Alpha Jaxon POV
I'm about to leave the dining room when Sandra comes out, her face an expression of dismay. The other pack members have already eaten and left, whereas I have delayed, Callum and Cody relaxing at the table with me.
"Something the matter Sandra?" I drawled.
She looked upset. "Alpha Jaxon, I don't know how to put this" she began, eyeing me nervously.
"Spit it out," I said impatiently.
"It's the new girl, Riley. She um, she asked me if we had a lake, and when I told her where it was she went off looking for it. It was like she couldn't hear me calling her back."
The lake? I glanced at Callum and Cody who looked just as confused as I was. It was a cold night and she must be freezing. "She just took off?" I asked, wanting to confirm.
Maybe Sandra had it wrong.
But Sandra was nodding. "Yes, Alpha Jaxon. I tried to call her back" her voice broke "but she didn't even look back. It was strange, her behavior."
Damnit. Riley was proving to be a right pain in the ass. I gave a long groan and stood up. "I'll go and fetch her," I said and looked at Callum and Cody "you guys might as well come. I might need help bringing her back in."
Both of them nodded reluctantly. We headed out onto the grounds and headed north towards the lake. I knew the way but it had been a long time since I had gone there. I didn't have much interest in the lake. Nobody really did. Wolves didn't like water all that much.
I could hear splashing up ahead. She knew how to swim, which answered one of my questions. I was about to yell out when something made me pause. Cody and Callum remained still behind me. Our eyes widened. It was like I was watching something out of this world. She was otherworldly. There was no other way to describe it as she swam and dove into the lake.
Her complexion was almost shimmering under the moonlight. Her hair was a beautiful blue vibrant curtain that billowed behind her on the water. She was as graceful as a dancer as she moved easily, every movement designed to capture your attention. I swallowed hard and mind-linked my men behind me.
Go back to the pack house, I have this.
They knew better than to ask questions. I heard the soft sounds of their footsteps as they turned and walked away slowly. I kept my eyes forward, unable to move, unable to make a sound. She was so beautiful. It was impossible to take my eyes off of her. She was like a fish in the water, so comfortable and so at ease like she would live there if she could. I had never seen anything like it. She had a smile on her face that lit up her entire face. It was like she was at home in the water and now she was back where she belonged. Even her hair seemed like it had turned even brighter from being there, although that had to be my imagination.
I was being fanciful. She turned and dove again and I saw a birthmark on her shoulder, one that reminded me of a seashell. Small and brown, it was hard to see, let alone distinguish, hidden beneath her hair. I stepped closer, careful not to make a sound, not wanting to break the spell she was weaving right in front of me. I didn't want her to stop swimming and stop the dance she was performing.
How was she not tired? She wasn't slowing down. Any other person would have been exhausted by now. My chest tightened. I wasn't supposed to be feeling things for her. I wasn't supposed to be staring at her in fascination and wondering how it would feel to run my fingers through her hair. I wasn't supposed to be raking my gaze over her body and taking note of the lace panties and bra she was wearing as she frolicked in the water. What did she remind me of? Something tugged at the corner of my mind but just as quickly it was gone before I could grasp it.
The urge to claim her was overwhelming. To rip her from the water and mark her as she struggled was right there, as I fought back my wolf who was desperate to make her ours before the party and before we made a decision that would wreck both our lives. I was tempted to let him win. To just throw caution to the wind. What harm could it do? Then reality set in and doused me with cold water.
Watch our mate as she dances and plays in the water. Watch her and see how easily she moves. This is what makes her special, if only you would pay attention he growled.
She is still wolfless and therefore a liability to me. What good is her ability to do this I said with disgust when it does me and my pack no good. Granted she looks beautiful, but looks are not everything as well you know.
You are a fool Jaxon. The truth is right in front of your eyes. Just because she doesn't have a wolf, doesn't mean she's weak or not unique. There are many other abilities a person can possess, all of them just as valuable if you would only look properly.
The pack needs a strong Luna. You know that. Why do you insist on protesting and fighting so loudly? Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our pack. It has always been that way. Why then, are you fighting me on my decision?
Why are you being so stubborn? Have you never once thought to yourself that this girl might contain the ability to be the Luna our pack deserves if you give her the chance?
I ignored him. My wolf was being sentimental. He only wanted Riley because of the mate bond, nothing more. Whatever he said about abilities or her being unique, was just a lie designed to make me reconsider my decision. He was doing everything in his power to try and make me claim her but I would continue to resist. I couldn't put the pack at risk simply because my wolf wanted something that we could not afford to have. I would not drag the pack down because of his or my selfishness.
Riley paused and then began to float peacefully on her back. I glanced at her and stiffened. Were her eyes, glowing slightly? It had to be a trick of the moonlight I convinced myself. When I looked again, they looked more normal as she gazed up at the sky. There were goosebumps on her flesh. She must be getting cold by now. But there was a look of serenity on her face. A look of such contentment and all just from being able to swim in a lake that nobody else really gave much of a damn about. I shook my head in disbelief.
I stepped forward. My foot crunched on a loose twig. It snapped beneath the weight of my body. Damnit. At the sound, her head rose up sharply and the look of contentment was replaced by fear. I cringed even as I hardened my heart. I hated to see the expression on her face. I forced my feet to walk forward in order to approach her. I stepped out, near the edge of the lake and saw her eyes widen in horror. She faced me, lazily treading water. I cleared my throat, glaring down at her.
"That's enough lazing about for one day," I said evenly as she stared at me "you can get out now."
She began to sadly swim back towards me. The way her head hung low, and the sad look in her eyes, made me feel like a complete bastard. I had taken what little joy she had and crushed it. She reached the edge and got out, wrapping her arms around her chest, shivering slightly. I looked down and saw that her clothes were covered in dirt. Before I could think about it, I took my shirt off and threw it at her.
"I don't want the pack members seeing you like that" I snapped.
She looked confused but hesitantly put the shirt on. She bent down and grabbed her uniform clothes. Her hair damply hung behind her. My hand reached out and touched it as she stilled. It was as soft as I'd imagined. I swept the hair back, looking for the birthmark. But it was gone. Vanished. Like I'd imagined it. I frowned perplexed, pushing the top down and moving her hair. Gone. She glanced up at me, curiously. I let go.
"Get back to the pack house" I growled "and get to bed. No doubt Sandra has more chores for you to do tomorrow."
She hesitated. "Go" I thundered and she began to move, running through the forest, her feet pounding on the grass and dirt as I watched, fighting my inner turmoil.
That party couldn't come soon enough as far as I was concerned.