Chapter 18 #2
“I am so glad you are finally here.” She tugged my hand towards the massive bronze doors that led into a marble hallway.
Holy crap. Jordan’s entire house was made of chandeliers and expensive furniture, everything in pale creams and golds.
Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming. I felt like I couldn’t touch anything.
But it somehow seemed to suit her just fine, her bright crimson hair contrasting it as she began to talk aimlessly, my ears catching what she was saying despite my lack of attention.
“I’ve literally been trying on different clothes because I’ve been that bored.” She groaned. “Father said that until you guys got here I couldn’t come down. I don’t get why, but I wasn’t about to argue with him.”
I smiled at her hyper attitude and realized that she seemed very energetic today. Her lean form was dressed in dark jeans and a half top that seemed a bit vintage and worn, but fit against her frame showing off how fit she was. I had to admit I was a bit jealous…
We pushed through the back doors, tall and filled with glass, my eyes immediately going to where my mates stood.
I’d been right by the way, about the other properties.
The entire massive green estate went all the way back, as far as I could see into the forest, filled with smaller versions of the large house we just left.
In the back of the main house, there were spots for what appeared to be small bonfires and a large structure like stage.
Off to the side, however, was a dark roofed veranda with four dark cages that seemed to be a bit older than everything else.
I could see my father passed out against the back of it and Lorn laid out on the floor, looking like he still hadn’t woken up from last night. Frankly, it served them both right.
“Who is that?” Jordan froze, pulling back sharply as I stumbled slightly. I winced at how tight her grip went on my hand, my eyes following her gaze.
Next to Croy, who looked very handsome this morning if I do say so, was a man I’d never seen before.
I inhaled slightly, smelling an odd exotic, almost perfumed scent coming from him.
His dark eyes hooded, lazily examining the space.
His dark curly hair matched the clothing he wore, which was dark with dark leather like boots.
I had to admit he was handsome. Not as handsome as my mates but nice to look at for sure. If I had to guess, he was nearly 6’4 and very muscular, Jordan clearly very confused on what she was seeing compared to me. I mean the woman was literally frozen next to me, her body trembling slightly.
“Jordan?” I asked quietly, feeling my other men come out onto the stone patio behind us.
Before I could ask their opinion on what was going on, the wind blew and all heads, including my mates, snapped towards us.
I knew why they had looked over here but I watched as the new man snapped his gaze directly towards Jordan.
I saw surprise flit over his expression as he froze.
If I had to guess, the man was no doubt in his mid-twenties.
Yet any confident look that had been there before was gone upon seeing my friend.
What the heck was going on between them?
I was missing something wasn’t I? I opened my mouth to say something but Henry’s voice echoed throughout the space.
“Um, Maya,” Henry stated softly, his voice tinged with concern, “come here, honey.”
I was so not understanding what was going on right now.
I examined Jordan as she made a frustrated small whine that made me worried about her.
Someone rumbled behind us but I didn’t look back, stuck on why her expression seemed somewhat familiar…
oh. I understood now. I snapped my head towards the group, finding the mysterious man far closer than before.
I felt my eyebrows going up, recognizing the same type of energy that I felt between my mates and I. That energetic almost cautious vibration that still made me feel hyper when I was surrounded by all of them. Which of course meant… They were mates? Holy crap.
Sai gently took my hand from Jordan’s without touching her, the mysterious man watching his hands and growling until Sai tugged me back. I frowned and spoke quietly, “Are they--”
“I would say so,” he mumbled softly, sounding humored. I turned into his chest, relaxing fully as he began to gently massage my scalp with his large warm hands.
“Hi,” Jordan finally whispered, her voice and body shaky, eyes darkening. I had a feeling she wanted to launch herself forward but for whatever reason she didn’t move, despite him growing closer to her. He moved cautiously as if he was worried he would scare her away.
The mysterious man stepped up so that he was looking down at her, a large hand cupping her jaw. “Hello, little love.” His voice was a thick accent that I think was British, although I wasn’t 100% positive. Jordan’s eyebrows went up as her face turned bright pink and her mouth popped open.
“Who the heck are you?” She mumbled, her voice quieter than I’d ever heard it.
“Marcellus.” He offered, his thumb running across her cheekbone.
“Croy?” I finally asked. “Who is this?” What? She was my friend and if that was her mate, I very much wanted to know.
“Marcellus.” Croy approached me and tugged me gently from Sai, despite his frustrated noise. “My associate from Los Angeles. We met a bit ago.”
Marcellus scoffed, “If two hundred years is ‘a bit ago’. Little love, what’s your name?”
“Jordan,” my friend said softly.
“Stunning name,” Marcellus noted and I found myself smiling because they were so cute together.
“No!” A loud voice echoed as I watched Jordan’s father approach through the back doors. “Absolutely fucking not.”
I felt my eyebrows arch up, Jordan turned looking upset. “Dad, stop it.”
“No.” Her father growled, walking up to press a hand to his daughter's upper back. “We aren’t doing this. You just turned eighteen and I have no idea who this asshole is. He sure as hell isn’t a wolf from our pack.
Plus, no offense Marco, but anyone who hangs with your crowd doesn’t have a reputation of being fucking safe. ”
Marco chuckled softly and I looked over at him, blushing when his hot gaze trailed over me. I shivered trying to not get caught up on him right now. I didn’t want to miss any of this situation.
“Sir,” Marcellus stepped up, pulling Jordan against his chest while keeping his gaze on her father, “I understand your concern--”
“No.” Her father growled. I swear my eyes were bouncing back and forth between the two of them as Jordan watched with a bit of equal interest.
Then Marcellus let out his own low growl, the air changing as I felt Croy shake his head looking frustrated with all of this. If I had to guess, he felt like it was a distraction. I knew Atlas felt similar, his eyes tracking the situation with lazy entertainment.
Jordan’s mate narrowed his eyes as power charged the area.
I couldn’t tell you what type of shifter he was but the power streaking through the space was like dark electricity.
I knew he was a shifter of some type for sure though, it had a distinct smell to it that I was starting to recognize with the help of my magic.
Whatever it was, or he was, it changed the dynamic of the space.
“I understand what you're saying, but we need to talk about this. Specifically Jordan and I need to talk, no doubt my brothers will be along shortly if they feel the bond and unless you want to wait…” He let that linger. Brothers? Jordan’s eyes went wide.
Does she have multiple mates as well? Croy chuckled and I realized I’d spoken out loud.
Marcellus continued, “I don’t want to pull rank on your own fucking pack lands.”
After a pregnant pause, her father turned on his heel toward the house and Jordan smiled following after. Marcellus offered Croy and the others a look I didn’t understand before following. I sighed and looked back towards the others.
“Well, that’s a bit exciting!” I chirped. “Does she have multiple mates? Can we do double dates? That's a thing right?”
Croy chuckled as Sai offered a big smile, “God, Maya. I love you, kitten.”
I blushed as the others started talking. Did he really?
Jordan
And here I had thought today would have been boring.
I mean most times, Maya made my life more interesting than it was.
For example, landing a fairly light but impactful hit to that one bitch's face this week? A lot of fun. But that was about it. Usually my weeks were boring and now that Maya wouldn’t be in school?
I didn’t even want to consider how long this year would be.
I shook my head wondering what exactly was going on outside and frustrated that my father wouldn’t let me join them. I couldn’t even see them fully because they were under the pavilion. I felt like it was important to be out there though.
“Jordan?” My housekeeper called, “Your friend is arriving.”
I turned from where I was standing in front of the hallway mirror, the opulent surroundings of my house a pale cream and gold.
My housekeeper, Nina, offered a soft smile and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.
Honestly, after losing my mother she was the closest thing I had to a mother and she wasn’t even a shifter.