Alexia Eden(31)

As we get closer to the bottom stairs I hear people talking and it makes me really anxious, Alex obviously senses it and puts her arm around my shoulder pulling me closer into her side. Its protective and she has a motherly touch, a touch that I miss all too much.

As we walk into the kitchen there’s a couple of people standing around talking, they all stop and look at me under Alex’s arm. I move closer to her, I look at the people in the room and some are smiling at me and looking between the two of us obviously seeing the similarities between us. The guys in the room all seem to be bare chested or wearing vests, looking me up and down with lust in their eyes making me feel insecure in my denim shorts and tight t-shirt that clearly shows cleavage.

“Boys stop drooling, close those damn mouths!” A deep voice radiating authority booms through the door that leads out the kitchen. A huge dark haired man walks in, I thought the twins were big but this man is colossal, muscles bulking out of his tight black shirt. That voice that shows authority makes me take a step back out of fear.

The man walks towards me and bends so he is looking me in the eyes. His eyes are familiar; I see them every time I look in the mirror. Strange.

“I’m going to give you a hug now, please don’t hurt me.” he smiles as he says this in a softer tone and before I can reply he too grabs me in a big bear hug that lifts me off the ground. I feel him squeeze me gently as if he doesn’t want to let me go, this man could easily break me if he wanted to. I feel safe with him and I don’t know why, I start to laugh as everyone cheers in the room. He puts me down reluctantly.

“I’m Johnny, your um….uncle.” he says with a big smile but falter when he mentions the uncle part.

“We are so happy to have you with us here Angel, I can’t believe how much you look like Alex except you’re a whole lot smaller.” he looks at me in awe.

“…and a whole lot paler.” I blurt out without thinking and everyone starts laughing at my comment. I can’t believe how gentle he was with me when a few minutes ago he was about to rip those guys heads off.

He looks at my aunt then at me as if in amazement. “She is absolutely perfect Alex. Perfect.” He gives Alex an affectionate hug and kiss, I turn my attention to everyone as different people start introducing themselves to me also calling me Angel. I’m not sure why everyone is so fascinated by me. Maybe because I’m the only human here.

Johnny comes up and pulls me away from Talon and Tyler whom were teasing me about passing out.

He hands me a plastic cup with juice. “Come Angel, we’re going to go make a bonfire outside and you can meet some of the other members of the pack.” He pulls me with him and introduces me to the other members. I love this atmosphere, its one big family and I feel so wanted. Smiling to myself I think about how crazy this is.

“What are you smiling about?” Tyler says as he sits next to me and Talon sits on my other side.

“Are you two joined at the hip?” I ask them sarcastically raising my eyebrow.

They laugh, “You’re not only gorgeous, your also funny AND can kick ass!” Tyler says as he fist pumps his brother’s hand in front of me.

“Baby where Tyler goes - I go and we share everything!” he says as he winks at me and looks my body over just oozing sex appeal. I feel my cheeks redden and take another sip of my cold soda.

Trying to change the subject and answer some of the questions twirling in my head I blurt, “So how old are you guys? Are you related to my aunt or her husband? Do you know how long they have been married? They are so cute together, it’s as if they’re still teenagers in love…” I ramble on dreamily happy at seeing my aunt and uncle so happy together reminding me of how my parents used to be.

“We’re twenty two and nah we’re not related but no one cares about all that. We are one pack, one family. Alpha Jon and Luna Alex have been together for a long time. Alex was lucky to find her mate in Alpha when she was fifteen, that’s what our mom told us, and they have been together ever since. That’s what having a mate is all about ...when you find your soul mate, the person becomes another part of you. Every time you see them it will be like the first time you saw them and your feelings for them will be so strong nothing can tear you apart.” Talon says looking intently into my eyes.

“Wow, that’s amazing… so a mate is your soul mate? The person made just for you? Your other half?” I say softly, almost whisper thinking to myself the stories my mother used to tell me when I was small.

“Yeah it’s pretty amazing…” Tyler says as he looks into the fire clearly talking about his mate. He seems saddened as he talks from experience I quickly ask them if they have a mate and they both are quick to deny it so I change the subject.