Chapter Thirteen
T he weeks rolled by seamlessly. Weeks of living with complete strangers. But strangers that would move heaven and earth for me if I asked them. There was something about them, something enticing, intoxicating. I needed them as much as they needed me. We’d spent the days reading, cooking, and trying to will the pain to ease in my leg. By week three dancing properly was bearable and time to try out my new pointe shoes.
I awoke, stretching amongst my scatter cushions and luxurious throw blankets. After getting ready, I headed to the dance studio, but was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Zach bounding into the dance studio. His tousled black hair and striking gray eyes were filled with mischief, and he moved with an easy swagger that matched his playful personality. He was wearing casual, stylish clothing that emphasized his laid-back nature while still marking him as an alpha of status.
"Morning, princess," he said, his voice witty and informal. He struck a dramatic pose, one hand on his hip, the other extended gracefully. "Ready to be dazzled by my dance moves?"
I bit back a smile, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm not sure 'dazzled' is the word I'd use," I said.
Zach laughed, a sound that was infectious and full of life. "Oh, come on, Summer. You know you want to see this," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I sighed, shaking my head, but I couldn't help the small smile that rippled over my lips. "Fine," I said, capitulating. "Show me what you've got."
Zach grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He launched into a series of exaggerated dance moves. He spun and twirled, his movements more street dance than any ballet I had ever seen. I fought back laughter, my cheeks aching with the effort.
"Alright, alright," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. "You win. That was... something."
Zach bowed, a smug smile on his face. "Thank you, thank you," he said, his voice full of mock seriousness. "I'm here all week."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled up from within me. Zach had a way of making everything seem lighter, more fun, and I found myself drawn to his playful energy despite myself.
"Alright, hotshot," I said, my voice taking on a teasing tone. "Think you can handle a real ballet position?"
Zach's eyes lit up with the challenge, and he nodded, smirking. "Bring it on," he said, his voice confident.
I led him through a simple ballet position, demonstrating the proper form and alignment. Zach watched, his eyes never leaving mine, and then he mimicked my movements, his body moving with a clumsiness that had me laughing despite my attempts to remain composed.
"Like this?" he asked, his voice full of mock seriousness as he struck a pose that was more comical than graceful.
I shook my head, my laughter bubbling over. "Not quite," I said, my voice breathless with amusement. "Here, let me show you again."
I demonstrated the position again, my body moving with the familiar rhythm of the dance, and Zach mimicked me, his movements more controlled this time, but still with that touch of playful clumsiness that made me laugh.
"Better?" he asked, his voice hopeful.
I nodded, a smile still playing on my lips. "Much better," I said, my voice soft.
But as I looked at him, at his twinkling gray eyes and playful smile, I felt myself falling in too deep. My heart raced, threatening to burst out of my chest, my hands grew clammy. I needed to retreat, to protect myself. Wrapping my arms around myself, my body tensed as I tried to shield myself from the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm me.
But even as I tried to retreat, I couldn't ignore the pull I felt towards Zach, toward all the alphas. I could feel the heat radiating off them, a nervous energy that sparked an uncontrollable physical response. I felt a heightened awareness, a quickening of my breath, an instinctive urge to move closer to them.
His gaze met mine, and a nervous flutter ignited in my stomach, a blush creeping up my neck as warmth spread through me. I wanted to reach out, to touch him, to feel the connection that I knew was there. But I couldn't, I wouldn't let myself. I had to maintain the careful boundaries that I had built up around my heart.
So, I took a step back, my body tense, my eyes guarded. "I should get back to my practice," I said, my voice polite but distant.
Zach's smile faded, and he nodded, his eyes understanding. "Of course," he said, his voice soft. "I'll leave you to it."
He turned and left the room, and I watched him go, my heart aching with a longing that I couldn't deny. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure, trying to push down the emotions that were threatening to consume me. But even as I tried to focus on my dance, I couldn't ignore the pull. Their presence was a constant reminder of the connection that I craved, but feared, and I didn't know how much longer I could resist the urge to give in, to let myself fall.
I TOOK A brEAK FROM my dance practice, my body dripping with sweat, my breaths coming in quick gasps, and I headed toward the kitchen, my mind still focused on the rhythm of the dance, the emotion of the movements. But as I approached the living room, I heard voices, and I paused, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened.
Blake's deep voice carried from the living room, his tone serious and intense. "We need to be careful with her," he was saying. "She's been through so much, and she's still so guarded. We can't rush this."
I felt a surge of emotion, a mix of gratitude and fear. Gratitude that Blake understood, that he was being careful with me, and fear that I was already in too deep, that I was already too attached to these men.
Anders' voice was next, his tone thoughtful and measured. "I agree," he said. "She's been opening up to me, little by little, but she's still so fragile. We need to give her time, give her space to come to us on her own terms."
I felt a lump form in my throat, and I leant against the wall, my body tense as I listened. They were talking about me, about their growing bond with me, and I didn't know how to feel, didn't know how to process the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm me.
Zach's voice was lighter, more playful, but no less serious. "I think we need to bite her," he said. "Show her that we're serious, that we're in this for the long haul."
My jaw dropped. They wanted to mark me? Bite me and seal the deal. A vise-like grip tightened around my chest, making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t, wouldn’t, let them do this. I wasn’t ready. And what would happen if Kage appeared with his psycho pack? What happens to them then?
Blake's voice was firm, decisive. "We need to protect her," he said. "No matter what, we need to keep her safe. She's ours, and we can't let anything happen to her."
A surge of panic rose within me, a desperate need to run, to hide, to protect myself. Memories of my parents' fate flashed through my mind. I couldn’t let that happen to them! I backed away silently, my heart pounding in my chest, my hands shaking, sweat breaking out across my skin.
Rushing to the dance studio, I locked the door behind me, my breaths coming in quick, erratic gasps. Pacing back and forth, my mind raced. What should I do? They’re serious. After all this time, a pack, a decent pack, wanted me for who I am. We’re scent matched. The perfect pack.
I wiped my clammy hands on my pants and pressed my back against the door, my body trembling. Tears began streaming down my face, the salty taste cushioning my lips. I didn't know what to do, didn't know how to protect myself, didn't know how to give in to the pull I felt toward them.
Swallowing back the tears, I wiped my eyes. They were in danger around me. I... I needed to leave... set them free. If anything happened to them because of me and my past, I’d never forgive myself.
I heard footsteps approaching and a gentle knock on the door. Blake called out my name. "Summer? Are you in there? Are you okay?"
My lips clamped shut, trembling with the effort to stay quiet. A sob clawed at my throat, hot and insistent. Don’t cry again. Not now. My mind stuttered, blank where words should be. What was I supposed to say? I couldn’t even think . Everything inside me felt too loud, too much... like I might burst open if I moved or breathed the wrong way.
Anders' voice was next, his tone soothing. "Summer, please talk to us. We're worried about you. We just want to make sure you're okay."
I felt a surge of longing, a desperate need to open the door, to let them in, to let them comfort me. But I couldn't, I wouldn't let myself. I had to protect myself, had to maintain the careful boundaries that I had built up around my heart.
Zach's voice was playful, teasing, but I could hear the undercurrent of concern. "Come on, princess. Don't make us break down the door. You know we will if we have to."
I felt a small smile tug at the corners of my mouth, even as the tears continued to stream down my face. I knew they would, knew they would do anything to protect me, to keep me safe. And I didn't know how to feel about that, didn't know how to process the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm me.
My emotions were raw and intense, my body reacting to the alphas' presence. I felt a heightened awareness, a quickening of my breath, an instinctive urge to move closer to them. I wanted to reach out, to touch them, to feel the connection that I knew was there, just beneath the surface. But I couldn't, I wouldn't let myself. Not today. Not ever.