All for destiny

Chapter 2

Nora

"Anybody could be that guy... night is young and the music's, hiiiiigggghhh!" I sang 'Dancing Queen by ABBA out loud to myself as I stirred the chocolate icing to pour over the brownies which were already cooling on top of the stove.

I was singing and dancing around the kitchen, completely oblivious of what was going on around me. To be honest, I wasn't concerned about it - I knew my Mum was outside checking on the BBQ chicken and setting the table in the outdoor area and there was no way Mason would move from his room until he was told he had to. I was having a wonderful time in my own company. It was the first time all day that I felt relaxed and at ease, without the eyes of the pack members watching me and judging my every move. Without having to worry about Mason's friends.

Once I was happy with the texture of the icing, I put it down and began putting some of the ingredients away.

"You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen!" I sang horribly out of tune, even adding in the keyboard actions with my hands as I placed the butter back in the fridge.

Oh, you are one musically talented individual... Emerald laughed at me. I rolled my eyes but did not let it phase me as I even picked up a chocolatey spoon and used it as my microphone. I turned to face my imaginary audience for the grand finale and froze. There actually was an audience there. The chocolate-covered spoon slipped out of my hands in shock and dropped to the floor, leaving a trail of chocolate icing down my shirt, bare legs and then onto the floor. My heart was racing. I had no idea who this person was but I wasn't scared - I was utterly and completely embarrassed, humiliated even.

"Uhh, ahhh... I'm sorry... I didn't know anyone was here..." I muttered, quickly pulling my headphones off (possibly causing some minor damage to my ears) and shoving them into my pocket. Awkwardly, I shuffled around the kitchen to grab the cloth to begin cleaning some of the chocolate that was now dripping down me.

I noticed a faint smile on the tall, muscly man's face as he took in my sheer embarrassment and chocolate-covered appearance. I felt my cheeks flush bright red. I wanted very much to disappear in a hole forever at that point.

Once I had wiped the chocolate off of my shirt, I finally turned around to face the man again. He was still standing in the doorway watching me intently. He had a weird intensity to his expression. I didn't know if he was annoyed, entertained or angry. Frankly, it could have been a mixture.

"I am sorry you had to witness that..." I smirked, looking at the ground. Wanting to say something, anything, to break the tension in the air.

"It was definitely a sight to see." the man replied in a low, husky voice. I swear I noticed a small smile again but couldn't be sure. He sure was hard to read. His whole look and demeanor told me that he was someone I should be afraid of, but I wasn't. From his tattooed arms, short brown stubble on his chin and all black clothing, he looked like something dangerous.

"My musical talent sure is something to behold." I chuckled, getting down on my hands and knees to wipe the chocolate off of the floor. Still, the man stood there.

"What were you baking?" The man asked. I know you are probably thinking, 'why haven't you asked who he is?' but having a Dad who is the Alpha of the Pack means that we frequently have random people visiting. The thought never occurred to me.

"Chocolate brownies." I shrugged, standing back up. I glanced at the kitchen door but the man was no longer there. I turned to rinse off the dishcloth and jumped. He was standing right beside me. Glaring into my eyes as if he was trying to see something inside of them. I felt strangely self-conscious.

"You missed a spot." He stated, taking the dishcloth into his hand and wiping a bit of chocolate off of my forehead. Another wave of embarrassment flowed through me. I had been talking to this beautiful and dangerous man with chocolate on my forehead. Great.

"Oh, thanks..." I muttered, staring at the floor. I felt a warmth from where his hand wiped my forehead.

Strange... Emerald mumbled.

What is strange? I questioned but she didn't reply.

"Oh, there you are Harry!" A woman who I did recognise said as she bustled into the kitchen in a flurry. It was Mrs Harrlington. She visibly relaxed when she saw the man beside me.

I glanced between the two as she pushed past him and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.

"Nora, my dear. It has been so long since I saw you last! What a beautiful young woman you have grown into!" She smiled at me, holding me back as she had hold of my shoulder to assess me up and down.

"Mum." Harry nodded, kissing her quickly on the cheek, making her grin even more. It was sweet. Even more so given his rough exterior.

"Where is your Mum?" Mrs Harrlington asked me, looking around the kitchen as if trying to find her.

"Oh, she is outside. I can go and get her for you if you want?" I suggested, happy to get some air.

"Don't be silly! I will go and find her, I believe Tim is chatting with you Dad somewhere." Mrs Harrlington said incredibly quickly as she pushed her way through the back door and onto the back deck.

Harry turned to face me again once his Mum was out of the room.

"Nora?" he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Harry?" I replied, mimicking his tone and expression.

"So you are the Alpha's daughter..." he muttered, stroking his finger along his chin as he sat down on the stool at the breakfast bar.

"And you are the Harrlington's son..." I raised my eyebrows, not letting him intimidate me despite how intimidated I felt. " I didn't realise they had an older son, I only know of Jerry and Logan and they are only eight and ten." I added.

"I am away from home a lot." Harry replied shortly. It was clear that he was not going to provide any more information on the topic.

"Right." I nodded, cutting the brownies into slices to be served after dinner.

"So when do you finish school?" Harry asked me. The question surprised me. I wasn't expecting such a personal question after his dodged my last one.

"Today was my last day. I am moving to Melbourne to study in a few weeks." I explained. I could see the confusion on his face.

"How old are you?" He questioned.

"Seventeen." I shrugged.

"Oh." Harry sighed.

"You made it!" Dad cheered as he saw Harry sitting at the breakfast bar. Harry sat up straight and faced my Dad to shake his hand.

"Alpha Theo." He bowed his head respectfully.

"It's been too long, Harry! What has your Dad got you doing now? Still searching for rogues?" Dad asked as Mr Harrlington sat down beside his son.

"Yep. Got back yesterday." Harry replied.

"He is heading back out after Christmas." Mr Harrlington added, patting his son on the back. I wouldn't describe the action as fatherly or loving, but it was almost proud.

"Well, you look like an absolute unit! I would be worried if I was a rogue and you approached." Dad laughed. "Shall we head out the back to where Georige and Sally are?" he suggested.

"Sure." Mr Harrlington nodded, jutting his head for Harry to follow.