Page 52 of Those That Are Lost
“Maybe,” I hedge. “But I’m not going to push her. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.” And part of me still thinks that she’s going to realise that someone not wrapped up in all the negative aspects of her life would make her happier. Would the plans I’ve been allowing myself to make be better for having Red by my side as my mate? Absolutely. I want to do this with her, know I’ll do it better for having her as my partner. My soul feels more untethered each day that I’m in her presence and have to hold in everything I feel for her. Because I do, I feel everything for Red. She’s the reason my life is finally starting to look like it might become something other than the waste it has been for the last five decades. She’s the reason I want to try again. If she decides to walk away from me, I have a real fear that I’ll let this hope walk right out with her.
Eetu makes a huffing sound that I take for agreement. He pats my knee again before rising and heading off into the crowds.
Red holdsmy attention the entire night. We manage a few short conversations before one of us gets pulled away by one of the wolves. The news of our impending departure has spread fast and they all want our attention.
Not that I mind. This town is like one giant family, and they’ve been more than welcoming of us. Even the two Fae females are in attendance tonight and I’ve watched Red weave her magic on them. They were talking animatedly within seconds of her introducing herself.
“Ty, please!” Joey pleads with me, forcing me to look at him. “I won’t win otherwise, and we have a bet that I really want to win.”
“Do I want to know?” I plead silently that he’s not about to tell me something sexual. I’ve heard enough about the bets he makes with his mates from his brothers.
“No, all you need to do is help me win this snowball fight.” He tugs on my sleeve as I exhale in relief.
Indeed, around the edges of the gathering, several of the wolves are engaged in a battle.
“Giving up, pup?” Altair calls from behind the kids slide. He’s bouncing a snowball in his gloved hand, shooting quite the heated look at the male at my side.
“Guess he’s sitting out next time,” barks Neo, their third.
“Ty, come on! With your speed we can’t lose!” Joey begs, pulling me harder out of the fray. Several conversations around us cease as everyone starts to get invested in the match.
I let him take me, but as soon as I’m clear of the others, I’m slammed with a snowball straight to the chest.
“I didn’t say I was in!” I yell, looking around for the offender. My eyes lock onto a grinning red-haired female, ducked low against one of the outer benches.How had Red gotten there so fast, she was just by the fire.
“In now?” Neo calls.
Oh, definitely.
“What are the teams?” I ask, turning to Joey. A beaming smile lights up his face.
“Yes!!” He jumps at my side. “It’s Ash, me, Rawson, andnow you, against Millie, Altair, Neo, and I’m guessing Rory now. Where’s Henry gone to? I wanted you to give us the edge but they’ve gone and got their own vampire.”
He bounces off, no doubt in search of Henry.
A second snowball flies towards me but I’m quicker this time. I move to catch it instead.
I catch Red’s eye again as she ducks, pulling Millie with her. I launch the snowball anyway, smashing it against the top of the bench and covering them in a flurry of snow.
Screaming erupts from the females as the fight resumes properly.
Altair and Neo come to the girls aid and I have to back off to find some cover. I don’t have to hold the fort for long as Joey appears again, now with Henry in tow.
Snowballs fly, and we all take it a little bit too seriously whilst laughing harder than I have in months. Seeing Henry get smashed in the face was particularly entertaining.
Whatever Joey wants from his mates, he wants it badly. He’s a freaking demon at co-ordinating us. Rawson gets taken out pretty quickly, surrendering after getting hit by Red, Neo, and Altair all at once, much to Millie’s delight.
After that, I swear Red focuses on me. She’s lethal with her aim and manages to hit me several times. We throw the icy balls back and forth for several minutes before she legs it across the field.
I take the breather and stalk over to the edge of the main house to give myself cover whilst I build more snowballs. Compacting it between my hands, I take a peek around the corner to try and find where Red has gone. I spot each of the others, all engaged with members of the opposing team, but my little female is nowhere in sight.
Coming into the open more, I hold my hand up, snowball ready to launch.
A crunching from behind me tips me off and I swinground just in time to see her coming at me. She’s rounded the entire building to get behind me.
Instead of backing away, I step forward and let the shadows out. A wall of darkness envelops her and I hear her skid to a stop.
“Hey, this isn’t fair!” she growls. I chuckle in response.
