Page 4

THREE

Alexia

The Braxton’s chateau is only about five miles away from the temple, but it takes about thirty minutes to get there due to the winter storm that unexpectedly hit our town over the weekend. Kai and I trail behind Clayton and Carrington in Kai’s brand-new Land Rover, while Xander brings up the rear in his black truck that has impressive-looking snow tires on it.

“You warm enough over there?” Kai asks, keeping his eyes on the road as we climb higher into the mountains.

“Yeah, I’m good. The rump roast is nice,” I say.

Kai laughs. “The what?”

I look over at him and wiggle my ass against the supple leather, thankful I changed from my dress into jeans and a hoodie that my parents brought from home. “The rump roast. You know, the heated seat.”

“Oh my goddess,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re something else. I forgot how funny you are.”

“See?” I say, poking his stomach and feeling nothing but hard abs under his sweatshirt and coat. “I’m not so bad after all.”

“Stop,” he says, running his fingers through his hair. “I never said that.”

“I know.” I reach over and squeeze his knee. “I’m just kidding, I swear.”

I start to pull my hand away, not wanting to make him uncomfortable, when he surprises me by capturing my fingers with his and intertwining them. “I just want you to be happy,” he says, and I’m struck by the earnestness in his tone.

I swallow back the unexpected emotion that builds in my throat. “I am, Kai. You’re one of my oldest friends. I could’ve done a lot worse.”

He smiles and squeezes my fingers once before putting his hand back on the wheel. “Me too.”

When we finally reach the house, it’s almost like being taken back in time. Nothing has changed. Nothing’s needed to. This place has a timeless beauty about it. It would have been beautiful in the 1700s and it’s beautiful now.

I suppose you could call it a cabin since it is constructed with wood, but it’s freaking huge. It’s accented with river rock, with windows on the entire backside overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s a creek running right through the backyard, and there’s nothing but trees as far as the eye can see. It’s gorgeous up here, and calling this place home is a dream.

“Come on, Xander and I will bring your stuff in once we get you and Carrington inside and settled.”

I can’t argue with that; it’s too cold out here to try to be an independent woman at the moment.

We step inside, and Carrington and I take off our snow-covered shoes at the door. Kai goes back out to help Xander with my things while I soak in my surroundings.

The house is just as beautiful on the inside as the scenery is on the outside. Exposed wooden beams stretch across the high ceiling and all the fixtures are antique brass. Rich browns with deep greens remind me of the forest while the hints of golden yellow and pure white are just as vibrant as the wildflowers that grow within it. But the best thing about the room by far is those floor-to-ceiling windows. Even under the veil of night, I can see all the beauty of the mountains.

I love everything about this place. Out in nature has always been my favorite place to be; even when it came to choosing a career, I managed to work it in. Science and math have always been my strengths, but I just felt this calling to environmental science. As a shifter, I have a foot in both worlds—animal and human—and I want to help take care of both of them. It’s been hell over the past three months to not be able to be outside, to have to listen to nature instead of being out in it. I’ve missed my work, and I can’t wait to get back to it.

But right now, all I want to do is shift and run through the trees behind the house. After everything today, I just want to feel free.

“Home sweet home,” Carrington says, patting the back of the leather couch.

“I’ve always loved this place,” I say, sitting down in the recliner opposite where she plops down on the sofa.

“Me too, it’s my favorite.” She sighs happily and shakes her head like she can’t quite believe what she’s seeing when she looks at me. “I cannot believe we are about to be sisters-in-law.”

I grin. “I know, it’s so wild that the goddess chose Kai for me. Like, what are the odds?”

“Who knows, I’m just glad She did.”

Kai and Xander come through the door at the same time as Clayton, each brother holding two of my bags while Clayton holds nothing but his chin in the air. Xander places my things on the floor and then disappears up the stairs. Bye then.

“Good evening, all,” Clayton says as he removes his wool jacket and hangs it next to the door.

“Daddy, is everything okay? You have that look,” Carrington says.

“I was finishing up my phone call with Bradley and June.” He glances my way. “We all wanted to get out before the storm got worse, so we just chatted on the way home. Needed to tie up the loose ends and work out some business regarding Alexia.”

“What business?” I blurt, not even thinking that I might be speaking out of turn until after the words have left my mouth. But it doesn’t seem to bother Clayton because he just barrels on.

“Making sure you’d be comfortable while you were here, setting up the day when all of your belongings would be moved, that sort of thing,” he says, taking off his suit coat and draping it over a chair in the dining room.

“Makes sense,” I say. “So, I was hoping I could get a shower before bed.” I motion to the bags next to me where Kai and Xander set them down. “Can someone show me where I’ll be staying?”

Clayton laughs. “Kai, show Alexia to your room so she can get settled.”

My face heats up and I glance at Kai, who looks just as alarmed. “Wait, what?”

“You’re mates. What’s yours is hers and so on and so forth. Show the girl to your bedroom.”

Kai shifts from side to side before grabbing all of my bags before I have a chance to help him. “Yeah. Of course.”

I glance at Carrington to get her reaction, but she just lights up with a broad smile. She just might be more excited than me about my new relationship status. I get it. I would have felt the same way if she was mated to one of my brothers and she and I got to spend more time together. But being in the situation that I am just feels... odd.

I swallow down my nerves and follow Kai up the curving staircase. We take a left on the landing and head to the end of the lengthy hallway. He fumbles with my belongings as he opens the door and gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. It’s my first clue that this sleeping arrangement may be a bit much for him as well.

Dropping my bags next to the king-size bed, he says, “Sorry it’s a mess.”

I take in the clothes scattered on the floor and the cluster of odds and ends on his nightstand and desk. It’s not terrible, just messy... lived in.

“It’s okay,” I say, admiring the bright modern art piece above his unmade bed. “I’ve never been in your bedroom in this house.”

The Braxtons always stayed in their large country estate in the heart of our community. It was closer to our schools when we were younger, so their mother could give more time to her children but still be near our government buildings. That house was the epitome of grandeur, and albeit huge, this cabin is far homier and more comfortable.

“If I’d had any clue I’d be coming home with a mate tonight, I’d have tidied up a bit,” he jokes.

I laugh. “Please. I’m not exactly the neatest person myself. It’s all good.”

“Cool.” He gestures toward the ensuite bathroom. “If you want to take a shower, please, go ahead.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I can take one after.”

“All right,” I say, grabbing my bag with my nightclothes and toiletries. “Are there towels in there?”

“Yeah, should be. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

I nod and slip into the bathroom, leaning against the back of the door with a sigh of relief. Finally, a moment alone to just take a breath.

Today has been a blur, and while it’s been surprise after surprise, I feel like I’m handling it well. As I strip out of my hoodie and jeans and start the water, I check my phone.

Sam

Did you make it okay?

Yeah, I’m about to hop in the shower and then go to bed. I’m exhausted.

Sam

... where are you sleeping?

Sam, stop.

Sam

No, I’m serious. They’re not making you do anything you’re uncomfortable with, right?

No. I’m staying in Kai’s room but it’s no big deal. Okay? Don't make it one.

Sam

Okay, okay. I won’t. But promise you won’t take any shit, okay?

Pinky promise.

Sam

Love you sis.

Love you too.

Tossing my phone on top of my discarded clothes, I take all my toiletries out of my bag and get under the spray of water. At least Kai has a good shower. This thing is huge with the best water pressure I’ve ever seen.

I lean my head back under the stream and let the hot water wash away my stress. I wash and condition my hair, wash my face, exfoliate my whole body, shave my legs, and use moisturizing body wash before getting out and looking at myself in the mirror.

It feels like I just did all that for some reason, like I think it’s a big deal I’m sleeping in the same bed as Kai tonight. I don’t. It’s not like anything is going to happen. I don’t think he wants that. I don’t know if he will ever want it if I’m being honest. I don’t know for sure if I really want it. But I’m supposed to, aren’t I?

Hanging my towel on the rack, I brush my teeth and gather my clothes, making sure I don’t leave a mess. I might be a little sloppy at my own house, but I’ll be damned if I disappoint my mother and leave stuff everywhere at someone else’s. After applying lotion, I put on my silk pajama set, wishing I’d brought something a little less revealing. But it’s too late now, so I step back into the bedroom and put my clothes into my bag.

“Hey, I’m done. You might want to give it a few because I think I used all the hot water,” I say sheepishly, pulling my long, damp hair over my shoulder and combing my fingers through it.

Kai remains fixated with something on his desk, a piece of paper or a picture maybe. I fight the urge to walk behind him and see what it is. One day I hope there won’t be any secrets between us, that we will know the other just as well as we know ourselves. Today isn’t that day. It’s not even the true starting point I don’t think.

He shuffles everything around and looks up at me. “No worries. I can wait until the morning. Do you need anything else?”

“No,” I say just above a whisper.

He slides into the bathroom, and I take my time rearranging the blankets on the bed. There is more than enough room on the mattress for us both, but I can’t help but feel that it’s too small. We could easily brush against each other or roll onto the other’s side of the bed. Never have I felt the possibility of being so crowded by one person.

The door opens across the room and Kai walks out wearing a threadbare T-shirt and baggy plaid pajama pants. He rakes his hands through his hair and stares at the bed. “Do you have a side you prefer?”

I chew on my bottom lip and lift my shoulders in a shrug. “No. I’m not really used to sleeping with other people. I’m usually a starfish... just kind of...”

And I really don’t know why I do it. As if he couldn’t picture it in his head. I really don’t have to give him a demonstration of what I mean by that, but that doesn’t stop me from face planting into the center of the bed and spreading my arms and legs wide.

Like a damn starfish.

I turn my head, resting my cheek on the pillow so I can see him. “Ya know... kind of in the middle.”

He presses his fist to his mouth to hide his smile. “I can see where this would make it difficult to have a bed partner. Maybe you can go for more of a capital E position tonight.”

I lift an eyebrow in question, and he motions for me to scoot over. Kai lays on his side close to the edge and stretches his arms and one leg toward the center of the bed. “It’s more of a space-saving position.”

I snort and kick him gently with my foot. “You’re a dork.”

My movement catches him off guard and he loses his balance, pitching backward and nearly falling to the floor. “Shit,” he yelps, laughing as he grabs me in an attempt to stay on the bed.

“Oh no, sorry!” I gasp between laughs, seizing his outstretched arms and pulling him back in toward the center of the mattress.

Closer to me than we probably intended.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to almost knock you in the floor,” I say, trying to get myself together, letting go of his arms and scooting away a bit to give him space.

“No worries.” He flops onto his back and clasps his hands over his stomach.

I follow suit and we lie side by side staring up at the ceiling. It’s awkward, the silence that spreads between us. I can’t recall a time when we have ever sat quietly without something to truly hold our attention.

“Do you want me to turn off the light?” he asks, his tone gentle like he is talking to a skittish animal.

“Sure.” I pull the blankets to my chest as the room goes dark. The mattress gives as Kai slips in beside me.

I’m unsure how much time passes. Neither of us seem to move; we hardly seem to be breathing. I might as well be in a room filled with venomous snakes. It’s like we are both terrified of being struck, and maybe we are. This changes everything. In all the years we’ve known one another, our dynamic has never been like this. Neither of us felt a strong desire to change our friendship. But fate had other plans for us.

After hours of laying perfectly still, I catch the deep, slow inhale and exhale of Kai’s breathing. I inch toward the edge of the bed and ease out of it, snatching a pair of sweatpants from my bag and slipping into them, pulling my hoodie from yesterday over my satin cami. It’s not until I’m in the hallway and the door clicks shut behind me that I release a relieved sigh. I tiptoe my way downstairs and into the kitchen where the digital display on the microwave tells me it’s almost five in the morning. There’s no use in trying to calm myself. The best thing I can do is accept that I’m getting no sleep and jumpstart my body for the day ahead.

I brew a cup of coffee and dilute it with a ton of creamer and sugar. With the blanket from the couch in the living room wrapped around me, I take my steaming mug and sneak out onto the back porch. A swing with earthtone pillows and a great view of the eastern sky beckons me to it. I give myself a little push and curl into a ball to sip my coffee.

My thoughts are going a million miles a minute. Which is nothing new. There is very little in life that can grab my undivided attention. And this new scenario with Kai has me pondering way too many questions. I feel like everything is buzzing inside my head, one thought bouncing to the next, and I’m unable to fully concentrate on anything.

“What are you doing out here so early?”

The same deep voice that sent a shiver down my spine yesterday startles me from my racing thoughts, and I glance up to see Xander standing in front of the door. He’s dressed in athletic wear—the kind that clings to your muscles that aren’t really my thing, but I have to admit he wears very well— and he’s gripping his ankle as he holds his leg up behind him in a stretch.

“Shit, you scared me,” I say, setting my mug down on the table near the swing. “I couldn’t really sleep last night, so I just thought I’d go ahead and get up.”

“I wouldn't think sleep would be an issue after your first night mated. Are you okay?”

It takes me a second to realize what Xander meant by that comment, and when it sinks in, I crinkle my nose and shake my head. “No, it’s not—it’s not like that with me and Kai. There was no chance of that happening last night. That wasn’t it.”

He drops his foot and pulls a hair tie from around his wrist. His hair sits in caramel and chocolate waves around his shoulders. He gathers it to the back of his head and wraps the tie around it. “Was it because you had to sleep in the same bed? You should have spoken up if you didn’t want to do that.”

I swallow hard and shrug one shoulder, not able to meet Xander’s icy stare. “I tried. Kind of. But Clayton just kind of bulldozes over you when you try to talk. Before I knew what was happening, we were going upstairs. But Kai didn’t really want to do it either. But I mean, it’s Kai. He’s my friend. It’s not like he’s a stranger or something. If that were the case, I would have refused for sure. But it was awkward, you know what I mean?”

“I get it. Just don’t let Clayton make you do something you don’t want to do.” He pushes up the long sleeves of his tight shirt, displaying the black ink covering both his arms. “I know how hard it can be to fight back against him, but you’re going to have to learn to do it. Remember you will be queen and he’ll be demoted to the king’s father.”

I shiver and it doesn’t have anything to do with the cold. “Now that’s another thought that keeps me awake at night. The thought of being queen. Whoever thought that would be a good idea... maybe Luna took a day off last night,” I joke.

He lets out a long slow breath and looks me over from head to toe. “Luna knew what she was doing. Kai needs someone like you by his side. He’s had too much dark and a constant light will balance him out. But I also remember you being a headstrong and intelligent young woman; you two are going to butt heads. I think the goddess knew you would keep him on his toes.”

I roll my lips together and despite the freezing cold temperature and the snow beginning to fall, my cheeks heat up, a blush spreading down my neck and across my chest. I’m glad I have on a hoodie so he can’t see how his words are affecting me.

“Thanks, Xander. That’s really kind of you to say. Because right now, I’m feeling anything but intelligent.” I look up at the ceiling of the porch before continuing. “He asked me if I preferred a certain side of the bed, and I told him it didn’t matter because I’m usually like a starfish... and I proceeded to demonstrate.” I cover my face with my palms and hang my head. “What am I doing with my life?”

He chuckles and slides his hands in his pockets. “You’ll have to demonstrate that for me one day. Until then, I’d advise you to get ready for a major change in your life. The next year might be the hardest you’ve ever faced. You’ll need Kai and he will need you too.”

“Yeah,” I whisper, grabbing my empty coffee mug and looking into the bottom of it.

“You’re shivering. You should go in the house and curl up next to your mate. Or you can go for a jog with me.”

I scoff and wrap the blanket tighter around myself. “I don’t know which one would be more uncomfortable at this point. I’m not exactly a runner in my human form. I’d definitely slow you down.” I shoot him a grin. “But under the full moon? I’ll race you all night long. And as far as the other option goes... considering Kai slept like a literal statue last night, I think if I touched him, he might actually melt or something.”

“We wouldn’t want that.” He steps off the porch and looks back at me. “On a serious note, I got your back for the next couple of days while I’m here. Or if you just need a listening ear while you figure this all out.”

Xander doesn’t give me a chance to thank him. He turns toward the woods behind the house and sprints through the trees. I stare in that direction for a long minute after he’s gone. And when my mind finally starts functioning again, all I can think is that I wish the conversations I had with my mate last night felt as natural as the one I just had with his brother.