Alia woke up to the sunlight peering through the windshield, busy glazing over her face like an annoying fly. "Geez! A person can't have a peaceful sleep for one night, just one night without having to be annoyed by anything," she mumbled.
"Slept okay?" she heard, almost jumping out the window with fright, due to how deep Brandon's voice sounded. Narrowing her eyes at the bored looking man across her "You trying to kill me or something?."
Ignoring her " There's some food in the back, help yourself,”
Alia was used to his stone replies. All he ever did is say what he wanted to say and ignore her like a plague. She knew that he wanted nothing to do with her.
He had made it clear ever since they were little. She didn't know what she ever did to him. Nor did she understand why he kept pushing her away. But she respected it.
She stayed out of his way but still held a small threat of hope that maybe, just maybe one day. They would get along.
As time went by they drifted even more apart. He stayed less at home and came by to drop off some necessities when needed. He also made sure Alia wasn't around when he came by. It became easier for her to get used to the empty house with time.
Alia tried fixing her hair through the rear-view mirror. Man, she looked like she hadn't had her hair fixed in months, with it pointing in all directions like a scarecrow. Settling back down for a while she looked at her brother, contemplating whether to ask or keep her mouth shut.
Brandon could feel her gaze on him making him annoyed “What is it?” he was still looking at the road, his voice devoid of any emotions.
"Where are we heading?" Alia took her chances with furrowed brows.
She bent sideways, reaching for the food in the backseat. Brandon couldn't help taking a glimpse at her. His eyes landed first-hand on her chest for a brief moment before forcibly looking forward.
He frowned, getting mad at himself for peaking at what he knew wasn't his. He still had the urge to take another quick glance at her perfect twins. Gritting his teeth he forced himself to concentrate.
"North," he said nonchalantly. She stiffened upon hearing him say that.
“What?” pausing for a moment she looked at him like he had gone insane. Waiting for him to rectify what he just said.
“…”
Realising he was serious she widened her eyes "Are you insane, Brandon?" she said with exasperation clear in her voice.
“…”
“The most feared pack in Acrylic City?!” she shrieked.
There were 30 more packs in the city. Why choose to go on a suicide mission today? Off of all the days he could've chosen during an entire year. It had to be today.
"The pack is our only chance, 'YOUR' only chance at survival," he threw back uninterested.
She crunched up her nose in confusion and looked at him. "My only chance-..." Brandon cut her short. "… just don't tell anyone what happened earlier.”
"What? Why? I mean, I finally get to have a-..." Brandon cut in again, frustration evident in his voice. "You’re not going to open your mouth about this to anyone. Understand?!" Impatience visible on his handsome face.
Hesitantly, she nodded.
He sighed. "Good, finish up your food. You're already skinny."
"And… what made you think you're any better?" she calmly threw back at Brandon. He didn't say anything to her but if a person looked closely, they would be able see a slight raise of the corner of his lips. With no reply, Alia ate her food while stealing glances at his godly sculptured face.
She never really paid attention to him, but looking at Brandon now, she had to admit he was drop dead handsome. He looked like he just walked out of a supermodel magazine. With his short black ink hair freely hanging below his forehead, just a little over his gorgeous sea blue eyes. It caused his sharp masculine facial features to pop out more.
It also gave him that badboy yet elegantly noble image. His lightly tan skin looked golden due to the sunlight peering through his side window. His sharp jawline adding to his godlike look, making him look tenfold sexier. God really took his time crafting this masterpiece right here.
Then there's her, looking like a damn vampire with her pale skin and coppery red curly hair that's a little over her shoulders. ‘Moon goddess really is unfair’ she thought with an evident pouting, as she kept stealing glances at Brandon. ‘Wait’ she paused eating and frowned ‘Why was she thinking about him and complimenting this jerk’.
Sigh
She suddenly felt his intense gaze on her “You okay?” he asked. Is she really okay? What's going to happen to her from here onwards if she doesn’t get killed before her 18th Birthday?
“Why do you care? " her gaze was glued to the window while she nibbled on a snack.
“I don't”
Turning to look at him, she chuckled, dipping her head slightly before returning her gaze to the scenery.
“of cause, you don't “ her voice cracked a bit as she whispered.
Brandon tightened his grip on the steering wheel and kept quiet. His wolf clawing at him for saddening her. He ignored him, shutting him out before he forced his way forward. He didn't want to risk it with his wolf while Alia was at arm's reach.
Alia turned to throw the half eaten bag of chips to the back, just in time to see Brandon dragging his thin beautiful fingers frustratingly through his hair. He sexily pushed it a little out of his way only for it to end up a lot messier. Talk about a walking Greek God. Gosh!
She suddenly thought of something “Oh god!!” she breathed, sitting upright.
“…”
“Cathy" she placed her hand on her forehead a little puzzled she had forgotten to text her friend. Turning to look at thee man next to her she narrowed her eyes “ We just up and left – I didn't get to say goodbye to my Best friend Brandon".
“I told you to stay away from her, she's nobody's friend" he specified with a cold face.
“As if I'd listen to a hothead like you" she mumbled while looking for her phone. Only to find its battery dead.
Cursing under her breath, she threw it in the back before supporting her head with her hand, looking outside.
“We are almost at the border” he divulged, reminding her, they were heading towards a dangerously powerful pack, and she was about to die soon.
Could this day get any worse?
She sighed only to be shaken shitless by the scene outside. A shadow was passing between trees at the same speed they were driving. It jumped out towards the car making Alia jump to the side in horror. She had thought it would tackle their car down. Bracing herself, she closed her eyes only to hear paws hit against the dirt right beside the car.
Slowly opening her eyes she gasped at the beautiful salt and pepper werewolf, running right next to their car.
“Holy s**t” her eyes were now staring at the beautiful wolf escorting them into their territory.
“Get off me!” a chilling voice rang beside her. She stiffened before scurrying back to her seat with a light blush on her face. Her pounding heart didn't seize to stop, accelerating more while she tried to calm herself down. She knew he could hear her pounding heart which made her face turn more flushed.
She watched as the wolves led them through the border without any problems. Turning to look at Brandon with confusion written all over her face.
“What's going on?”
“What do you think?” his voice carried a tinge of exhaustion and annoyance, forcing Alia to keep mum. Not long after, they had passed through beautiful houses and cottages, looking more modern than vintage and very homely.
Food stalls were set in almost every corner. Beautiful shopping centres made the pack look a lot more like a developing metropolis than a town and.… restaurants?
She looked at Brandon with a sparkle in her beautiful eyes. She had long forgotten what the territory is known for as her excitement took over.
“Pst!”
“what?” his annoyance was reaching its peak as he spat.
Alia seemed oblivious to his sour mood or maybe she turned a blind eye to it. She enjoyed the view outside, watching as the streets bustled with livelihood.
“Have you met the alpha of this pack?” she asked expectantly.
“Who knows" his brief reply dampened her mood. She was a little disappointed with his response causing the little spark within her to go out. She wonder what it would take to just have a normal conversation with him.
The pack territory was huge, judging from how there were so many houses. Some of them even went up several hills furthest from the bustling streets. which was highly impressive judging from how challenging a hilltop villa could be with such irregular slopes. From the architecture to the cars parked upfront these houses – It all screamed, MONEY.
“This pack really looks amazing” she mutters looking at the land filled with greenery. Kids played around with no care in the world as they raced along the trees. She didn't notice Brandon staring at her beautiful side profile. He wondered how her head functioned sometimes. Why she had always been trying so hard to get close to him, while he wanted to keep his distance from her.
His eyes involuntarily roamed to her collarbone, slowly moving towards her heaving chest. Her skin looked so smooth with no blemishes nor any scars. It looked so delicate, like a porcelain crafted doll. His throat went dry as his eyes went all the way up her beautiful neck. With her hair tied up into a messy bun as strands fell onto her face and some parts of her neck. She gave Brandon a great view of her neck and beautiful collarbone.
A scene flashed past his eyes before he heard her yell…
“Brandon watch out!” she put one hand on the dashboard out of instinct, with the other one up the car ceiling.
Snapping out of his trance. He hit the brakes just in time causing the car to screech a little before it stopped with a jerk. With the way he stopped the car, if Alia hadn't had her seatbelt on, she would be lying a couple of metres from the car.
“what the hell?!” she slowly looked at him wide eyed.
Sighing with exhaustion, he ignored her and drove off after some woman had taken away the kid he almost ran over. Seeing him like this, Alia pitied him. He had been up the entire time trying to get them to safety, giving her the chance to rest while he suffered.
“You alright" cautioning her question she furrowed her brows – A thin line formed as she pressed her lips tight. Looking at him for any facial changes. She found his face as void as ever.
“Mhmm" he massaged his eyes a little before picking up speed.
looking at the scenery. There were what seemed like pack warriors, she assumed, busy training and sparing. The training grounds looked more like a park with training gear and a fountain separating the grounds and giving the scenery an elegantly rich look. They drove around the fountain towards a massive looking villa. It looked more like a modernised castle than a villa, with a black and grey brick layout making it look a little depressing yet elegant and a little ancient. Most of it was covered in large dark windows, making it look more or less a thousand shades darker than it's meant to be.
There were four people standing at the entrance waiting. Alia reeked of nervousness making Brandon lightly scoff at her ridiculous behavior.
“Don't pee on my seat!", She glared at him only to find a look of disgust on his face. This stung her causing the little hope she had for them to crumble a little. She knew she couldn't hold it up any longer.
Stopping the car right at the bottom of the villa stairs, they got out. The Luna and alpha of the pack raced towards them. Her stomach turned as she closed her eyes while bracing myself for the worst. Not long after, someone crashed into her causing her to take a few steps back.
She felt her body being squeezed and heard a fantastic voice of a woman right next to her ear. “Gosh you look so much like Ginnie" she let go, cupped her face with both her warm hands and smiled warmly at her.
“Beautiful".
Alia was still so confused when she heard a deep raspy voice call out “Son". She turned towards the voice just in time to witness the alpha giving Brandon a fatherly hug with Brandon's response being “Dad".
Wait, who?