Page 70 of Soaring in Flames (Reborn 2)
“No,” her father growled, walking up to press a hand to his daughter's upper back. “We aren’t doing this. You just turned eighteen and I have no idea who this asshole is. He sure as hell isn’t a wolf from our pack. Plus, no offense Marco, but anyone who hangs with your crowd doesn’t have a reputation of being fucking safe.”
Marco chuckled softly and I looked over at him, blushing when his hot gaze trailed over me. I shivered trying to not get caught up on him right now. I didn’t want to miss any of this situation.
“Sir,” Marcellus stepped up, pulling Jordan against his chest while keeping his gaze on her father, “I understand your concern—”
“No,” her father growled. I swear my eyes were bouncing back and forth between the two of them as Jordan watched with a bit of equal interest.
Then Marcellus let out his own low growl, the air changing as I felt Croy shake his head looking frustrated with all of this. If I had to guess, he felt like it was a distraction. I knew Atlas felt similar, his eyes tracking the situation with lazy entertainment.
Jordan’s mate narrowed his eyes as power charged the area. I couldn’t tell you what type of shifter he was but the power streaking through the space was like dark electricity. I knew he was a shifter of some type for sure though, it had a distinct smell to it that I was starting to recognize with the help of my magic. Whatever it was, or he was, it changed the dynamic of the space.
“I understand what you're saying, but we need to talk about this. Specifically Jordan and I need to talk, no doubt my brothers will be along shortly if they feel the bond and unless you want to wait...” He let that linger. Brothers? Jordan’s eyes went wide. Does she have multiple mates as well? Croy chuckled and I realized I’d spoken out loud.
Marcellus continued, “I don’t want to pull rank on your own fucking pack lands.”
After a pregnant pause, her father turned on his heel toward the house and Jordan smiled following after. Marcellus offered Croy and the others a look I didn’t understand before following. I sighed and looked back towards the others.
“Well, that’s a bit exciting!” I chirped. “Does she have multiple mates? Can we do double dates? That's a thing right?”
Croy chuckled as Sai offered a big smile, “God, Maya. I love you, Kitten.”
I blushed as the others started talking. Did he really?
***
Jordan
AND HERE I HAD THOUGHTtoday would have been boring.
I mean most times, Maya made my life more interesting than it was. For example, landing a fairly light but impactful hit to that one bitches face this week? A lot of fun. But that was about it. Usually my weeks were boring and now that Maya wouldn’t be in school? I didn’t even want to consider how long this year would be.
I shook my head wondering what exactly was going on outside and frustrated that my father wouldn’t let me join them. I couldn’t even see them fully because they were under the pavilion. I felt like it was important to be out there though.
“Jordan?” my housekeeper called, “Your friend is arriving.”
I turned from where I was standing in front of the hallway mirror, the opulent surroundings of my house a pale cream and gold. My housekeeper, Nina, offered a soft smile and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. Honestly, after losing my mother she was the closest thing I had to a mother and she wasn’t even a shifter.
Without another thought I was out the door, watching a large black SUV pull up. Immediately, the door opened and my best friend practically catapulted herself out and I hugged her eagerly, so thrilled to see her. Honestly, it was a wonder how Maya and I were friends because we were so different. Not just in looks though, but more than that. I thought I would get frustrated with her naive nature but she never seemed to use it as a crutch and if anything I found myself viewing things differently than before. I had assumed that she had gone through something horrible but until I had heard my father talking it over with his Beta I hadn’t realized how bad.
They didn’t know much, but I knew she was rumored to be a phoenix and had been apparently abused by her mother and father, the latter having returned into town. A surge of sisterly protective instincts ran through me because it was bullshit that someone as sweet as Maya should ever have to go through something like that. I suppose it was good that she had the Moretti's behind her because if anyone was scary enough to handle that it was them.
I didn’t meet the guys’ gazes very often because I wasn’t very confident, even being an alpha, that I would be able to win that shit. I also didn’t trust my wolf to not start shit. Instead, I tugged Maya towards the door glad to finally be able to go into the backyard and see what was going on. I honestly couldn’t even tell you what I was saying to Maya because I was so damn hyper.
Immediately, when we went through the french doors, the scent of myrrh and a darker undertone of citrus invaded my nose. My wolf, a dramatic bitch who usually offered me a series of eyerolls and huffs through the day, stood immediately and stilled. I felt my body lock into place as I searched the area.
Then it all made sense.
“Who is that?” I asked immediately but not giving a shit about the answer. My eyes ran over the truly massive man standing in our backyard, and that was saying something because I was tall for a woman. I had nothing on this 6’4 massive jaguar. Absolutely nothing.
My eyes ran over his olive skin tone in a greedy fashion as his charcoal colored eyes scanned the property in a lazy fashion, not having noticed me yet. Which was good because I wasn’t positive I was ready for the bond trying to form between us. A mesh of energy that was stretching towards him with each moment I stayed in the same space. I wanted to run my hands through his dark hair while also turning and getting the fuck out of here. A jaguar and wolf? That spelled trouble.
Hadn’t I always said I didn’t want a mate? I had felt they were a restraint on your freedom. This though? This didn’t feel restraining. This felt like a pulsating sense of joy in the center of my chest that threatened to overwhelm me. Then the wind blew and I felt my heart slow right as he snapped his gaze towards mine, his expression blanking completely. The two of us suspended in the moment, my feet frozen to the spot.
I heard Maya say something, but a low whine broke from my throat as the man’s chest rumbled in a near purr. I could feel myself wanting to crawl towards him and bear my neck. I had never felt like this before. I could feel my entire center exploding with heat and the closer he got the more on fire I felt. He was moving with an elegant grace but almost hesitantly as if he was worried I would run. The only fucking running I would be doing would be towards him.
“Hi,” I whispered as he stepped up in front of me. I nearly moaned as his large rough hand cupped my jaw and my eyes fluttered slightly.
“Hello, little love.” His English accent had me practically melting. My eyebrows went up as I felt my entire face flush because fuck, could this guy be any more perfect?
