Present Day
The sky is silky smooth with a collusion of reds and yellows. I admire the blend of colors and the different shades of orange painted against the blue sky as the gator takes us down to the lake. It’s inspiring and calming at the same time. This has always been my favorite time of day. When I used to stay here on the territory, I loved sitting near the lake’s edge to think.
“So, what do you think of the men so far?” my mother asks as we walk arm in arm toward the water.
“I think a few of them have potential,” I answer her vaguely. I don’t want her to look at me and know I’m lying.
“Anyone in particular stand out to you?”
What I want to say is none of them. I’m attracted to a few of them, yes, but not for a mate. Does that make me sound horrible? Then there’s Shadow. My heart aches, recalling Marcus’s conversation with Wills. I mentally slap myself for being so naive to believe his words last night. I need to remindmyself that the man I fell in love with is no longer there. It’s all my fault. I broke him. All that is left is an emotionless man who threatened my life.
“Jessica?”
“Hmm?” I blink twice, attempting to retrace our conversation. “I was thinking how to answer you,” I reply.
“Well, if you must think about it, I guess the answer is no one. Not yet, at least.” She winks and kisses my temple as she leaves me.
I’m instructed to stand facing the lake. Carmen wants me to turn around when Holden introduces the next contestant. While I wait for my cue, I gaze out over the lake. From here, I can see the tea plantation and the packs’ homes. I don’t know if I will ever get used to the idea that all of this is mine. It has always been my second home. I scan the area one more time.
A prickly sensation ghosts along my scalp. A gentle hand caresses my shoulder. Tiny electrical impulses radiate from his hand along my neck, kissing my cheek.
Shadow. Why is he here?
“Alpha Tyler Jackson Larson, Obsidian Pack, Territory Five of the LS.”
Slowly, I spin around, keeping my eyes to the ground.
His hand moves from my shoulder to my chin, tilting my face toward his. “Please look at me,” he whispers.
I lift my gaze and gasp. His blue eyes are not as dark as they had been. His face is softer, not hard or guarded. He looks like my Tyler again. He looks at me as he always did before. I’m speechless. His energy is not as dark, and his smile—that beautiful smile—makes me want to cry.
I swallow the lump forming in my throat and briefly close my eyes, squelching the threatening emotions and tears. When I open them again, he stares so intently, it almost hurts.
“Hi,” I breathe. Heat creeps into my cheeks.
“We didn’t get a chance at a proper introduction last night. So, here’s my second chance. In reality, this is actually my third one, so I hope it turns out to be a new beginning for us.”
I don’t know how to respond to his statement, to him, this transformation. Is this real, or is this just part of his plan? I blink back the tears threatening to fall. Can I truly trust him?
He cups my cheek and gently brushes his thumb along my skin. His gaze sweeps over me and lands on my lips. The corner of his lip twitches, and his eyes darken slightly before returning to his lighter blue. Looking into my eyes, they hold so much promise of love and desire.
My blush deepens. Butterflies unfurl in my stomach, just like when I was seventeen.
He clears his throat. “My apologies for staring. I am so enraptured by your beauty that everything around me ceases to exist.”
Nervous laughter escapes me, and I cover my mouth. His look of confusion only makes me laugh harder.
He chuckles, snaking his arm around my waist, bringing me closer into him.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter between fits of giggles.
“Give me a break, Princess. I’m out of practice.” He smiles down at me.
Our laughter dies as we stare into each other's eyes. My cheeks burn from smiling. My hand presses against his chest, and I feel the lean muscle beneath his dress shirt, reminding me of how good his hardened body felt beneath my hands just this morning. I swallow the lump of desire.
I look up at him through my lashes. “Heard of the three-strike rule, Alpha Larson?” I tease.
He leans down until his breath wisps across my cheek. “Is that a challenge, Alpha Princess?”
