Party at the pack house
Aria's pov
“Aria, for the love of the moon Goddess, get up! You’re going to be late!”
Mum’s voice echoes around my room like the smoke alarm when I burn toast. Persistent and completely unnecessary.
“Mum, I’m up!” My voice is still thick with sleep, but loud enough for her to hear with that sensitive hearing of hers.
Jesus, if only she had a snooze button.
I reach across to my bedside table, fumbling for my phone.
With it finally in hand, I pry one eye open to check the time.
7:30.
Shit!
Panic mode activated.
I’ve lost twenty minutes snoozing. My arse needs to get out of bed. Now.
I throw myself out of my nice, comfy bed with a groan.
Luckily, organised me left today’s outfit in a neat little folded pile on my vanity chair.
Thank you, Aria.
Grey ripped skinny jeans and a plain white crop top. Absolutely not school-uniform acceptable, but whatever.
Surely my presence outweighs my uniform violation.
Makes sense to me.
Right, next job. Make this look presentable.
I throw myself into the chair at my vanity and run a brush through my crazy blonde locks.
As always, my hair is doing its own thing. Naturally wavy, definitely chaotic, but there’s no time to argue with it. So I leave it alone and hope for the best.
My face gets a quick wipe, some moisturiser and a swipe of mascara.
There she is.
My green eyes come alive now that my lashes are longer and thicker.
I may not have my shit together, but we fake it till we make it.
Final stop, the bathroom. I brush my teeth, floss and swish some mouthwash around before grabbing the lip gloss from my bag and applying a quick layer.
I give my reflection an approving pout just as my phone starts ringing.
Rushing out of the bathroom, I grab it from where I left it on my bed.
Eth.
My breath catches, butterflies fluttering in my stomach as a ridiculous grin spreads across my face.
Not that I’d want to hide it.
Ethan just has that effect on me.
“Hey, baby,” I purr into the phone.
“Ha! Wrong twin, hot stuff.”
Ew. No.
“Theo, why do you have Eth’s phone? And why are you calling me?”
The last thing I need when I’m already running late is Theo winding me up. And let me tell you, my boyfriend’s twin can manage that with just one look.
I hear a groan, followed by some rustling, and hold the phone away from my ear.
“Morning, beautiful.”
My boyfriend’s warm, reassuring voice comes through the phone, and I can’t help but smile.
“Sorry about Theo. You ready? I’ll be there in five.”
“Hey, Eth.” My voice automatically softens. “I’m ready. What’s up with Theo?”
“You know Theo, just being a tool, babe. I’ll see you in a few. Love you.”
“I love you too, baby.”
I hang up, sliding my phone into my back pocket.
Grabbing my bag from the floor, I sling it over my shoulder and take the stairs two at a time.
I throw on my Converse and head for the door, trying to calm the ridiculous fluttering in my chest.
All because I’m about to see my man.
Before I can reach for the door handle, Mum steps into the hallway, coffee in one hand and an apple in the other.
She launches the apple at me in our usual morning ritual.
I catch it effortlessly.
Thank the Moon Goddess for my wolf reflexes.
“Snoozed again, Aria?” she asks with a smirk. “One of these days, you really will be late.”
“I’m never late, late,” I tell her, kissing her cheek. “Just fashionably late.”
Just then, a car horn sounds outside, and my grin widens.
“Later, Mum!”
I run the last few steps to the door and pull it open.
Ethan’s red BMW is sitting in the driveway, engine idling.
And there, behind the wheel, wearing the sexiest grin I’ve ever seen, is Ethan.
My boyfriend of four years.
Eighteen years old, son of our Alpha, twin brother to the nightmare that is Theo, and, if the Moon Goddess has any sense, my future mate.
Okay, so that last part isn’t official.
Ethan looks at me like I’m the only girl in the world, and although I can’t communicate with my wolf yet, I can feel how content she is whenever he’s near. Ethan tells me his wolf feels the same and he talks to his.
I’m banking on that being a sign.
Plus, I love him.
I’m fully, completely in love with that boy.
I know some people frown upon relationships before finding your mate, but I’m certain the Moon Goddess has paired us together.
It’s the only thing that makes sense.
I bolt across the driveway and slide into the passenger seat of Ethan’s car.
His grin is infectious, although it quickly turns into a knowing smirk.
It’s my favourite look on him.
I lean across and press my lips against his, soft and sweet.
Only Ethan doesn’t do soft and sweet.
His hand slides behind my neck, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. Our tongues meet briefly before he pulls away, resting his forehead against mine.
For a moment, neither of us moves. We’re both caught up in each other, our breathing a little heavier than before.
“Damn, is it hot in here, or is it just you, Aria?”
An obnoxious voice sings from the back seat.
Oh, for God’s sake.
I reluctantly pull away from Ethan and turn towards the source of my annoyance.
Theo.
He’s wearing a smirk so similar to Ethan’s that it almost throws me. Except where Ethan’s makes my stomach flutter, Theo’s makes me want to throw something at him.
And judging by the way his grin widens under my death glare, he knows it.
“Seriously, Theo?” I groan. “Can you ever just act normal?”
Who am I kidding?
Normal and Theo don’t belong in the same sentence.
He’s the polar opposite of Ethan.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re almost identical in appearance, but that’s where the similarities end.
Theo is loud, obnoxious and constantly cracking jokes, usually at someone else’s expense. He lives to wind people up, and unfortunately, I seem to be one of his favourite targets. Recently anyway.
Ethan, on the other hand, is kind and sweet. He’s more serious than his brother, and when he loves someone, he makes damn sure they know it.
And I wouldn’t change a single thing about him.
Theo just grins at me, clearly loving the fact that I rise to his baiting.
I secretly kick myself for giving him the attention he’s so obviously craving.
Rolling my eyes, I try to suppress the smirk tugging at my lips.
I mean, I love him really.
In the same way you love a naughty dog that won’t stop chewing your shoes. Infuriating, impossible to train, but you love the little shit unconditionally anyway.
And speaking of impossible...
We’re about to pick up Sienna, my best friend since we were in nappies and Theo’s on-again, off-again whatever-the-hell-they-are. Honestly, even they don’t seem to know.
If anyone can rein him in when he’s in one of his particularly annoying moods, it’s her.
“Someone’s being especially irritating today,” I mutter, reaching for my seatbelt. “Come on, let’s go get Sienna. Maybe she can tame you.”
“Tried and failed,” he declares.
“Anyway, soz, Aria. You know I’m only messing.”
He gives my arm a ridiculously patronising pat.
“I love you really.”
“Love me less,” I grumble, although I can’t help smiling.
“So, beautiful, you okay?” Ethan asks, immediately drawing my attention back to him.
I study his face, noticing the slight crease between his brows.
It’s a look I know well.
He’s worrying about me.
I place my hand on his thigh and give it a gentle squeeze. His hand settles over mine, and just like that, the little crease disappears.
“I’m fine, Eth. Just really looking forward to this weekend.”
“Damn straight,” Ethan replies with a mischievous grin. “I can’t believe Sienna’s going to be eighteen on Friday.”
He glances over at me.
“And don’t forget, Saturday night. Four years, beautiful. I’ve made the best plans ever. You’re going to fall for me even harder.”
My heart swells at that.
Four years of loving this boy, and he still finds ways to make it feel new and exciting all over again.
“I can’t wait,” I reply, my smile softening. “Sienna’s party, her first shift, our anniversary... It’s going to be such a good weekend.”
“I'm so hyped,” Theo cuts in. “Finally get to find out if Sienna’s my mate, once and for all.”
I suppose we’re all hoping Theo and Sienna turn out to be mates too.
It would be the perfect outcome, wouldn’t it?
The four of us, together, running the pack, just like we’ve always imagined.
And honestly, I think Sienna would be good for Theo. She can definitely keep him on his toes.
“There’s so much to look forward to,” I agree, excitement practically bubbling out of me. “I can barely cope.”
As we pull into Sienna’s driveway, I lean across Ethan and give the horn a quick honk.
“Subtle,” Ethan jokes, shaking his head.
“What can I say? I miss my bestie.” I flash him a grin.
I hang halfway out of the window, scanning the front of Sienna’s house until I spot movement behind the door.
A grin breaks across my face the second she steps outside.
There she is.
My best friend, radiating sunshine as always.
And right behind her, just as expected, is Sadie.
Sienna and Sadie make their way around the car, climbing into the back beside Theo.
I twist in my seat to greet my best friend.
Sienna’s long black hair falls over her shoulders, framing those gorgeous amber eyes of hers. Honestly, the girl’s beautiful, and she knows it.
Beside her, Sadie flashes me a smile, her golden-blonde hair piled into a messy bun on top of her head.
“Please, for the love of the Moon Goddess, rein Theo in,” I beg Sienna, rolling my eyes.
She pouts dramatically.
“Oh, sweetie. Is he winding you up again? I told you, stop giving him the attention.”
“THANK YOU!”
Sienna turns towards Theo, who’s already wearing that irritating smirk.
“Hey, big guy. How about you stop tormenting my girl and put those lips to better use?”
“Thought you’d never ask, gorgeous.”
He catches her around the waist and pulls her towards him, stealing a kiss that has her laughing against his mouth.
I shake my head.
Honestly, those two.
One minute they’re winding each other up, the next they’re all over each other. I’ve given up trying to work out what they are.
Sadie rolls her sharp blue eyes at them.
She’s never understood the whole dating-before-mates thing. As far as she’s concerned, love and relationships should wait until the Moon Goddess reveals your soulmate.
Not that she lectures us about it. It’s just how she feels.
And as Sienna once wisely told me, opinions are like arseholes. Everyone has one.
“You good, Sades?” I ask.
“I’m good, babe. You?” She glances towards the driver’s seat. “Eth? Everything okay?”
“All good,” Ethan assures her. “You looking forward to the weekend?”
As Sadie answers, I turn back towards my boyfriend, taking a moment to admire him.
Dark brown hair, almost black, styled to perfection. Grey-blue eyes that never fail to draw me in, and a jawline that could cut glass.
And don’t even get me started on that body.
Honestly, it’s ridiculous how attractive one person can be.
People are always telling me how difficult it is to tell Ethan and Theo apart.
I don’t get it.
Sure, they have the same strong jaw, the same high cheekbones and those ridiculously handsome smiles. But that’s where the similarities end for me.
Ethan has this quiet confidence about him. There’s something in the way he carries himself, the way he looks at me, the way his presence alone can make everything feel right.
Theo’s handsome. Of course he is.
But Ethan?
Ethan makes my heart do stupid things.
Four years together, and I still catch myself staring at him like I’ve never seen him before.
He’s mine.
And I couldn’t be happier about it.
“Right,” Ethan drawls. “Everyone ready? Because this chauffeur is about to make his final stop of the morning.”
He glances into the rear-view mirror, clearly waiting for some appreciation.
Pulling away from Theo, Sienna looks towards the front.
“We massively appreciate it, Eth,” she says sweetly, giving him a warm smile.
“Yeah, Eth! You’re the man!” Theo adds, obnoxiously loud as always.
He leans forward and ruffles his brother’s perfectly styled hair like a five-year-old on a sugar high.
“Bro, fuck off.”
Ethan bats his hand away, but there’s no real bite to his words.
Just the usual brotherly banter.
Honestly, I think they’d both be lost without it.
A few minutes later, we pull into the school car park, and Ethan steers into his usual spot.
Everyone piles out, already chatting about the day ahead. Theo leads the way towards the back of the school, where the rest of our friends will be waiting.
I hang back while Ethan locks the car.
He shuts his door and takes both our bags in one hand before slipping his free arm around my shoulders.
I lean into him automatically.
His warmth settles against me, and that familiar scent of his surrounds me. It’s something I could recognise anywhere, something that never fails to make me feel safe.
He feels like home.
We make our way around the building together, following the sound of familiar voices.
Luke, Max and Dan are already waiting, along with Freya, the final member of our little group.
The boys greet each other in that ridiculous way boys do. Chest bumps, half-hugs and enough backslapping to make me wonder whether they’re actually trying to injure one another.
I laugh as Sienna heads straight for Freya, throwing her arms around her.
Sadie and I join them, and within seconds, we’re all talking over one another.
Our little group, finally complete.
Just another ordinary morning with my favourite people.
“Anything new, guys?” Freya asks, brushing a loose curl behind her ear as her gaze travels around the group.
“Nah, Freys,” Theo answers, throwing her a wink as he slips an arm around Sienna’s waist. “Just counting down the days until the weekend. Seriously, these next few days need to hurry the fuck up. Party at the pack house, baby!”
He grins, and just like that, everyone’s talking over one another, making plans for the weekend.
I’m about to join in when Ethan moves closer.
“So...” he murmurs, slipping his arms around my waist and drawing me towards him. “I don’t think I’ve had the chance to say good morning properly, beautiful.”
I smile up at him.
“Oh, you don’t?”
“Nope. Pretty sure I’d remember.”
His fingers gently tilt my chin, bringing my eyes to his.
And just like that, I’m lost in those gorgeous grey-blue eyes.
The chatter around us fades into the background. The laughter, the noise, even the morning chill. None of it seems to matter when he looks at me like that.
It’s just us.
Like it always has been.
Ethan lowers his head slowly, brushing his lips against mine, teasing me with the promise of a proper kiss.
“Ethan,” I whisper, smiling against his mouth.
“What, beautiful?”
“Are you going to kiss me or not?”
He chuckles softly.
“Impatient, aren’t we?”
“Always.”
Then his lips find mine again.
This time, there’s nothing teasing about it.
His hands settle on my hips, drawing me closer as I slide my arms around his neck. The kiss is familiar, warm and somehow still capable of making my stomach flutter after all these years.
I press myself against him, feeling him smile against my lips before he deepens the kiss.
Four years.
Four years, and this boy can still make me forget we’re standing in the middle of the school grounds.
A soft moan escapes me before I can stop it, and Ethan takes it as an invitation to deepen the kiss.
His tongue brushes against mine, coaxing a response that I give him without hesitation.
God, this boy knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
But then, he always has.
Kissing Ethan has never felt like just kissing. There’s something about the way he holds me, the way he pulls me closer, that makes me feel like I’m the only girl in the world.
Like I’m his.
And he’s mine.
My hands find their way into his hair, fingers tangling in the soft brown strands. I give them a gentle tug, earning a low groan against my lips that sends a delicious shiver down my spine.
I tighten my arms around his neck, grateful for the steady hands holding me against him.
He smiles against my mouth, and somehow that makes it even better.
Because this is Ethan.
My Ethan.
The boy who knows me better than anyone. The boy I’ve loved for for years. The boy I can’t imagine a future without.
Kissing Ethan is like touching fire and craving the burn.
And I never want it to stop.
