DARK DAYS

CHAPTER NINE

Christiana pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and curled up in it, “What happened tonight wasn’t a first for me, my father had always ensured that I was never turned on but the basic tensions that were behind their behavior was the same. Since I turned fourteen women have either hated me or hung around me so that I wouldn’t be a rival. It’s the old you don’t date your friends boyfriends deal.”

She smiled slightly, sadly he thought, “You have no idea how weird it is to have your fathers friends, friends of the family suddenly look at you like they wanted to push you up against the wall and…” She paused, “I mean hell, those men had known me since I was in diapers. I considered them to be like uncles, I remember one night… I think it was my father’s birthday party I came downstairs to get a drink and this man, that I had known and loved like family for my entire life, came onto me. And tried to kiss me, my father broke his jaw for touching me. But I felt like it was my fault, I was only fourteen. I had been on group date type things, but never had a real boyfriend.” Christiana lay her head on the back of the couch, “My ex, when I told him I didn’t understand why guys were so interested, said very simply that I was s*x on legs. That some women had it and some didn’t, and I just had it... that thing that aura that made men think about me in their beds and not as their friends.”

Micah laughed slightly, “That’s a pretty accurate way of summing it up. There are women who would kill to have an ounce of the s*x appeal you have effortlessly, but I can’t imagine being fourteen and being the object of desire of the men in my pack. It says a lot about your strength and common sense that you didn’t get into some serious trouble.” He stared at her, trying to picture her at fourteen he couldn’t contemplate that she’d been awkward in any way. s*x on legs was a very good way of describing it; it wasn’t necessarily her looks that did it. It was the whole package. “You were a real live Lolita.” He muttered.

She looked up at him, “Is there anything I should know about Nathaniel, considering the interest he’s showing?” She asked changing the subject.

Micah shook his head, thinking about it. “He’s basically a good guy, he’s my enforcer, doesn’t have any secret children out there. He can be cocky, but rightly so, he’s good at his job. I think that even though he’s popular with women, women fear him more than anything, or are intimidated by his job. He’s a good choice for you if you wanted him, Nathaniel has an enormous amount of respect for anyone who’s a fighter.” 

She nodded letting out a weary sigh, “I’m not looking for someone right now, I barely know him.” 

“Just because you go out with him it doesn’t have to be serious, this isn’t your old pack women aren’t just here to be mated and produce children.” He assured her, with a twinkle in his eye. She knew he was laughing at her she rolled her eyes. 

“Go home Micah!” She groaned with a laugh. “I’m fine, I’m tired, so go.” 

Micah laughed getting to his feet, “I’m just a few doors down if anything goes wrong.” 

Christiana leaned in the doorway, “I know. Thanks.” She shook her head as he waved and walked off.

“He’s not friends with a lot of people here.” Dee said from behind her. Christiana closed the door and turned, “Not really friends, the power difference seems to put people off, Dante and a few of his guards are close to him. But there are very few people in this pack that he views as friends, that’s why the pack is afraid of you, why the women are jealous of you.”

Christiana understood that, it was hard to be an alpha and some ones best friend at the same time, “I’m not out to land your alpha as a mate, we get along that’s all. Don’t you think maybe he needs a friend?” She asked as she passed her to go to her room.

Christiana closed the door as Dee said quietly, “They just don’t want it to be you.”