Blood Moon Rising

Chapter 9

Doubled over in exhaustion with sweat trickling down her face, Kassidy raised a hand in defeat, gasping for air. Jax chuckled, watching on in amusement, barely breaking a sweat.

'It gets easier, I promise' a boyish grin spread across Jax's face.

'You're enjoying this far too much' she grimaced.

'One more round then we'll go grab lunch'.

Jax widened his stance, bracing himself for an attack. Kassidy gulped a mouthful of water before lunging in his direction, a cracking sound echoed through the training hall as her fist connected with his jaw.

Demonstrating his quick reflexes, Jax grabbed Kassidy's arm, bent down and threw her over his shoulder, she landed with a thud on her back.

'You pack quite a punch Princess' he winced, massaging the side of his face with one hand as he reached his other down to help Kassidy.

She used the last of her energy to pull him down to the floor before sitting on him, pinning him down with a knee either side of his torso. The playful smile that danced triumphantly at the edges of her lips was short lived as Jax tensed up. His whole demeanor changed, a look of seriousness replaced the smile on his face and with one swift movement had lifted her off of him.

Training had started 5 days ago with Jax, it was strenuous and relentless. He was quite a mystery to her, constantly flipping between hot and cold. Each training session would begin with a playful energetic Jax who was eventually replaced with a serious, moody Jax.

With a sigh, she headed towards the door.

'I'm going to find Kade, see you later' she grumbled in discontent.

It had been a week since the rogue attack by the lake. Konrad had ordered the rogues to remain in confinement until they were ready to talk.

Kade had been busy learning about pack politics with Konrad and helping with the investigation into the attack, she found him hunched over the large mahogany desk in the Alpha's office.

'I'm starving, you coming for lunch?'

Kade's posture remained unchanged as he studied the paperwork laid out in front of him.

'Earth to Kade'

She startled him through the mind link and he jumped back in his seat, only then noticing her standing before him.

'Busy day?' she teased, her lips curving up into a sideways smirk.

'Something like that' Kade sighed dejectedly.

Kassidy pulled her brother from the large leather chair, dragging him in the direction of the kitchen.

'Okay, I get it... You're hungry' he chuckled.

The twins had continued to grow closer, the bond strengthening with every day that passes.

Each day they would go about their busy schedules, both learning how to fight. Karla's lessons in magic were definitely paying off, Kassidy could teleport with ease now and was starting to control the energy within her hands. Every evening they would sit down together as a family, sharing stories of their childhood, surprised to learn just how similar their lives had always been.

The pack had embraced them with open arms, with the exception of a few jealous she-wolves and a determined Delta who'd had his eye on the Alpha position for far too long.

Jared was an over confident 18 year old with a face most would describe as being carved by the Moon Goddess herself. His asymmetrical chiseled features graced a face of olive skin. A pair of crystal blue eyes sparkled beneath a mop of shiny dark hair, which he would often comb his fingers through seductively making the lustful she-wolves weak at the knees. He was yet to find his mate, but the smirk that played on his supple lips hinted that he was in no rush to bump into her, until he had bumped into every other female along the way.

Kade huffed in irritation at the way Jared's eyes danced over Kassidy's body like an unspoken promise that she would be the next notch on his bedpost.

He licked his lips seductively while Kassidy queued for her lunch, a low warning growl travelled through the kitchen.

Jared cursed as he wiped the blood away from his bitten tongue, caused by Jax barging into his shoulder as he walked past.

'What's your problem man?' he roared in Jax's direction.

Just as Jax turned to face him, Jared threw a punch that narrowly missed his jaw before, Jax grasped his retreating fist.

The kitchen fell silent as the occupants watched on in fascination. Jax was at least 4 inches taller than Jared with a much broader physique.

'I don't have a problem, man.'

Jax quipped, derogatively.

'Do you have a problem?' he raises an inquiring eyebrow.

Jared snarled at Jax who began twisting his fist in return.

Luna Karla witnessed the exchange upon entering the kitchen.

'Enough!' she snapped.

Jax instantly dropped Jared's fist, they both turned and bowed to their Luna before Jared scurried away, but not before shooting a death glare in Jax's direction.

'Okay people, shows over' she clapped her hands together cheerily, encouraging the bystanders to continue eating their lunch.

Karla approached the twins in the lunch line, a wide smile spreading across her youthful face.

'My darlings, you have a dress fitting at 3pm with Carlos. The ball is only a few weeks away'.

Her infectious enthusiasm caught on as Kassidy returned a grin of her own.

'I'll catch you later poppets' she gushed, smushing the cheeks of both Kade and Kassidy in each of her hands before sauntering away.

The twins rolled their eyes at each other as they collected their lunch trays, carefully balancing the triple stacked sandwiches that lay precariously on top. A pathway was cleared for them to make their way over to their usual table. Kassidy sighed, she would never get used to the special treatment.

The guys smiled as they took their seats amongst the Beta's and a few of the Delta's.

'How's your day going? Matty asked.

'Been kicking Jax's a*s again?' he smirked in Kassidy's direction.

Jax glared at Matty through a mouthful of sandwich. His smirk faded as quickly as it appeared.

What is wrong with him lately? Kassidy wondered. She turned to Jenny and raised her eyebrows in surprise at his reaction.

Jenny sniggered before mind linking Kassidy.

'His hormones are all over the place, two weeks until he turns 18 so his wolf is preparing to awaken. It's like puberty on steroids' she jokes.

Kassidy giggled in response to receive a menacing glare from Jax.

She averted her gaze to her sandwich, how can a Beta make the daughter of an Alpha feel so small?

Kade could sense the intimidation radiating off her. He cleared his throat and tiltled his head, staring down Jax with his powerful Alpha gaze until his head bowed in submission.

He winked at his twin sister, reassuring her that he would always have her back.

Jax Rose from the table and stormed out of the kitchen.

'Jeez, I wish he'd hurry up and shift already, his mood swings are giving me whiplash' Billy grumbled.

'That was intense' Kassidy mused.

'I don't recall meeting Jared when we first arrived' she continued to ponder out loud.

'He was otherwise engaged' Matty answer with a chuckle, which seemed to amuse the other guys too.

She stared at them quizzically until Billy explained.

'He was in the pack infirmary, one of the Gamma' s beat him up pretty badly when he tried it on with his mate'.

The group continued to snicker.

What a bunch of children she thought to herself. It was just like high school. She missed her old high school, she missed her old parents.

Kassidy and Kade finished their lunch and set their plates down on the counter.

'I think I'm going to call my.. Erm, Lorraine' Kassidy smiled.

'I'll be out in the garden if you need me'.

The fragrance of fresh flowers was very inviting as she stepped out into the immaculately pruned garden. Rows of green hedges ran along the perimeter, a large stone water feature stood proudly in the centre surrounded by delicate white roses.

Intricately carved wooden benches were evenly spaced amongst exotic spiralled plants.

Kassidy chose the bench on the East side to sit on, the afternoon sun blazed down as the plants danced happily in the breeze, a sense of calmness washing over her.

She dialed her mom's number, it rang out until it went to voicemail.

'Hey, it's Kassidy, just calling to catch up. Ring me back when you're free. Love you'

Sighing, she looked at the time on her phone, 1.20pm. She had some time before her next lesson.

She continued to bask in the sunshine when an audible huff pulled her from her meditative state. She thought she was alone but her eyes searched the landscape to find Jax sitting on a large swing at the bottom of the garden. His eyebrows furrowed together, the weight of the world lay brazen on his face.

Kassidy approached with caution.

'Penny for your thoughts?' she offered with a smile.

His face relaxed as he cast his eyes over the friendly face, his boyish charm reappearing.

'Beautiful isn't it? May I sit?'

Considering her request, he then nodded. They sat in silence for a few minutes before he finally spoke.

'It's so weird you know, I feel like I'm losing myself.'

He figeted his intertwined fingers in his lap. Kassidy gazed at him patiently, waiting for him to explain.

'I can hear myself snapping at people all the time, my fuse is so short but it's like I have no control over it, I can't stop it.'

He buried his head in his hands. The sun glistened through the strands of his golden hair. The muscles in his bronzed shoulders rippled as he slumped forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

Kassidy gently placed a comforting hand on his broad back. He flinched at the sudden contact, but didn't grumble, she confidently kept it there.

'I don't know much about werewolves, I'm still learning' she admitted quietly.

'But I think it's normal Jax.'

He sat up and smiled at her sheepishly.

'Did you really grow up thinking you were human?' curiosity shimmering in his eyes.

She nodded before cracking a smile.

'I had no idea werewolves even existed'.

The mere thought of how naive she used to be was hilarious now.

She burst out laughing.

Her infectious laugh was impossible to contain, Jax joined in until their sides ached.

The mischievous glint had crept it's way back into his eyes.

'Better?' she raised an eyebrow.

'Much, thank you' he grinned.

'You know where to come in future' she flashed her pearly whites.

'I won't ever let you lose yourself'.

He nodded gratefully as she stood up off the swing.

'I have a lesson now, I'll catch you later'

'Not If I catch you first' he winked.

She walked away shaking her head, half-surpressing a chuckle.

* * *

'Please stand still Alpha Kade'

The seamstress, Jan tutted for the hundredth time.

Kassidy giggled at her brothers impatience.

'I've been stood up here for over half am hour' he whined. 'My legs are turning numb'.

Kassidy rolled her eyes at his insolence.

'If you just stood still Kade, Jan would be finished quicker'

Jan was an Omega, she trained as a girl to become a seamstress and a talented one at that. Karla observed her distinguished designs and fell in love with her creative flare. For over 20 years Jan had worked as her personal dress maker and had been generously rewarded for creating the twins' ball garments at such short notice.

Kade almost looked regal as he stood upon a raised platform while Jan pinned the trouser hems of his deep purple silk suit.

Kassidy looked just as stunning in her floor length mauve ball gown. Tiny amethyst crystals lay intertwined in the lace that covered the entire bodice. With a slit up the side, the silk material of the skirt clung to her hips thanks to Jan and her sewing pins before falling loose just above her knee.

'All done' Jan declared as she stood back to admire her handy work.

Kade strolled over to where Kassidy was, now admiring herself in the full length mirror. He nodded enthusiastically at the sight reflected back at him.

'We are bound to look irresistible to our mates' he smirked.

'I'd like to see them try rejecting us in this getup' mischief twinkled in his emerald eyes.

Butterflies danced in Kassidy's stomach, only 16 days until the ball and she couldn't wait!