Stellaluna

Games

I broke through the surface of the water, swimming away from Billy who was now a 'shark.'

"Ahhhh oh noooo!" I dramatically squealed, swimming to the shallows, while Billy's contagious laughter rang through the air like bells. I stopped short, seeing Thomas sitting on the shore smiling softly at us.

"Is he there?" He asked quietly. Billy looked up at me from under the water and put a finger to his mouth.

"Uh... " but he just laughed. I had never seen Thomas smile before, much less laugh.

"It's okay. I haven't been back here in years. He's probably upset with me." He reached in his pocket and brought out a folded piece of paper, his hands working quickly. He soon held a paper boat, that he placed in the water. Billy looked at it excitedly, and asked for my help. I reached down and took his hand, the water reacting to my magic and glowing purple, and pulled him above the water. Thomas gasped and covered his mouth as he could now see him.

"Billy... I'm sorry.." he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"It's okay, I forgive you! You came back and even brought me a boat!" Billy said excitedly, pushing the boat around the water.

"You're his twin. The one who got pulled from the water." I realized. His hair was lighter now, from exposure to the sun, but he did look like the grown up version of the boys from my vision. He looked down at his hands, grief written clearly across his face. I sat in the shallow water, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them.

"I was the big brother, born five minutes before him. I used to tease him about it all the time," he smiled, lost in the memories. "I was supposed to watch him. Keep him safe."

"You were so small! You couldn't have done anything!" I interrupted, but he shook his head sadly.

"You've seen it then?" I nodded

"I have seen it every night for years. I always came back here, offered toys to the waters in his memory. But I never thought he was still here.

"I saw you visiting him. He knows you missed him. But you can't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault," I reached out and touched his hand. He smiled and wiped a stray tear from his face.

"Thank you," he said.

"Tommy come play with me!" Billy shouted, waving his small arm above his head.

"Can I?" He asked looking at me.

"Of course," I laughed. He took his shoes and shirt off and turned slightly away from me. I giggled and covered my eyes, turning my back to him.

I opened them again when I felt a big splash. We played for hours, a few other lonely souls joining in, and laid back in the sand watching the sunset. I had a new appreciation for Thomas. Billy was right. Though it didn't excuse his past behavior, I understood where it came from. When Billy died and Thomas was rescued, he lived the rest of his life in guilt and hardened himself against the world. He trained hard to make sure that he would be able to protect his pack if an attack happened again. But some where along the way he had confused being strong with being a d***k. Which, after I dunked him in the lake a few times, I forgave him for. He was actually really funny, in a slightly mean, sarcastic kind of way. Kind of like what I imagined an older brother would be. Like Sarge.

"So what's the deal with you and Sebastian? What'd you do to him?"

"Me?!" I huffed, "I didn't do anything to him! Kind of like how I didn't do anything to you!" I pushed his shoulder and he laughed.

"Oh okay. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't feel guilty about beating him up."

"Why did you beat him up?" I asked curiously

"I didn't catch the beginning of whatever happened between you two, but I saw the end and heard what he said. I know Ryder would never take advantage of a guest, and I knew you would never be someone's wh.ore. Make someone else your bi.tch? Yeah, sounds like you," he laughed and I couldn't help but join him. "He deserved it."

"I don't know what his problem is. He is always trying to start a fight with me"

"I think he likes you. And that probably makes him hate himself."

"Oh wow. Thaaanks." I rolled my eyes and he laughed again

"Not as an insult to you. But he is from the North. They are very big on pack life and think they are better than everyone else. Not to mention that they despise outsiders. The north and the south really play into the whole 'kingdom, kings and queens' bit." I nodded, remembering my own experiences with the north. "Yeah, we are the 'western kingdom' but this is it. If smaller packs live outside the mountain Ryder doesn't care. As long as they stay out of our territory. The north though.. all the alphas of all the packs answer to the Northern King."

"Is he a super alpha or really strong or something?"

"He is powerful. Their whole line is, though nobody knows why."

"Maybe from ruling over so many packs?"

"Maybe.." he said thoughtfully. We got up and got dressed, as it was getting late and we were hungry after swimming for so long, and headed to supper.

"If you ever need help with Sebastian again, let me know. I enjoyed getting my frustrations out on him."

"I think I'll be okay, besides I'd love to get some of my own out too"

"Maybe make it to the bedroom this time" he said smirking.

"You know what, you'll do just fine!" I said and punched him in his side.

"Owww! That was unnecessary! Why are you so strong?" He groaned, as we made our way into the dining hall.

Ryder looked at us suspiciously

"Okay... who are you two and what have you done to the real Evangeline and Thomas that despised each other?"

We laughed and shrugged, taking our seats at the table.

Sebastian was noticeably absent. Dinner was pleasant and passed without issue. Then that blonde girl from the sparring night pulled me aside afterwards, and goddess was I tired of being pulled around by everyone.

"Hey! We never got a chance to talk! My name is Alana!" She said cheerfully, holding out her hand.

"Evangeline" I stated shaking her hand briefly before dropping it.

"Sooooo, what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You know, what brings you to the western kingdom?"

"Just visiting," I said evasively, stepping around her to go to my room.

"So are you a blessed werewolf or something? Because that lake thing was super freaky," she laughed, following me.

"Did you need something?"

"Just wanted to chat! Don't tell me you only talk to boys? I mean I totally get it, less drama but you? Come onnn. You look like you need a girlfriend" she giggled. Ugh. I came to my door and turned around.

"Ah, good talk. Well I gotta get to sleep, long day ahead of me tomorrow-"

"Oh you have plans? What are you doing tomorrow?" I sighed. This girl was not taking any hints.

"Listen, I don't mean to be rude but I've got a lot on my plate.."

"What could a rogue possibly have to do that is so important?" She said in a mocking tone of voice, inching towards me.

"Okay I've been nice, but back up."

"Awww, did I hurt your feelings? Don't take everything so seriously!" She laughed, shoving me.

Amaris please lend me some of your patience.

But she just growled quietly in my mind, irritated too. I took a deep breath, I would not let these people ruin my night too.

"Kindly never touch me again," I said slowly, "and leave me alone. I'm quite capable of picking my own friends. I don't need help."

"No need to be a b.itch about it." She scoffed. "Thats what I get for being charitable." She walked across the hall and opened the door, inside I saw Sebastian with nothing but a towel slung across his waist. She smirked at me and walked inside, closing the door behind her. I didn't know he was just across the hall from me. And I didn't know what to make of the mixed emotions that welled inside of me.

I went inside my room and locked my door.

I took a fast shower and pulled on one of the oversized t-shirts that Ryder had put in my closet and laid in bed. They were all clean and without his scent. Alyssa had also given me a few of her clothes, but they were too fancy for me, most being dresses.

What was wrong with me? I touched my lips, remembering his kiss. Was I some sort of masochist? I could almost taste him, the green tea, caramel, and cinnamon apple flavor faint, ghosting over my tongue. I pictured him in his room, his large muscled arms, rock hard body, his abs... and Alana's hands running all over him. Ughh!

I shoved my face in my pillow to stop my imagination from running wild. f***k that guy! And he called me a w.hore, when he runs around kissing random girls and has another come to his room the same night! When he's naked! I would not waste another thought on him, I decided, going to sleep.

——————————————————————

Sebastian

I had just gotten out of the shower when my door opened. f***k the one time I don't lock it, I thought.

I froze as Alana opened my door as wide as it could go, and I saw Evangeline's surprised and angry face as she stood at her door. Alana closed mine slowly and turned around, a sly smirk on her face.

"Alana, what are you doing in my room?" I said irritated, the look on Evangeline's face had twisted something inside me painfully. She walked towards me, looking me up and down appreciatively.

"I just stopped by to talk... and whatever else you might want to do..." she purred, smiling suggestively.

"Get out." I said flatly

"Oh Bastian, you play too much," she giggled.

"Alana, I will not tell you again. That was an order." I growled.

"Hmph! You're no fun!" She pouted. But thankfully she walked to the door.

"Well, if you change your mind.. you know where to find me." She blew me a kiss and left. I shivered in disgust. She was as appealing as a three legged donkey. Of course that was because she was nothing compared to Evangeline. Nobody could compete with her...

Rowan! Stop putting thoughts in my head!

He ignored me, as he had been doing since earlier. Since I kissed her. Since he kissed her. He had taken control and had gone after her. Though I didn't fight him too hard about it. And I had to admit it was all me at the end.. she just tasted so good, and she kissed me back! She felt amazing in my arms, in my hands, against my lips.. I had wanted to take her to my room, tell her everything right then and there. And f.ucking Rowan was begging me to. But I caught myself. I had to distance myself from her, by the only way I knew how. I thought she'd just get mad again and hit me, but the pain in her eyes broke my heart and Rowans. He blocked me out after that. I didn't even fight it when Thomas took me down. I knew I deserved it. But what was I supposed to do?

I could not risk it! Perry was so close! He'd been on patrol nonstop for the past week. The attacks have been getting closer. And I intended to capture and interrogate the first assailant I could. Which should be here within the week, by my informants intel. I could not focus on pointless affairs and trysts anyways. The Northern Royals have never mated outside of our kingdom in hundreds on years. As the prince and alpha to be, I would not break tradition on a worthless rogue. No matter how beautiful, fiesty, funny and kind she was..