The Fox's Heart

Chapter 11 - Falon's POV (Part 2)

After breakfast, the group decided to head down to the lake. Falon, his brothers, Cassius, and Tyrese arrived first and jumped right into the cool water, while Elora and Talia arrived a few minutes later, laughing at the boys’ boundless energy.

Their laughter echoed as they splashed one another and tried to dunk each other underwater in a playful show of strength. Talia and Elora spread out two large towels on some beach chairs on the dock to stretch out and enjoy the warm sun. Elora sat beside her, pulling her knees-up and watching the boys with a quiet smile.

After a few moments, Talia nudged her with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You’re not really planning to sit here all day, are you? Take that cover-up off and soak up some sun."

Elora hesitated, glancing down at the white bikini she wore underneath. She tugged at the edges of her cover-up, her cheeks turning pink. “I don’t know… I feel a little… exposed.”

“Oh, come on, Elora! Everyone already saw you yesterday. Own it!” Talia encouraged, her tone both playful and sincere. “Besides, if you don’t, I’m going to throw you in the lake myself.”

Elora bit her lip, then laughed, nodding in agreement. “Fine, fine,” she relented, slipping off the cover-up. The white bikini complemented her fair skin, contrasting with the delicate platinum blonde of her hair. She looked both ethereal and strikingly confident, though a hint of nervousness still lingered in her expression.

From the water, Falon couldn’t help but notice. His gaze lingered on her. As if yesterday hadn’t been enough to tear down their walls, they were completely gone now. She looked stunning, but part of him wished she’d kept the cover-up on—not because she didn’t look incredible, but because he didn’t want Cassius and Tyrese, to stare at her the way he and his brothers did.

Calin swam up beside him and smirked, following his gaze. “Looks like someone’s a bit smitten.”

“Shut up,” Falon muttered, rolling his eyes, though his blush betrayed him. “I’m just… keeping an eye on her.”

Talon swam up to his other side, raising an eyebrow. “Sure you are.” On the shore, Talia stretched and finally joined the boys in the lake, beckoning Elora to follow. After a moment’s hesitation, Elora stood up and tiptoed toward the water, dipping her toes in cautiously.

“You can do it, Elora!” Talia called, splashing her playfully. “Don’t make me drag you in!”

Elora laughed and then jumped in. The cool water sent a pleasant shiver through her, and she swam out a bit before resurfacing, laughing and brushing her hair back. Calin swam up to her, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Bet you can’t beat us to the island,” Calin challenged, and pointed to the small island in the lake, a hint of competitive spirit in his voice.

“Is that so?” Elora raised an eyebrow, her confidence building as she readied herself for the challenge.

“On the count of three,” Talon began, grinning. “One, two…”

“Hey! What are you all doing?” A familiar voice yelled, filling Falon, and most assuredly, his brothers, with dread.

Falon’s heart sank as he turned to see his stepbrother Ryder waving at them from the upper deck. The sight of him, with his broad smile and casual confidence, twisted something dark in Falon’s gut. “What’s he doing here?” he muttered, half to himself.

“Looks like Dad must’ve sent him up here,” Talon replied, keeping his tone light, but Falon could see the shadow of annoyance flicker across his brother's face. Ryder was quickly growing to be their father’s favorite. “You know how he is—he wants us all to bond, or whatever.” Talon continued witha hint of annoyance in his voice.

Ryder bounded down the stairs and leaped off the dock with an impressive splash, his shirt flying off as he hit the water. “Hey, everyone!” he called out, his voice exuberant and carefree. He surfaced with water cascading off his shoulders, shaking his hair back as he spotted Elora. A look of genuine surprise washed over his face. “I know you!” he said to Elora.

Elora’s cheeks flushed slightly as she waved back, the warmth of the sun and the water casting a new light on her shy demeanor.

“Hi” she said shyly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise, too.

Calin, his brow furrowing with curiosity, leaned closer to Falon. “Do they know each other?”

“Yeah, we met at the party,” Ryder replied, even though Calin asked Falon the question and not Ryder. Falon tried to suppress the jealousy bubbling in his chest.

“He stepped in to protect me after Caleb…” Elora stopped her sentence and looked away. Her demure instantly went back to closed off and guarded.

As Ryder swam closer to Elora to comfort her, Falon had to grab Calin’s arm to stop him from lunging at their stepbrother. It filled him with rage as Ryder put an arm around Elora and began comforting her. But if they punched him, their father would have a lot to say about it.

“I have been meaning to thank you.” He heard Elora say, looking at Ryder and giving him a warm smile.

“You’re welcome.” Ryder said, returning the smile.

“So you are the alpha’s stepbrother?” Elora asked.

“Yes. For around eight years now,” Ryder said and turned to confirm with Talon, Falon and Calin. “We now share a half-brother too. He’s seven.”

“I also have a half brother who is seven,” Elora said, surprised.

Falon clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of Ryder’s presence shift the dynamic. “So, you’re just here to hang out with us now?” he asked, trying to sound casual, but the tension in his voice betrayed him. But it seemed Ryder did not notice or chose not too.

“Yeah! Figured I’d come up for the weekend and see how you guys are doing.” Ryder flashed a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It was actually Alpha Gavin’s idea.”

“Great,” Falon said, the sarcasm dripping from his words, like venom. “Because that’s what we need—a family bonding weekend.”

Ryder seemed to ignore the hostility in Falon’s tone, splashing water in playful defiance. “Come on, lighten up! We’re all friends here, right?” He turned his attention back to Elora, The two of them naturally separated from the group to have a conversation of their own. Elora looked at ease with Ryder as she smiled and laughed. A laugh he wanted her to only share with him and his brothers.

The rest of the group did not stay in the lake much longer and soon got out. Falon could see his brothers were in just as bad of mood as he was. Not only had Ryder come here and spoiled the mood but he stole Elora’s attention. And what was worse was she seemed such at ease with him.