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I lay awake that night ... Thinking about him, about how right he felt on my lips. Just a kiss, nothing more. Even though I sat, naked on his lap for over an hour, he made no move to deepen the kiss, kept his hands on my waist.
After that, he had carried me home, came in my room the back way, one-handedly scaling the trellis leading up to my balcony while I clutched onto his neck.
"Just admit it already Kaden - after what just happened you can't deny it any longer."
"No - after what just happened, it further strengthens my point on you wanting me - and I'm not going to stop until I get you Ali." He winked and walked back out to my balcony, swinging himself over the marble banister.
The vivid image of his sparkling grey eyes, peering into my own navy ones as he departed, were ingrained onto the backs of my eyelids, every time I closed them, that's all I could see.
I sighed and sat up. There was no way I was getting any sleep tonight - I just couldn't get comfortable. I slipped out of bed and pulled on some black converse before traipsing downstairs, making sure to stomp my feet as I walked past Jay's door. I heard him groan from within and smiled, carrying on quietly past Ty's and Graham's rooms.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes - I shouldn't have taken that nap on the pier today ... I stepped outside and stretched - the stars still shone brightly above and the half-moons light flooded the street. Even without that light I would have been able to see well enough - my night vision was perfect now.
I glanced over at the darkened windows of the Strutts' house ... And an idea suddenly came to mind. I ran back into my own house, gathering supplies and dressing up in my sneaking around clothes (a black hoody and black gloves over my pyjama shorts and tank top) and crawled back over to the twins' house. I glanced up at the windows above me and picked the one on the right - hoping desperately that I had picked the right bedroom.
Grasping the lipstick firmly between my teeth I took several steps back and ran towards the window, jumping I managed to grasp the ledge with both hands. Saliva dripped down my face as the lipstick was still clamped between my teeth and I couldn't close my mouth.
My arms groaned in protest as I hauled my body up onto the thick ledge, I slid one fingernail under the window lock, testing it. Locked. Holding onto the ledge with one hand, I rested my elbow on the sill whilst pulling a pin from my hair. There's always a tonne of pins in my hair - you never know when you may need them, plus they make anyone's hair look fabulous.
I slid the pin in the lock while keeping myself balanced on my elbows, my bare feet rested against the rough wall beneath me - and my right hand was busy pulling the lock up with another pin, so the left pin could twist inside.
Both my elbows started to go numb and I was about to give up and try my luck with the back door when I heard a faint click and the glass in the window shuddered. I left both pins in the lock and slowly slid up the window, moving only my wrists as my forearms were what was keeping my on the sill. I slipped my left hand inside and shoved the window up as silently as possible with my right.
I heaved and dragged myself through the window, springing silently back onto my feet. I knew I had the right room because his scent invaded my senses. It was so strong in here - my mind swirled and I shut my eyes tight, sucking in a deep breath quietly, finding my bearings.
Sure enough, I could make out the vague outline of a slumbering body in a huge four-poster bed at the other side of the room. I could make out the hallway door, right across from me and what I assumed were the en-suite and closet doors were a little to my right, the lay-out of his room was very like my own except there was no balcony.
I removed the lipstick from between my aching teeth and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand before tiptoeing forward to the mirror I saw right across from his bed.
I twisted the stick until the bright red makeup appeared, and very carefully ... I left him a message. Then, I crept over to his walk in closet, pushed the door open and almost growled in frustration. It was packed full of clothes. ONLY a rockstar would have this many clothes ... a regular guy wouldn't have half this ... Screw that a regular GIRL wouldn't have half this. This was going to take a while.
It took me a whole hour to finish up and when I did I slipped back out the window, and on my way out, I put my video camera, on a timer for one hour from now, under the window so it was propping it up. The camera was attached to a length of string that was in turn, attached to the banister of my balcony.
I leapt down from the window, landing almost silently on all-fours, and scrambled back to my own room, scaling the trellis quickly before sitting on the balcony - his room clearly in sight between the marble balustrades.
I couldn't help but let a slow smirk cross my face - all I had to do now was sit and wait ...
*****
I awoke to Kaden's yelling about an hour later. Funny ... I NEVER doze off ... I shot up from my stake-out position below my balcony and craned my neck to see what was going on - I could see a dark figure running back and forth in Kaden's bedroom and couldn't help but laugh, this was perfect video footage.
I heard a strangled yell and suddenly his bedroom window was thrown open, I yanked on the string holding my video camera and it fell to the ground, landing softly in the grass. His eyes widened as he watched the camera slide across the grass and his eyes followed it's movement up the wall and straight into my hands.
Finally, he met my eyes. His were blazing with fury - I could feel it from here.
I turned the camera to face me and I grinned widely.
"You have just been treated to an Aaliyah Marx Original motion picture." I turned the camera to face the furious Kaden and zoomed in on his face before zooming out and focusing the camera back on myself.
"As you can see - mission annoy-Kaden-until-he-admits-he-loves-me, has been a success. I can assure you - there will be more videos to come. Thanks for watching!" I shut the camera and switched it off, a big smile plastered across my face.
"Aaliyah Marx you are DEAD!" He screamed, his face a mask of rage. I couldn't help but laugh but something inside me twitched, my wolf. She was sad ... Kaden's anger bothered her. I shoved her to the back of my mind and called out to the ferocious Kaden who was still standing there glaring daggers at me.
"Good luck finding something to wear!" I smirked and winked at him and he let out a strangled howl before retreating inside and slamming his window shut. Which shattered ... I rolled on the ground laughing, listening to his cursing with satisfaction.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I finally sat up and walked back inside. I changed quickly, throwing on some skinny jeans and a long-sleeved, low cut white shirt.
I swiped my hair up into a messy bun and threw on some mascara. Teasing Kaden wouldn't even work today if I wanted it to - he was too angry at me. I grinned before hopping down the stairs, Jay and Jess were sitting at the table.
Jess smiled brightly and greeted me with a chirpy 'Heya!'. Jay looked up, pain in his eyes ...
"Ali ... I'm so SO sorry ... I stepped way out of line ... Please forgive me - I can't stand you being mad at me." He pleaded standing up from the table. I stiffened. Torturing Kaden had totally taken my mind off what Jay had done yesterday. My anger had faded though, and I realised I wasn't angry at him anymore.
"I forgive you Jay." I smiled brightly before walking over to the cupboard and pulling out a box of Golden Nuggets. I reached my hand in to pull out a handful when Jay engulfed me with a hug from behind.
"Thanks Ali. I was so scared you wouldn't forgive me."
"You mean you were so scared at what I was going to do to you in your sleep? Well sorry, but I didn't have time last night - I was perfecting a different evil plan." I smirked tossing him the video camera, he flipped it open and sat back down beside Jessica, I walked over, still clutching the box of my precious nuggets, and stood behind them, looking down at the tiny screen.
The first eleven minutes were still and Jay fast-forwarded while I munched on my cereal.
"Wait, wait - look he moved!" I said, pointing at the dark figure in bed, sure enough he rolled over and groaned hopping out of bed and ... Adjusting himself down there. I giggled and Jessica's mouth fell open. Jay rolled his eyes and shushed us both.
I couldn't drag my eyes away from Kaden, standing there, stretching in all his muscular glory.
"Both of you shut your mouths - your actually drooling." Jay sniggered and I thumped him on the back with my elbow. He grunted and it took a few seconds to steady the camera again, just in time to see Kaden freeze, his hands dropped to his sides and he oenly gawked at the mirror in front of him. He ran out of view for a second and a bright light was switched on, illuminating the room ... And the blood red words printed on his mirror.
'Just admit it Kaden - you LOVE me!' And just below that, I had kissed the mirror, leaving a blood red set of lips.
"Shit Ali, what did you write that in? Kaden growled.
"Lipstick." I smiled and his eyes shot back to the mirror.
"Good, for a second there I thought it was blood." He muttered, I didn't miss the glance he shot at my wrists. I smacked him across the back of the head. "Well I wouldn't put it past you ..." He growled, rubbing his head. I directed my gaze back at the screen.
Kaden had walked over to the mirror and swiped his thumb across the word love, he inspected the lipstick carefully on his finger, then turned around, rolling his eyes - a slight smirk on his face. And then he noticed his closet door was slightly ajar. He ran over, pushing it open and was lost from our view for a second.
He came thundering out seconds later, two empty lipstick cases in his left hand and one of his ruined shirts in his right. His face bore shock for a second as he looked at his shirts and then complete and utter anger. He growled and dropped them on the floor, running back into his closet. Tonnes of shirts, jeans - you name it, came flying out of his closet, each of them with something written on it - either in bright pink or dark red. All of his black clothes bore the bright, pink shade while everything else - ranging from grey, to blue to white was stained with the dark red. His strangled yelling and growls emanating from the closet at random intervals as he found something new I had ruined made me giggle.
Jessica gasped and I burst out laughing along with Jay. He set the camera on the table seeing as his hands were shaking from laughing so much. Tears swam in my eyes and I gasped for air. This only increased when Kaden dashed out of his closet, holding a shirt up to his chest and looking down at it, growling, the words, 'You know you want me Kaden' and another kiss were clearly visible.
His face the picture of fury, he ran over to the window, not noticing the camera and he thrust up the glass, giving us a perfect view of his abs for a few seconds before the camera fell backwards out the window and the picture blurred for a few seconds.
There was a thudding noise as it hit the ground, and then all we could see were blades of grass as I pulled it across the lawn. A clattering noise was heard and ivy leaves covered the screen as I pulled it up the wall and suddenly my painted toenails came into view, followed by my grinning face.
"You have just been treated to an Aaliyah Marx Original motion picture." The camera shook for a second until it was facing Kaden's window again and it zoomed in on his red face, before turning back to me and un-zooming. A big grin on my face I announced -
"As you can see - mission annoy-Kaden-until-he-admits-he-loves-me, has been a success. I can assure you - there will be more videos to come. Thanks for watching!" And the screen went black.
Jay slapped his palm against the table, gasping for breath and Jess sat, clutching her stomach, giggling madly. I raised an eyebrow - okay it wasn't that funny? Maybe it's because I had been there.
I shrugged and picked up the camera, leaving them there laughing, and brought my Golden Nuggets out to my car, fully intending to finish the whole box.
I sat in, throwing the box in the passenger seat and put the keys in the ignition. The engine turned twice, and the car came to life before stuttering out. Something caught my eye, the needle on the gas metre hadn't moved from E when the car had started for those few seconds.
I growled lowly, stepping out of the car and leaving the door open. I walked around to the gas tank and pulled open the cover, peering in. There wasn't a drop in the engine. Ane engine roared behind me and I turned around to see Kaden pulling out of the drive way, a smirk on his face - he looked absolutely ridiculous in a black shirt and jeans with.
'You know you LOVE me Kaden - just admit it'. I couldn't see his jeans but I knew something similar was on those. I smirked right back at him, looking pointedly at his shirt and he scowled.
"Good luck getting to school in that - thanks for the gas by the way Ali - so kind of you." I scowled at him clenching my fists, then smirked.
"You make it sound like I'm going to turn up late and be humiliated because I'm late for class. Dude, I just won't go to school" I snorted, turning around and walking back inside.
I heard the skidding of tyres and the smell of burning rubber filled my nose. I sighed, I might not want to go to school, but Jessica did ... And somebody had to bring Ty and Graham to school - so I couldn't just siphon off Jay like I so dearly wanted and leave him stranded.
I sighed - I would have to ride with Jay. Oh the shame. I grabbed the Golden Nuggets from my car and sat in the front seat of Jay's, then leaned on the horn.
He came running outside after a few seconds and looked at me confusedly.
"HURRY UP! We've got to drop off Ty and Graham - honestly I don't know how you EVER get to school on time?" I sighed.
"Ali - why don't you take your car if you're so worried about being late?"
"That prick stole my gas." I grumbled and Jay laughed, disappearing back inside and I leant my forehead on the horn.
"ALI SERIOUSLY! SHUT THE HELL UP!"
"Hurry up and bring me your keys then!" I shouted back, scooping up a handful of golden nuggets.
"If you think you're driving my car - you can think again!"
I grumbled unintelligibly then heard a door slam and looked up. Danny was walking leisurely down the front steps and hopped in his white audi. I hopped out of Jay's car and wandered over to Danny.
"Hey ... Your dumbass brother siphoned me - can I catch a ride with you?" I smiled my most sweet innocent smile and even fluttered my eyelashes a little.
Danny rolled his eyes and looked up at me. His wary expression changed and he smirked.
"Of course I'll give you a RIDE any time." I rolled my eyes and sat in the passenger seat.
"Oh, just give up already." I muttered, eating another handful of nuggets.
"I can't just give up Ali - I've just got to try twice as hard now to steal you from my dick-head brother. Why are you so interested in him anyway? He's a prick to you."
I stayed silent for a minute ... Debating on whether to tell Danny about the electricity ... The chemical reaction. It would get him to back off.
"I don't know ... He feels different, I feel something when I'm with him. With you, that feelings just not there." Cruel, I know - but it's better to dash his hopes now than letting him think he has a chance with me.
We pulled up in the school and Danny still had said nothing to my explanation. He parked, right in front of the doors. See WHY was there never a good spot for me when I was late? Danny arrives five minutes before the bell and he gets a GREAT spot.
I stepped out, Nuggets still clutched in my hand and walked around the front of the car, but before I could get any further, Danny had grabbed my hand, dragging me back towards him until I met his muscular chest.
If this was Kaden ... I would have melted by now ... But this was Danny - and the most I wanted to do was jump then dump him, and he deserved better than that. There was no electricity, of course I was attracted to him, but there was no chemical reaction.
"So you're telling me you feel nothing when I do this?" He raised his hand and brushed it over my cheek bone, I tried to take a step back but he held me fast. I thought I heard someone calling my name and when I turned to find out who it was, Danny tilted my head back towards him.
I pushed against his chest making him stagger slightly, I didn't want to hurt him.
"No." I growled out, Danny remained completely oblivious to my frustration and the people around us who had started to stare and whisper. He leaned down, closer and closer ... He wouldn't dare would he?
His lips pressed against mine, softly at first, but with a hint of urgency and desperation. I struggled in his arms but he pulled me closer and tighter. He knicked my bottom lip with one razor sharp canine but I refused him entrance, continuing to struggle. In vain. Even as a wolf, I couldn't free myself from his grasp, I was starting to consider violence when his hand slipped around my waist and he squeezed my ass.
I gasped and he slid his tongue into my mouth. I drew my knee back and swung forward as hard as I could, as the same time I bit down sharply, my canines sinking into his tongue.
He sank to the ground and I debated on kicking him again, but decided against it once seeing him spit out blood. He crouched low, clutching himself and hissing in pain. Laughter encircled us and I leaned down to his level and whispered in his ear.
"Touch me again and I'll break it clean off."
"You'd have to touch it to do that." He managed a smirk. This guy just wouldn't quit would he?! Even with his manhood at stake he managed to flirt.
I growled furiously and trod on his hand as I stepped over him, intent only on getting to class.
I breezed right past my locker, deciding I didn't need books for class. I was about to step into the classroom when I was grabbed from behind ... And dragged into the nearest janitors closet. I couldn't help but let a swell of fear overwhelm me.
I gasped out loud and thrashed against the strong arms restraining me. I started hyperventilating, I couldn't get in enough breath for a scream.
The arms pushed me up against the door and I couldn't help but let the tears flow freely as image after image came back to me. Memories of Jared.
"Please Jared ... Don't." I whispered. The hands loosened - to my immense shock, and I prayed - just prayed today would be one of his merciful days.
"Ali, calm down. It's just me." As soon as I heard the familiar husky voice, it was like all my senses switched back on, allowing me to absorb things. His intoxicating scent. Even with the light off and in the pitch black, I could vaguely see Kaden, standing there, leaning against the wall.
He looked so out of place amongst the mops and buckets.
I wiped my eyes furiously, getting rid of the traitor tears and fixed my face into what I hoped was an annoyed grimace.
He walked forward, about to wrap his arms around me, but seemed to think better of it and let them fall lamely to his sides. Part of me yearned for those arms to be wrapped around me, why had he dropped them? My gaze roamed his tall muscular frame ... and then I remembered why - I could see my handwriting, staining his jeans and shirt.
"Why Ali?" I looked up and studied his face, or what I could of it seeing as it was pitch black and even a wolf couldn't pick out every detail in these conditions.
"Why what?" I said, crossing my arms, just to annoy him, I acted innocent.
He sighed and raised his fists to his temples, kneading them slowly, his eyes shut. Oh how badly I wanted to be the one doing that ...
"WHY did you write all over my clothes? WHY were you making out with my brother just now? You're MINE." He growled. Excuse me, his? I don't remember us coming to this agreement?
"Wel Kaden, I got bored last night and couldn't sleep because I was thinking about you and how you WOULDN'T admit to loving me. I was NOT making out with your brother and, sorry, but when did you come to the conclusion that I was yours?!" My voice got slightly louder with every sentence and I clenched my fists into tight balls at my sides.
"You were thinking about me?"
"I said a whole lot more in that sentence than that Kaden." I growled and he took a step forward. My breathing quickened and I couldn't help but to notice that we were alone ... In the dark.
"I can't admit I love you when I don't - I mean, I know I will grow to ... The bond will make sure of that - but right now I'm not sure. Then why were you sucking his face outside right now? I know you feel the bond too - this isn't a one-sided relationship, Ali - it just made it worse that it was my brother. And I didn't come to the conclusion I was yours - we are each others', that's the whole concept of a mate." He explained the last part in a tone that made it seem like he was talking to a three year old and my anger flared.
"Okay, number ONE: What bond? Number TWO: He made a move on ME, I actually bit his tongue and kneed him in the balls if you had stuck around long enough to see that! And number THREE: MATE?! I'm NOT yours - I'm a human being, I don't BELONG to anyone!" What was this guy smoking?!
"Y-you don't feel it?" His voice quavered slightly and his eyes were wide, it made my heart melt.
"I don't know what I feel towards you Kaden ... I mean ... I lust for you, but any girl would lust for you - I mean, you're hot." I scoffed, he knew he was hot, why didn't he understand that half the girls on this planet would probably feel what I felt if he touched them? "I don't even know if I'm capable of loving someone, I promised myself I wouldn't fall in 'love' after Jared."
"But Ali ... you'll learn to love me? I mean, you can't just ignore your mate-" I cut him off right there.
"WHAT is this mate crap you're on about?!" He stepped forwards, grabbing my wrists, sending electric thrills straight through me, I clamped my lips tightly together so a moan wouldn't escape them.
"I see and feel your reactions Ali - I can smell your hormones - you could probably smell mine if you got me turned on enough and tried. I know what my touch does to you. Every wolf has a mate. Someone they're destined to be with and is made perfectly for them - god only KNOWS what the big man up there was thinking and he made you for me, but what you feel when we touch - that proves we're meant to be together."
I bit back another breathless gasp when his fingers began running up and down my arms, the electricity increasing - I could feel it humming in the air around us. Yet I couldn't help but think back to Jared - I had thought I was in love with him ... but there had never been this feeling. Nothing compared to Kaden's touch ... maybe sex with Jared but that was it ... If Kaden's TOUCH did this to me - I could only imagine what it would be like having se-
"Ali if you don't control your thoughts I will have no other option but to take you right here." Kaden growled, stepping closer and pushing me up against the door.
"You can hear my thoughts? I thought we had to be in the same pack?"
"I can smell the hormones Ali - and once the mating process is complete and I've marked you then yes, I'll be able to hear your thoughts, even if you're in a different pack. Though, in general - one of the mates moves so they can be in the others' pack. I'm alpha so I can't exactly move." He leaned down, his lips brushing my forehead and then trailing down further, fogging my mind and making it hard to think.
I couldn't process what he was saying in this state - but two could play at this game. I leaned forward, catching his bottom lip between my teeth. I flicked my tongue between my teeth, brushing it across his ensnared lip and he growled low in the back of his throat.
I freed his lip, and moved slowly down his face, brushing my lips across his jaw line and down the side of his neck, I continued searching ... When suddenly he gasped and jerked his hips hard into mine. Found it. I ran my tongue slowly across the spot, just above his collarbone, and he shivered. His hands were hard on my waist as was his member against my abdomen.
He groaned loudly as I sucked on the spot then lightly nipped it with my teeth. And then suddenly, it was bright again and I was lying on the ground in the hall, with Kaden on top of me.
I blinked and glanced around at the group of people surrounding us. It was like déjà vu. First, Kaden grabbing me and dragging me into the closet and now this - being exposed.
I looked directly up into Jemima's angry face.
"Ugh, you are such a SLUT! You made out with Danny this morning and now you're making out with MY boyfriend. And you got kicked out of school for this before too?!" Kaden got up off me slowly and she stamped her heeled foot - I almost gagged, her standing right over me gave me a direct view up her short skirt. Kaden held out his hand to hoist me up, but I ignored it, sitting up myself.
"Ah, my eyes!" I shouted loudly. "I SO did NOT need to see that!" I blinked hard twice and then rubbed my eyesviciously, dramatically. Kaden chuckled and I heard Jemima snort.
"You just wish you had this," She gestured to herself. "Every guy wants it." She smirked and I stood up, her friends nodded in approval behind her and I laughed.
"Oh yeah - so that's why Danny or Jay won't go near you, and that's why I was making out with your 'boyfriend' right now. And excuse me - slut? At least when I got kicked out of school, it was for fucking my BOYFRIEND, if it had been you - no doubt it would have been some random guy who's name you didn't know."
I saw her fists clench and she raised her pink, taloned hand, swiping it towards my face. I leaned back, easily dodging the blow.
"She snarled in frustration and reached forward again, but a long pair of muscular arms shot out past me, grabbing her wrists.
"Jemima - cool it. I'm not your boyfriend. I never WAS. You were a friend with benefits and that's pushing it." He said coldly, staring straight into her sparkling, cold, blue eyes. Her eyes filled with tears and her overly-glossed lips trembled slightly. I almost felt bad for her.
Almost.
"Fine Kaden! It's OVER!" She screeched, stomping away, her heels clacking. Her friends threw me dirty looks and tromped after her to cheer her up. I giggled and looked at Kaden, who was watching the posse walk away, distaste in his eyes. His gaze flickered to me, and in the light, I could fully appreciate his glittering grey eyes.
"Well, see you around Kaden." I smirked and his smiled dropped. I walked away, swaying my hips and leaving him standing in the middle of the hallway.
Now that Kaden wasn't tied down, (not that he had been, but Jemima would've complicated things) he was ALL mine to play with.