Chapter 137
Fiona POV
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+13
I feel awkward as I stand at the bonfire. I know a lot of these pack members but not everybody appears to be in a social mood. Father has already abandoned me and I know that Regan and Xavier must be inside the pack house delegating tasks to the omegas. I sighed, sipping at my soda, not certain that I wanted to spend tonight drinking, even though the temptation to get drunk, to throw away my inhibitions and just let loose, is awfully tempting. Considering that I don’t have my wolf and my life is already beginning to unravel, part of me wonders what it is that I have to lose?
“Fiona you look beautiful tonight.”
A voice speaks from behind me. Surprised, I turn around and look at Graham, a small smile curving on my lips. He’s always been kind to me, or at least civil and while he’s one year older than I am, I can still remember him from school.
“Thank you.” I say politely as his eyes slowly rake over my forin, a glint in his eyes. “It’s nice to see you again Graham” I added.
“Same here,” he said, motioning to the bonfire and then peering at my drink with a wrinkled brow. “Why are you drinking soda when you turn eighteen tonight? Shouldn’t you be drinking with the rest of us and having fun?” he cracked.
I peer down at my soda, feeling uncertain. Maybe he’s right. Would it hurt to have one drink and join in the festivities?
“I wasn’t planning on drinking,” I said bemusedly as he gaped at me “but I guess you might have convinced me” I added sheepishly.
He chuckled. “I’ll go get you a glass, be right back. Champagne?” he added.
I nodded, watching as he went to the refreshment table. He selected a glass of champagne for myself and a glass of beer for himself. I put the soda down on the ground, discarding it for now. He came rushing back, handing it to me.
“Now don’t drink it all at once” he warned with sparkling eyes “wouldn’t want you to get all tipsy and lose control of yourself” he teased as I giggled.
“To your eighteenth birthday,” he declared, holding up his glass and clinking it with my champagne “happy birthday. May it be a memorable one” he added softly, gazing into my eyes.
I swallowed hard, feeling inexplicably nervous, and took a sip of the champagne. It was surprisingly sweet, causing me to feel somewhat relieved that I wasn’t about to embarrass myself by spitting it out everywhere. I let out a small humming sound of appreciation, swallowing some more down and Graham let out a laugh.
“You seem to be enjoying that,” he said watching me closely “I told you that it was fun to drink. Why don’t you have some more?” he suggested.
I obediently took a few more sips. I felt as though my body was pleasantly humming. I didn’t feel concerned or anxious about anything anymore. I swayed back and forth on my feet, enjoying the feel of the flames of the bonfire and how they looked against the darkness of the night as they crackled and spat.
“It’s beautiful out here” I murmured, feeling the coolness of the breeze against the bareness of my cheeks.
So nice and breezy. There was a soft wind but otherwise, it was relatively peaceful. I saw Graham’s eyes on me.
“Yes” he said meaningfully “you are beautiful.”
I almost choked, thinking I might have misheard him, blushing profusely. I blinked but he simply winked at me. I had heard him correctly. Was Graham flirting with me? I was somewhat stunned. This was the first time a boy or rather a man, had shown any interest in me, or at least so blatantly. I felt instantly flattered.
“Graham” I whispered, nervously licking my quivering lips “I um, that is” I stammered.
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Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 137
“Whoa it’s okay he laughed, holding one hand up, his beer glass empty “I just wanted you to know how I feel Fiona Word is that you might be leaving us soon and I feel as though I’ve missed out on an opportunity to let you know how I feel before now. I don’t want you to leave without expressing my feelings, even though he paused and looked at me hesitantly beneath fluttering lashes even if you don’t fully reciprocate them. I know that I’m not exactly a prize” he admitted lowly.
Was he kidding? Any girl would be lucky to have Graham as their mate or partner. I blinked, feeling as though I was treading on unfamiliar territory, I clutched my glass tighter, frowning as I noticed that mine too was empty. When had I finished it? Never mind. I shook my head, attempting to clear my mind, and refocussed on him.
Graham, it’s not that. I like you too” I told him sincerely “it’s just that you’ve never given any indication until now…” I trailed
off.
Bad he deliberately waited until I was eighteen? Had my age been the only thing preventing him from declaring his true feelings towards me? I perked up, feeling instantly better about the day, as I gazed at him solemnly.
“I was stupid. I thought that I had plenty of time and now you’re leaving” he said, staring down at the ground.
“Maybe not,” I said miserably, causing him to look up at me sharply. “You might as well know. I didn’t” I blushed, feeling humiliated and knowing that it was bound to get around the pack anyway. “I didn’t get my wolf” I finished in a low whisper.
He looked stunned. “But Fiona, you’re half Alpha” he blurted out incredulously.
1 gave a careless shrug. “Apparently that doesn’t matter:” I gave a self–conscious laugh “so it that changes the way you feel about me, then please let me know. I wouldn’t blame you” I added slightly bitterly.
After all this time, finally, somebody likes me and then this happens! It was unbearable. My heart felt as though it was about to burst out of my chest as I anxiously waited for him to reply.
Once again he surprised me. “I don’t care” he burst out.
I was shocked. The level of vehemence in his voice, it was loud, drawing the attention of nearby pack members who turned to look at the two of us with curiosity. I could see Celeste in the background, holding court with her friends. She seemed to be staring at somebody.
“Let’s go for a walk” Graham suggested, raising a brow.
“A walk?” I said numbly.
“Yeah,” he said, grabbing my glass and putting it down. “Let’s grab another drink and go for a walk, just the two of us” he added as I nodded, feeling somewhat emboldened and maybe a little overeager.
He rushed to grab me more champagne, handing it to me with a mischievous grin. He winked. “Come on my sweet” he joked, taking hold of my hand and beginning to lead me into the forest as my heart began to flutter “let’s go for a stroll beneath the moonlight.”
He was going to kiss me, I could sense it. I swallowed hard, unable to control my rising excitement. I forgot all about the Black Lightning pack, about my life and the misery of the early morning. Right now all I could focus was on him and the feel of his hand as he began to lead me deeper into the woods. I took several sips of my drink for liquid courage. The liquid trickled down my throat and lent me courage. Graham was humming lightly under his breath, slowing his steps, looking at ease as we continued on.
“Come on” he urged, as I allowed him to lead me “I want to be alone with you” he breathed meaningfully.
I glanced over my shoulder and the rapidly disappearing bonfire behind us. I reasoned that I had nothing to fear from him. Graham was a friend and a valued pack member. What possible reason could he have to harm me? No, I concluded, he was simply shy and wanted to make sure that nobody could see us or hear us while we had our special moment. I could feel my body beginning to tremble. This was going to be the best eighteenth birthday of my life. I smiled, my drink rapidly fading as I drank even more. Graham paused, glancing around. We were so far from the pack by now that nobody could possibly hear us. Even patrol would be too far out, I thought absent mindedly as he moved me to stand in front of the trunk of a tree, his hand pushing me so that I stood against it.
2/3
Chapter 137
“Perfect” he purred licking his lips as I stared at him in wonder “you look exactly as I pictured you to.”
3/3
田
