The Lost Goddess, A War On Mates

Chapter 4

Waking up the next morning I went to do my chores quickly. Today everyone was leaving the pack for the festival. The current Alpha said this was a great learning experience for Alpha Lucas because he would be hosting the peace treaty festival at the Blue Moon Pack one day.  I scoffed at the idea of thinking Lucas could learn anything about leadership or peace from a party.  He was always mean to me, and I could not understand why he had such a hatred for me. I was learning a lot about wolf hierarchy and pack laws in the library. I knew Lucas would not be a good Alpha just from the way he treated me and how the books described alpha duties and responsibilities. Then again, they always tell me I am lower than the omegas. I roll my eyes thinking of my self-worth, the pack could not see my value. Most of the time I could not see my value either, but I think someone values me. As I drift into my chores and start humming, I bump into someone not paying attention.

Bowing I start to apologize, “I am so sorry, I was not paying attention…” They cut me off with a chuckle and I look up.

I sigh relieved, “Jake, how long were you going to let me apologize?” I beamed at him and his smile. It made me feel great. Maybe Jake thought I had value.

“Well, if it isn’t the lovely Aeris, I like seeing you talk so I would have let you just ramble until you noticed.” Laughing he grabs my hand and pulls me forward. In shock I begin to follow looking around to see if anyone was watching.

He rolled his eyes, “Don’t worry they are all gone. We are going to do something fun with Adrian and Basil.” He had a twinkle in his eyes, so I giggled and just walked with him.  We started to head outside and down to the beach. Once we got there, I noticed Adrian and Basil were fighting over drinks and snacks from a cute basket. They were shirtless and in what looked like swim-shorts.

I perked up, “Are we having a picnic!?” I ran over to Adrian and Basil as they waved.

“Hey inferno, you want a cherry soda or lemon soda?” Basil smirked with the new nickname. I grabbed the lemon soda preferring tart things.

“I like things tart and sour, makes life more bearable.” Smiling I opened it and sat next to Adrian. “When did you guys get the basket ready? I was in the kitchen and main lobby most of the day.”

Adrian shrugged, “It was all Jake, we just showed up to the party.” I looked over to Jake who was half smiling and rubbing his neck. Having all of us sit in a circle talking about the training regimen for the warriors was surreal. They all looked like different regions of the world that could not work together but somehow, they all got along so well. Adrian was dark tan with light brown hair and bright blue eyes. He looked like a surfer with how his body was shaped. Basil was a ginger with pale skin and dark green eyes. He was cute with his freckles, and he seemed like a track star because he was not bulky like most of the other warriors. I just nodded and listened to them talk and argue about every little thing.

“Jake, you have to help me with calculus, I am going to fail these advanced classes!” Laughing Jake shook his head.

“Basil, I can not help dude. I am already struggling in that class. Last year wasn’t this difficult.” They both turned to Adrian, and he smirked.

“Sorry boys, I don’t have calculus at all. I skipped it and took auto-mechanics classes instead.”  I thought long and hard if I should offer to help Jake and Basil. I remember calculus well. I finished it when I was five. I do not remember why I was learning it, but I remember doing it. I spent hours in a library. That is most of what I can remember anymore, me sitting alone with loads of books just reading for hours. 

Before I could say anything they all groaned and immediately Basil jumped up and ran for the water. I giggled and that made Jake whip his head around to me. His eyes held excitement. He ripped his shirt off and my heart skipped a beat. Smirking he flexed then ran off. Jake was devilishly handsome, the more time I stared at his body the more he intrigued me. I wanted to draw him, I caught myself and wondered why I wanted to draw. Shaking the thought away I admired how his pectorals were firm and his n*****s hardened when he came up from under the water. It made me suck in a breath.

I could see Basil and Jake waving me in and I realized I did not have swim-trunks, nor do I remember ever going swimming. I thought long and hard about it and figured they just wanted me to wear what they wore. I stood up and immediately took off my work pants and left my purple lace underwear on. It was the only thing they bought me new. I noticed they stopped waving, but I was already taking off my shirt, so I threw it to the ground. My chest was bare, and the breeze made goosebumps rise on my skin. It felt amazing to have the sun on me.

I looked at Adrian smiling, “Are you going to come?”  He coughed bright red and I kneeled in front of him not knowing what was wrong. “Adrian, are you okay?” He nodded and quickly grabbed his shirt from the basket and put it over me.

“Aeris, you can’t just walk around shirtless. You have to wear a shirt okay…” He shifted around and I looked at him perplexed.

“Okay Adrian, are you going to come? Are you feeling sick?”  He shook his head and his voice cracked.

“I’ll go with you, okay?” I smiled and pulled him up and we ran into the water. Jake and Basil seemed red to. Maybe they all had too much sun. I did not go to deep because the waves were crashing against my thighs, and it felt like they could rip me out from under myself any moment. I just started to twirl around, and the boys all gave me weird looks. They grew up with the ocean, I do not think I did. It felt new and made something in me pulsate with energy. It was better then anything I have felt in a long time. Maybe I was feeling loved and cared for, happiness. I look to the sky with my arms outstretched, I close my eyes and smile just soaking in this feeling. It was bliss.

“Aeris, let’s go back we still have to make dinner for the few other warriors.” Jake grabbed my hand and led me out of the water. We had spent hours here and it was my new favorite memory. I used an extra towel and we all dried off and walked back to the house. A comfortable silence started to drift in, it felt homey. I waved bye to the boys as I headed off towards the back door into the kitchen. They gave me half smiles probably realizing I was not going to get a full day off, but it was still worth it. I smiled while cooking lasagna, garlic bread, and chocolate mousse.

Walking into the pack house Jake motioned for Basil and Adrian to follow him to his room. Once there Jake closed the door and put his face in his hands.

“Why in the hell did she get naked!?” He was turning red and extremely uncomfortable because she did not look like a ten-year-old girl. She had curves and had beautiful porcelain skin. Her chest was already a D cup and she just flashed them all without any idea what she did was not okay.

“I think she was confused on what to wear while swimming. She didn’t seem to mind me giving her a shirt. It was probably an accident Jake, calm down. It won't happen again. Right?” Adrian mumbled towards the end also feeling uncomfortable with the attraction all of them seemed to have for her.

“I think she’s sexy.” Basil sat smirking and this made Adrian and Jake whip their heads towards him.

“What in the f**k did you just say Basil!?” Jake seethed.

“Well, she is beautiful. I am not going after a ten-year-old just admiring her looks. Besides, now we must keep her safe and hidden. If anyone else finds out or thinks she is even remotely pretty, I doubt they will let her slide without some form of s****l harassment. They think she’s trash, something to be used, remember?” He raised a brow like we were idiots for not thinking of that first.

Groaning Jake plops onto his bed,” What should we do to keep her safe. To keep her a bit more modest?” He looked to his friends and a light bulb went off in Adrian's head.

“We could teach her stuff; she isn’t in school right now so we should teach her social customs and some basic educational stuff right. She’s ten it should be easy enough.” Nodding in victory they all smile.

“Now can we head to dinner? It smells amazing from here!” Basil practically ran out the door while Jake and Adrian shook their heads smiling at their overly energized friend.