Valencia!

Two

“I’m so proud of you Valen!” my mom says with tears in her eyes

“My little girl is all grown up!” my dad, Beta Mark, adds, and wraps both myself and my mom in a tight hug. “Thank you, mom and dad, for everything.” I say honestly, and my mom wraps me in another hug. “You're so sweet Valen! I’m so lucky to be your mom.” she says, now crying.

“Don't cry mom.” I tell her, wiping her tears, and she smiles at me.

“Congratulations Valen! You’re officially an adult now!” My stepbrother Griffin walks over, picks me up in a bear hug and whips me from side to side. I try to tap out, but he doesn’t let go of me right away.

“Griffin, I can't breathe.” I whisper, and he sets me down laughing “So what are your plans for tonight? You wanna go out drinking?” Griffin asks, and my mom playfully slaps the back of his arm “Griffin, your sister’s only 18, you know that right, stop trying to get her into trouble.”

My brother flinches and laughs at my mom's flimsy attempt to reprimand him and my dad only looks on with a smile.

“Actually, I do have plans tonight. I am going to Ty’s house and helping his mom out with his graduation party.” I tell them and my brother smirks.

“Tylon’s house, huh? You and him have been spending an awful lot of time together.” he teases

“We’re just friends!” I defend and then I hear “That hurts Valen, I thought we were BEST friends.” Ty comes up from behind me and places his arms on my shoulders and I grab his arms.

“I’m pretty sure they’re a thing.” My brother fake whispers to dad, and he pops him in the back of the head lightly.

“Don't embarrass your sister today, you can resume picking on her tomorrow.” My dad tells him playfully and Griffin laughs.

“Hey anyway, can I get an invite to that party of yours?” my brother asks and Ty laughs, “sure man, come by whenever, we’d love to have you.” He tells my brother then taps my hand gently, so I release his arm from my grasp, so he can move to stand beside me.

“Are you gonna catch a ride with me or go home and change?” Ty asks, and I look at the tight white maxi dress peeking out from the unzipped front of my graduation gown.

“What do you think everyone else is going to be wearing?” I ask him, and he shrugs “I’ll wear whatever you wear he tells me, and I laugh “Ok can you take me by my house first then, so I can change into something more comfortable for now? I can always bring my dress along and change later if need be.” I tell him and he nods.

“Beta, Dr. Anna, is it ok if I steal your daughter away for the night?” Ty asks and my mom huffs. “Fine but pictures first, you two go stand in front of the school and let me get a few good shots.” She negates and he willingly complies.

We stand, slightly turned and Ty grabs my waist and pulls me closer, taking me by surprise for a moment. I look up into his golden brown eyes and start to smell pine again. Before I can ask him about it, I realize we’re being ripped apart by Maximus, who comes to stand in between us. Ty looks at him confused, and I recognize that overwhelming smell is definitely the Alpha’s son.

“Hey Max, what's up? I didn’t know you knew Ty like that.” Griffin says walking up to us, “I . . . well I figured I could take a few pictures with the graduates,” he says quickly slapping Ty on the back harder than necessary

“Uhhhhuh.” Griffin says, watching his odd behavior suspiciously “I love your cologne, Alpha Maximus. What is it?” I ask him meekly, when he looks at me, his eyes go from a light clear blue to a midnight galaxy color, and I take a step back in surprise. So, his eyes are clear blue, it must be his wolf peeking through them, I determine. He clears his throat, and his eyes begin to lighten again. “Just Max.” is all he says, and I nod shyly.

“If you're all going to stand there, at least let me get some pictures.” My mom says.

Maximus pushes Ty father away from me and pulls Griffin in, and I look over at Ty and shrug. He only chuckles in return and I smile on que, so my mom can take some more pictures.

“Oh, there you are Maxi, why are you with her?” Terra Adams appears in front of us and asks. My dad clears his throat loudly in warning.

“Oh, Beta Mark, I . . . I didn’t mean that like it sounded.” she says, feigning ignorance, flipping her golden spun hair behind her shoulder

“I’m sure you didn’t. You should be more careful with your words next time Terra.” He says flatly.

“I apologize Beta I’m just here to collect my boyfriend.” she says all giddy and for some reason that strikes a chord inside me.

I feel sad and angry all at once, my brow furrows in confusion and I move my hand to my chest in a futile attempt to protect my heart from whatever this feeling is. I feel a hand touch my sleeve gently and I realize it's not Ty, but Maximus and I pull my arm away.

“I’ve got to go.” I tell him, angry for some reason. I walk quickly towards the parking lot with Ty in tow, leaving Maximus, Griffin and Terra behind.