laughed lightly. "A little. It's been a long time."
"I moved back after years away, too. But a few months in, it's like I never left. I love this pack." Krystal gestured to some women nearby. "Come on, I'll introduce you."
We approached a small group. Krystal put her arm around a beautiful, tall brunette. "This is my bestie, Octavia."
"Nice to meet you. You can call me Tavi." Tavi shook my hand warmly.
A young blonde woman stepped up beside Tavi. "I'm Jenna. I work at the grocery store in town. You should come by and see me."
"I will, thanks." I smiled. Two other women, Carly and Mia, introduced themselves before drifting off.
Krystal pointed to a beautiful girl with chestnut hair. "And that's Elle, Nathan's daughter."
Nathan’s daughter. So he was mated? No, that wasn’t right. Nathan had openly pursued me during the run. That was before he knew who I was. His best friend’s little sister. Since Gavin made the introductions, Nathan had avoided me.
Elle glanced over, meeting my stare. Her expression darkened. She gave me a curt nod before turning away. I frowned. What was that about?
Krystal rolled her eyes. "Don't mind her. Teenagers.” She laughed before continuing. “So tell me, how's it feel being back in Stock Creek?"
I took a deep breath, glancing around at the familiar woods and pack house. Being here stirred up so many memories and emotions. It felt right...but also uncertain somehow. My eyes landed on Nathan again, and my heart skipped. I quickly looked back at Krystal.
“It feels good to be close to Gavin and Dad.” I took a sip of my drink, gathering my thoughts. "When I was three, my parents separated. They aren’t fated mates, but they were in love at one point. Anyway, Mom took me to live in Knoxville. We didn't see the pack much. Gavin stayed with Dad."
Krystal nodded sympathetically. "That must have been tough, being away from your brother and the pack."
"I was three at the time," I admitted. "But Mom needed a fresh start. And now she's moved to Florida, so it felt like the right time for me to come back. Be with Dad and Gavin again; rejoin the pack."
Tavi grinned. "We're just excited to have you back. Gavin's been bragging about his baby sister forever."
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "He'll see me as a baby until I'm 90, I swear."
The others chuckled, nodding in agreement. Jenna leaned in, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "So, tell us everything. What was life like away from Stock Creek? I've never even left."
I paused, choosing my words carefully. "Busy, mostly. College, then work. But I always missed home, missed the mountains and the pack." I didn't mention the heartbreak, the loss, and the betrayal that had also marked me. Some things were better left unsaid.
Krystal raised an eyebrow. "Any serious relationships?"
My stomach clenched at the question, but I forced a smile. "Nah, nothing worth mentioning. Just focused on my career, you know?"
It wasn't the whole truth, but it was all I could manage. The wounds were still too fresh, the memories too painful. I took another sip of my drink, hoping to wash away the bitter taste of the past.
“What do you do for work?” Krystal asked.
Glad for the change of subject, I said, "I'm actually starting a job at the elementary school here. Teaching pre-k."
Tavi's eyes widened. "No way! That's awesome. Those kids are lucky to have you."
I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest at the thought of meeting my new students. "I'm excited. It feels good to be doing something meaningful, you know?"
Krystal clinked her glass against mine. "To new beginnings," she said with a wink.
"To new beginnings," I echoed, taking a long sip. But even as the words left my mouth, I couldn't shake the feeling that my past wasn't quite done with me yet. And as I caught Nathan's eye across the yard once more, a shiver ran down my spine.
Laughter erupted nearby as children chased each other, their tiny feet kicking up dust. I watched them, a dull ache settling in my chest. Don't think about it. Don't go there.
My gaze strayed—again—toward Nathan. He stood by the firepit, talking with a few pack members, his stance authoritative but relaxed. The way his fingers brushed through his salt-and-pepper hair made something tighten in my stomach. I forced myself to look away, refocusing on the conversation.
"Stock Creek's changed very little," Krystal said. "But some things never do. Like our favorite grumpy alpha."
Tavi smirked knowingly. "You keep looking over at him."
I stiffened. "I do not."
Krystal exchanged a look with Tavi. "Right. And I don't enjoy spending my weekends binge-watching reality TV."
I crossed my arms, defensive. "I haven't seen him in years. I barely, and I mean barely, remember him, though Gavin has always talked about him. He's just not what I expected somehow."
Krystal raised a brow. "How so?"
I waved a hand, dismissive. "Nothing. Just… different. Older. Alpha-y."
Krystal laughed. "Alpha-y? Wow. What a description."
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "It's just odd seeing him in this role. That's all." It was a lie. A complete lie. Because the warmth in my chest when I looked at him wasn't just nostalgia—it was something else.
A little boy about nine-years-old ran past, giggling, nearly colliding with me. I steadied him with a smile. "Careful, bud."
Krystal laughed and said, "This one is mine." She introduced her son, Bryce, to me.
I knelt down to his level, grinning. "Nice to meet you, Bryce. I'm Rissa."
He smiled shyly, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "Hi." Then he ran off to catch up with his friends.
As I straightened, the back of my neck tingled with the feeling of Nathan's gaze on me. It was like a physical weight pressing against my skin. I risked a glance in his direction, and our eyes met. Something electric passed between us, a current of energy that made my breath catch.
I looked away quickly. An ache formed deep in my core. Get it together, Rissa. He's just your brother's friend. Your alpha. Nothing more.
A few minutes later, Nathan's deep voice carried over from the other side of the yard. "Alright, everyone, let's bring it in."
The alpha commanded attention effortlessly, and I was no exception. I watched him as he spoke to the pack, his posture confident, voice strong yet warm. Why did he have to look so damn good?
I barely registered Krystal's teasing voice beside me. "You're staring again."
Heat flooded my face as I tore my gaze away. "I am not. I'm just giving my attention to my pack alpha."
Nathan's laughter rumbled as he invited everyone to stay and eat, to enjoy themselves as long as they'd like.
The sound hit me like a memory—him laughing at something Gavin said when we were kids.
It was fuzzy, but I could vaguely recall being perched on Nathan's shoulders at a festival.
He'd been a teenager then, already serious but kind. I had trusted him implicitly.
So why did he feel like a stranger now?
As if sensing my thoughts, Nathan glanced toward me, just for a second. Our eyes met, and my breath caught. I expected him to look away, but he didn't. There was something unreadable in his expression—like he was seeing me for the first time, too.
I broke the connection, pretending to adjust my dress. This was ridiculous. It was just because he was Gavin's best friend. That's all. But even as I tried to convince myself, I knew it was a lie.
There was something else there, an undercurrent I couldn't quite define. A pull I couldn't ignore, no matter how much I wanted to. And judging by the way Nathan's gaze kept finding mine across the crowded yard, he felt it, too.
I swallowed hard, my fingers twisting in the fabric of my dress. I had come back to Stock Creek for a fresh start, not to get tangled up with my brother's best friend. Especially not when that friend also happened to be my alpha.
Krystal nudged me, a knowing smirk on her face. "You sure you don't want to stare at him a little longer?"
I huffed, reaching for my drink. "Oh, shut up." I took a long sip as if that would wash away whatever had just passed between Nathan and me. It didn't.
Nathan turned back to his conversation, and I forced myself to do the same. It was nothing. Just childhood familiarity. That's all.
But deep down, I knew I was lying to myself. There was something more, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. And it scared the hell out of me.
I tried to focus on the chatter around me, nodding and laughing in all the right places. But my mind kept drifting back to Nathan, to the way his eyes had held mine across the yard.
Snippets of conversation floated over from where Gavin stood with a group of pack members. "...family dinner... Friday after next... sort of a welcome home party for Rissa..."
I moaned to myself. That was the last thing I needed, to be distracted by Nathan at a family dinner, especially when I was already struggling to keep my thoughts in check.
I downed the rest of my drink, the cool liquid doing little to quench the heat that had taken up residence in my chest. This was going to be a long night.
And an even longer week, if the way my heart raced every time I caught Nathan's eye was any indication. I was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble.