I suppose Grey leaving for the weekend isn’t all bad, though. She basically admitted that she’s trying to not catch feelings, and that was music to my ears. Surely the time apart will make her want to come crawling back to me.
Maybe then I’ll allow myself to lay claim to her, like I’ve been dreaming of ever since I sank my teeth into her neck and bound us to this eternal prison I find myself no longer wanting to escape.
Chapter 40
Sienna and I spent the entire drive dissecting everything that has happened between me and the brothers ever since I agreed to come back. The only break in conversation was when I forced Sienna to tell me about what was going on with the vampires and werewolves. Apparently, they’re growing restless. Both species want to claim power over the other now that their common enemy is practically extinct.
Even though Sienna had told me she worked on the communication side of things, I had no idea just how involved she was with both the vamps and wolves. She said threats were being made every day, and that the tension was becoming unbearable. When I asked if Thane knew how bad it was, she said he had bigger things to worry about. She didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t push it. I know her position means she can’t share everything, and I didn’t want to make her feel guilty for it. Besides, she brought the conversation back around to Kole and me before I’d had a chance to ask her any more questions.
Despite telling me that I was asking for trouble, she was more than supportive. Apparently, a lot of the werewolvesare polyamorous, so the idea that I’m feeling things for both Thane and Kole didn’t faze her one bit. Her only concern was Thane’s temper, and rightfully so. We both know that if he finds out I feel something for Kole, the world might very well end. I half expected Sienna to reaffirm that Kole is off-limits, but instead she practically planted a flag, declaring she’s on Team Kole. With the way she talks about “Alpha,” I thought she’d be more supportive of the connection I have with Thane. But she and Kole have more of a friendship, so I suppose it makes sense for her to root for that connection instead.
Either way, I told her not to get too excited. If I stick to my plan, Kole will stay in the friend zone, and Thane and I will find balance with the bond. I’ve been through too much to get to this point. I have freedom, and I’m starting to build an actual life for myself. I’d be an idiot to screw things up, and that’s exactly what will happen if I get caught up in my feelings. Thane and I can have fun as long as I keep my boundaries intact, and as for Kole, I’ll just have to shove down my feelings and remind myself that he’s restricted territory.
Piece of cake.
When we arrive at the penthouse, Kole gives me a key and tells us he’ll be back in an hour to take us to dinner. He appointed himself as our designated driver for the night, though I’m sure it’s only because Thane gave him an order to stay close by. Still, if he wants to be our driver for the evening, I’m not going to fight him on it.
In fact, I’ll take that as a sign to let loose. After everything I’ve gone through these past months, I deserve to let my hair down and have some fun. And not the kind of fun that ends with being thrown off a roof or dropped into a vat of blood.
Tonight, I’m turning the page. What happened before doesn’t matter. If I’m going to embrace this new life, then I need to do so fully. The universe has granted me a new lease on life, and although it’s unconventional, it’s what I’ve been given, and I’m not going to squander it. I’ll adapt just as I always have, and that starts with acceptance. Accepting that I’m forever bound to an Alpha hybrid. Accepting that I live in a world run by vampires and werewolves. Accepting that, somehow, a werewolf named Sienna might just be the best friend I’ve ever had. And accepting that, as crazy as all of that sounds, it’s also the best thing to ever happen to me.
“Earth to Fallon?” Sienna chimes, waving a hand in my face.
“Sorry,” I apologize, shaking my head. “What were you saying?”
“I was saying that you should wear this tonight.” She holds up a long-sleeve bodysuit with a plunging neckline and a short black leather skirt. I flash her a look that says I’m not so sure, and she pulls out a pair of white thigh-high boots like that somehow makes it better. “Hey, you’re living in our world now, which means it’s time you embrace that body of yours.”
“Fine,” I agree with an exaggerated huff.
It’s not like I’ve ever really been one to hide my curves, but it’s been a long time since I’ve felt the desire to show off my God-given assets. When Thane had dressed me up in those gowns and the Princess Leia costume on Halloween, it felt like I was a puppet being played with. They made my skin crawl, but it was mostly because of what they represented.
I grab the outfit from Sienna and hold it up to get a better look. The skirt looks barely long enough to cover my ass, while the top looks like I’ll be one wrong move away from a nip slip. Luckily, comfort isn’t the priority tonight, and a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as Sienna claps her hands together.
“You’re going to be trouble tonight, aren’t you?” she asks with a devilish grin.
“What happens in Seattle, stays in Seattle.” I toss her a wink, and she jumps up from the bed with a giddy laugh.
Sienna styles my hair in a high messy bun, leaving a few pieces to fall around my face, while I complete the look with a deep red lip and a long gold necklace that accentuates my cleavage. She opts for an equally risqué, little black dress that leaves her back completely bare, except for the dainty chain lining her spine. I guess when you’re a werewolf you don’t have to worry about the cold as much.
“Damn, we look good,” she says, as we look ourselves over in the mirror one last time.
I’m just about to agree with her when I hear a knock at the door. I hurry to answer it, surprised when I find Kole standing in the hallway. He’s dressed in black jeans and a black t-shirt that hugs his muscular frame perfectly.
“Why didn’t you let yourself in?” I ask, as he takes in my outfit, his jaw ticking when his eyes fall to my cleavage.
“Because,” he clears his throat and takes a step inside, “the penthouse belongs to you this weekend.”
I’m not really sure what to say to that. I knew Thane and Kole agreed to give me my space once a month in Seattle, but I didn’t expect them to be guests in their own home.
“Ready?” Sienna asks, handing me a black leather jacket. I shrug it on, and she holds out a small red purse with my phone already in it.
“Now I am,” I say, slipping the bag over my shoulder.
When we get to the restaurant it’s already buzzing with vampires and werewolves, killing any hope I had of blending in. All eyes fall on me for a long moment before Kole releases a warning hiss that makes everyone return to their conversations.
A host guides Sienna and me to a circular booth overlooking the restaurant while Kole takes a seat at the bar, where he can keep an eye on us. Though I appreciate his attempt at letting us have a girl’s night, it feels like we have an overbearing babysitter.
“You know what you need?” Sienna chimes, sliding into the booth next to me.
