So that meant that the last one was the alpha.
He was tall, and his physique was much more defined than all the others’.
Vein tracks stuck out on the parts of his arms that were not covered by clothing.
He had blond hair and eyes so smoldering that I couldn’t even tell what color they were.
He looked so perfectly sculpted, like some piece of art instead of a real person, that it was almost impossible to look away.
Because we were sitting across from each other during the whole meeting, I had plenty of time to analyze how he looked, but it was the initial contact that gave me the creeps.
Something happened when we made eye contact.
A petrifying heat rose from my stomach, and extended outward like an invisible chord.
It was the instinctual fear of the alpha our wolf side usually feels, especially in the presence of one that is intimidating.
If the process of elimination was not enough to confirm that he was alpha, it was obvious by how the other three seemed to subconsciously follow his lead.
And the fact that he was the only one who kept eye contact with me until his mate asked him to introduce everyone.
Now, her, I didn’t really like.
She gave me a weird smile when we were introduced.
I also don’t appreciate the rude way she snapped at her mate -the alpha, of all people- when she told him to introduce us.
My family was barely saying a few words, and we usually never shut up.
I couldn’t understand why an alpha as strong as Logan would be with someone like that.
Every time we locked eyes throughout the evening the chord thickened again, no matter how brief the moment was.
His presence was just that enormous and daunting.
Even Connor was backing down.
“Too young to be so grave and intimidating,” I finally say.
“He intimidated you?” Marianna wonders with a frown.
“Not on purpose, but yeah,” I find myself confessing.
I would never admit to this in front of anyone other than her, especially not my brothers.
I would never hear the end of it.
“How old is he?” Marianna asks curiously.
“I don’t know, but he can’t be older than Connor,” I reply.
She pauses and stares at me in shock.
“That young?
And he’s alpha?
Why the sudden change?” I’m just as clueless as she is, so I simply shrug.
A moment later, she resumes emptying the cabinets.
“You know, if you put these at the bottom, they’ll squirt all over your suitcase,” I jokingly say.
She grins but doesn’t stop.
“I’m just checking that everything is here.” “Where else would they be?” “Mason and Nathan’s room.” I grimace in disgust.
“I didn’t need to know that.” She giggles.
“Then why ask?” I take a moment to memorize her laugh.
After she leaves today, who knows when I’ll see her again?
And how long will she stay next time?
This time, it was a week, but we got lucky because her university had a longer Spring Break.
There’s no seeing her again until the summer starts.
Who else am I going to be myself with?
I love my family; I really do, with all my heart.
But even though we all know the truth, they raised me to be a boy and they consequently act like I am.
When Marianna came into our family, she already knew my secret, so it was never weird to behave like a girl with her.
She had no preconceptions.
Who am I going to confide in now?
If only Mason mans up and proposes, then there will be more reason for her to move here.
The more I think about these things, the more the lonely feeling in the pit of my stomach expands until I’m close to tears.
My silence catches Marianna’s attention and she stares at me with worry in her beautiful blue eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asks kindly.
Wordlessly, I go and hug her.
She doesn’t hesitate to put her arms around me and hold me close.
That’s when my eyes really start tearing up.
“I’m going to miss you again,” I whisper against her shoulder, my voice cracking.
“I know darling.
I’ll miss you too,” she promises.
“I’ve gotten so used to you living with us,” I tell her.
“Believe me, I’m used to you guys, too,” she assures me.
“But you know I can’t just drop out of school.
I’ve only got one year left, and then, maybe, if the time’s right, I will be here more often.
Besides, my parents are still in France; I can’t just leave them childless so early on.” It’s selfish of me, but I’m glad that she said “my parents” and “France” instead of “my family” and “home.” It reinforces the belief that we’re her family, too.
“So what happens when you do get married?” I challenge.
“What then?” “I don’t know,” she admits.
“I can’t imagine a life different than the one we have now.” I pull away and hesitate to say what’s on my mind, but she urges me with an encouraging look.
“Long distance relationships are known for failing…” I trail off.
Marianna seems amused by that.
“You know that won’t happen with me and your brother.” “Relationships can mean friendship,” I hint, allowing myself to show even more vulnerability.
This isn’t just anyone; this is someone I consider to be my sister.
My point dawns on her.
“Oh, but we’re not just friends, Dyl.
We’re practically sisters,” she voices my thoughts.
Hearing this makes me grin like a child on Christmas.
This is the first time we voice how strong our bond is, and it makes me happy that she feels the same.
It’s enough for me, for now.
And just like that, my girly moment is over, and I’m back into my old role.
“So, big sister, I guess you won’t mind if I borrow some of your clothes?” I joke, secretly hoping she’ll say yes.
It would be nice to have some girl clothes, if only for the illusion that I can actually be one someday.
It’s not like I can go shopping.
Marianna laughs whole-heartedly.
“Knock yourself out, soeurette.” I’m guessing that last word means little sister.
Excited, I go raid her closet and come up with a couple of things that I like; a pair of skinny jeans and a grey blouse with a purple cardigan stitched over it.
That gives me an idea.
“Good choice,” Marianna comments when she sees them.
“Want to help me pack now?
Mason appears to be occupied.” I chuckle, remembering that nothing gets in the way of my brother and his stomach, not even his mate.
Then I stare at her and grin.
“Only if you help me prank him, and I promise, nothing extreme.” She grins back.
“What do you have in mind?” I tell her, and she approves.
We make a plan of action then immediately begin executing it.
I hide in the hall outside Mason’s bedroom door.
Then I hear Marianna’s voice calling out to him.
“Mon amour, can you come help me with something?” Seconds later, Mason strolls into the guest room.
“What do you need?” When I’m sure he’s too far from the door to see me, I go into his room, with all the ninja skills I’ve acquired over the years, and head straight for his desk.
I quietly search the drawers until I find what I’m looking for, and I execute my plan.
Then I hear their voices coming closer.
I panic, so I jump in his closet.
Right as I close the door on myself, they walk in, laughing and giggling flirtatiously.
Watching them isn’t part of the plan.
I’m supposed to be out in the hall again and come in when the deed is done.
But it doesn’t matter now; my innocent eyes have already been assaulted.
I close them to protect them from more harm, but my hearing tells me all I need to know.
Marianna kisses him passionately and keeps on driving him backwards until the back of his legs hit the chair.
Then she pushes him down and straddles him, proceeding to make out with him.
All the while, I throw up at least three times in my mouth, praying it will be over soon.
An agonizing one minute and seventeen seconds later, Marianna pulls away, and I open my eyes to find her with a love struck smile on her face.
Mason is much worse; he’s dazed and panting, not bothering to hide where his gaze is drifting.
Please let this be over soon!
I think to myself.
“I should get back to packing,” she sighs.
One of his eyebrows shoots up.
“You’re kidding, right?
You got me all riled up and now I’m not even getting anything?” Gag!
That’s four!
Smiling suggestively, Marianna stands up and holds her hand out for him.
“You want to help me?
The suitcase might get too full.
It might need some weight over it to close it.” My poor innocent ears!
I mentally shriek.
“Let’s go,” Mason replies eagerly.