Grabbing a comb, she set to work on her hair, not for the first time wishing it shimmered with highlights instead of being a solid dark brown. The colour reminded her too much of the animal in her dream. Yes, she could try dying it, but she always wondered how the colour would take, given her...unusual...genetic makeup.
Glancing at the clock, she realized it was time to start dinner. Kellen would be home soon and she wanted to surprise him. Setting the comb down, she headed to the kitchen, resolutely pushing all thoughts of wolves from her mind. Tonight it would be all about her and Kellen.
*****
Stump River, Ontario, Canada...
Bryan grunted and firmed his jaw, ignoring his protesting muscles. Sweat trickled down his face as he lifted the weight, counting in his head, before giving a sigh of relief and lowering the heavy disks. They clanged against the metal stand, the sound echoing off the walls of the exercise room. He relaxed against the bench, breathing heavily and feeling pleasantly spent.
“Done for the day?” A towel landed in his face as the speaker walked past.
Wearily, he reached up and wiped the sweat from his face and chest while eyeing the room’s other occupant. Daniel was chugging back a bottle of water, his body glistening from an intense workout.
Bryan sat up, giving his arms a shake and then stretching. His muscles ached slightly from the strain they’d been under, not tired, just well used. “No. I think I’ll go for a run. Want to join me?”
“Nah. I’m whipped. You Beta-types can exercise until you barf, but not me. I’m the intellectual in the pack, remember?”
Snorting, Bryan studied his young friend. At twenty-two, Daniel might claim to be an intellectual, but his lean frame was still packed with muscle and had all the local ladies swooning. Well... Most of the local ladies, he amended, noting that Daniel was staring out the window with a look of longing in his eyes.
The object of the younger man’s attention was Tessa, a doe-eyed, dark haired Spanish beauty. Daniel had been following her around like a love-sick puppy ever since she’d joined the pack three years ago. Not that Tessa ever gave Daniel any encouragement, but that hadn’t stopped the man from wanting her.
Shaking his head at the follies of young love, Bryan stood up and clapped Daniel on the shoulder. “Why don’t you make a move on her?”
Daniel firmed his mouth and shoved his hands in his pocket. “She’s not ready yet...”
“Ready? She’s nineteen; definitely time for her to choose a mate.”
“You know her history.” Anger washed over Daniel’s face and Bryan gripped his shoulder.
“I do. But she can’t live in the past forever. Someone needs to help her move on. Why not you?”
Shrugging, Daniel threw his water bottle in the recycling bin and picked up his discarded t-shirt. “I don’t know. The time never seems right.”
“If you wait too long, you might lose your chance.” Bryan threw out the warning and headed for the door, knowing he’d pushed all he could. Daniel had to be the one to make the move.
Once outside, he debated about turning into his wolf form, but decided to finish his workout as he’d started. His human body needed the exercise more than his wolf did.
Bending to tighten his laces, he heard giggling coming from the nearby gazebo and glanced that way. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he saw two young girls peering at him. Becky and Emily were the daughters of the newest family to join Ryne’s pack. At fifteen and thirteen respectively, they were harmless enough, but the crush they’d developed on him was annoying and embarrassing.
As Beta, he was the second in command, the Alpha’s bodyguard, and the pack’s enforcer. Being followed by giggling teenagers did nothing for his image, nor did he know how to deal with them. He didn’t want to hurt their feelings, but subtle hints weren’t having much effect in dissuading them.
Knowing if he delayed much longer, they’d actually work up the nerve to approach him, he got to his feet and prepared to walk past them.
“Hi Bryan!” The girls spoke at the same time. One was attempting an exaggerated model stance while the other settled for tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
“’Evening, girls.” He kept his eyes focussed straight ahead and didn’t slow his pace otherwise they might decide to follow him. It wouldn’t be the first time it had happened. As he continued on his way, he picked up on parts of their conversation...
“Did you see how his muscles rippled? And his butt...”
“Mmm. And his voice. It’s so deep it makes me shiver.”
“I like his hair best. Dark blond is so cool.”