Twin Temptations

Chapter 1

I stayed crouched down low, slowly moving through the underbrush. It was easy since this part of the forest wasn’t very thick, even with the foliage in full summer bloom. The only downside was that also meant there were fewer places to hide. Not that hiding did much when your opponent could sniff you out, but even a couple seconds would be helpful. Instead, I had to keep moving. I wouldn’t let them catch me, not this time.

After about ten minutes of sneaking through the trees, I finally came to the path I was looking for. It was a straight shot to the border from here. Only a mile now stood between me and safety. Carefully, I peeked around the tree trunk I was using as cover at the moment. There was no one in sight as I scanned the path ahead of me. Taking the clear trail would expose me, but I had to take the risk. They were tracking me, and from their scents, I could tell they weren’t far behind. With one last deep breath, I checked the path again and prepared to make a run for it.

“Gotcha! You’re ours now.” My heart was in my throat as I jumped at the sound of the voice behind me.

Turning quickly, I saw Jake about ten yards away. I had been so focused on getting out of here when I saw the path that I hadn’t noticed him sneaking up on me. He stood there, blue eyes slightly narrowed, with a cocky smirk on his handsome face. The wind had blown is shaggy blonde hair into a hot mess. His arms were crossed over his chest and even though it was casually, I could still see his muscles flex. Damn, he was hot, but I would never tell him that.

“Would you like the honors?” Jake called out over his shoulder. I dared to peek around him, only to see Collin behind him, leaning against a tree. He shook his head.

“Nah, man. She’s yours this time.” He said with a snort. Hearing that gave me a little relief. Collin was only 5”10” (which for a full grown werewolf was a little short), but he built like a fridge. I didn’t need to be taken by bulldozer.

Jake glanced at Collin and shrugged, “Alright Ana, we can do this the easy …” he started, but I already took off running before he could finish. His mistake for turning his back to me! I heard Collin laugh as Jake shouted “hard way!” and I presumed, started to chase after me.

I didn’t dare look back as I raced through the woods. I debated shifting into my wolf, but I couldn’t risk losing the piece of red fabric shoved in the back pocket of my leggings. I would just have to beat him on two legs, but for that, I would need a miracle. At 5’4” my strides were much shorter than Jake’s. The man just had to be 6’3” and built to, well, perfection. Shaking my head at the thought, I forced myself to focus on the task: run, run for my life.

I kicked it into second gear when I saw the clearing come into view. The border was tree line and another 300 yards to safety. I risked a quick look back to see how close Jake was, honestly a little surprised, but very thankful he hadn’t caught me already. That was my mistake. Jake wasn’t behind me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and if I wasn’t running for my life before, I sure as hell was now. I caught a glimpse of some guards who started running to meet me at the border.

“Help” I tried to scream, but it came out more of a gasp as I could only get so much oxygen in as a ran. I was winded, but only 30 yards left, I could make it…

Wham! The air was knocked out of my lungs as my gut rammed into a rock hard shoulder. Before I knew what was happening, I was upside down. That bastard had snuck around me and hit me head on, quickly lifting me over his shoulder. How he did it? I had no clue, which just made me angrier. I started to hit his back with my fists.

“Let me go!” I screamed and I struggled against his hold.

I could hear his smirk as he replied “Not gonna happen Annalise.” He started walking back to the base camp.

“It’s Ana! Ugh! Fine, you won. You happy? Now put me down. I can walk on my own!” I groaned. First, he somehow cheats to sneak around me, then he tackles me and carries me like a sack of potatoes. To top it off, he uses my full name, which he knows I hate!

“Nope! You’re my prisoner now.” He smacked my ass and tore the red piece of fabric out from my pocket. “And I will take that back” I gasp. Apparently, he has a death wish now. How dare he even touch my butt!

“This isn’t over…” I started to say, only to hear a whistle blow. “Wait, what?!”

“Thanks for the distraction.” Jake said laughing. I saw a tiny brunette run up the trail behind us. Looking closer I recognized Greta, with a yellow flag in her hand. Well, damn it! We had just reached the training grounds where base camp had been set up or “jail” as the humans call it when they play capture the flag.

“Red team wins” Coach called out as Jake dropped me somewhat gently on the ground.

“I hate you” I muttered, standing up.

“Yeah, yeah” Jake mocked, winking at me.

“Would you two get a room?” Collin teased running to where Coach had us gathered. By now, all twenty of us from both teams had made it back to base camp.

“Knock it off!” Coach yelled, before I could respond to Collin’s comment. He just grinned unashamed.

“Not a bad game today. Yellow team had the longest possession of both flags. Miles, Jessie well done hiding your flag. Annalise, very impressive job avoiding capture. You had the red team’s flag for almost 30 minutes without detection.” I couldn’t help but smile at Coach’s compliment. “Red team, that was an excellent execution of a plan. Jake, Collin, nice job on the border patrol. You were in the perfect position to ambush anyone on their way to the border.” The boys exchanged a fist bump before nudging me. I stuck my tongue out quickly in response. Luckily, Coach didn’t seem to see it. “Greta, Kyle, great tactics of finding and retrieving of the flag.” I smiled at Greta. As much as I hated losing, I was happy for my friend. She really did nail it.

Coach looked at his watch, “well if I’m hungry, I bet you all are too. Training is done for today. Go get some lunch!”

“Thanks Coach” we all said before heading off. The boys went ahead. Once food was mentioned, they were men on a mission.

“You okay?” Greta asked as we walked pack to the pack house.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied. “Jake was just being a douche.” I made sure to say the last word loudly enough for him to hear me.

Greta laughed and Jake slowed his pace, allowing us to catch up.

“Don’t be that way Ana.” Jake started, “Aspen is just pissed that she didn’t see me coming.”

Aspen, my wolf, huffed in my head and I rolled my eyes. She was offended that Jake even considered that a possibility. If I was in control, we would have kicked that pup’s sorry ass. I nodded in agreement. Unlike me, Aspen had excellent control of her senses, but could only access her full potential in wolf form, not through me.

“Careful, Jake,” Greta warned playfully, but not quickly enough. My elbow landed perfectly in his ribs.

“Ouch, sorry,” Jake whined at me and I smiled back. It was all good fun and in the end, I couldn’t stay mad at my best friend for long and he knew it.

By the time we all got back to the house, we were laughing and forgotten all about the winning or losing team. Well, mostly, Collin wouldn’t quite let it go that he won for the third week in a row. The rest of us were more focused on the food situation. After all, it was just a game and an exhausting one at that. I needed food in my belly.

The door to the pack house opened and we all headed toward the kitchen. I was the last one, so I couldn’t see yet, but I could smell something heavenly.

Aspen agreed, what is that scent?