Chapter 32: 32: Babysitter

MELANIE

As werewolves, nudity isn’t exactly a foreign concept to us. But that’s usually when we’re in a rush to shift.

When we have time, we still try to maintain some level of modesty. We find a tree to hide behind, strip down, stash our clothes, and then shift, usually out of sight.

But here I am, stripping down to my underwear in front of Brock. Maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing.

I’d be wearing less in a bikini. But standing here in my underwear in front of him feels…intimate.

I step back into the water, catching Brock’s gaze on me. His muscular shoulders rise above the water, and as he stands, I can clearly see the defined muscles of his chest, water droplets trickling down.

I take a deep breath, my face heating up in embarrassment. I’ve never openly ogled a man before, but here I am, staring at Brock as if he’s the first shirtless man I’ve ever seen.

It’s embarrassing. I mentally chastise myself, telling myself to stop being so silly.

I dive into the water, gliding just below the surface. I swim to a spot about ten feet from where Brock stands and rise so that I’m still mostly submerged.

I’m unsure of how to act now, and I’ve never felt so self-conscious. I offer him a hesitant smile and he smiles back.

His beard is dotted with water droplets, and it’s oddly attractive. I feel my cheeks heating up again.

Even if the water was cold, I doubt I’d feel it right now. Two thoughts cross my mind simultaneously: this man is stunning, and Max is going to kill me.

I can’t help but chuckle to myself. What kind of girl is more afraid of her brother than her alpha father?

“Ummm, the water is nice, right?” I ask, my voice wavering.

“Very, but why are you all the way over there? Don’t you want to be under the waterfall?” Brock asks me, smiling.

I nod and slowly swim toward him, staying under the water. I reach the spot next to him and turn my back to the waterfall, looking out across the water.

Brock clears his throat and I glance at him. “Melanie, please don’t be afraid of me. I would never hurt you, nor would I do anything that you weren’t comfortable with.”

“I think we both know that we like each other, and there is nothing wrong with that,” he says, his voice soft and soothing, so unlike his usual tone.

I turn toward him and finally muster the courage to stand up in front of him. Even standing, the water just covers my breasts, the tops of them still visible above the water and the rest of me hidden beneath.

I laugh to myself, realizing the water is crystal clear anyway, I’m not hiding anything. I make eye contact with Brock, waiting before I respond, trying to gather my thoughts.

I haven’t said it out loud. I’m not even sure I’ve allowed myself to think it, but he’s right.

I do like him. A lot. “I do like you, Brock. Very much.”

“That’s what scares me. You could find your mate any day and as you know, I won’t be old enough for my wolf to recognize mine for a couple more years.”

“I just worry,” I say, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil.

Brock nods at me. “I know. I worry too, because I do very much like you, Melanie.”

“Believe me when I say that no other woman has ever captured my attention the way you have.”

“From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I have been captivated. I ain’t used to this.”

His last sentence comes out with a hint of his Texas accent and I have to stop myself from giggling. I’m biting the inside of my cheek, staring off into space when I suddenly feel him pull me against his chest in a hug.

I think that I should push him away, but I don’t. I don’t want to push him away at all, even though my mind says I shouldn’t be doing this.

My heart says something entirely different. I slowly wrap my arms around his broad back, hugging him in return.

I feel him sigh in relief. We stay there in that embrace for what feels like a very long time, but I’m not complaining.

When Brock finally pulls away, he doesn’t let me go. Holding me back just a little bit, my hands now gripping onto his thick forearms, he gives me a shy smile.

“Can I kiss you?” he asks in a hushed tone. I can’t speak, my voice is lost to me.

All I can do is nod my head yes. Brock places his hands on both sides of my face as he bends down to reach my lips.

His eyes search mine and before I know it, his lips are on mine. I close my eyes, savoring the feel of his soft full lips as he captures my mouth in a gentle caress.

His tongue slips out to ask my mouth for entrance and I don’t even think of denying him. I wrap my arms around his neck and he pulls me closer, his hands now on my lower back as he presses me against his steely hard chest.

At some point, I have wrapped my legs around his waist to get closer. I should feel embarrassed.

I have never been kissed like this before, ever. In fact, I have only really been kissed once, by Beck.

It was very platonic feeling, not the searing heat I feel right now. I let out a little whimper as he pulls his lips away to look me in the eyes.

“Better than I could have imagined,” he whispers to me. He plants one more soft kiss to my lips and lowers me down to the water.

I can’t help but grin like a fool, my insides melting with his look. I know now that I am in trouble.

Deep, deep trouble.

MAX

After I shower, I make my way down to the kitchen to grab a snack. I head into the living room to find my sister Selene on the couch, watching a movie.

“Hey kiddo, where is everyone?” I ask her as I plop down next to her.

Selene throws me a sideways glance and then presses pause on the remote. “You act like I should have tabs on everyone, Max.”

“It’s a hot Tuesday, in the summer. I’d imagine they are trying to escape the heat or out doing constructive things, like work.”

Her sarcasm isn’t lost on me but I brush it off. “Really? Is that how it’s gonna be?”

I snatch the remote from her grasp, nudging her aside. I fling the remote aside, pinning Selene down and tickling her mercilessly.

She’s always been ticklish, but she fights back every time because she despises it. This time, I’ve caught her off guard.

I’m laughing so hard at her outraged expression, I don’t even notice when she kicks me off her. I tumble back onto the floor, laughing even harder.

“You’re getting stronger, kiddo,” I manage to say between fits of laughter. “I’m not a kid anymore, Max.”

“I’m turning sixteen soon, you know,” she retorts, retrieving the remote and settling back onto the couch.

“Just so you know, Mom and Dad are in the office with Beta Jackson. They’re waiting for a call about your training.”

“Jaydon and Macy went to the movies, and the last I saw of Melanie…” She pauses, glancing at me with a mischievous smirk.

“She was heading into the woods with that Viking hunk.”

“She did what?” I ask, my laughter evaporating.

“Went into the woods with that Viking stud,” she repeats, winking at me before turning her movie back on.

“Don’t even think about going after them. Dad wants you in his office.” ~This can’t be happening.~

What on earth is Melanie doing with Brock in the woods? I want to go after them, make sure they’re not getting into trouble, but I have to remember they’re adults.

And Brock is a decent guy. I just don’t want him playing with my sister’s feelings.

Pushing aside my urge to follow them, I trudge upstairs to the alpha’s office. Hopefully, there’s news about my training so we can stop guessing and I can start mentally preparing for my departure.

As I step into the office, I notice the serious expression on my father’s face. “Alpha? Everything okay?” I ask.

My father looks up from the paperwork he’s reviewing, worry lines etched on his forehead. My mother, the ever-supportive luna, stands behind him, massaging his shoulders.

Her touch always soothes him, and I hope to find that kind of comfort one day. I’ll need a strong luna by my side when it’s my turn to lead the pack.

“Take a seat, son. We’ve got news about the alpha training. I’m not happy with some of their decisions, and you won’t be either.”

“But all we can do is prepare you. They’ve moved things up, not pushed them back. You leave in two weeks.”

His words send my stomach into a free fall. Two weeks? I thought I had at least a few more months.

But that can’t be the only reason for my father’s worried expression. I glance at Beta Jackson.

He remains silent, shifting uncomfortably before giving me a noncommittal shrug. I sink into my chair, bracing myself for the news to come.

Whether it’s good or bad, I need to be ready. My father clears his throat, beginning his explanation.

“They’ve decided to pair you with Derek for training. They think your moral compass might be what he needs to straighten up.”

He looks at me, eyebrow raised, waiting for my reaction. “So, I’m a babysitter now?” I grumble.

To say I’m unhappy with this development would be putting it mildly. “How did this even happen?”

I glance at my mom, who gives me a comforting smile. I can’t find the strength to smile back.

My father sighs, leaning back in his chair, fingers interlaced in front of him. “I trust you’ll make the best of it, Max.”

“Show them the kind of alpha you’re meant to be. This is your first test. And believe me, it’s going to be a test.”

I can’t argue with him—it’s not his decision. It’s the council’s.

I simply nod, and our conversation continues, while a fire of anger burns in my gut.