Page 7 of Escaping Wildfire
“It’s only six weeks, Ma.”
“I know, but you’re all grown up now.” She wiped her eyes.
My dad put his arm around her shoulder for comfort. “I’m proud of you, son. You’ll be ready to take over in no time. I’m sure you’ll be the best Gamma this pack’s ever seen.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“We love you, Mijo.” My mother fussed over me again. “And don’t come back with a mate, yours is right here in this pack. You just have to wait for her birthday next month.”
“Come on, Ma.” I rolled my eyes embarrassed.
“Ya, dejalo. (Leave him alone, already). My dad told her as they walked me over to the car.
GEMA
My parents had just finished saying their goodbyes to my brother when I got to them. He turned towards me and gave me a big hug, picking me up and swinging me around before setting me back down. He’d done that since we were little, and it wouldn’t be a hug from him without it.
“I’ll miss you, baby sis.” He stepped back and narrowed his eyes at me before glancing at Noah.
“I’ll miss you, too. Learn lots of stuff, and have fun at training okay?” I stepped away from him as Jordan and Noah walked up.
“Wait, let me get a picture before you go!” Luna rushed up with her phone and had the guys stand together with Jordan in the middle. They got in the vehicle, with Jordan in the back and my brother driving, and we all waved as they headed out.
Jasmine walked up beside me and bumped my shoulder. “Giiirl, tell me that is not a hickey on your neck.” She whispered so only I would hear.
“What?” I reached up to cover my neck.”
“Oh, my Goddess, it is!” She whisper yelled. “Is it from Noah? It’s from Noah, right? You have his scent all over you! Tell me everything.”
“Come on girls, let’s head back inside,” Luna called out to us.
“I’ll tell you everything later.”
Jasmine squealed, and I widened my eyes at her to keep quiet. I walked back upstairs with everyone, hoping my hair would cover my neck. I knew my brother had suspected something by the way he looked at me and Noah. Noah told me he’d be fine, but I just hoped Cristian and Ax would be fine with everything, too.
3 Friendship
NOAH
We said our goodbyes to both our family and pack and headed towards the car. Cristian did not look happy, so I made a move to sit in the back, but Jordan shoved me out of the way and beat me to the back seat. Looks like I’m sitting up front with Cristian. Jordan was my best friend, and I trusted him to always have my back, but sometimes he was a real shit-stirrer.
I wiped my face before opening the door and heading inside. Cristian had already started the car and was facing forward with his hands on the steering wheel.
“You ready, man?”
Cristian swallowed hard and gripped the steering wheel tighter, making his knuckles go white.
‘Duuude. He’s pissed.’ Jordan mind linked me.
‘Yeah, I got that.’
‘If he murders you, I call dibs on your leather jacket.’
I looked back at Jordan to see him giving me a shit-eating grin.
‘Asshole,’ I turned back around and tried to think of what I should say to Cristian.
I’d never kept my feelings for Gem a secret, but I hadn’t made it super obvious either…and Cristian had never outright told me to stay away from her. To be fair, though, it is kind of an unspoken rule that you don’t date your friend’s siblings without getting the okay first. I should have talked to him about it first, as soon as I knew I had feelings for Gem, then maybe he’d be okay with it. I didn’t want this to ruin our friendship, and I especially didn’t want to ruin his relationship with Gema. I should have thought this through better, but I also didn’t want to lose my shot with Gem last night. I looked over at Cristian, who didn’t even glance my way.