^ONE WEEK LATER^
MAX
Alpha Jasonâs fate is still up in the air. In the meantime, my dadâs been teaching me his interrogation and torture methods.
He wants me to have an advantage in alpha training. Heâs hoping I can finish early, and honestly, so am I.
The idea of being away from my pack and family for four years is intimidating. Iâll come back to find my siblings all grown up, living lives that Iâm not a part of.
I worry weâll grow apart, and I wonât recognize them when I return.
Iâve just come out of the dungeon. Weâve spent the morning questioning Jason again, trying to understand his motives, starting with why he killed his father.
Weâre puzzled about why he targeted Melanie, a girl he didnât even know. It seems heâs always been a self-centered jerk.
Heâs been holding a grudge for over twenty years because his father didnât support him when my dad warned him off my mom. Even though she wasnât luna yet and didnât know they were mates, he knew she was meant to be his.
Jason wouldnât leave her alone, even starting a fight on campus that left Serena injured. Even though the injury was minor, it enraged my father that a man would dare to attack a woman just because his feelings were hurt.
It seems Alpha Jason never outgrew his childish ways.
Iâm lost in thought as I head to the pack house, needing a shower. Iâm covered in blood and sweat.
I want to wash it all off and enjoy the rest of my day. As I round the corner toward our entrance, I hear Melanieâs laughter.
I look up to see her leaning against the wooden fence, her arms resting on the top rung as she gazes into the woods. Brock is standing next to her, his back to the fence as he faces me.
Heâs grinning broadly as he talks quietly to my sister, her laughter filling the air. I stop in my tracks, my fists clenched as I watch them.
I canât understand what this beta thinks heâs doing. He should be getting ready to go home.
Half of his warriors have already left, leaving just Brock and nine others. Theyâre staying behind to testify to the council and await the verdict.
I deliberately walk a bit heavier than usual, crunching the gravel underfoot. Brock looks up and waves at me with a smile.
I just glare back. He knows I hate that heâs been spending so much time with Melanie this past week.
Iâve told him outright that my sister isnât old enough to know who her mate is and that he should leave her alone. She doesnât need a broken heart when he finds his mate.
He brushes me off, insisting theyâre just friends and he enjoys talking to her. I donât believe him for a second, I know he likes her.
Beck has also noticed the ongoing flirting and has mentioned it to me a couple of times, asking why I havenât put a stop to it. I know Beck likes my sister too, and while I approve of him, it still bothers me that he doesnât see the problem with her being only eighteen.
Sheâll be nineteen soon, but sheâs still two years away from being able to identify her mate. I donât want her to get hurt or give herself to someone and then regret it later.
Brock says something to Melanie and she turns to look at me from across the yard. I can see her roll her eyes even from this distance.
She pushes off the fence and walks over to me. She gives me a quick once-over, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
âYou smell and youâre covered in blood. Maybe you should go shower instead of glaring at us. Itâs just a friendly conversation, Max, thatâs all,â she says, her hand on her hip as she stares me down.
I shake my head, turn, and head toward the door. As I open the door, I turn back to have the last word.
âMelanie, you know how I feel. I donât want to see you hurt. Iâm just trying to protect you. I wonât be around much longer and I want to make sure youâre okay before I leave.â
I see a flicker of guilt and sadness cross her face, but itâs gone as quickly as it came. I slam the door as I enter the house.
Brock just needs to go home. Once heâs gone, Iâm sure she wonât see him again.
Why would she? He lives as far south of us as you can get before you hit Mexico.
That should be a safe distance. With that thought, I head upstairs to clean up.
MELANIE
My irritation with Max is mounting. Heâs always interfering in my relationships.
Brock and I are just friends. He was a great help when I was studying for my finals.
We have a lot in common and I enjoy talking to him. Plus, heâs quite handsome.
I know heâll be leaving in a few days and I just want to spend more time getting to know him. I donât see whatâs wrong with that.
But Max seems to have a problem with it. He acts like heâs my father.
My actual father hasnât said a word to me about Brock, even though I know heâs seen us together. I do feel a twinge of guilt and sadness when Max reminds me heâs leaving soon.
But I wonât let him use that as an excuse to act like a possessive alpha. I sigh as he slams the door and goes inside.
Heâll get over it. I turn back to Brock, whoâs been silently watching me.
When our eyes meet, he gives me a smile that reaches his deep green eyes. I canât help but smile back.
I head back toward the fence, deciding we should get away from prying eyes. âDo you want to take a walk?â I ask him.
His face lights up and he extends his hand to me. Brock takes my hand in his and replies, âOf course I do.â
With that, I turn and lead him into the woods. I want to show him the waterfall spot.
Itâs truly beautiful and I bet they donât have anything like it in Texas.
BROCK
I wouldnât dream of turning down Melanieâs invitation for a walk. I take her hand and, to my surprise, she doesnât pull away.
She leads me into the woods, following a well-trodden path that winds through the forest. As we walk, she tells me about the landscape of the pack lands here.
Occasionally, I spot a border guard or two on their rounds. As we venture deeper into the woods, I see them less often, indicating weâre moving further from the border and deeper into the forest.
Weâve been walking for a good half hour when I ask her if she knows where sheâs going. She laughs and playfully swats my arm.
âOf course I do, this is my land and I know every inch of it.â She declares weâre nearly there as we continue our stroll.
The scenery begins to spread out, the trees and bushes becoming sparse. Weâre treading along the foot of a hill that ascends into the mountains, but she doesnât make a move to scale it.
Suddenly, she veers around a bend and a petite meadow nestled in a valley appears. As we venture further, I spot some massive rock formations and then a waterfall as we emerge from behind the stones.
Iâm stunned. âMelanie, this is breathtaking. I havenât seen a waterfall like this since my trip to Ireland.â
Melanieâs face brightens with a smile that reaches her eyes. She pulls my hand, guiding me closer to the transparent pool of water.
âDonât be shy, big guy.â I canât help but laugh when she dubs me âbig guyâ.
I find it endearing, especially coming from her. The more time I spend with her, the more I find myself drawn to her.
Sheâs intelligent, stunning, and has a heart of gold. How could she not, considering she aspires to be a doctor?
She wants to dedicate her life to caring for others, rather than seeking out an alpha to wed. Itâs typical for an alphaâs daughter to marry another alpha, so Iâm taken aback they havenât arranged a marriage for her.
Itâs a common practice in European packs to enhance power and status. When I inquired about it, she laughed and shared the story of her parents and how they were destined mates.
She said her parents would never force her into marriage and she was hoping to find her destined mate too. Melanie pulls me toward the water, her shoes and socks already tossed aside.
Sheâs clad in shorts, so she lets go of my hand and ventures a bit into the water. The pool is crystal clear, the stones at the bottom visible.
âThe summer sun has done its job, itâs not even cold,â she says, grinning at me. I decide to follow her lead, removing my shoes and stepping into the water.
Sheâs right, the water isnât cold. Itâs definitely warmer than the river we used to swim in back in Texas.
âItâs nice.â
âNice? Is that all you can say?â she teases, rolling her eyes at me.
âItâs more than nice. It seems like a perfect spot for swimming,â I reply, contemplating the idea of stripping off my t-shirt and shorts for a swim.
Iâm wearing boxers underneath, not much different from swim shorts. She nods, her smile never fading.
âIt absolutely is. I swim here quite often. Itâs also the place where the alpha and luna retreat to clear their minds and enjoy some solitude.
They usually let us know, so we donât disturb them,â she says, giggling. âI can imagine,â I chuckle.
âWouldnât want to interrupt anything between your parents,â I wink at her. She scrunches up her nose and laughs.
Her expressions are adorable, and I find myself captivated by the range of emotions she can display. âYou know, I think Iâm going to make the most of this swimming spot,â I declare.
I retreat from the water and before she can react, I shed my shirt and shorts and plunge into the refreshing water. I surface a few feet behind her.
She has turned to look at me, surprise etched on her face. âCare to join me?â I ask her.
I start swimming toward the waterfall, not waiting for her response. As I reach the edge of the waterfall, I turn to see her shedding her shorts and shirt, leaving her in just her bra and panties.
She looks up as she enters the water, her arms crossed over her chest and a blush of shyness coloring her cheeks. Sheâs the most beautiful woman Iâve ever seen.