Absolution

TWO

Lexie

She was so relieved when she met Chelsea inside. She reasoned with herself that it would be nice to have a friend. Lexie couldn't help but exchange phone numbers with her, she was so bubbly and a breath of fresh air to her misery. Still a stupid decision. She reminded her so much of Jess, but now standing outside staring at James, the man she labeled s*x on a stick, and shaking his hand she was cursing herself. The hair on the back of her neck was standing at full attention now. Deadly.

She was stupid enough to give them her real first name. It was like her mind just went blank, forgetting everything that she had been taught. Haven't you learnt anything, Alexandra? There is just something about him that, for lack of a better word, makes her dumb. I don't like it. The second they touched she could have sworn she felt some sort of electrical current pass through their skin. Even his voice sounded like honey dripping all over her. The thought made her blush slightly. She quickly pulls her hand away, the heat is almost too much to handle. There's no way in hell that she's going to be exploring that. Besides, a guy that oozes so much testosterone could only mean one thing; complicated.

He removes his aviators and she is met with the bluest eyes she's ever seen. Seriously, is there anything ugly about this man?

"Nice to meet you Lexie. I'm sorry I didn't catch your last name."

Say my name again. Discretion. Stay under the radar.

"Smith", she blurts out. Well, f**k, at least I didn't say my name was Jane.

He eyed her quizzically.

"Lexie. Smith? Are you new to town?"

The way he said her last name. You can hear the scepticism in his voice.

"Uh yes", dammit Lexie, be confident in your lie. She clears her throat.

"Yes. Just moved here a few days ago."

She shifts her weight nervously. After a moment of silence and what also felt like an eternity of James scrutinising her, she decided it was time to get out of there. She didn't like that this man had such an effect on her body or had the unnerving ability to mentally incapacitate her.

"Well it was nice meeting you guys, but I really have to be on my way."

"No!" Chelsea screeches. A beat passes. "We're having a party tonight at the house. Oh, you should come!"

Suddenly, her eyes open wide and she glances at James.

"I mean if that's okay with you Al.."

Markus squeezes Chelsea's shoulder as he interrupts her.

"Everyone is welcome"

He smiles politely. Why in the hell did it just look like Chelsea was asking James' permission? She quickly glances at him. His aviators are back on, his mouth is pressed together in a firm thin line.

"Thanks for the invitation. I'll see if I can make it."

She squeals with delight and she can't help but smile at her.

"Yay! Well, I have your number. I'll text you the address."

Chelsea pulls Lexie in for a hug like they've known each other forever. So warm. Over her shoulder she can see James has already moved to the other side of the car, but before he disappears into it, he looks at her with what she can only describe as a scowl. One that warns her to stay away as he vanishes behind the dark tinted windows.

"Thanks"

She turns back up the street and heads home. What the f**k is his problem? He doesn't know her. Arrogant prick. Her phone buzzes, making her jump.

Unknown: Hi Lexie! Its Chelsea. So nice meeting u! Sry about James he can be a bit uptight. U shld come to the party 2nite! Meet new ppl & have some FUN!

Laughing, she shakes her head at this girl. Even in her texts she's bouncy. She has a feeling there's never a dull moment with Chelsea around. Or a quiet one. As for James, being uptight is an understatement. Guy needs a colonic. She chuckled at her own joke.

Going out to a party would be fun and Chelsea seems like the perfect party partner. Party Buddy? Being stuck in her apartment every night working her way through the Royal Dragon Chinese takeaway menu isn't exactly the happiest of existence Lexie imagined her sea change would be, but its under the radar.

Although, James made it super clear he wasn't keen on the idea of her crashing his precious gathering. Not that he needed to say anything, his body language and face said it all. She smiled to herself as she replied to Chelsea.

Lexi: Ok. You talked me into it! Send me the details and I'll see you tonight.

James

The drive back home is quiet. With the exception of Chelsea squawking and texting. God that girl has a never ending well of energy. How Markus hasn't dumped her yet he'll never know. He can't believe she just invited Lexie to the party tonight. What Markus had said is true, everyone is welcome but he didn't want to be around this woman. She's dangerous. She made him lose focus. Besides, he approved the guest list months ago. There wasn't a single person outside the pack attending tonight that he didn't know or know about for safety reasons.

The annual party is one of their ways of keeping up appearances with the town. Every now and then there are rumours that fly around. Ridiculous ones. So, they throw a party with an open invite, allowing everyone onto the estate. Small towns for you. Essentially, they are showing them the similarities between the two groups and hopefully squash any tall tales at the same time. The town always looks forward to it and everyone always shows up.

Alexandra Smith. James focuses on the name, trying to draw out some meaning or memory. The way she blurted out Smith intrigued him, really intrigued him. He knew everyone in town, he simply had to, so she was definitely new, but his instincts wouldn't let him shake the feeling that she was lying. Still, she captivated him. Her scent. Vanilla, or was it Jasmine? He just wants to stick his nose in her hair, against her skin, on her mound and breathe all of her in. Mate.

James ran a frustrated hand through his hair. f**k, this woman is under his skin already. I can't lose focus. There have been reports of packs being wiped out in the west over the last few years and it's only a matter of time before they come this way. His gut was telling him that trouble was getting close. There's no way in hell that this whole mate thing is real. It's just a fairytale. He can't have a distraction right now. He just simply can't. James jumps at Chelsea's sudden outburst.

"Yay! She's coming!"

"f**k Chelsea! Can you keep quiet for a minute!?"

He snaps.

"Sorry Alpha"

She sinks into the seat, pouting and trying to disappear.

She's coming. Don't ask. Don't ask.

"Who's coming Chels?"

Markus pipes up asking for him instead.

"Lexie" She beams at him.

His muscles tense up immediately. When Lexie told Chelsea she'd see if she could make it, he was sure she wouldn't. Especially since he gave her a pointed look, screaming stay away, trying to deter her. His scowls stops everyone in their tracks. Everyone. He smiles at the thought that she doesn't scare easily. Interesting.

James feels Markus' eyes on him.

"Penny for your thoughts, boss"

James scoffs at the word boss. He only uses it when he wants to rile him up. He grips the steering wheel tighter, channeling his tension into the wheel.

"Everything ready for tonight?"

He asks, determined to take the focus off of himself. Markus knows him better than that though. Normally, he'd be grateful for their tight bond, especially in a fight, but not right now, and if he had any sense in him, he'd stop poking the wolf. He looks at James with a lopsided smirk. Cocky bastard.

"Yea...everything is sorted. Iotas are busy setting up."

The drive from town to the pack estate takes about twenty minutes. The estate is located at the other end of Pharos Point National Park to the south. Deep in the forest away from the town. The seclusion is probably the biggest source of all the rumours flying around, but it's needed. Especially when the sixteen-year-old pups change for the first time. People always question why the estate is built so far out of town. They've been labelled everything from a yoga health retreat to a crazy s*x cult. That's why these parties are important. They need to see those living on the estate as people just like them. James can't have the town turning against them, especially with the looming threat of the hunters out there.

From an outsider's point of view, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the inhabitants of the estate to the rest of Pharos Point. A lot of the Iotas work in town, providing and supporting the local economy. They are an equal contributing part of the community. The were-pups who are old enough and can be trusted, even go to school in town. The only ones that don't have much to do in town are James, Markus and Dom, the Delta of the pack.

Dom is quiet and gets the job done. He is in charge of training the warriors and some Iotas hoping to move up in rank. If he had to cast Dom in a role based on appearance alone, he would be the villain. Thanks to an Omega who lost his s**t without warning a few years ago, Dom has a permanent scar running down the left side of his face, making it appear like he has a perpetual scowl. He doesn't exactly have a sparkling personality either, which has unfortunately alienated him a bit, but that's what makes him the perfect Delta. He commands respect and when he trains them, they listen.

The Iotas make up the bulk of the pack. They consist of pups, teens, adults and a small handful of older werewolves. Then there's a couple of Omegas that babysit the small pups and take care of odd jobs that need doing on the estate. Chelsea is an Iota and it's only been recently that she's caught Markus' attention. She's a beautiful girl, young and has so much goddamn energy. James swears the second her eyes open she starts talking. He tolerates her, just, but only for Markus' sake. He often wonders what he sees in her. Unlike Chelsea, Lexie is a woman. He shook his head again.

James makes the turn into the estate. As he passes the security gate, he nods a formal greeting to the Gammas on post and makes the drive up to the main house. There are big houses all along the street and each one houses about four families. The main house is where James, Markus and Dom live. From here they can get anywhere on the estate fast if needed. It's a four-story home his grandfather built for his grandmother. Every werewolf estate has a similar layout. The main house is in the middle and all the other buildings spread out from there. Back then his grandfather wanted to build it so high that she could see the ocean and Pharos Point Lighthouse. She loved the ocean. Since then, with Pharos Point developing into a bigger town and with forest growth, that ocean view has disappeared over the years.

He always thought that one day if he ever decided to have a partner he would want the kind of love and loyalty they shared. Sure, there wasn't much passion between the two, but their partnership was strong. Married because their parents decided it would be a good strong match that would only strengthen the Richards family bloodline. It was a marriage born out of necessity but one that grew into love. They complimented each other well. There wasn't anything they wouldn't do for each other. I wonder if Lexie...He shakes his head once again, intent on getting rid of that thought. No, no distractions.

The main house is where the party will take place. The top floor is off limits to everyone, even when there isn't an event happening. Only a select few pack members are allowed up. He needs his personal space to think and to recharge. It's enough he has to deal with the curious townsfolk on the estate tonight, he doesn't want them snooping around.

James makes his way upstairs, exhausted, he flops onto the bed staring at the ceiling. Last night and this morning have left him more tired than usual. Normally, a night out patrolling the estate and town doesn't wear him out this much, but using all his energy to try to not think of Lexie has him drained. Not like I've been successful either. As he drifts off to sleep, his mind is filled with visions of wavy chestnut hair, hazel eyes and a smile that stole his breath.