Valencia!

Four

5 Shots in, and I’m actually having a really good time. I changed into my little bikini and am on Ty’s shoulders in the pool hitting a volleyball back and forth with another girl, who just happens to be on David the football players shoulders. Before we even get a winner, we hear the football teams captain call for wet tee-shirt contest contestants and the girl across from me falls back and swims to the stairs to participate.

I flop backwards to go take part too, but as I turn Ty reaches out and grabs my arm. “Where do you think you're going?” he laughs “To do the contest.” I tell him seriously and he laughs again “Uhhh nope, nopity, nope, nope you are not doing that Valen.” he says and throws me over his shoulder and swims with me over to the rock cove in his pool.

“What on earth are you doing Ty?” I ask laughing, he tells a couple of kids making out to leave and he sits me on the underwater bench behind the waterfall and swims to take a seat beside me.

“Valen, I’ve been waiting all night to say this, I like you.” He comes out and tells me catching me off guard. “What? Like as a friend . . .”

“No not just as a friend.” he replies “Since when?” I ask no deep in thought “I thought you were waiting for your mate?” I turn to face him and watch him fiddle nervously.

“I was . . . but now . . . I just really want to be with you.” he tells me sincerely.

“You remember I’m a witch, right?” I say a little downtrodden and when I turn my head to look at Ty again his face is so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my skin. His Light golden brown eyes shined bright in contrast to his dark skin

“I know who you are Valen.” he says and captures my lips in a sweet kiss that feels so good on my skin but also it feels wrong inside my heart, so much so I break the kiss early.

I touch my lip and try to sort through my feelings “You’re not upset with me, are you?” he asks, a little nervous. “No, it just . . . felt awkward is all.” I tell him honestly and he lets out a little laugh.

“that's probably because we’ve been friends so long” he tells me, I nod and capture his lips in mine, fighting against this pang of guilt streaking through me.

“There you are Ty!” David from the team pops in the cove and catches us “ohhh dude are you and Valen like a thing now?” he asks treading water

“I mean . . .” Ty looks at me for a moment then says “yes we’re a thing.” and David smiles his little half smile

“well now I feel bad for hitting on her earlier, but congrats man. Sorry Valen.” he says, and I just smile and nod in return.

“You didn’t have to tell him that if you didn’t want to.” I told Tylon after David swam away. He tucked a piece of my dark hair back behind my ear and his golden eyes met my green ones. “I’m not ashamed of you Valen, you are still my best friend first.” he tells me trying to convey honesty and I believe him, his thick lips capture mine in another sweet, slow kiss and I push past all these odd feelings welling up inside me and try to enjoy it.

I move to straddle Ty, and he places his hands on my hips and another wave of guilt hits me “Wait.” I say and place my hand on Ty’s smooth chest “Something doesn’t feel right Ty.” I tell him and he looks at me concerned “I’m not pushing you into this am I?” He asks upset, and I feel the need to reassure him because he in no way has pushed me into anything.

“No, honestly, I have always kinda wanted to be with you too.” I tell him and his eyes grow dark much like the Alpha’s son earlier, but I continue speaking “but something inside is telling me not to.” I explain and he nods. “I understand,” he says sweetly “you probably just need time and I’ll give it to you. I’m just happy you didn’t reject me on the spot.” he finishes, and I give him a goofy smile.

I’m not sure what's holding me back from enjoying this handsome specimen of a man but its irritating me.

We swim out from the cove holding hands and when we pop up on the other side, I see my brother Griffin standing on the edge of the pool with his arms crossed looking upset which is not like him.

I step out of the pool, and I make my way to my brother. “What is it Griffin?” I ask, feeling guilty for no reason. My mom and dad gave me permission to be here.

“What did you do to piss off Max?” he asks me, and I look at him confused

“Max?” I say back “Yes, Max, Valencia, like in Maximus. As in the Alphas son.” he says, and I shrug confused

“I didn’t do anything to him.” I defend myself honestly. “Well, he is here and wants to see you.” He tells me just as Ty comes up behind me, “alone.” my brother says looking at Ty, I nod and turn to Ty,

“I have to go with my brother for a moment.” I tell him grabbing a towel off the stack and he nods.

“You’re not in trouble, are you?” he asks in a whisper before I follow my brother out and I shake my head.

“No, my parents said I could come, it's just, my brother needs something.” I tell him and give him a peck on the cheek in front of everyone before I walk out.

That was really stupid of me, I scold myself a little embarrassed by my own brashness as I follow Griffin out

“For f***s sake what took you so long.” a familiar voice says, and I look up to see the light blonde hair and blue eyes of Maximus.

“Dude, she was swimming with her friends chill.” My brother tells him, and he walks towards me and embraces me in a hug, smelling the top of my head deeply. Unlike earlier, everything inside me called for me to stay in his embrace, so I did. His chest rumbled deeply in satisfaction, thrilling me.

We stood there for a moment, me in his embrace, until my brothers annoyed voice broke through my occupied mind.

“What the f**k are you both doing?” he asks upset, and I step out of Maximus’s arms and his eyes look as if I betrayed him.

“I . . .I honestly don’t know.” I tell him and Maximus grabs me pulling me into his chest again “She’s, my mate.” Maximus admits holding me close.

“Can that even be right?” My brother asks running a frustrated hand through his hair and I don’t know the answer to that question.

“Let go of my sister for a damn minute Max so I can talk to her” he asks, and Maximus reluctantly releases me from his arms but keeps hold of my hand.

“Are . . . Well do you feel something for him Valen?” my brother asks with a serious expression on his face.

“Well, I mean he smells incredible and he just feels right . . . I don’t know how else to explain it but when I kissed someone earl-” I am cut off by a deep feral growl coming from Maximus, I pull my hand out of his and step away.

I look over to my brother in fear, his eyes let me know I’m safe, but he shakes his head telling me to stop talking.

“I’m sorry Valencia could you repeat that?” Maximus asks, I shake my head no and he takes a step towards me then reaches out lifting my chin up with his finger so our eyes meet.

“Tell me who touched you.” he asks lowly, and I say nothing.

“Stop it Max you’re scaring her.” My brother says, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards him. Maximus steps towards me again, but my brother pulls me behind him. “Seriously dude stop.” He warns, and Max takes a step back.

“You have a girlfriend, and you're chastising my sister over a crush.” He says defending me, but his comment pierces my heart for some reason. My brother takes notice of my mood change and tones down his aggression a bit. “How about we go to the pack house and give you both time to talk?” he says, and I nod my head in agreement.

“Well . . . can we go after the party?” I ask. “I don’t want to leave Ty by himself.” I tell my brother and Maximus growls at the mention of Ty.

“Fine can we all agree to hang out for like and hour then say goodbye?” My brother asks looking between me and Maximus. I agree right away and it takes a few moments but eventually Maximus agrees as well. “and you need to behave yourself,” my brother looks over to me and warns in a whisper. I look over at Maximus and nod.