To Find Oneself (Book Two of IFHLS)

Chapter Two

“Hey, you two. Let’s keep the conversations on the table, not in our heads,” Derek said, catching my eye.

“Well, you guys are reminiscing about the past like your one hundred years old living with cats,” I laughed.

“Actually, I’m older than one hundred and I don’t own any cat,” Derek said, not getting my joke.

“You’re so old school,” Uncle Amos laughed, stealing what I was going to say.

“Why don’t you guys keep reminiscing about the past through some tea and scones?” Lucas joked. I smiled at how happy and carefree Lucas looked. I remembered when I first met him he looked like the most boring, dull man I’ve ever seen. He came over for dinner at my house but only talked business with my dad.

“Mind if I join?” a pretty voice came out of nowhere.

I looked up to see who it was and I was met with a woman with bright blue eyes like Amos. She had beautiful brown waves that cascaded down to her waist and had a man following behind her. He was muscular and built with serious grey eyes that looked similar to Lucas at a first glance. He looked withdrawn and seemed to observe everything around him but that’s not what Lucas turned out to be.

Uncle Amos and Derek seemed to freeze, alarmed by their surprise guest but it was Derek who spoke first.

“Gracie,” he whispered.

Zane’s POV

We found a booth and waited for this werewolf girl that Travis pointed out gently. Hint the sarcasm. I got all of us coffee and we sat there waiting for her.

“So tell me exactly how you know her,” I asked, drumming my fingers on the table. I made sure to make eye contact with him at all times. Something I learned from the Elders. They never backed down with their eye contact when they talked.

“Well, she was actually a friend of mine before I moved and learned about werewolves. She was an old childhood friend of mine so it wasn’t like I could hate her or anything so she was the only werewolf I actually liked before knowing you guys. She also has an outspoken personality but you’ll grow on her if you know her more.” He smiled and I could see Jessabelle shifting uncomfortably, staring at her coffee.

Suddenly a stranger with jean shorts, boots, black hoodie, and black hat that covered the face slid across the booth from me.

“Is that you, Reagan?” Travis asked, pulling her hoodie off but she slapped his hand. I glimpsed a small golden mask fixated on her face underneath the hoodie and hat. How weird…

“Don’t say my name so loud in public,” she hissed. What the hell? She was an odd one indeed.

“What’s the mask for, if I may ask?” I asked, trying to use formalities.

“So I won’t get noticed, of course,” she as if that was the most obvious answer. I was taken aback by her snappiness and let Travis do all the talking. Jessabelle shared my confused feeling and surprised face.

“She’s the Alpha’s only daughter so she’s well protected,” Travis explained to us. “It’s a big risk for her to be out here to meet us.” That was basically a translation for, ‘you better thank me later.’

“How is that a problem?” I asked. I always went out when my dad was the Alpha. Many werewolves in town recognized me and showed respect but it wasn’t to the extent that I couldn’t see daylight.

“Well, you wouldn’t know anything,” she scoffed, fixing her mask. It was my turn to scoff at her.

“I used to be the Alpha’s child you know,” I snapped. It angered me how she thought so little of me.