Two time thing

Colin

Seeing him around and not being able to talk to him has been the most frustrating thing I have ever had to go through. It is almost like he is everywhere I am just to torture me. I know we are bound to see each other around--I mean, we are in close proximity, but I wanted these two weeks to just pass by without seeing him again.

I don't want to be that kind of person that listens to rumours and judges a person by that, but I am terrified. Tala has been around the community. She has met a lot of people, and they all seem to be saying the same things.

Lowell killed his mate.

The kind of evil it will take to kill someone that is supposed to be a part of you is what scares me the most. I don't think I want to be close to someone who could end up hurting me. I already know that he is not my mate. I know that this thing will end when I eventually find my mate, so what is the point of dragging the inevitable?

We are at a meeting with all the other Alphas of the other communities. I didn't want to be here, but Dad mandated me and Colm to sit in. He keeps thinking that there is the possibility that I would end up being the next Alpha, even though I know that Colm will most likely be the one to take the reigns. He has more leadership qualities. He has the potential, and even though I know I could be a good strategist, I am only book smart and it takes a lot of strength to lead a pack.

I don't have that and I know it.

I sneak a glance at Lowell, and he is on the other side of the room, seated with a look of disinterest. He doesn't even look back at me. It makes it clear that there is no connection between us and there never will be.

"Hello everyone, this has been a much-needed event, don't you all think?'' Walker Fields, the Alpha and leader of the Greensprings pack, voices it out with a smile.

Walker is one of the people that I look up to. I have heard the stories. I heard of his bravery and teamwork. I know the kind of man he is, and whenever we come to the Greenspring Pack, I remember just how good of a man he is.

He and my dad are the ones that started the retreats. a way to create unity and peace between all the packs.

Nothing serious happens on these retreats, but they never stop it, and the members of neighbouring packs always show up. They say it's a good chance to get to know the ones that live next door because we all know that in this very large world, there are people that want to kill us. People that only think about killing and destruction. Even without attacks from vampires, there are still bad people in the world, and this is a way to reign it in and protect humans from getting hurt.

We have all agreed to no bloodshed, but that doesn´t mean that if someone tries to attack us, we can´t try to defend ourselves. We are here to protect, not kill.

My dad speaks up. "It definitely has Walker."

I look at him and then at everyone else as they all nod in agreement, "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Lowell." Walker faces him, and my heart leaps up in my chest as he sits up.

"Did I have a choice?''

"Everyone has a choice, and you made the right one."

Lowell scoffs, and I sense the tension in the room. I really don't know why he came or how they got him to come, but there is more to this and I don't even know if I want to find out.

The meeting continues, and after about an hour of talking about strategies, training, and mixers to find a mate, they call it an end. Everyone gets up and starts to mingle, but all I want to do is leave. I felt Lowell's eyes on me as I watched Colm go over to one of the Alphas of the other packs. Now I am alone, and reminders of how alone I have always felt surface, and I don't know how I feel about that. After a couple of minutes, I go to a corner, wanting to escape. I pull out my phone from my pocket and send a text to Tala.

"You are avoiding me?"

My heart does a jolt at the sound of his voice.

Lowell is next to me, but he is not looking at me. From where I am in the room, no one can see me, but I can see everyone. Dad is talking to Walker, and they are laughing about something.

"No, I am not,'' I answer nervously.

I look at him, he looks even more handsome today. His hair is let down today, almost over his shoulders, black and majestic. He slowly turns and I am met with his blue eyes that I have been dreaming about for the past week. His glare is warm and contagious. I almost can feel my heart beating. I want to reach out and touch him, I want him to touch me.

"Really?"

I nod.

He scoffs again. "You won't even look at me right now. I have seen you leave when I walk into a room this past week. "

He is not wrong, but I will not admit that. I will not give him the satisfaction of that.

"Why are you talking to me right now?''

He shrugs, "I wanted to."

"Why?"

He shrugs again. "Meet me tonight?"

"This was a one-time thing. You said so yourself.''

He nods, "I did." He breathes in deep like he is trying to calm himself and continues. "I want it to be a two-time thing.''

This should not be a big deal but it feels like a big deal and I feel my heartache at his words. This small piece of him that he is offering me. This man doesn't and has never wanted the same person twice and he wants that with me.

What do I do?

What do I say to that?