“Having fun, beautiful girl?” he asks his mate.
“I’d be having more if you were in here with me.”
Kay’s voice drops low. “That can be arranged.”
“I came out here to get away from the sounds of sex, not to get a front-row seat to it,” I state.
Kay grins. “We need to find you a mate, Ladon.”
“Tried looking. Found nothing.”
“Don’t give up. The right one is out there. I know it.”
“Blah blah blah.” Without another word, I leave the pool area and walk toward the tree line. I’m over being near anyone at the moment. Yes, there are shifters always on patrol in the woods, but they won’t bother me. Never do unless they make themselves known and want to have a conversation.
With my head down and my hands in the front pockets of my worn jeans, I soak in the peace that greets me. Maybe the quiet is what I need today. Or a vacation. Somewhere the pack isn’t. That won’t happen. The only way Merrick and my mom will let me go anywhere without one of the pack is if it’s to the Avynwood Pack House in North Carolina or one of the other extended families’ houses. That’s what we are to the other pack. Part of their very large family.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text from my cousin.
Ari: What are you doing today?
Me: Oh, you know. Wandering around aimlessly searching for the meaning of life.
Ari: Excellent! Come watch Phoenix for me. Pretty please. I’m not above begging.
I think for a moment. It’s not a bad idea. Usually one of the pack watches her or one of the Verascue brothers or their mates. I’ve only been asked a handful of times and each one I’ve had fun. Phoenix is an adorable little girl. Plus, they live on Avynwood Pack property, so it’s completely safe.
Me: I’m in. Pick me up.
Ari: Thank you!
I shoot off a quick text to my mom, letting her know Ari needs me for a bit, and start making my way back to the house. Ari won’t know I’m in the woods. She’ll teleport to the entryway like she lives here.
By the time I’m back inside, Ariane is standing right where I thought she’d be, talking to my mom.
“Where are you and Rion off to?” Mom asks her.
“Ford invited us to dinner in Amalfi with his family. I love going there. It’s one of the most beautiful places. I don’t care if all they do is argue or Eloise constantly judges Ford’s and Sol’s life choices. The view out the windows is worth it.”
Mom smiles. “One day I’m going to have to get out there.”
“Let me know when and I’ll teleport you around. We can ask Robin and Davian if we can stay in one of their many homes.”
“The joys of being fae royalty.”
“I’d love to have some of their magical abilities.”
I step forward, making my presence known so they don’t talk for another thirty minutes.
“I knew you were there,” Ari says in my mind. “If I didn’t hear you coming, I wouldn’t be a very good shifter.”
I roll my eyes and don’t bother saying anything. I can’t speak telepathically like she can. She can also hear every one of my thoughts, thanks to the abilities the Verascues gave her.
Ari holds out her hand for mine. “Thanks for doing this, cousin.”
“Anytime. It gets me away from the extracurricular activities around here.”
“You love it!” Austin yells from somewhere upstairs. I can’t utter a word in this house without everyone hearing it.
“I really don’t!” I call back.
Ari chuckles, waves goodbye to my mom, and teleports us away. We land in her living room. I glance around until I find Phoenix on the couch, sitting next to someone I’ve never seen before. The moment their eyes lift to mine, it’s like time stands still.
2
Genevieve
Who’s this male and why’s he staring at me? Seriously, he’s looking at me like I have three heads. Maybe I didn't brush my hair before I left earlier. I can’t remember. I don’t put a lot of thought into how I look, so it’s a distinct possibility my hair is completely messed up. But I did get dressed in clean clothes, not the ones I slept in, and I put a bra on. I call that a win.
My family doesn’t expect me to be prim and proper, even for dinner at my aunt and uncle's house. Though I’m sure Eloise would love it. I’ve never been one to dress up and need expensive outfits. Not that I can’t afford them. My parents left everything they had to my brother Trent and me when they died. But then he died, too, and I’m the only one left with my family’s name—Bianciana—and their money, which I don’t want. I’d take them back any day over the money I inherited.
I can’t go there, though. No dark thoughts. Not at the moment when I have a very cute child next to me. One who makes me smile and remember what it’s like to have a world full of love and understanding. My parents gave me that. Trent, too. I will love them forever. They never judged me. Never tried to put me in any box. I was always uniquely myself.
It could be in the family genes. My Aunt Eloise never does what anyone asks of her and never has. She may be very put together, very on point all the time, but she is authentically herself.
Being twelve hundred years old has its perks. I’ve lived a long life. A happy life, for the most part. And now I have new family members. No, Ariane, Orion, and Phoenix aren’t part of ours by blood, but they are just as welcome as those who are. They have become a big part of our family. The entire Avynwood Pack falls under our protection but these three are the best wolf shifters.
Ari elbows the male she appeared with. It’s enough to jolt him out of his stupor. She eyes him curiously and cocks her head. I have no doubt she’s reading his mind. But what she finds she doesn’t reveal and I’m not in the mood to deep dive into anyone’s head. Sometimes it’s better being in the dark.
“This is my cousin Ladon,” Ari says. “He’s a human.”
“Was that necessary?” he asks in a hushed tone, although I can easily hear him.
“What? You are. It’s not a big deal.” She faces me again. “His mom is a wolf, Dad is human. I had to pick him up so he could watch Nix for us. I can’t wait for a night on the Italian coast. And, Ladon, this is Genevieve. She’s Ford’s and Sol’s cousin. Her mom was Eloise’s sister.”
Seven hundred years have passed since my parents’ death. The term was still hits me square in the chest. It’s not Ari’s fault. She said nothing wrong. Just a reminder I don’t have my parents or brother any longer.
The male’s mouth drops open, but he doesn’t say anything. I don’t look like my cousins. I inherited my dad’s light brown hair and hazel eyes. Luckily, the vampire in me means I don’t appear older than twenty-five.
Ladon, on the other hand, is so young. He doesn’t just look it. He’s a baby in our world. I wonder how old he is.
The four-year-old girl at my side nudges me and looks up with bright blue eyes and a smile. It took her a bit to warm up to me. But Ford brought me around enough that she eventually became my buddy. I love her to pieces. “You’re not staying with me, Auntie Gen?” she asks in the sweetest voice.