Wolves of Enchantment

Chapter 8: Grating Glances

Jax’s Point of View

Lilith was not what I expected. With her beautiful dark locks flowing down her back and a fiery determination in her eyes during our raft battle, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by her. Ember was right about her; she was a blast to hang out with and got along great with my younger sister and best friend. I had wanted to talk to Lilith about her motorcycle, but Axel sat down with them, and she seemed captivated by my brother. He wasn’t flirting with her, but I couldn’t help but be a little bit jealous.

I sat down at a table with Jackson and Terrance and realized we were all staring at Lilith. I chuckled, and they both looked at me with a glare.

A dry, humorless laugh escaped my lips as I spoke. "I can't remember the last time someone managed to catch all of our eyes," I remarked.

“She's gorgeous and completely uninterested in me. It just doesn’t add up,” Jackson muttered.

Jackson let out a frustrated grumble, his brows furrowing as he tried to make sense of it all. My brother was used to being able to get any girl he wanted. Well, almost.

“Hazel,” I coughed into my hand and smirked at my brother.

“Funny, I could say the same thing about Prue,” Jackson retorted.

He was right. We had all tried to flirt with the twins, but they were impervious to our advances. If anything, they seemed infatuated with Axel, but he showed no interest in them.

“I know she’s too old for me, but Lilith is beautiful,” Terrance said longingly.

Jackson looked at our cousin, shook his head and patted Terrance’s back.

“Do you think she’ll stay over? Lilith seems to be getting along with Juniper,” Terrance asked hopefully.

I shrugged and ate one of the hamburgers my Dad had barbequed, watching Lilith, Jackson, and Terrance from our table.

“Emily and Jason didn’t think she would want to. I hope Lilith does, though. I like hanging out with her,” my cousin said. “She’s not like other girls.”

Terrance was right. Lilith was different from the other girls at school, making her a desirable catch for the male students. Jackson, in particular, seemed to have his sights set on her. In our small town with only one high school, Lilith would be like a rare and coveted toy that everyone wanted to play with.

"It's not just her," Terrance whispered, leaning closer. "My dad told me that another new girl is coming this year. Her name is Eve, and her mom used to be friends with mine. They seem worried about her starting at Meadow Lane Secondary. Apparently, she was quite a troublemaker at her previous school, and they had to move because of it."

Well, this just got even more interesting. I thought back to what Grandpa Dwade had said about Axel’s dream and keeping an eye on him. Two new, mysterious girls at Meadow Lane Secondary School? Let the games begin.

Lilith’s Point of View

Ember was snickering, looking over at another table as we all talked.

“What in the world are you laughing at?” Juniper asked her.

“My brothers and yours. They’ve been staring at Lilith. I think they all have a crush on you,” giggled Ember.

“What? I don’t think so,” I scoffed.

I looked at Axel for his take on this, and an odd look passed over his handsome features. He blinked and then looked at me with an apologetic expression and shrugged.

“I was going to ask if you would stay over after the bonfire so we could get to know you better. But, with how those three are behaving, I would completely understand if you didn’t want to,” Axel sighed.

“Terrance and I are staying over. It’s a tradition. We usually do it after every barbeque and bonfire. We stay up playing video games or watching a movie after the bonfire, and then in the morning, we have a huge breakfast together. Our parents used to do that all the time with their friends. Jackson didn’t invite the guys from his band this time. When he does, more kids from our school come over, and Ember and Terrance stay over at my place,” Juniper explained.

Ember thoughtfully considered, "Now that Mom's pregnant again, Jackson probably won't be able to throw those parties as often."

As they excitedly described their plans, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing. I had never experienced anything like this before. But as I shifted my gaze to Jackson, Jax, and Terrance, I felt irritation bubbling up inside me. I didn't want them fawning over me like some new toy all night. I was having a good time with Axel and Juniper, and I wouldn't let those boys ruin it for me.

"Do you really want me to stay over?" I inquired, still a bit unsure but determined not to let Jax and Jackson boys spoil the evening for me.

"Only if you're up for it, but we'd love to have you," Juniper replied with a happy grin.

“Any chance you have extra pajamas here, too?” I asked sheepishly.

Ember laughed and said, "She has her own closet! Juniper is Jax's best friend."

I raised my eyebrows and glanced at my new friend with interest.

Juniper explained, "Jax is a great guy. He may be acting strange now, but he's actually really fun to be around. Once he gets over himself, he'll go back to normal. As for Jackson, well, he's used to all the girls chasing after him. He's not used to someone not falling at his feet."

“Do you like video games?” Axel asked me.

I shrugged. I didn’t see the appeal, but I didn’t hate video games.

“If not, we could all watch a movie instead. There is a game room in the basement with a gaming system and a big screen TV where we all watch movies together,” he suggested.

They were really making an effort to get to know and include me—both of them. I sighed. This was out of my comfort zone. But I couldn't deny that it sounded like a fun opportunity, and I didn't want "tweedle dee" and "tweedle dum" (as I had decided to call Jax and Jackson in my head) to ruin my chance to get closer to Juniper and Axel.

“I’m in,” I said. “Let me find Emily and Jason and tell them.”