Finding Destiny

Before the Ball

Kai’s POV

It’s the day of the masquerade and all I can think about is the potential of meeting my mate today. I feel an energy deep within my body - my very bones are radiating with excitement. It’d probably be a good idea to work off some energy before tonight. I pull on some sweats and a cutoff hoodie, then head down to our training room in the basement of the coven manor.

The training room is a huge open room with mirrors for walls. We have any type of equipment you can think of - from weights, punching bags, yoga mats, treadmills - anything and everything. There are even locker rooms with showers. It was pretty outdated when I first took over the coven, so I made it one of my first projects. Luke, Nix and I remodeled almost all of it ourselves, minus the locker rooms and plumbing.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!” Luke yells from across the room.

“This is truly an honor, your highness. Whatever may we help you with, your most magnificent?” Nix chimes in.

Rolling my eyes so far back in my head I’m surprised they don’t get stuck, I flip them the bird. They both chuckle in response and meet me by the punching bags. Luke’s sandy blonde hair is pulled back into a wild knot at the base of his neck, while Nix’s cropped black hair is already dripping with sweat. By the looks of them, they must have been here for a while already. Nix steps up behind the bag and holds it steady between his hands, giving me a nod, and I let my fists fly, pounding into the bag - left, left, right - keeping a steady rhythm.

“You excited for tonight’s masquerade? I’ve never partied with wolves before. Should be fun, yeah?” Luke says from behind me.

I glance up to the mirror behind Nix and see Luke lifting weights. He’s the bulkiest of the three of us - always lifting weights and eating the healthiest. Nix is toned, but he mostly runs and likes to grapple every now and then. All three of us like to get in the boxing ring and go a couple rounds every now and then, but for the most part boxing has always been more of my thing - that one thing that helps me relax.

“I’ve heard they don’t get drunk very easily, so they gorge themselves on alcohol to feel the effects,” Nix says just as I lay a hard hit to the bag, causing him to take a step back, “Finally! A real hit!”

“They don’t ‘gorge’ themselves. Well..most of them don’t. Some of the younger, unmated wolves will drink themselves into a stupor, but it doesn’t last long with the rate their metabolisms work. But yes, most of them love to party and get together. They run in packs - they thrive in large gatherings,” I tell them in between punches.

“And how many packs will be there? What other covens?” Nix asks. He dated a witch from the Summerland Coven and has tried to avoid her ever since they broke up. She didn’t take it very well from what he’s told us.

“Reese invited 4 other packs - they are the largest packs on this side of the country. The other covens that will be there are Halloway and Crystal Cove.” I land a strong kick to the punching bag, catching Nix off guard. Boy’s not on his game today, apparently, but he lets out a sigh of relief as soon as he knows the Summerland Coven won’t be there tonight.

“Maybe we can finally meet some decent women. Not just the usual bimbo witches trying to get an ‘in’ to being friends with Kai,” Luke says from behind me, still lifting weights, but it looks like he’s upped his weight now. Even though I know he isn’t meaning to be malicious, it still stings a little.

Unfortunately, being my closest friends comes with some extra baggage. Girls throw themselves at Luke and Nix, but there’s always an end to their short relationships. And it usually ends when the girls try to get close to me. Obviously I shut any advances down as soon as I see them, but that doesn’t always stop them. Luke and Nix usually have their fun and then move on rather quickly. I know it sucks for them - it’s why I don’t date. Once a witch figures out who I am, things instantly change - they try to get too serious way too soon.

“I bet shewolves are an absolute beast in bed,” Nix says, obviously stuck in whatever fantasy he’s dreaming of because he doesn’t even catch his unintended pun. Luke and I both snort at that, “Kai, you’ve had to have heard something about them, right? You’re practically family with Reese, Eli and Hunter! Come on, give us something!”

“Nix, man..you think they talk to me about their mates? They are the most territorial being I’ve ever come across!”

“I don’t buy it - you have to know something!”

I glance between the two of them. They’re both leaning forward in anticipation, obviously hanging on to every word I say. Ugh, if this ever gets back to Reese, she will kill me.

“Well..they did tell me a few things. Mostly when a shewolf is in heat. She gets a little..sex crazed. Like, nonstop s*x until her heat is over with.”

“That..that is the best thing I have ever heard. It’s final - we are finding a pair of shewolves!” Luke says with a cheer.

Good grief - I hope they know what they are getting themselves in to!