B0
Chapter 201
Chapter 20
Dallas turns, walking toward them. Kennedy smiles at him, her bikini top overflowing with her female assets. I look down at my chest; it’s just adequate compared to hers. She’s tanned, toned, her nails a light pink, matching her lipstick. How one female can be so utterly beautiful is beyond me. Her face drops slightly while Dallas has a soft conversation with them, both nodding their heads his way.
Dallas walks away, then turns back around for a few more words. I see a twitch in Clayton’s jaw, his lips tight. Kennedy has her hand still on his hip, thumb feeling flesh that belongs to
- me.
Some of the mated females make their way over to me, sitting down on the blanket, their backs turned toward the party looking at the lake. It’s as if they are making a living wall of flesh to shelter me from the view of Clayton and Kennedy. Their voices are drowning out all the other voices in the crowd. Talking about nothing really, just trivial conversation to make
noise.
I really don’t know what to stay to these females who shunned me so badly in high school It’s like trying to swallow down bitterness. My smile is just not right. They are trying to be nice to me; I just can’t forget what they have done to me.
“Rya, we need to say that we’re sorry for the way we treated you. We never really knew want you to know that we’re what you had to go through until we found our mates. We ashamed for what we put you through, and we’re ashamed for what they are putting you through,” one of the more vocal females of the group says. They give a disgusted look Kennedy’s way; it’s how I wish I could look at her, at them…but I don’t.
“It’s all right, we were all young. It’s in the past, and I have moved on with my life. I can’t say it’s not difficult, because it is, but I’m going to be just fine. I have my work now, and I love what I’m doing.” The half–truth spills out of my mouth for these females to drink up greedily.
All their shoulders relax with my words. I forgive them their youthful mistakes; I won’t forget, but I can maybe forgive them. My resolve is switching back and forth, forgiveness or bitterness, a choice to make.
Chapter 20
A hand goes on my shoulder, a hand on my leg, a hand on my other shoulder, light squeezes. A nuzzle to my cheek, they all take turns brushing against me slightly…the skin on skin contact that I have never had with a group of females before. It’s slightly overwhelming, the acceptance they are showing me as if I’m part of the pack, a part of
them.
His presence is getting closer. It’s just a feeling, a sixth sense that I can feel without having to look at him. As they pass by us, he keeps his face staring straight ahead. Her fingers are in the band of his shorts, dipping down slightly.
Kennedy smiles toward us. “Hello, ladies,” she says as she passes by. No words are returned her way. Her smile falters for just a second before she looks straight ahead at the lake without another word, passing the rest of the way in silence.
I watch them get into a paddle boat. They start making their way toward the little island that I was at earlier. I wonder if they are going to make love in the deep moss. I just can’t help the picture my mind conjures.
Once they are far enough away on the lake, the females start getting up, walking away from me toward their own mates. They must be so thankful at this moment for what they have.
I’m glad when Cora finally gets back, relieving me of my babysitting duties.
“Thanks, Rya.” She looks so beautiful at the moment, her hair still wet from a swim. I can smell love on her skin.
“No problem. If you ever need to get out, I can always watch her if I’m not busy.” I press a small little kiss to the pup’s forehead before handing her back to her mother. Walking away, I catch Dallas staring before he quickly looks away.
I refill my drink from the pitcher that sits on the table in the shade. The ice cubes are almost melted.
They still aren’t back yet. The light is fading in the sky, and the fire lighting the beach area up. Guitar music is playing, and wolves are swaying in their chairs. Dallas has his guitar in his hands as he motions for me to come and sit at the fire. I take an empty seat just a few seats down from him. Noticing the way the fireflies start to flicker on and off, I try to predict when I might see where they might pop out next.
The 20
Rhytmic pedaling getting closer to the shore alerts me to steel my nerves for their approach. Putting my hands underneath my thighs, I hold myself down. The blue base is just above the water. She gets out, dressed only in her wet bikind and slightly damp hair. 1 avoid looking at him in fear that he can feel my gaze on his body. They take a seat at the
fire with all of us
Om
