Wolves of Enchantment

Chapter Six: End Of Summer Fun

Jackson’s Point of View

The guys and I were joking around, pushing each other off the raft when the twins showed up. My eyes couldn't help but linger on Prue and Hazel in their bikinis; they looked gorgeous. We’d grown up together, and our parents were good friends, but I’d always liked Hazel. The trouble was that I could never seem to impress her, even though I had no problems getting attention from any other girl.

I may have been staring too long and intensely at Hazel because I was flying through the air and landed with a loud splash before I knew it. My pride was the only thing that got hurt. As I resurfaced, I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Hazel was looking at me now, grinning while trying her hardest not to laugh. My pride may have hurt, but seeing that girl’s beautiful smile was worth it.

“You're welcome,” Jax said as I climbed onto the raft. He nodded towards the twins, who were watching my brother and me from the dock now while they whispered to each other.

My brother had a crush on Prue, but he never seemed to make any progress like me. It was as if we were completely clueless when it came to the twins. Our attempts to impress them only seemed to push them further away, choosing instead to sunbathe on the dock while we swam in the water with our friends. Despite this, we continued to have a good time and would occasionally shoot glances at the beautiful girls lying just out of our reach. This was typical for my brother Jax and me when trying to win over Hazel and Prue; they always seemed just out of our grasp.

“Hey! She came,” gasped Terrance, and our attention turned to a beautiful girl speaking with our little sister Ember.

“That’s Lilith, the girl staying with Jason and Emily. Isn’t she pretty?” our cousin asked with a dreamy expression.

It was incredibly difficult not to tease Terrance, as he looked like a cartoon character with hearts in his eyes staring at the girl. I couldn't help but almost burst out laughing when I saw my brother Jax with the exact same expression on his face. Ember seemed to be pointing each of us out to the beautiful girl, and my sister smirked, seeing how Terrance and Jax were ogling her. She was going to tease them mercilessly later.

Lilith was hot, with her long dark hair and mysterious aura, but not my type. I wouldn’t have thought she was Jax’s either, but I wasn't so sure with how he was having trouble looking away from her.

“She’s Nephilim, like Emily and Jason,” Jax muttered as he stared.

“So? It’s not like we don’t have our own unique heritage,” I groaned.

“You do realize you are staring, though, right?” I asked as I shoved him into the water.

Lilith locked eyes with me, frowned and walked away. Ember mouthed the word “i***t” at me as she followed her new friend like a little puppy. Terrance was still staring, so I shoved him into the water next.

Lilith’s Point of View

As I approached the dock with Emily and Jason, Ember spotted me immediately and ran up to hug me. In return, I awkwardly patted her back. I was not a hugger. Sigh.

I didn’t realize that people would be swimming. Did I want to go in the water? Not really. I was comfortable with my clothes on.

A beautiful girl with strawberry blonde hair and sparkling blue-green eyes walked towards Ember and me, carrying a towel and a swimsuit. She smiled warmly and handed the items to me.

"Hi, I'm Juniper!" Her face lit up with a bright smile as she introduced herself. "My mom mentioned you might not have a swimsuit, but don't worry. I always keep an extra one here when I stay over. Follow me, and I'll show you where you can change."

I looked at Ember, hoping she would assure me I didn’t need to change, but one look at the girl told me that would not happen. Juniper seemed to be the same size and body type as me. What are the odds that would happen? I sighed and nodded my head.

The Foster residence radiated wealth but also exuded a sense of familial warmth. The atmosphere was chaotic, with four cats perched on a large cat tree, observing me intently as I followed Ember through the house. I couldn't tell if they were just regular cats or perhaps familiars of the family.

“The second option,” came out a crusty voice from one of the black cats.

“Theo, be nice,” Ember warned, and the cat just shrugged but continued to observe me with interest.

“Is he your familiar?” I asked the young girl.

I was taken aback when the cat seemed to be reading my thoughts. It definitely wasn't appreciated, but there was no point in hiding it. The cat knew what I was thinking. Not cool cat, not cool.

“Theo splits his time between Jackson and me. My older brother Jackson is the one you were giving a disapproving look to,” Ember said with a smile.

When I gave her a puzzled expression, she added, “The one that shoved Terrance and Jax in the water when you caught them staring at you.”

“Oh,” I said, choosing not to say anything further. I had nothing nice to say about him, so I kept my mouth shut.

“I like you. You have sass,” purred Theo.

Was this cat flirting with me?

“Theo likes that you aren’t fawning over Jackson like every other girl does,” giggled Juniper.

“I’m not most girls,” I shrugged.

Ember and Juniper waited for me while I changed out of my clothes into the black bikini. It had to be a bikini. f**k, Jason and Emily owed me huge for this. I admit, though, Juniper was rather nice and it would be nice to know at least one friendly face at my new school.

The guest room was quite lovely. It had a comfortable double bed and a bathroom connected to it with a shower. I neatly folded my clothes and placed them on the bed and my purse. I wasn't concerned about anyone taking my belongings; after all, everyone at the barbeque and bonfire was either family or close friends of the Foster family.

I scrutinized myself in the mirror. The bikini fit perfectly, and I knew I looked good in it. I wasn’t embarrassed of my body; I just didn’t like bringing attention to it. I didn’t date, not because I’d never had options; it’s just that no one seemed worth my time in that regard. My parents had epic love, and I wanted that. I wouldn’t settle for anything else.