His Sunshine Baby

No more Trouble

“Nathaniel Black? Really?”

Daniel keeps repeating this, and it’s annoying. It’s 2 am, we just got home and I’m too exhausted to put up with his nagging now. I take off my heels and throw them across the room, hoping they would land close to the wardrobe.

“Don’t throw stuff!”

“Who cares, I’m tired. I will put them back properly tomorrow.”

“Anyway, girl, Nathaniel Black is a big no, you know that right? Any member of that family is a no. Actually, anyone from the Blood or Velvet Moon Clans are a no!"

I know, I know… I still remember that chill I got when I heard his name.

Nathaniel Black… What were the odds! Now that I think about it, there were signs. His acting like he owned the place, how everyone acted around him, his Alpha aura… I’m so stupid! We get out of our territory once and I meet one of the most dangerous guys out there! I take off my jewelry and dress, and head to the bathroom to undo my makeup. Danny’s voice follows me.

“Seriously, how do you always end up attracting that kind of troublemakers… I know, it’s my fault for taking you out there, but still, babe! You have one really rotten luck! Nathaniel Black of all people… This is the last time you saw him, hear me? I’m putting my best friend veto right here and now, Elena!”

I roll my eyes. Whatever with his veto, I’m probably never going there again anyway… I still feel a bit bitter about it. I was recalling this night again and again while we took the young ones home. Moon Goddess, this kiss… No doubt I would have followed him if that stupid incident on the parking lot hadn’t happened. And then what? He would have taken me to a fancy hotel, we would have had s*x and then... Goodbye? He was very blunt and clear about it, yet I keep thinking about his words, his gestures and his eyes. He did seem very interested. Was it just physical attraction?

Danny joins me in the bathroom, but I just act normal, washing my face and brushing my teeth, trying to ignore him, even if that doesn't keep him from talking.

“Let’s just go to Pepe’s next time. No strangers, no surprises. We should play it safe, I don’t want you in any more trouble.”

“I’m not in trouble…” I sigh.

“You are so in trouble. Your uncle is looking for any reason to scold you any chance he gets and you know that. So let’s not give him any for a while. Ok, babe?”

I nod, but Danny is way too optimistic. My uncle probably already knows we went out, and I’ll get a scolding tomorrow for sure. It’s not that bad though, I’m used to it. I jump into my nighties and get to bed after saying goodnight to Danny.

Though once I’m laying, I can’t fall asleep. I’m still thinking about what happened on that balcony and what I felt. He was attractive, for sure, but I’ve met handsome men before and never felt like that. I thought I had closed my heart, that I would never leave my feelings decide for me again. But this guy Nathaniel, Nate…

I turn around and grab my smartphone. After hesitating a couple second, I type his name down in the research bar. I already know a couple of things, of course, but it's mostly rumors spread by other packs and people too scared of the Black Family to say anything out loud...

A few local news article pop out. As usual, his brothers' pictures are unavailable, but Nathaniel seems to be the face of the Black Corporation. No wonder they picked him… He looks good at any angle. Always well dressed in brand clothes, very lean and classy. The pictures show him shaking hands with CEOs, at fancy parties with big names of any industry, even a couple of other Pack-leader Alphas. I find an article with his short biography and scroll down. High-school dropout turned multimillionaire, owns several estates in the Leisure Industry as well as a few renowned restaurants and clubs… And the guy just turned 22 years old, so he’s about a year older than me. I keep reading, but we don’t have much in common. I’m still a university student, with a big loan and too much family and pack issues to handle.

I put down my phone. I just put a finger on a different world than mine, and that’s already way too much for me to handle. Danny is probably right. I should avoid him, avoid trouble and be grateful I did not cross that line. As I said, it’s very unlikely we’ll meet again anyway…

My two mojitos help me find some sleep, but the night is short. My alarm rings at 7 o’clock sharp until I turn it off with a groan. Saturday here we come…

The flat is empty. Daniel already left for the university to check his experiments, according to the sticky note on the fridge. Thank Moon Goddess he made coffee before that because I’m going to need it… A shower and two cups of coffee later, I head off to the Dojo. I’m training the young ones at 8 am and after the mess that they got us into last night, I have no intention to go easy on them. I’m already in my workout outfit, a simple sports bra, and shorts (it is June after all), so I just head straight to the tatami mats.

The first one ready, as usual, is my cousin Iris, Chris’ big sister. She is my age, smart and pretty, but she barely has any Alpha aura. I don’t know if she conceals it or not, but she looks totally harmless and nice, which also explains how she is so popular among the male wolves of our pack. When I approach, she nods very politely.

“Hello, Elena. You look tired! Rough night?”

“Hi, Iris. Yeah, you could say that. How was your week?”

“Just fine, the usual,” she replies with a smile.

Iris is your typical bookworm, shy but nice girl. However, I can never understand how she decided to dye her hair in a lilac shade with such a quiet personality. Figures.

We chit-chat while everyone else gets ready, but my cousin and I never got really close. Our personalities and interests are just too different, I guess. Though I consider her a friend, we barely ever talk about personal stuff.

Meanwhile, the group slowly gathers about thirty people, mostly teenagers and a few young wolves around my age. In the beginning, I felt a bit uncomfortable teaching people who were about my age or older, but no one ever discussed me. I used to think it was because of my uncle’s orders, but later I realized they were actually aware of my strength and Alpha aura, and had no problem acknowledging either. Moreover, a few of them did see me fight a couple of times, wolves twice my size and age, and win. That’s exactly the kind of thing that werewolves respect most, regardless of anything else.

As I give the first exercises, everyone starts running or working out, and I do the same with the group. I’ve always loved exercising and fighting. It might be my wolf side talking, but every since I was a pup, I’ve been a fighter. I can’t go a day without working out somehow, whether I go running, hit the gym or do some shadow-boxing.

Among the pack, I’m one of the top fighters, though my uncle doesn’t let me compete with the others. I only get to fight rogues from time to time. I wish I could have proper matches with my peers, but my uncle just won’t let me. So frustrating…

After a few hours, the whole group is exhausted, and I help everyone stretch out before letting them go. Once again, Iris walks up to me, a bit sweaty but smiling. My cousin as a remarkable endurance too.

“That felt great! I still have to work on my form though…”

“You already look great, Iris.”

She sighs.

“Not as great as you! Everyone knows Chris and I are way behind you… Especially dad…”

I feel sorry for that, but I can’t change my strength, though I do try to keep it concealed. I just nod and grab my towel to wipe off. But my cousin is not done talking.

“I heard you and Danny went out of the territory last night… Is it true you went to that new club? The Rain?”

I stop. How did she… Oh, she probably talked with the other kids that we caught yesterday. I decide to tell her the truth.

“Yeah, Danny wanted to test it… We didn’t stay long though.”

“I know… Too bad the others decided to act silly. How was it? I’ve heard about it, I was curious!”

Really? Iris doesn’t seem the type to go to nightclubs… I never see her around when Daniel and I go partying. Not in the Latino District, at least.

“It was ok. A bit too classy for us, I would say.”

“Well, the Velvet Moon tends to be on the higher-end after all… I heard all their establishments are like that.”

She’s probably right on that one, from what I saw yesterday. Though I like Iris, I don’t plan to stay around long enough to run into my uncle. I grab my bag and head to the showers, but Iris follows me.

“I wish I could try one of these places one day… Do you plan on returning there again?”

I remember Danny’s words from last night. At least one person doesn’t want me too… But Iris seems interested. Be reasonable, Elena…

“Probably not, Iris. You know your dad wouldn’t want me there. I’m probably going to stick around and not cross our border for a while….”

Yes, I should do that. Forget about it, not get in trouble. Stick to my daily routine. That shouldn’t be too hard, right? Iris looks disappointed, but she doesn’t answer to that and we part ways to take our shower.

But my cousin’s word gave me food for thoughts. Would I see him again if I went to the Rain one more time? Danny is right, I have a thing for trouble… Seriously, why am I even thinking about this?

I finish to get changing and head to the library, trying to actually fill my mind with something else. I still have a paper to hand for economics. I immerse myself in studies and caffeine, watching the hours pass. Just when I’m about to be done, my phone vibrates. Probably Danny who’s done… I take out my smartphone, but the text I received leaves me speechless.

...An invite for a private event at The Rain?