Surrender
Jayce
The crack of an ice-cold beer can splits the silence, followed by the soft hiss of escaping gas. Ares takes a big gulp before pinning me with a look that is part judgment and part boredom. “Well, that’s fucking stupid.”
I narrow my eyes at him as Renji stifles a snicker, and Carter smirks, nodding his agreement.
But they aren’t wrong. I know that, too.
“It’s complicated.”
“So, take it slow; I mean, you’re already doing the deed, ya know?” Renji says as he drinks his own can of beer.
My eyes fall on the case; instead of one can left, there are two tonight. It’s hard when one of us is missing. And it’s even more noticeable when we’re together.
Theo, you fucking asshole, where are you?
“How much slower should they take it?” Carter remarks. “I mean, they’re fucking, so what’s the big deal about getting together when you love her?”
“Like I fucking said, I’m fucking stubborn. I know why I’m trying to push her away-”
“And failing,” Ares adds.
I glare at them before sighing. “I can’t resist her. I can’t fucking deny that she’s the only one I fucking want. I can’t keep fighting a losing battle. I fucking know that, alright, I just don’t know how or where to start.”
They exchange looks, and the silence that would usually be filled by Theo hangs for a moment before Carter scoffs.
“Simple. By repeating those exact words to her. I’m sure she’ll be happy to lead the way without putting a name or date on anything. Just go with what feels right.”
“I’m not about to fucking admit that, like that; it’s fucking lame.”
“Which means you’re being fucking lame,” Ares points out.
I rake my fingers through my hair. Maybe I fucking am?
I mean, I am. I know I am. I let her go down on me, and I fucking enjoyed it and would do it all over again.
A moment of weakness, but it’s undeniable that I keep on fucking up.
She knows it, and I know it, too. But when I said we were nothing to one another, then that was where I should have kept it.
But instead I let her give me one fucking amazing blow job. I’m not going to use her for sex, but I’m not able to resist her. That’s a reality that the most delusional man can’t deny.
“You’re struggling with how to let her in again, fearing the worst, right?” Carter remarks.
“Pretty much,” I mutter, admitting it.
He nods, and we fall silent. I lean back, looking out across the empty training field.
It’s a few days later, and we’re all at the Night Walkers Pack; we arrived earlier this evening.
Those at the Academy were given permission to visit, too, and it is good to be reunited with my brothers. Well, most of them anyway.
Katara’s been ignoring me as well, even when I tried to talk to her.
She saw the others today and greeted them happily enough, but I’ve been getting the cold shoulder from her.
The girls have also been on the receiving end of her anger.
Sienna and Alessandra tried to talk to her as well, but she refused to listen.
Kataleya and her family flew here with Uncle Alejandro and Aunty Kiara this morning. The twins are cute; they look similar but are different. Leandro’s hair and eyes are lighter than his brother’s.
I’ve been avoiding being alone with Sienna, and even then, there are moments when I just want to go over to her and pull her close.
Regardless of the fact that I want to protect her from what it means to be the mate of the Deimos King, knowing the risks that come with it, and the fear and doubts I have, I’ve failed in my attempt to keep her at arm’s length.
The realisation hit me after I killed the primordial, and it’s still fresh in my mind with a clarity I can’t fucking deny.
“Tomorrow then.”
They look at me, surprised.
“What?” Renji asks, his eyes widening. “You mean, tomorrow you’re going to ask her to be your Luna?”
I frown. “No. Tomorrow I put an end to this game of push and pull.”
“Same thing,” Carter adds dismissively.
“I’m not going to label it; I’m just going to let everything fall into place by itself. Even the gods know I can’t refuse her.” I sigh heavily yet again, but my decision has lifted a weight from my shoulders.
“Finally! As Theo would say, it’s time to make a Rossi a Westwood.” Renji grins.
I give him a pointed frown. “Like I said, don’t fucking jump to that shit.”
“We all know it’s going to happen; the question was just when. You’re Zeus’ chosen; your bond was going to be powerful regardless,” Ares says.
“And you dickheads need to get a move on it, too; find your mates, man,” I reply, finishing off my beer.
“Enjoying the single life,” Ares says with a cocky smirk. “When I find a woman who is able to tame me, I’ll let you fucking know.”
“She’ll enter your life without you even fucking realising. Trust me,” I say, pointing at him before glancing at the other two. “And you both, too.”
“Taken,” Renji says with a smile. “And we’ll see what the Blood Moon says about it.”
Carter shakes his head. “I don’t have time for dating.”
“Or someone’s on his mind,” Renji hums slyly.
I smirk as Carter gives him a death glare.
“I still can’t believe you killed someone who held the power of a primordial,” Ares remarks lazily.
“What happened to the informant?” Carter asks.
“Well, Ahren ended up dropping him at the Sangue Pack. At the time, Leo didn’t question it, as Ahren had simply asked him to deliver him safely to Alaska. But I heard Leo’s talked to him since, not that he had anything more to share,” I explain. I had already filled them in on what went down.
“Still pissed that you didn’t fucking tell us,” Ares says and Renji nods.
“You were at the Academy, and it was easier for Ahren to get the girls,” I reason.
Ares scoffs. I know he hates secrets, but we couldn’t risk it.
The energy around Mom’s death was that of a primordial. I look between the three of them, and Theo’s words that one of our brothers might be a traitor hit again.
I just can’t bring myself to believe that…
“Right, well, I’ll see you all tomorrow,” I say, pushing the thought away and standing up. I grab one of the unopened cans and begin walking towards the mansion.
“Night,” Carter says.
I walk through the brightly lit paths of the Night Walkers Pack. It is the one pack that has lights at night, mainly for Aunty Kiara.
When I reach the mansion garden, I pause, looking up at the window of the room I know the girls are staying in and shove one hand into my pocket.
Tomorrow evening, then.
Heading inside, I silently cross the hallway and climb the stairs three at a time.
I can hear chatter coming from the elders in the lounge.
Grandad and Grandma are here; Dad’s arriving in the morning.
Raihana’s arrived already, but Rayhan, Leo and their families are also arriving tomorrow.
It’s going to be a fucking full house then.
I walk to the room I’m sharing with Carter and shut the door behind me.
Not bothering to switch the light on, I walk over to the floor-to-ceiling window and look out at the moon.
Theo, man, get the fuck back here.
Opening the window, I place the beer can on the windowsill.
“You’re missing out on our catch-ups,” I say to the empty room. “Cheers.”
Turning around, I decide to go take a shower before I turn in for the night. I stop at the door and look at the open window, the moonlight hitting the silver of the can.
He isn’t here; I fucking know that.
Twenty minutes later, I return to the room, and I look at the can that remains untouched as I sit on the bed and sigh. I’m not sure what I was expecting. Scoffing, I shake my head and lie down in bed.
“Fucking wanker,” I mutter.
I close my eyes, putting my arms under my head, only for a certain redhead to enter my mind. Even as I avoid her, she always makes her way into my thoughts, awakening a desire that gets me fucking hard.
I’m fucking screwed, and I’m tired, tired of fighting a losing battle.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m ready to surrender to it.
The next day has been fucking insane. If yesterday was hectic, today is even worse.
Leo and his entire army, plus his dad and his family, all arrived in the afternoon.
Uncle Damon’s family arrived just in time for the evening party.
Artemis and Asher arrived earlier, along with Charlotte, Royce’s sister.
Skyla and Royce arrived this morning, and his mom is here as well.
Music’s been pumping out for the last hour as well. I’ve been delaying. Sure, I said to my brothers that tonight was the night that I’ll stop avoiding her, but it’s easier said than done.
I’ve donned a pair of denim jeans and a white shirt, leaving a few buttons open and rolling my sleeves up. I brush my hair back, styling it with a bit of gel, finishing off with a bit of cologne.
All done.
Carter looks at me from where he’s putting his shoes on and smirks.
“I can tell when someone puts in a bit of effort. Trying to impress someone?”
“No.” I frown.
He smirks. “Really? I thought you were going to-”
“I don’t need to impress her. Tonight is a party; look at you! You even decided on fucking suit pants.”
He cocks a brow. “Someone’s temper is running short tonight. Well then, I’ll see you down there.” He laughs as he leaves.
I grab my phone, about to follow him out when my attention falls on the unopened can of beer. I pick it up and shut the window.
It would have been great if he were here; Mom couldn’t be here, but he could…
I exit the room and make my way downstairs before heading out into the back garden, where the party is already in full swing, music and laughter carrying through the warm night air the moment I step outside.
Lights are strung across the entire grounds, woven through trees and draped overhead in glowing strands that cast everything in soft gold, illuminating the garden beautifully. The moon shines vividly through the cloudless sky.
Towards the far end of the garden, a large marquee has been set up, with elegant blue fabric covering rows of round tables, which are surrounded by chairs. The area is half full with guests eating, drinking, and talking over one another.
To the left, several sofa seating areas have been arranged in smaller clusters around low tables and lanterns, creating more intimate spaces away from the music, although from the loud bursts of laughter and the crowd gathered around one particular section, I’m sure Kataleya is there with the twins.
To the right, an enormous buffet stretches across several long tables covered in silver platters and trays of food, the scent of grilled meat, spices, and fresh pastries lingering in the air, while further back an entire dessert display has been arranged beneath the glowing lights, layered with cakes, chocolates, fruit towers, and enough sugary treats to make all the pups go crazy, if it hasn’t already.
Directly ahead, a large dance floor has been set up across the centre of the garden, the DJ already blasting out music at a decent volume, probably mindful of all the kids around.
“Sienna!”
I turn at the sound of Kaden’s laughter as he races across the dance floor, weaving through groups of people, and I follow him, my eyes going straight to her.
Sienna.
Everything fades into the background: the music, the conversations, and the movement around me.
None of it matters, and all I see is her.
Dark red curls spill down her back, catching the golden glow of the lights hanging above, and the cream satin dress she’s wearing clings to every inch of her body like it was designed just to torment me.
The fabric skims over her curves perfectly before falling against her thighs, the slit along one leg revealing the smooth skin of her thigh every time she moves.
She turns slightly at the sound of Kaden calling for her, smiling down at him with lips that are red as sin, and my throat tightens as desire crashes through me so suddenly it almost knocks the breath from my lungs.
The dress is completely backless, and when she brushes her hair back, my attention falls on her boob that peeks out confidently from the side of her dress. One thing is fucking clear: she’s not wearing anything beneath it.
Fuck.
The lights shimmer against her skin, making her look almost unreal, and when she straightens fully, I admire her; she looks ravishing, a few pieces of gold jewellery glimmering against her skin.
Those crimson eyes are brighter beneath the lights as she laughs softly at something Kaden says. She has her glamour on, although she stuck with her red eyes this time. I am glad she has it on, because if she didn’t, I would have been ruined.
Beautiful doesn’t even come close to describing how she looks.
Because standing there, glowing beneath the night sky, a gentle smile on her face, looking like temptation, sin and everything I’ve spent months trying not to want, she looks absolutely fucking devastating.
And I’m not the only one who’s noticed because a man strides over to her.
My mood darkens as irritation rips through me, and recognition settles in.
Seth.
What the fuck is he doing here?