Valencia!

Five

Valencia sat near the edge of the backyard party, her gaze flicking to where her brother Griffin and the Alpha’s son, Maximus, stood watching her from across the yard, drinks in hand and eyes unblinking. She sighed and turned to Ty, frustration creeping into her voice.

“Honestly, Ty, I think I should go. It’s not fun being babysat by my brother like this.” Ty followed her gaze, frowning slightly. “Why are they acting like that?” Valencia hesitated. “Well . . .” she began, but the words wouldn’t come. Between the alcohol swimming in her veins and the complicated feelings curling in her chest, there was no simple way to explain it.

Ty gave her a lopsided smile and squeezed her shoulder gently. “It’s fine. You can tell me tomorrow. Do a few more shots with me first, then you’re free to go.” She smiled, grateful for his light-heartedness, and followed him inside, away from the weight of Maximus’s and Griffin’s stares.

Ty lifted her up onto the kitchen island, grinning as he grabbed a few jello shots from the fridge and stood between her legs. “All red, your favorite.” Valencia beamed. “Cheers,” she said, clinking their tiny cups together before tipping hers back. The cold cherry flavor slid down her throat as she laughed and pointed toward the living room where people danced under the glow of neon body paint.

“We didn’t even get to use the body paint yet.” “There’s still time,” Ty replied, wiggling his eyebrows in exaggerated suggestion. She giggled in response as a football flew across the kitchen, nearly hitting her but Ty caught it just in time. “Dude, not in the house,” he called, throwing it back.

“Come help us set back up the pool volleyball net then!” one of the guys called from outside. Valencia nudged Ty. “Go on. If you don’t help them, they’ll definitely break something.” As she slipped off the counter, Ty caught her by the hips and pulled her close. “I had fun tonight, Valen.”

“Me too,” she admitted, grinning, the warmth from the shots and the moment wrapping around her like a haze. That warmth shattered when her brother’s voice rang out from the sliding glass door. “Time to go!” Ty and Valen turned to see Griffin pointing at Maximus, whose eyes were locked on Ty’s hands still on her waist. His glare was sharp enough to pierce skin.

“Max is at his limit. Valen, grab a towel. We’re leaving,” Griffin said, marching toward them. “I can’t grab a towel if you don’t let go of me,” Valencia muttered irritably. Griffin let go reluctantly, glancing nervously at Maximus before gesturing for her to hurry. She ran outside to grab a towel, then rushed upstairs to collect her bag from Ty’s room.

By the time she returned, Griffin and Maximus were already waiting by Griffin’s Truck. She slid into the backseat and immediately noticed the scent of fresh snow filling the air. Her gaze lifted to meet Maximus’s in the rearview mirror, and she quickly looked away, her heart doing something inconvenient in her chest.

A mix of annoyance and anticipation swirled within her. “Well, this has been an interesting night,” Griffin muttered, breaking the silence. “You could say that,” Valen replied, leaning back against the cold leather seat. “Don’t throw up in my truck,” Griffin warned. Valen laughed. “I don’t plan on it, but no promises.”

Griffin chuckled too, easing the tension just a bit. When the conversation fell away, he turned up the music. After a few minutes, Valencia leaned forward. “Why do you smell so good?” She asked Maximus, lowering her voice. “Is it the . . . you know.” “Mate,” Maximus replied smoothly, a grin spreading across his face. “You can say it.”

The word made her stomach flip. She nodded and leaned back, unsure of how to respond. When they pulled into the pack house parking lot, Maximus stepped out, opening her door. As he helped her out, their skin brushed, and a wave of tingling heat traveled up her arm. Surprised, Valen took his hand and placed it on her bare waist, guiding it slowly down her side.

“That feels really good,” she murmured, letting the towel slip from her fingers. Maximus growled low in his throat, just as Griffin rounded the corner. “Valen! Good Goddess, what would Dad say if he saw you right now?” he snapped, tossing her towel back at her. “Can we at least go inside before you two start groping each other?” Griffin muttered, ushering them toward the side entrance.

“Wait, Griffin . . . my bag,” Valen said, starting to turn back. Griffin sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll get it. Just . . . don’t touch each other.” Valencia giggled while Maximus brushed a lock of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his gaze unwavering. Her cheeks burned. “Thank you.” A chill wind swept past, and she shivered. “You’re cold,” he noted. “No, I’m fine,” she lied. But Maximus was already shrugging off his button-up shirt. The one he’d worn for graduation and draped it over her shoulders.

She looked up at him, her gaze trailing down his sculpted chest and torso. Everything about him called to her in a way she didn’t understand. His style, his voice, his body . . . she could barely think straight around him. When their eyes met again, he grinned knowingly. “Do you like what you see?”

He pulled her against him, his hands on her hips. Sparks ignited everywhere their skin touched, and Valen let out a soft, involuntary sigh. “Oh, Valencia,” he murmured, his voice thick and deep. “You don’t know what you’re doing to me right now.” She didn’t. But she knew she liked it.

“Alright, you two,” Griffin’s voice broke the moment, clearly irritated. “I said no touching.”

He stepped between them, pushing them apart like a stubborn chaperone, snapping Valen out of her daze. ‘What is wrong with me?’ She thought. ‘I’m losing my mind.’ “Valen,” Griffin said again, louder this time. “Let’s go. Inside.” She blinked and nodded, finally grounding herself.

Maximus keyed in a code, unlocking the side door. As he held it open, she tried to refocus. She needed to think this through. Why did he affect her so deeply. “Come on,” Maximus said simply. Just two words, and she was spiraling again. He reached for her hand. She took it and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Maximus led her down the hallway to a private elevator. He keyed in another code, never letting go of her hand as the door slid open. He pressed the button for the third floor and Valencia had a feeling nothing about her life was going to be the same after tonight.

The elevator began its smooth ascent, humming softly as the tension between them thickened. Valencia stood close to Maximus, still holding his hand, the heat of his palm radiating into hers. She could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears, whether from nerves or anticipation; she wasn’t sure. Wrapped in Maximus’s shirt, hand still tingling where they’d touched, one thing was clear; Nothing about her world would ever be simple again. But maybe... that wasn’t such a bad thing.