Valencia!

Four

Five shots in, and Valen was definitely having a good time. She’d changed into a cute bikini and was now perched on Ty’s shoulders in the pool, volleying a ball back and forth with another girl who was balancing on David the football player’s shoulders.

The game was fast-paced and fun, but before there was a winner, the football team captain shouted out for wet t-shirt contest contestants. The girl across from Valen immediately fell back into the water and swam to the stairs to sign up. Valen grinned and started to flop backwards off Ty’s shoulders to join in. However, before she could, Ty reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Where do you think you’re going?” he laughed.

“To do the contest,” she answered seriously. Ty laughed again, shaking his head. “Uh, nope. Nope, nope, nope. You’re not doing that, Valen.” With that, he threw her over his shoulder, swimming towards the rock cove in the pool.

“What on earth are you doing, Ty?” She asked, laughing. He waved off a couple of kids making out by the waterfall and set her down on an underwater bench behind the rocks. He settled beside her with a sigh. “Valen,” he began, his tone changing, “I’ve been waiting all night to tell you this . . . I like you.” His words caught her completely off guard.

“What? Like, as a friend . . .?” She stammered. “No, not just as a friend,” he said, his gaze locking with hers. She blinked, thinking over his words. “Since when?” She questioned, curiosity piqued. “I thought you were waiting for your mate?” She turned to face him fully, still processing.

Ty hesitated, fiddling with his fingers nervously. “I was . . . but now . . . I just really want to be with you,” he confessed sincerely. Valen paused, her thoughts racing. “You remember I’m a witch, right?” She asked quietly, feeling a pang of doubt.

When she looked up at him again, his face was so close to hers that she could feel his breath on her skin. His light honey-colored eyes shone against his dark skin. “I know who you are, Valen.” Without another word, he captured her lips in a soft, sweet kiss. Valen’s heart fluttered, but there was something unsettling about it, and she pulled away too soon.

She touched her lips, trying to make sense of the emotions swirling inside her. “You’re not upset with me, are you?” He asked, his voice a little shaky. “No, it just . . . felt awkward is all,” she admitted honestly.

Ty let out a light laugh. “That’s probably because we’ve been friends for so long,” Valen nodded in agreement. She leaned in to kiss him again, fighting the guilt gnawing at her insides, but this time, it felt better. The kiss was a little sweeter.

Just then, David from the team appeared at the edge of the cove, catching the two of them mid-kiss. “Ohhh, dude, are you and Valen like a thing now?” He asked, treading water and grinning. Ty glanced at Valen for a moment before replying, “Yeah, I uhhhh . . . think we’re a thing.”

David smiled widely. “Well, now I feel bad for hitting on her earlier. But congrats, man. Sorry, Valen,” he added with a sheepish smile. Valen smiled awkwardly, nodding in return. “You didn’t have to tell him that if you didn’t want to,” Valen turned to Ty after David swam away. He tucked a piece of her dark hair behind her ear, his golden eyes softening as they met hers.

“I’m not ashamed of you, Valen. You’re still my best friend first,” he said earnestly. She believed him. Then, he kissed her again, slow and sweet, and she tried to push past the odd feelings that flared up within her, enjoying the moment. She shifted to straddle Ty, and he placed his hands on her hips, pulling her into him.

Another wave of guilt hit her, stronger this time. “Wait,” she said, placing her hand on his smooth chest. “Something doesn’t feel right, Ty.” He pulled back, looking concerned. “I’m not pushing you into this, am I?” his voice tight with worry. “No, honestly, I’ve always kind of wanted to be with you too,” she admitted shyly.

Ty’s eyes darkened, much like Maximus’ had earlier, and she smiled nervously. “But something inside is telling me not to.” She glanced away, feeling conflicted. Ty nodded, his expression understanding. “I get it. You probably just need time, and I’ll give it to you. I’m just happy you didn’t reject me on the spot.” He finished with a small, hopeful smile, and Valen returned it.

She wasn’t sure what was holding her back from fully enjoying this with him, but it was frustrating. They swam out of the cove, hand in hand. As they emerged on the other side, Valen’s eyes locked onto her brother Griffin, who was standing at the edge of the pool with his arms crossed. His expression was unusually serious, and he looked upset, which was unlike him.

Valen stepped out of the pool, immediately walking toward him. “What’s up, Griffin?” she asked, feeling a strange guilt, even though her parents had given her permission to be here. “What did you do to piss off Max?” he asked, his tone sharp. Valen blinked, confused. “Max?” she asked, not understanding.

“Yes, Max . . . like, Maximus. The Alpha’s son,” Griffin clarified. Valen shrugged, still confused. “I didn’t do anything to him.” “Well, he’s here and wants to see you,” Griffin said, then added, “alone,” as Ty approached from behind her. Valen turned to Ty. “I have to go with my brother for a moment,” she said quickly, grabbing a towel off the nearby stack. Ty nodded but looked concerned.

“You’re not in trouble, are you?” He whispered before she followed her brother. “No, my parents said I could come. It’s just . . . my brother needs something.” She pecked him on the cheek in front of everyone before walking away, cursing herself for being so brash.

“For f**k’s sake, what took you so long?” a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, and Valen looked up to see Maximus, his blonde hair and piercing blue eyes unmistakable. “Dude, she was swimming with her friends. Chill,” Griffin snapped. Maximus walked toward Valen, pulling her into a hug and inhaling deeply, smelling the top of her head.

Unlike earlier, everything inside her called for her to stay in his embrace, so she did. His chest rumbled in satisfaction, sending a thrill through her. They stood there for a moment, Valen enveloped in Maximus’s arms, until Griffin’s voice broke through the moment.

“What the f**k are you both doing?” He demanded, and Valen stepped out of Maximus’s arms. Maximus’s expression shifted to one of hurt, like she had betrayed him. “I . . . honestly don’t know,” Valen admitted, her voice small.

Maximus pulled her back into his chest. “She’s my mate,” he admitted, his voice low and sure. “Can that even be right?” Griffin asked, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Valen had no answer for him. “Let go of my sister for a damn minute, Max, so I can talk to her,” Griffin ordered. Maximus reluctantly released her but kept a firm hold on her hand.

“Do . . . do you feel something for him, Valen?” Griffin asked, his voice serious. Valen bit her lip, trying to gather her thoughts. “Well . . . I mean, he smells incredible, and he just feels right . . . I don’t know how else to explain it. But when I kissed someone earlier-” she was cut off by a deep, feral growl from Maximus. She pulled her hand from his and stepped away quickly.

Her brother’s gaze was protective, his eyes telling her she was safe, but he shook his head, signaling her to stop talking. “I’m sorry, Valencia. Could you repeat that?” Maximus asked, his voice low and demanding. Valen shook her head, stepping further back. Maximus reached out, lifting her chin gently so their eyes met.

“Tell me who touched you,” he asked, his tone dangerous. “Stop it, Max. You’re scaring her,” Griffin snapped, pulling Valen toward him. Maximus took a step toward her, but Griffin shielded her, holding her behind him.

“You have a girlfriend, and you’re chastising my sister over a crush?” Griffin said, his words sharp. His comment pierced Valen’s heart, but she stayed quiet, watching the tension between the two men. “Fine,” Griffin said after a long pause. “Can we all go to the pack house and give you both time to talk?”

Valen nodded, grateful for her brother’s support. “Well . . . can we go after the party?” She asked. “I don’t want to leave Ty by himself.” At the mention of Ty, Maximus growled, frustration evident in his posture.

“Fine,” Griffin said with a sigh. “Can we all agree to hang out for like an hour, then say goodbye?” Valen agreed right away, and after a few moments, Maximus nodded too, though his gaze was still hard. Griffin leaned in close to Valen and whispered, “And you need to behave yourself.” She nodded, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

Valen returned to the party in a daze, wrapped in her towel and tension. Her skin was still damp from the pool, but the heat radiating from the confrontation with Maximus made her feel flushed. She could still smell him on her skin, the crisp scent of winter and something darker, more primal. Her legs trembled slightly as she walked back toward the crowd, her thoughts unraveling.

Ty spotted her instantly and waved her over, relief in his expression. “Everything okay?” He asked as she sat beside him at one of the patio tables, where Sydney had just laid out another tray of snacks. “Yeah,” she lied, offering a small smile. “Just some family stuff. Griffin wanted to make sure I was good.”

Ty eyed her carefully but didn’t press. Instead, he handed her a drink. “Well, you missed David belly-flopping into the pool and almost knocking out Melissa. It was a highlight.” Valen chuckled softly, trying to let the tension ease from her shoulders. “Serves her right.”

As the minutes passed, she found herself leaning into the laughter around her. It wasn’t enough to fully distract her, but for a little while, she could pretend she was just another girl at a graduation party. Not someone whose heart had just been torn in two directions.

An hour later, the backyard was littered with discarded cups and sleepy teenagers sprawled on lounge chairs. The pool lights glowed softly, casting flickers across the water. Valen stood, brushing her hands on her shorts, and looked at Ty.

“Griffin’s taking me home tonight.” Ty blinked, disappointment clear in his face. “So, you're not staying over?” “Yeah. It’s a . . . family thing.” She gave him a sheepish smile. “Thanks for tonight. Really.” He nodded, his smile tight. “Anytime, V.” She turned to go, but he reached for her wrist. “Hey . . . about earlier. If you need time to figure things out, I get it. Just don’t shut me out, okay?” Valen’s heart ached as she nodded. “I won’t.”